The Col du Taïbit from the road from Ilet to Cordes

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This hike provides access to the Cirque de Mafate from the Îlet à Cordes road, leading to the Cirque de Cilaos. It is a classic route in this part of the island. It also forms part ofthe GR® R1 andGR® R2 trails. Admittedly, this hike is not for everyone, but the view from the pass is spectacular when the weather permits. We will pass through Îlet des Salazes, known for its herbal tea.

Details

n°195819
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.62 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,805 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,805 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,831 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,140 ft
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Photos

The descent
End of the climb
L’Îlet des Salazes
Les Trois Salazes

Description of the walk

Access: Head to Cilaos. After passing the church, continue on the D241 towards Bras-Sec. About a hundred metres further on, take the first B-road on the left (D242) towards Îlet à Cordes. Follow this road for about 6 kilometres. The path is on the right, about 1 km after crossing the Bras Rouge. Car park.

(S/E) The path climbs northwards, with short hairpin bends, to Îlet des Salazes, which is reached after a 45-minute walk.

(1) Several paths allow you to explore the Îlet. Go straight on at every junction. The path passes in front of a building made of corrugated iron and wood. Depending on the day and time, the association that owns the Îlet may be present to give a guided tour and offer a cup of herbal tea. The path then opens out into the open. There are beautiful panoramic views of the Cilaos cirque!

(2) 15 minutes after passing Îlet des Salazes, leave the Cap Bouteille path on your right and continue straight on. The slope becomes steeper again. During this ascent, you’ll pass close to the Source Ti Louis. From the previous junction, it takes 45 minutes of strenuous climbing to reach the Plaine des Fraises.

(3) Continue on; 15 minutes after Plaine des Fraises, the path reaches a very narrow and dangerous section, which may unsettle those prone to vertigo: please take care! It then takes 10 minutes to reach the oratory.

(4) The Col du Taïbit is not far now; there are just a few more hairpin bends before you get there.

(5) From up there, the view over the Cirque de Cilaos and the Cirque de Mafate is spectacular, weather permitting.
Then return to the car park (S/E) via the same route you took on the way up.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,140 ft - Car park, Route d’Îlet à Cordes
  2. 1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 5,125 ft - Îlet des Salazes
  3. 2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 5,502 ft - At the junction, continue straight ahead
  4. 3 : mi 1.82 - alt. 6,280 ft - Plaine des Fraises
  5. 4 : mi 2.22 - alt. 6,709 ft - Oratory
  6. 5 : mi 2.31 - alt. 6,831 ft - Col de Tabit
  7. S/E : mi 4.62 - alt. 4,140 ft - Car park, Route d’Îlet à Cordes

Notes

This difficult hike is not suitable for everyone! Those prone to vertigo will not be able to reach the pass due to a section where there is barely 20 centimetres of space to place your foot. There is no vegetation to hide the sheer drop. Holding on to the handrail is essential! This section will soon be renovated!

Come early in the morning to enjoy the best views. There are two springs near the walk:
- The Source Ti Louis on the climb to the Plaine des Fraises,
- Another spring before reaching Îlet des Salazes.

Free herbal tea is available at Îlet des Salazes when the association is present.

Worth a visit

Visit Îlet des Salazes.
See the Bord Saint-Pierre viewpoint.
Depending on your fitness level and the time available, you can either head down to Marla (and then climb back up to the pass), or make a detour to Cap Bouteille on the way back.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
vivi 31
vivi 31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views of Marla and the Mafate cirque from the Col du Taïbit, or rather from the viewpoint on the right just past the pass when coming from Cilaos. We stopped for lunch in Marla and then returned by the same route; the descent towards Cilaos seems to drag on towards the end...

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Didier Magnet
Didier Magnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An uphill hike all the way to the pass. The path is well-marked and easy to follow (though there are a few steps). It’s mostly shaded, but offers some lovely views of the Cilaos cirque on the way up and a magnificent panorama of Mafate at the top.
Highly recommended!

