Climbing the Volcano of Réunion

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A mineral, even lunar landscape with breathtaking views. An extraordinary hike, close to the volcano.

Please note: since the 2007 lava flows, access to the Bory Crater is no longer possible. Until further notice, follow the route described here as a round trip.

Details

n°93532
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 572 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 569 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,483 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,208 m
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Photos

The crater of Piton de la Fournaise
View from the foot of the volcano towards the wall
Route traced on the lava towards the Dolomieu peak
View from the Pas de Bellecombe

Description of the walk

Departure from the Gîte du Volcan.

Several signs are posted along the route. In the Enclos Fouqué, white paint marks are visible on the ground.

(S/E) Head south-east towards the Pas de Bellecombe.

(1) Descend into the enclosure via the path and steps (east).

(2) Turn right and go around the small Formica Léo crater on the left. Head south-southeast and reach the Chapelle de Rosemont, a sort of small natural "building" that appears to be "perched" on the lava base.

(3) Turn left towards the Dolomieu Crater. Climb steadily in an east-southeast direction. The path then turns south and finally reaches the edge of the Dolomieu Crater.

(4) Return via the same route in reverse to Pas de Bellecombe (1) or the Gîte du Volcan (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,242 m - Volcano Lodge
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 2,317 m - Pas de Bellecombe
  3. 2 : km 1.04 - alt. 2,210 m - Bottom of the trail coming from Pas de Bellecombe
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 2,258 m - Rosemont Chapel
  5. 4 : km 5.87 - alt. 2,455 m - Dolomieu Crater - Piton de la Fournaise
  6. S/E : km 11.74 - alt. 2,242 m - Volcano Lodge

Notes

It is also possible to start the hike from the car park at the Belcombe rampart viewpoint (1).

Wear good hiking boots. The route offers no shelter and the ground is very reflective: it is essential to bring sun protection (sun cream, sunglasses, hat, etc.) according to your own sensitivity. Also bring warm clothing and rainwear in case the weather deteriorates.

It is advisable to start this hike early, both to take advantage of the morning hours with less sunshine and to avoid being surprised by fog, which can roll in during the afternoon. A good solution for getting an early start is to spend the night at the Gîte du Volcan (book in advance).

There are no water sources along the route, so bring plenty of supplies. Water, drinks and food are available at the Gîte du Volcan. Book accommodation in advance.

A 1:25,000 map is essential (at least the one accompanying this description). A compass can be useful and does not add much weight to your rucksack. If you do not have a compass, remember that in the southern hemisphere, when the sun is at its highest point, it is in the north, not the south.

Recommendations:
- Access to Enclos Fouqué is regulated. Depending on the activity of the volcano, all or part of the proposed route may be closed: check in advance.
- For safety reasons and to protect the environment from erosion, do not stray from the paths. If the weather deteriorates during the hike, it is recommended that you turn back.

Hike completed by the author on 25 July 2001, with access to the Bory Crater and tour of the Dolomieu Crater.

Worth a visit

A mineral landscape, slag in various colours, diverse geological formations, views of the craters: a real open-air volcanology book!

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 42 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 27814851

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed in 8 hours with our 17-month-old son on our backs and several breaks.
It is easy to slip, so be careful.
We set off early in the morning. When we arrived, the sky was overcast, but it cleared up just after we descended the Pas de Belle Combe.
The view from the top is magnificent.
Be sure to bring a hat and sun cream, especially!
The hike is physically demanding but accessible.

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marco 85
marco 85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Departure at 6:00 a.m., very few people, a bit chilly, bring a good windbreaker and something to eat and drink. The hike is easy, don't follow the tracks to the letter, there are easier paths 2 or 3 metres away. Arrival at the crater in 2½ hours (aged 67 and 64). Splendid, unobstructed view. There were six of us at the summit, including two young people whom we gave food to because they couldn't go any further. On the way back, we passed the equivalent of four coaches. Not great once everyone was up there. The descent from the crater is not easy because of the rolling stones, and then you need good cardio to tackle the steps. (One young person did it in 9 minutes and 30 seconds). The return trip took 2.5 hours. My advice: leave early and be well equipped because there is no shade.

