Roche Écrite from Camp Mamode

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Roche Écrite offers a beautiful view of the Cirque de Salazie, Gros Morne, Piton des Neiges, Col des Boeufs (access to Mafate) and beautiful views of the Cirque de Mafate, Grand Bénare and Maido. From Camp Mamode, access is less difficult than from Grand Ilet and shorter than from Dos d'Âne.

Details

n°373899
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,083 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,083 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,275 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,192 m
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Photos

View after the lodge
Start of the trail

Description of the walk

From Saint-Denis, take the Route de le Brûlé to Camp Mamode.
Camp Mamode is one of the favourite picnic spots for Réunion residents every weekend.

(S/E) The hike starts at the back of the car park. The climb is on a pleasant path and is not particularly difficult. The cryptomeria forest at the start gradually gives way to colourful woods.
After about 1 hour and 45 minutes, you will reach the junction with the Pic Adam path. The sign indicates 30 minutes to the Lodge de la Plaine des Chicots and 2 hours to La Roche Écrite.

(1) Continue to the right to reach the lodge, which is the perfect place to take a break in this beautiful, shaded spot at 1,839 metres. Then go to the end of the dormitories and continue to the sign located at the crossroads of the paths to Roche Écrite (1 hour 30 minutes) and Dos d'Âne (2 hours 45 minutes) and a viewpoint 15 minutes away.

(2) Turn left. The path is very well marked and then, on the lava, very well signposted with white arrows. At the intersection at Caverne Dufour, continue to the left, do the same at the next fork and reach the junction with the path coming from Grand Ilet at 2,025 metres.

(3) Continue straight ahead, leaving the path to the Soldats Cave on your left, and you will reach a four-way junction.

(4) Turn right. From this point, there is a 30-minute steep climb with an elevation gain of approximately 150m to reach Roche Écrite.

(5) Once at the summit, enjoy the view (if the clouds are not too thick).

The return journey is via the same route to Camp Mamode via the Lodge des Chicots.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,192 m - Camp Mamode car park
  2. 1 : km 4 - alt. 1,728 m - At the fork, continue to the right.
  3. 2 : km 5.39 - alt. 1,841 m - At the crossroads, turn left.
  4. 3 : km 7.56 - alt. 2,023 m - At the crossroads, continue straight ahead.
  5. 4 : km 8.43 - alt. 2,124 m - At the crossroads, turn right.
  6. 5 : km 9.39 - alt. 2,275 m - La Roche Ecrite
  7. S/E : km 18.81 - alt. 1,192 m - Camp Mamode car park

Notes

Before setting off, check that the weather forecast does not predict cloudy conditions and poor visibility, as it would be a shame not to be able to enjoy the view on arrival.

This hike can be done over two days with accommodation at the lodge to enjoy the sunrise at La Roche Écrite.

The Plaine des Chicots lodge is the only source of water, shelter and dormitory on this hike.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
BIBIjuju
BIBIjuju

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We climbed up to the refuge in sunshine but on a wet path. After the refuge, we walked on well-marked lava slabs. When we reached the summit, there was no view of the islets, despite having checked the weather forecast. But it was pleasant to rest at the summit, listening to the birds singing

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fredchristine14
fredchristine14

Yeah, it's a cool hike. There's always mud where the footbridges are, whatever the weather, but I still do it every time. Have fun!

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Anne17
Anne17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The trail is a bit muddy and slippery because it is well covered until you reach the lodge, but from the lodge to the viewpoint it is completely exposed with a fantastic view all the way. The viewpoint is wonderful, it's magnificent! It's uphill on the way there and downhill on the way back 😉

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fredchristine14
fredchristine14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike to the magnificent Roche Écrite, with a pleasant return to the lodge, followed by deteriorating conditions due to light rain and muddy trails (thank you for putting down wooden planks to make walking easier). The roots were slippery, but the view, both with and without clouds, a few minutes after arriving at the top was fabulous, right in front of the Piton des Neiges and the Cirque de Salazie.

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Schlampi57
Schlampi57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The superb view at La Roche Ecrite is well worth the effort of the climb. The first part is rather wet and slippery, but the trail remains pleasant and playful.

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zitoun17
zitoun17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 1 November 2022: the first part is wet and sometimes slippery (especially on the way back in heavy rain). The break at the lodge is comforting (very welcoming hosts). The climb is not difficult, but unfortunately the view of the Piton des Neiges lasted only a few seconds before disappearing into the clouds... The detour to the Soldat cave is marked on the way down, but several narrow and winding paths lead back to the main trail (so be careful in foggy weather without GPS...).

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very muddy path at this time of year
I preferred the second part with the clearer view
arrived under clouds so I consoled myself with the viewpoint 20 minutes from the lodge and the caves
The climb is marked as 3½ hours on the signs
Thank you for this route

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