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michelprovence
michelprovence
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I wanted to mention this lovely walk (which I did five years ago) because it takes you up to a pass where you can admire the Cirque de Mataf, the Cilaos plateau and the surrounding peaks all at once. The walk passes through various forests and the climb is manageable for any hiker.

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courjault
courjault

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb up the pass is steep to begin with for about 30 minutes, then it levels off. Stop off at the tea room at Ilet des Salazes after about 50 minutes’ walk
It remains challenging, however, but is manageable for families with teenagers.
Magnificent views over Cilaos and then Mafate at the top of the pass.
4 hours 15 mins round trip
A must-do!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Ascent to the Col du Taïbit

Association / Club / Walk leader
Montée au Col du Taïbit
↔4.02 mi ↗+2,851 ft ↘-2,838 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
A round trip to enjoy the view at Col du Taïbit. View of the Cirque de Cilaos and, on the other side, the Cirque de Mafate. On the way, you will pass by Îlet des Salazes.

Walking Marla - Cilaos

Visorando Member
Marla - Cilaos
↔2.65 mi ↗+1,588 ft ↘-2,687 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul (La Réunion) (Réunion)
Third and final day in the Cirque de Mafate, heading back to Cilaos.

Walking The Bras Rouge Waterfall

Visorando Member
La Cascade du Bras Rouge
↔2.61 mi ↗+1,047 ft ↘-1,066 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
the Bras Rouge waterfall is a must-see site in the Cirque de Cilaos. Two trails lead to the waterfall: the first starts at the old thermal baths and the second at the start of the Taïbit trail. This itinerary is the first of the two. Easy and family-friendly, it offers beautiful views of the western part of the cirque. It is a classic in Cilaos and is very popular!

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Visorando Member
Marla - Roche Plate
↔5.15 mi ↗+1,037 ft ↘-2,726 ft ◔3h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul (La Réunion) (Réunion)
Stage 3 of the 6-day route in the Cirque de Mafate. On this stage, we’ll make our way from Marla to Roche Plate via the superb site of the 3 Roches. It is here that the Galets River disappears into an impressive crevasse. The Roche Plate site is situated directly below the Maïdo viewpoint.

Walking The Chapel at the start of the trail from Cilaos

Visorando Member
La Chapelle au départ de Cilaos
↔4.56 mi ↗+2,041 ft ↘-2,067 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
One of the most beautiful hikes around Cilaos, offering the chance to discover an exceptional site: the entrance to a canyon carved out by the river through a monolith over 100 metres wide and high, with three pools of clear, cool water.

Walking From the Plateau des Chênes to La Roche Merveilleuse

Visorando Member
Du Plateau des Chênes à la Roche Merveilleuse
↔3.15 mi ↗+856 ft ↘-833 ft ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
La Roche Merveilleuse offers a beautiful view of the Cirque de Cilaos. It would be a shame to miss it. There are a few trails here and there that allow you to hike peacefully around the viewpoint. There is even a discovery trail. The proposed hike is not particularly difficult.

Walking The Bras Rouge Circular from Cilaos

Visorando Member
La Boucle des Cascades du Bras Rouge depuis Cilaos
↔7.56 mi ↗+2,966 ft ↘-2,959 ft ◔6h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
A magnificent hike in the Cirque de Cilaos, with numerous streams and waterfalls, including Bras Rouge, Fouquet and Alfred. The hike sometimes follows a balcony path at the foot of the three Salazes and Piton des Neiges. You can take the time to relax in the Alfred pools and its small waterfall.

Walking Piton des Neiges and Coteau Kervéguen

Visorando Member
↔10.06 mi ↗+6,227 ft ↘-6,158 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Cilaos (Réunion)
The ascent of Piton des Neiges, the highest point on the island of Réunion (and in the entire Indian Ocean), offers a unique 360° panorama. This is a popular hike, for which we suggest a less travelled descent route.

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