Maïdo and Grand Bord

This short hike along the Grand Bord du Maïdo offers the same superb views of Mafate as a longer hike.

Details

1897621
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 165 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 169 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,279 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,149 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the last car park before the Maïdo viewpoint.

(S/E) Cross the Maïdo road, continue along the path opposite and take the track closed to traffic to reach the path that leads tothe first Maïdo viewpoint.

(1) Continue along the path northwards, following the cliff to thesecond viewpoint facing north, which offers a view of the Îlet des Orangers.

(2) Take the path to the left which joins the Route du Maïdo. Turn left onto this road and follow it for a short distance to reach the car park.

(S/E) Take the track at the back of the car park for a short distance to reach the junction of the circular.

(3) Turn left onto the path that joins the Grand Bord, heading towards Grand Benare. At the foot of a small oratory, there is a magnificent view of Mafate. Walk through the amazing vegetation. The path is often very well marked and follows the Grand Bord, going up and down irregularly. At times, the thorny vegetation invades the path, which nevertheless remains easy to follow until a fork to the right with a path marked in white.

(4) Leave the Grand Bord, which continues towards Grand Bénare, and take this path on the right. This path is easy and much less steep than the Grand Bord, until you reach the junction with the Glacière path.

(5) Turn right onto the wide track that leads back to the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,174 m - Last car park at Maïdo
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 2,190 m - Viewpoint over Mafate
  3. 2 : km 0.57 - alt. 2,199 m - 2nd viewpoint over Mafate
  4. 3 : km 1.33 - alt. 2,171 m - Crossroads of the circular
  5. 4 : km 2.45 - alt. 2,265 m - Grand Bord crossroads
  6. 5 : km 2.97 - alt. 2,181 m - Glacière trail junction
  7. S/E : km 4.18 - alt. 2,173 m - Last car park at Maïdo

Notes

Set off very early if you want to enjoy the scenery, as Maïdo gets cloudy very quickly.

Worth a visit

Mafate

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 4411428

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I always find it difficult to understand the vocabulary used in descriptions. The trail is very well equipped at the beginning, and a little less clear in the second part. In the end, I understand the explanations as I go along...

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User 27977520

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Super hike II offers fantastic views of Mafate

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Fofi 74
Fofi 74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike which, in good weather, offers magnificent views of Mafate and the coast.

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User 27926355

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with our 7-year-old daughter, who is athletic but not a keen walker, without any particular difficulty
I would therefore recommend this hike for children

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User 19703925

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hike in superb weather

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User 3892229

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy hike. You just need to reach the cross before 10 a.m. to enjoy a magnificent view of the Cirque de Mafate
Viewpoint overlooking both the sea and the mountains
Avoid Sundays as it is much more crowded
Easy parking at the end of the road
Walking shoes essential

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User 10675825

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent views of Mafate. Some sections are more difficult, but with walking sticks and by taking your time, it's really worth it.
I recommend arriving at the start of the hike before sunrise. The view is breathtaking!
Enjoy your hike, everyone. I recommend it as a warm-up before tackling more difficult ones.

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diddan35
diddan35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A spectacular view at the edge of the Cirque de Mafate, but as everywhere at high altitude on Réunion Island, you have to get up early before the clouds take over the scenery.

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Coco paloma
Coco paloma

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The first part of the hike is very easy with sublime views of Maïdo! However, these views are more accessible by car than on foot 🥾

The second circular (passing by the car park again) starts off very well on a small tarmac path! Very easy and pretty. Then, when you reach the glacier walk, the path becomes more complicated and increasingly difficult.... It is not suitable for people who are not very fit! The roads along the cliff climb and descend steeply with large rocks! My mum had a hard time 😅, which is good to know before setting off with the family!

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FBL
FBL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

An interesting hike to do early in the morning to enjoy good visibility. The clouds roll in from 11 a.m. onwards.

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Christophe81540
Christophe81540

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The superb route overlooks the entire Mafat cirque.
Tip: arrive before 10 a.m. as the clouds rise very quickly during the season when we did it.

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comanchero57
comanchero57

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Work is currently underway, preventing the completion of the belvedere section along the rampart. An easy, family-friendly hike with superb views of Mafate (when there are no clouds)

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Philippe Chargy
Philippe Chargy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, easy hike offering extraordinary views of Mafate. Best done either at dawn for the purity of the light or at dusk for the sunset over La Nouvelle, but with the risk of clouds

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Stephantlegars
Stephantlegars

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There were lots of people at the Maïdo viewpoint, which is currently undergoing renovation work. We arrived at sunrise: magnificent views of Mafate and, on the other side, the coastline. We started by following the main path towards Grand Bénard because it was sunny, but when the clouds rolled in, we turned off towards La Glacière. The walk back to the car park from La Glacière is less interesting, of course, but it's sheltered from the clouds. A very beautiful hike with no major difficulties, except for the rather haphazard and inconsistent signposting.

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Gipet
Gipet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Postcard view at dawn from Piton Maïdo overlooking the Cirque de Mafate: unforgettable

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