Due to a typhoon passing near the island, bad weather prevented us from climbing to Piton des Neiges. So we descended directly to Cilaos from the Dufour cave refuge.
This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Les 3 cirques de La Réunion : Salazie - Cilaos - Mafate
Country:
France
District:
Cilaos (97413) 
(S) From the Dufour cave refuge, turn left towards Cilaos (GR®:R1,GR®R2).
Follow the path for a few hundred metres. Reach the viewpoint over the Cirque de Cilaos.
(1) Then turn right and descend following theGR®R1-GR® R2 (the slope is sometimes steep).
Pass in front of the Petit Matarun shelter.
(2) Continue down a steep winding path to the Bloc car park.
(3) Follow the road on the right to Cilaos (E).
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Perfect, super
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
We did it today as a round trip, including the climb up Piton des Neiges. It took us 12 hours in total, including breaks.
A very beautiful hike with a significant elevation gain that should not be underestimated. Some sections may seem endless, but the beauty of the landscapes encountered is well worth seeing! Especially the view at the summit, which is well worth the effort. According to reports, it is possible to see the lights of Mauritius at night on a clear day.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Superb view of Cilaos and all the way to the ocean on a clear day
Check the weather to get a view of the entire Cirque de Cilaos
However, it is quite a long walk, especially if you start from Piton des Neiges.
Very steep and, in rainy weather, slippery on logs and stones.
It took us 2½ hours to reach CILAOS, bearing in mind that we ended up walking 2.5 km on the road.
We are good walkers.
Brace yourself for your knees and thighs. Walking sticks can help.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : May 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
A very beautiful descent that puts your thighs and knees to the test. The views of Cilaos are magnificent.
Allow around 3½ hours to reach the centre of Cilaos. From the Gite de la Caverne Dufour, the GR sign indicates 3 hours to the Roc car park.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Mar 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A beautiful, shaded descent with views of Cilaos. The main difficulty is the very long descent, especially if you start from the summit of Piton des Neiges, with steps that are relatively slippery after rain.
There is a bus stop at the Bloc car park, allowing you to reach the village of Cilaos in 10 minutes and then St Louis, thus avoiding the very narrow and winding but nevertheless magnificent road connecting St Louis to Cilaos. The bus timetable is reliable and the fare is very reasonable (€1.80 per person from the Bloc to St Louis, yes, really...).
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
We made this descent after watching the sunrise at Piton des Neiges and having breakfast at the Cverne Dufour lodge.
No difficulty other than the descent, a few slips on wooden logs, for the record
The view of Cilaos is nice.
Caverne Dufour/le Bloc: 1 hour 45 minutes without rushing.
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Piton des Neiges and Coteau Kervéguen 
Visorando member 16.20 km
+1,898 m
-1,877 m
10 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
From the Plateau des Chênes to La Roche Merveilleuse Visorando member 
5.07 km
+261 m
-254 m
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
The Bras Rouge Circular from Cilaos Visorando member 
12.17 km
+904 m
-902 m
6h 05
Difficult
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
The Bras Rouge Waterfall Visorando member 
4.19 km
+319 m
-325 m
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
The Chapel at the start of the trail from Cilaos Visorando member 
7.34 km
+622 m
-630 m
3h 55
Difficult
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
Ascent to the Col du Taïbit 
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.47 km
+869 m
-865 m
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
From Hell-Bourg to Bélouve Visorando member 5.35 km
+546 m
-547 m
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Salazie (Réunion)
Hell Bourg and the Three Waterfalls Visorando member 
6.34 km
+332 m
-333 m
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Salazie (Réunion)
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