Snack bar and water point in Aurère. Shop and bakery in Grand Place les Hauts (Le Pavillon). Water point at the Cayenne campsite. Bring sun cream, a hat and a windbreaker or rainwear. Make sure you have enough water as it gets hot in unshaded areas.
Mafate North Circular Walk
A beautiful circular walk in the north of Mafate offering spectacular and magnificent views as you follow the famous Augustave and Scout trails.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 16.16 mi -
Average duration: 2 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 7,904 ft -
Descent: - 7,917 ft -
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Highest point: 5,407 ft -
Lowest point: 1,155 ft
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Country:
France
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Areas: Cirque de Mafate, Cirque de Salazie -
City:
Salazie (97433) -
Start/End: S 21.0488° / E 55.454637° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Stages of the route
This route needs several days, find the details below:
Notes
Worth a visit
Enjoy the magnificent views throughout this walk.
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
5 / 5
pilou457
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Oct 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A really lovely hike during a holiday in Réunion. It was a bit of a shame not to have been able to finish via the Augustave trail due to heavy rain on the last day (the lodge wardens advised against it). A must-do – but be warned: for average walkers, this is a challenging hike with significant elevation gains...
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jean-louis.chanel
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Dec 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A brilliant route with an overnight stay at Grand Place Les Hauts
To balance out the route better, a stop in Cayenne seems a good idea
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Christine B
Great, many thanks for your information – it’ll be really useful to me.
I’m off in April; when I get back, I’ll let you know what I thought of it
I can’t wait to go 
See you soon
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arbano
To get from Grand Place to Bord Martin (the Haut Mafate forest track), it took me exactly 6 hours (8 am–2 pm), taking breaks when necessary and walking at a moderate pace. This also includes the time spent taking photos and enjoying the views
Towards the end of the route, it’s easier and therefore more enjoyable compared to what we’d just completed. I’m reasonably fit but not a particularly keen walker. I’d say I’m about average.
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Christine B
Hello, and thank you for your reply.
Are the estimated times given for this walk (and in particular the 6 hours 50 minutes from Grand Place to Bord St Martin) based on a highly fit walker?
As far as we’re concerned, should we perhaps allow for a lot longer?
Have a lovely day
Christine
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arbano
Hello,
I think it’s doable in three days, especially with a stopover in Aurère, which spreads the effort over two days. Otherwise, the first day is really long and particularly gruelling towards the end (due to the heat).
Starting from Grand Place, you can expect a steep climb right from the start of the day all the way to Grand Rein. After that, the gradient eases off, but I think that spreading the exertion over three days means you can cover this final section in a single day without too much difficulty.
Keep an eye on the weather, as the woodland is damp and therefore slippery; and, crucially, there are no viewpoints, which would be a real shame as this is one of the most beautiful routes I’ve ever done in Réunion.
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Christine B
Hello, as I’m not much of a walker, I’d like to know if it’s possible to complete this circular walk in three days.
I was thinking of spending one night in Aurere and one in Grande Place.
But I’m worried the last stage might be too difficult!!!
Perhaps I should do the walk in the opposite direction?
Thank you for your help
Christine
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Other walks in the area
Grand Place via the Augustave path and Aurère
Visorando Member
8.87 mi
+3,615 ft
-5,833 ft
7h 15
Moderate
Departure from Salazie (Réunion)
A beautiful route offering the chance to explore Mafate and its extraordinary and varied views.
Le Bélier - Aurére
5.08 mi
+1,063 ft
-3,458 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Salazie (Réunion)
First stage in the Cirque de Mafate.
From Col des Bœufs to La Nouvelle
Tourist office
7.02 mi
+2,087 ft
-2,073 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from La Possession (Réunion)
The hike from Col des Bœufs to La Nouvelle offers an accessible route for exploring the Cirque de Mafate. This excursion can be done in one day or over two days if you book a lodge. It allows you to discover the Plaine des Tamarins, the small hamlets of La Nouvelle (considered the capital of Mafate) and Marla.
From Col des Bœufs to Marla
8.25 mi
+2,451 ft
-2,438 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from La Possession (Réunion)
From the Col des Bœufs, a forest track leads you to the edge of the Cirque de Salazie, where you’ll discover the majestic pass and its breathtaking views over the Cirque de Mafate. Your walk begins on a path carved into the mountainside, offering a dizzying view. You’ll then enter the tamarind forest. After crossing a clearing, you’ll descend towards the pebble-strewn river, discovering a hidden pool along the way. Finally, a short climb takes you to the village of Marla, where you can rest.
Belvédère de la Fenêtre
3.50 mi
+2,608 ft
-2,631 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Salazie (Réunion)
This trail will take you to the viewpoint overlooking the natural cirque of Salazie. A breathtaking view, at least what remains of it when you reach the top.
La Nouvelle - Le Bélier
4.09 mi
+1,926 ft
-1,227 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from La Possession (Réunion)
The final stage of the Mafate circular loop.
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