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JACKFLO83
JACKFLO83
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, but very physically demanding. The terrain is very uneven and abrasive, so wear old shoes. You must always be careful with every step. Walking sticks can be useful. Follow the white markers. On the downside, it's awful that there is toilet paper and tissues littering the trail all along the way. Please bring bags to collect your rubbish. Bring plenty to drink and eat. There are no refreshment stops. Wear a hat and sun cream.

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Fofi 74
Fofi 74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very busy but magnificent route! No difficulty except for the length and the more than 500 steps to climb at the end when your legs are tired
Don't hesitate to keep your toilet paper with you during necessary stops, as you may confuse the white markings on the ground with the toilet paper littering the course

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virgule
virgule

There are also white marks along the trail... made of paper. Lots of paper that has wiped the bottoms of people who are probably unaware of this wonderful gift of nature and the efforts made by the people of Réunion to bring these treasures within their reach...

I'm flabbergasted... a trail littered with excrement and toilet paper, and we still call this hiking? Is this how hikers behave?

I'm adding this route to my blacklist.

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JOURY Alain
JOURY Alain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A "luxury" refuge, a very friendly welcome, and a relatively easy climb.

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BIBIjuju
BIBIjuju

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Departure at night (around a hundred brave souls set out to see the sunrise), despite the weather forecast predicting clear skies, disappointment awaited at the summit with no view of the volcano. The hike is lunar-like throughout the entire route, so be careful of the numerous steps to climb as you approach the car park.

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Marc. ballinger
Marc. ballinger

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is lunar. I found it a bit boring and long on part of the trail when it becomes flat. The view of the crater is spectacular. Obviously, you'll need to arrive early to avoid the clouds.

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ML43
ML43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike early. Bring drinks and snacks to recharge your batteries. Arrival at the crater 😲

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Didier77
Didier77

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb!

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfect. Watch out for the sun. Make sure you're covered up

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Boudz
Boudz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that is accessible in terms of slope and elevation, but made a little challenging by the unstable terrain on the slopes of the volcano. For signage, follow the dots (literally!) painted on the ground. Lovers of minerals and geology will be in heaven! Once you have explored the lava flows in the plain and the "lava grattons" on the slopes, the route becomes quite long and monotonous, but the discovery of the Delomieu crater is fabulous, and the views of the volcano enclosure, the lava flows and the other small craters are superb. Check the weather forecast, set off early (around 6.30-7 a.m.) and take plenty of water with you, otherwise you may find yourself in fog or baking like a fried egg on the volcanic rocks . Wear very sturdy shoes or shoes that you don't mind getting ruined, as the abrasive slag will wear them down to the soles. Allow 6 to 6.5 hours rather than 5 for an average walker who wants to take the time to admire the scenery.

However, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR USED TOILET PAPER! There is some absolutely everywhere and it's really disgusting. Bring a dog bag with you, it's not that difficult.

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Kenimo
Kenimo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We left at 6 a.m. after watching the sun rise over the crater. It was magnificent There were very few people on the way there, but on the way back, there were lots of people coming up. I was back at midday, so it took six hours for the round trip. The sky was very clear, but it started to cloud over around 11 a.m. as I was starting to climb the stairs. Bring water and something to protect yourself from the sun as it is very strong

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Spyder44
Spyder44

For our part, we completed the hike in seven hours there and back, but we set off at 6 a.m. and the crater was very clear despite slightly cloudy weather at the start of the hike
Our hiking boots, on the other hand, didn't suffer at all 😉

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klag
klag

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike.
We completed the round trip in 5 hours, leaving at 9 a.m.
Very abrasive ground that wore out my trail trainers!

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