The Sainte-Thérèse Oratory and the Plaine des Sables

This short hike, which starts at Pas des Sables, continues along the cliff edge and offers beautiful views of the Plaine des Sables, then the rampart and the Rivière de l'Est riverbed. After the oratory, a fairly steep descent leads to the Plaine des Sables. Crossing this plain allows you to discover the beauty of the landscapes in this arid area. The return to the car park is by road.

Details

384857
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 203 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 212 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,444 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,255 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park at Pas des Sables.

(S/E) The trail starts at thePR®10signpost indicating the Oratoire de Sainte-Thérèse at 1 hour 15 minutes. Follow the yellow markings towards the north-east. Enjoy the views of the Plaine des Sables along this cliff-side trail. Pass under the Piton des Basalte communications relay station to reach a crossroads.

(1) At the Piton des Basaltes sign, turn right towards Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse - Plaine des Sables.

(2) At the next crossroads, continue straight on towards the oratory.

(3) At the oratory, backtrack a little to the crossroads.

(2) Take the path that descends to the left towards Plaine des Sables. The path descends gently at first, then the slope increases, with a few dizzying passages and the first hairpin bends.

(4) At the bottom of the descent, you will need to cross a small area of dense vegetation consisting of grass and trees, which stands out from the rest of the environment. However, you will soon find yourself back in sparse vegetation consisting of small shrubs.

(5) At the intersection, follow the signs to the right towards Pas des Sables, which is 1 hour and 15 minutes away (white paint markings). The vegetation changes from sparse to rare and then disappears completely.

(6) In 30 minutes, you will reach the dirt road of the Plaine des Sables. Turn right towards Pas des Sables, signposted 45 minutes, and head for the car park (S/E).
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Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,347 m - Pas des Sables car park
  2. 1 : km 2.58 - alt. 2,416 m - Carrefour Piton des Basalte
  3. 2 : km 2.62 - alt. 2,411 m - Straight towards the oratory
  4. 3 : km 2.65 - alt. 2,411 m - Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse
  5. 4 : km 4.07 - alt. 2,272 m - Bottom of the descent
  6. 5 : km 4.32 - alt. 2,255 m - On the right
  7. 6 : km 5.68 - alt. 2,268 m - Dirt road, turn right
  8. S/E : km 7.51 - alt. 2,347 m - Pas des Sables car park

Notes

There are no water sources along this short hike.
Bring everything you need as there is no shade along the route and when the sun beats down on the Plaine des Sables, the temperature rises quickly.
This hike can also be windy.

Worth a visit

This short hike can be combined with the Morne Langevin hike, which starts from the same car park.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
davidelea38
davidelea38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly beautiful hike. I highly recommend starting by going down the road (i.e. in the opposite direction to the description) and walking on the slag...with that lovely sound underfoot... then the path up to the oratory is also (I think) nicer in this direction; and then you finish the walk at the car park... no need to walk back up the tarmac among the cars returning from Piton de la Fournaise...

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Gaudiau Gerard
Gaudiau Gerard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part is along the ridge at the edge of the volcano enclosure, and the white markings could do with being redone. However, it is still easy to follow.
Descent into the enclosure via a narrow, stony but fairly easy path.
Sandy plain: no difficulty. Only the return to the starting point by road is of little interest.

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Verette
Verette
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty views of the sandy plain, the rampart plain and the various peaks that rise majestically before our eyes.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First, beautiful views of the Sand Plains along the climb to the Oratory, then a fantastic descent down the side and finally a crossing of the Martian Sand Plains.
I loved it
Thank you for this route.

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philippe.coclet
philippe.coclet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in the opposite direction. We start with the descent on the road and a view of the sandy plain.
The climb back up and the superb views are enjoyable.
I recommend doing it in the opposite direction to the description.

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williambrisson
williambrisson

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant and easy hike.
The climb back up to the car park via the road is the least enjoyable part, but there is no other option.

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zoreil84
zoreil84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I love this hike. A splendid view over the sandy plain. At the highest point, there is a magnificent 360° view.

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kurznat
kurznat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike, well described and signposted.
We loved it, but be careful not to get sunburn on your calves. Lol 😂
A must-do.

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CR69
CR69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Easy route, well signposted and well maintained. Superb views from start to finish. First, the sand plain seen from above, with Piton des Neiges in the distance to the left and Piton de la Fournaise in the distance to the right. Then descent and crossing of the sand plain. Really beautiful and easy going.

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Morgana
Morgana

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful view of the Plaine des Sables. Very easy to access. No difficulties encountered on this hike (even on the descent).

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