Le Grand Bénare via the Tamarin Lodge

Access: Take the RF8 leading to Maïdo. Stay on this road until you reach the leisure park and summer toboggan run. Continue along this road for several kilometres and take the first right, the Route Forestière des Tamarins, towards Tévélave. Follow it for 6 kilometres to the Gîte des Tamarins, located after Bras Calebasse. Drive past the lodge and park at the start of the picnic area.

(S/E) From the picnic area, take the path (Sentier Vaudeville) which starts on the left at the edge of the area. It climbs towards Grand Bénare and the Caverne de la Glacière (signposted). The first few metres are under the tamarind trees of the highlands, but the vegetation changes very quickly and is replaced by acacias. Some sections have been severely affected by fires, the scars of which are still visible, although the vegetation is gradually reclaiming its place. The path is grassy, but won’t remain so for long.

(1) Cross a tributary of the Grande Ravine. Iron bars assist with the crossing. After the ravine, the terrain changes completely and the path runs over scree and undulating basalt rocks, which are either smooth or very sharp and can be slippery in wet weather. You’ll need calves that can handle anything on this section. The vegetation thins out as you gain altitude, giving way to scree. The climb is never steep, but these rocks slow you down. And they never go away. On the other hand, the views of the ocean grow wider and wider during the climb, which is exposed. In the distance, a small hill comes into view, which can be used to gauge the distance remaining to La Glacière, located just behind it.
Reach a second ravine.

(2) Cross it and continue along the Vaudeville Grand Bénare path until you reach the Grande Ravine well, which is to the right of the path. Read the information board detailing its history.

(3) Then continue the climb over the pebbles.

(4) Reach a junction before the Caverne de la Glacière and continue straight on to the Caverne de la Glacière.

(5) Continue straight on at the next junction, located at the Caverne de la Glacière.
After a short climb, the path begins to wind. Here, you can avoid these bends by taking one of the shortcuts to the right. Alternatively, if you wish to stay on the official path, keep left at each junction.
At the end of the switchbacks, you’ll reach a junction.

(6) Turn left towards the rampart. Then cross a plain for several hundred metres before rejoining the path at the edge of the rampart. Enjoy the magnificent view of Mafate here.

(7) Turn right towards Grand Bénare. The summit is visible and recognisable by its antenna. All along, the path runs alongside the rampart and passes close to dangerous faults. Don’t hesitate to stop and enjoy the sweeping panoramic views. This section along the rampart alternates between gentle slopes and short climbs, none of which are particularly steep. You’ll emerge at the summit of Grand Bénare.

(8) Begin the descent via the same route to return to the picnic area and the Sentier Vaudeville car park (S/E).

This hike is not recommended in wet weather.
E rocky and very stony walk throughout.
If setting off during the day: leave by 7 am at the latest to enjoy the view from the summit.
There are cracks on the final section of the ascent.
The entire route is exposed: bring a hat and sun cream.
Tip: set off around 2 am in summer, or around 3 am in winter to watch the sunrise from the summit. The view is well worth the effort.
You can stay at the Tamarin Lodge or camp at the summit.

Bring something to keep you warm in winter. The name of the summit comes from the Malagasy word "bénara", which means a place where it is cold. Indeed, temperatures are cool in the middle of the day and rarely exceed 15 degrees in the depths of winter. At night, temperatures can drop a few degrees below zero, sometimes causing layers of ice to form in certain areas as well as frost.

Tables available at (S/E) and at the Caverne de la Glacière (5).

Must-see:
(3) and (5) The wells and the Caverne de la Glacière.
(8) The panoramic view from the summit of Grand Bénare and its cross. The view is magnificent over the cirques of Cilaos and Mafate, the plains and the volcano, as well as Saint-Pierre and the western coastline. The view cannot be described, as is often the case in Réunion, but must be earned.