Piton des Orangers and return via the Omega Forest Road

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An easy hike to see all the islets of the Cirque de Mafate. It is best to set off no later than 10:00 a.m. to enjoy the magnificent views along the edge of the rampart. The start and end of the route are on forest roads. It is possible to picnic along these roads on the way back.

Details

n°91199493
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.61 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 932 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 906 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,421 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,646 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the small car park above a picnic area, on the edge of the Route du Maido.

(S/E) Head north on the forest road.

(1) Leave the return path on your left and stay on the forest road, going straight ahead until you reach the Tête Dure fork.

(2) Turn slightly to the right, diagonally, to rejoin the forest road, and climb up to the Piton des Orangers viewpoint.

(3) Then follow the rampart northwards until you reach the fork towards the Omega Trail.

(4) Take the path on the left that descends. It is quite short but not always easy to see. It starts with a tree lying across the path, which you will need to climb over. The trail is quite unclear, so head to the right, following a small ravine. Join the Omega Forest Road about 300 metres further on.

(5) Take it to the left, heading south.

(6) Leave the Tête Dure track on your left and walk about 150 m to reach a three-way junction.

(7) Turn left, staying on the Omega Forest Road.

(8) Take the fairly steep path up on the left to rejoin the forest road you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,093 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 6,132 ft - Crossing of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.9 - alt. 6,158 ft - Tête Dure fork
  4. 3 : mi 1.23 - alt. 6,421 ft - Piton des Orangers, viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 2.25 - alt. 5,830 ft - Fork towards the Omega Forest Road
  6. 5 : mi 2.4 - alt. 5,646 ft - Omega Forest Road on the left
  7. 6 : mi 3.33 - alt. 5,860 ft - Omega Forest Road opposite
  8. 7 : mi 3.39 - alt. 5,876 ft - Omega Forest Road on the left
  9. 8 : mi 4.22 - alt. 5,909 ft - Path on the left
  10. S/E : mi 4.61 - alt. 6,115 ft - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
vivi 31
vivi 31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route includes several sections of forest tracks, but the setting remains rural or wooded depending on the location, so it’s still pleasant. The section between points 4 and 5 had been cleared recently and was fairly easy to follow, though a bit of a challenge in places.
We found point 4 easily thanks to our GPS. The tree you have to step over at the start really does have a massive trunk, and then there are others as you head down towards point 5.

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