Saint-Leu (La Réunion) walks

Set off on an epic hike in the Hauts de Trois-Bassins! Starting from the Vaudeville trail, head to Maïdo, continue to the legendary Grand Bénare, then return via Petit Bénare for an unforgettable circular tour in the heart of Réunion's mountains. Breathtaking panoramas of Mafate, legendary peaks and endemic forest!

The Makes region offers a wealth of hiking opportunities. The Bras Patate valley trail is one of the easiest and best known. The trail winds its way through a magnificent valley, offering superb views of Cilaos. Bras Patate was the entrance to the Cirque de Cilaos before the Piton des Neiges collapsed. However, the water did not have time to carve out a deep canyon like the Bras de Cilaos, but be sure to bring your camera: you will see many endemic birds.

This hike offers beautiful panoramic views of Cilaos! On the way back, we pass through the magnificent Bras Patate valley.

A lovely hike starting from Fenêtre des Makes which, in addition to magnificent views of Cilaos, allows you to discover completely different vegetation depending on the altitude.

This is an original way to hike off the GR® trails. There are few trails winding through the Chaîne du Bois de Nèfle. This route takes you deep into the heart of this mountain range through a dense forest of colourful woods and offers some panoramic views of the south of the island and Les Makes. In addition, a picnic area has been set up at the end of the hike. Avoid this route in rainy weather!

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

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.

Second day of the hike in the Cirque de Mafate.

A round trip to enjoy the view at Col du Taïbit. View of the Cirque de Cilaos and, on the other side, the Cirque de Mafate. On the way, you will pass by Îlet des Salazes.

One of the most beautiful hikes around Cilaos, offering the chance to discover an exceptional site: the entrance to a canyon carved out by the river through a monolith over 100 metres wide and high, with three pools of clear, cool water.

the Bras Rouge waterfall is a must-see site in the Cirque de Cilaos. Two trails lead to the waterfall: the first starts at the old thermal baths and the second at the start of the Taïbit trail. This itinerary is the first of the two. Easy and family-friendly, it offers beautiful views of the western part of the cirque. It is a classic in Cilaos and is very popular!

A magnificent hike in the Cirque de Cilaos, with numerous streams and waterfalls, including Bras Rouge, Fouquet and Alfred. The hike sometimes follows a balcony path at the foot of the three Salazes and Piton des Neiges. You can take the time to relax in the Alfred pools and its small waterfall.

La Roche Merveilleuse offers a beautiful view of the Cirque de Cilaos. It would be a shame to miss it. There are a few trails here and there that allow you to hike peacefully around the viewpoint. There is even a discovery trail. The proposed hike is not particularly difficult.

The hike from Col des Bœufs to La Nouvelle offers an accessible route for exploring the Cirque de Mafate. This excursion can be done in one day or over two days if you book a lodge. It allows you to discover the Plaine des Tamarins, the small hamlets of La Nouvelle (considered the capital of Mafate) and Marla.

The ascent of Piton des Neiges, the highest point on the island of Réunion (and in the entire Indian Ocean), offers a unique 360° panorama. This is a popular hike, for which we suggest a less travelled descent route.

Dimitile is known for its many hiking trails. The shortest and easiest route to the summit is via the Sentier de la Chapelle trail. This hike offers magnificent views of the south of the island and then the Cirque de Cilaos at the end of the climb. It allows you to encounter some endemic plants and see various types of vegetation. It also provides a historical perspective on slavery with the character of Dimitile and the current Camp Marron.

First stage in the Cirque de Mafate.

One way to access the Cirque de Mafate is from Sans Souci. The pipeline path may seem long, but the landscape overlooking the Rivière des Galets from a height of 500 m is breathtaking. From above, you can see Deux Bras and the narrow gorge through which the Rivière des Galets flows out of the Cirque de Mafate. The canal path has a gentle slope. After the water catchment, access to Îlet des Orangers is via a narrow gorge after a steep climb. Estimated elevation gain: approximately 700 metres.

A fairly short, easily accessible walk that follows a route well known to trail running enthusiasts: do not try to keep up with those training for the Diagonale des Fous. A quick and deep immersion in nature in the Ravine des Citrons; beautiful views, lots of vegetation and birds. Beautiful view of the ravine and the river before starting the climb.

Due to a typhoon passing near the island, bad weather prevented us from climbing to Piton des Neiges. So we descended directly to Cilaos from the Dufour cave refuge.

This short hike offers magnificent views of the Mafate cirque on one side and the coast of La Possession on the other, with the Dos-d'Àne islet in the foreground. This is the easiest place to get a spectacular, unobstructed view of Mafate.

This trail will take you to the viewpoint overlooking the natural cirque of Salazie. A breathtaking view, at least what remains of it when you reach the top.

The Cirque de Salazie is renowned for its hikes. The one linking Hell-Bourg to Bélouve is a classic. It climbs along a rampart for about 500 m of elevation gain. The climb is often winding and rarely difficult, although the slope is present almost all the way. Much of the hike is in the undergrowth. However, this climb offers sumptuous views of the entire cirque, with the final viewpoint at the lodge providing a spectacular finale.

The village of Hell Bourg is one of the most beautiful on the island. Many tourists come especially to see the beautiful Creole houses and their guétali. The village has numerous museums and offers a wide range of accommodation options. This circular route takes you past the village's main attractions. It is suitable for families and the only difficulty is the return trip to the Three Waterfalls: the access is challenging, but short, and the site is enchanting.