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.

An easy hike starting from a charming village offering magnificent views of the Cirque de Cilaos.

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.

Stage 3 of the 6-day route in the Cirque de Mafate. On this stage, we’ll make our way from Marla to Roche Plate via the superb site of the 3 Roches. It is here that the Galets River disappears into an impressive crevasse. The Roche Plate site is situated directly below the Maïdo viewpoint.

Third and final day in the Cirque de Mafate, heading back to Cilaos.

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 passage near the Ravine Grand Mère caldera is breathtaking.

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!

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.

First stage in the Cirque de Mafate.