The Trail of 58 Native Plants

As its name suggests, this trail offers the chance to discover plants endemic to Réunion. Furthermore, the Piton des Songes is a place much favoured by the religious, as evidenced by the presence of the Stations of the Cross. At the summit of the piton, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Plaine des Palmistes!

Details

n°291572

Creation:
03 Jul 2016

Last update:
05 Oct 2016

Last review:
15 Dec 2018

Activity: Walking
Distance: 1.33 mi
Average duration: 1h 00
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 433 ft
Descent: - 433 ft
Highest point: 4,144 ft
Lowest point: 3,812 ft

Country: France
City: La Plaine-des-Palmistes (97431)
Start/End: S 21.152525° / E 55.611545°
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Description of the walk

Access from Bourg-Murat: Head towards La Plaine-des-Palmistes. Drive to the village of Le Bras des Calumets. Park at the edge of the village in the large car park.

Access from Saint-Benoit: Take the RN3 towards Col de Bellevue. Drive through the village of La Plaine-des-Palmistes. Continue towards the pass, then park at the entrance to the village of Bras des Calumets in a large car park.

(S/E) Follow the path that starts between the car park and the statue of Our Lady of Hope. The views over the Plaine des Palmistes begin from here.

(1) After a hairpin bend, take the Way of the Cross to the right. This spot is very popular with the faithful! You’ll reach the summit of Piton des Songes and its cross in barely five minutes’ walk!

From there, you’re treated to a panoramic view of the Plaine des Palmistes. Follow the path that starts on the other side of the cross. Featuring high steps, the path soon leads into dense vegetation that is endemic and native to Réunion. At the first junction, carry straight on. The path is narrow and features a few structures made from guava wood. The fruit is much loved, but the trees themselves are a plant pest! We’ll come across loads of them during this walk! Don’t hesitate to stop and admire the flora and fauna. Several signs here and there indicate the names of the plants you’ll encounter.

(2) You’ll then come to another junction. Turn left. From here, the path begins a series of gentle descents and ascents. At each junction, keep to the right until you reach the road. Turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,937 ft - Car park at the entrance to the village of Bras des Calumets
1 : mi 0.23 - alt. 4,055 ft - Turn right onto the Way of the Cross
2 : mi 0.61 - alt. 3,960 ft - On the left, at the junction
S/E : mi 1.33 - alt. 3,937 ft - Car park at the entrance to the village of Bras des Calumets

Notes

Come early in the morning to enjoy the best weather.
You can top up your water supplies along the Way of the Cross.
Shelters are available at the starting point.

Worth a visit

See the cross and the Stations of the Cross at Piton des Songes, as well as the statue of Our Lady of Hope.
Visit the Domaine des Tourelles.
Head to the Col de Bellevue and the Gros Piton Rond.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

danielfr40

15 Dec 2018 at 05:40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, taking in the Stations of the Cross up to the Piton des Songes
The botanical trail is quite wild, marked out and signposted with ‘path’ signs, which gives it a bit of an adventurous feel
Thank you

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Orando974

30 Jul 2018 at 12:56

You’re welcome – it’s my pleasure

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grandin

28 Jul 2018 at 10:54

Thank you, orando974, for your follow-up

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Orando974

27 Jul 2018 at 21:07

Hello Julien_clain,

Right, thank you for your reply,
I’ll go and do this route again as soon as possible
Happy hiking,

Orando974

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julien_clain

27 Jul 2018 at 10:56

Hello,

It’s not the description that’s the problem; it’s the route that doesn’t match.
Kind regards!

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Orando974

26 Jul 2018 at 18:12

Hello Julien_clain,

I’m struggling to see where the mistake is in my description, as there’s a junction: if you turn right at the first junction, you do indeed join the Piton des Songes circular route. You need to carry on straight ahead, as mentioned, to complete this circular route. But it’s possible that the route has changed. I’ll try to re-do the route as soon as possible.

Thank you for your message, and happy hiking to you

Orando974

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julien_clain

26 Jul 2018 at 16:27

Hello,

In the description, it says: ‘follow the path that starts on the other side of the cross’. That’s where you head down to the right.

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grandin

25 Jul 2018 at 20:13

julien_clain, I can’t see anywhere in the description where it says to go to the right of the cross. Could you clarify? Thank you

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julien_clain

09 Jul 2018 at 07:53

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,

The route shown on the map does not match the description, as if you take the path to the right of the cross, you end up on the circular loop of the Piton des Songes path further down. The map shows that you go higher up and cut across the circular loop. There is no path between the cross and the lower section.

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