The blowholes from Pointe au Sel to Cap du Portail

Park at the Pointe au Sel car park.

(S/E) Take the footpath westwards towards the Pointe au Sel coast to visit the salt pans.

(1) The salt pans: a quick tour of the building and the salt ponds.

Then head closer to the coast, still heading west, to see the jumble of volcanic rocks forming the barrier battered by the sea.
‘Blowholes’ not marked on the IGN map are clearly visible.

Head south over very rough terrain with no landmarks other than the paths carved out over the years, following the coastline with its beautiful coves. Reach the RN1a.

(2) Turn back and take a path running more or less parallel to the outward route to return to the starting point (S/E).

Instead, choose a fine day when the wind is blowing along the coast – it’s easy to spot, as you’ll see the white crests on the waves from a distance!
Head for the old coastal road, classified as the N1a, south of Saint Leu, then turn off at the ‘Salines’ sign and park in the large, clearly signposted car park.

This walk is very loosely based on the one described on the Réunion-based website randopitons.re, which suggests a route from Etang Salé to Saint Leu. However, its description is out of date.
Nature has reclaimed the area in many places; the path has partially collapsed just after the viewpoint (2) and, combined with the household rubbish that some inconsiderate people dump on the old main road, the view along this stretch isn’t great!

Hence our deliberate decision to focus on a remarkable viewpoint and a visit to the saltworks.
However, you can then drive about 2.5 km south to a small car park along the RN1a, to get as close as possible to another fumarole and carry on to Cap du Portail.

Please also bear in mind that the coastline is dangerous; the blowholes are very powerful and can knock you over onto the sharp volcanic rock, so do not go near them.
The same applies to the coves, which are sometimes frequented by intrepid swimmers; a certain level of skill is required to visit them.

Saint-Leu Sea Turtle Observatory.
Mascarin Botanical Conservatory in Saint-Leu (notable for its Creole-style house).
Stella Matutina Museum on Réunion, covering its history and that of sugar cane (housed in a former distillery).
The Gol factory in Saint-Louis: during the sugarcane harvest, it’s open to visitors and is well worth a visit in its own right (book in advance and don’t be put off by the noise – headphones are provided).