Sainte-Marie (La Réunion) walks

The eleventh stage of the walk takes you right alongside the railway line. This stage is short and very easy. It is also the only section where you’ll follow the entire route of the railway line. This section is regularly used by joggers. The path runs fairly close to the coast and occasionally offers some lovely views of the sea. There are also numerous railway remains along this section.

Twelfth stage, running close to the railway line. This stage is flat, but crossing the Sainte-Suzanne and Saint-Jean rivers may pose a problem for beginners. It is the second-shortest stage of the trek. This stage is divided into three sections: the first is urban, the second rural, and the third is urban again. However, there are fewer railway remains on this section, and those that are present have been left to fall into disrepair.

The Sainte-Suzanne River is teeming with remarkable pools and waterfalls. This walk takes in all the waterfalls between Bassin Cannes and Bassin Pilon. Most of the walk consists of a constant succession of fairly steep ascents and descents, some of which are quite dizzying. No fewer than ten waterfalls and pools can be seen on this walk, which is fairly short in terms of kilometres but will leave you with unforgettable memories.

This family-friendly circular walk is situated in the hills above Saint-Denis. It can be completed in under an hour but does feature steep slopes with very high steps! This walk offers the chance to spot species endemic to the island, and much of the path is shaded. The path is regularly maintained by a local charity. The southernmost section, however, is in the open and offers magnificent views of the north of the island.

The Cirque de Salazie is dominated by several peaks, including Piton Plaine des Fougères. Two trails, starting from the Plaine des Fougères, lead to the eponymous peak and form a circular route. The plain is home to countless tamarind trees, each as remarkable as the next. The return trail features a few information boards. The southernmost section runs alongside an imposing escarpment, offering magnificent views of the Cirque de Salazie.

Pic Adam is a peak in the north of the island that is visible for several kilometres around due to its distinctive shape. There are two ways to reach it, both of which are described in this guide. This hike allows you to explore a small section of the trail linking La Roche Écrite to Bois de Nèfles. From its vantage point, there is a breathtaking panorama of the entire north. Its name comes from one of the island's first botanists.

Pic Adam is named after one of the island’s botanists. Its western flank is criss-crossed by numerous small streams that often carry water. Several catchments were subsequently created and are linked by a pipeline designed to supply water to the homes downstream. It is possible to follow this pipeline on a walk that presents no major difficulties, but which does include some tricky sections for children, particularly on the way to the beautiful waterfall on the Ravine Blanche.

Located a short walk from Saint-Denis, this short trail allows you to discover some of the island’s endemic plants. It winds through one of the first forests to have been altered by humans. This trail is easily manageable with young children and offers beautiful views of Saint-Denis during the first part of the walk. It is also the starting point ofthe GR® R2. This walk shares a section with the Sentier Mercure, one of the island’s most popular trails.

The Mercure Trail is one of the island’s most popular trails. It connects La Providence to Le Brulé. It is also the first stage of the GRR2, or the last, depending on which direction you take it. The first part of the trail shares a section with the botanical trail. It runs the entire length through the beautiful Providence Departmental Forest, one of the first forests to be modified by humans and a true green lung just a stone’s throw from the town.

This itinerary offers a tour of Saint-Denis (Reunion Island), allowing you to visit the prefecture and see the main sights: colonial houses, the market and the jetty, in particular. In Saint-Denis, avoid travelling during ‘rush hour’; opt for off-peak times instead to avoid wasting time in traffic jams.

From the Pont-de-L'Escalier car park, take a path of about three and a half kilometres that will take you to Cascade-Blanche, the third highest waterfall in France.

The east of Réunion Island is teeming with remarkable pools and waterfalls. Among these are the Mer and Aigrettes pools. They are amongst the best known on the island. This region is also notable for the surrounding vegetation, which remains green almost all year round. The walk is flat to begin with before becoming more challenging as you approach the Bassin des Aigrettes.

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.

Located at an altitude of around 1,400 metres, the Plaine d’Affouche overlooks Îlet à Guillaume and forms an integral part of the Roche Écrite Reserve. Keep your ears and eyes peeled, as you may spot or hear the tuit-tuit, a bird found only on Réunion and exclusively in this part of the island. Please note: this hike can be completed in under 8 hours. The elevation gain is overestimated: there is approximately 1,500 metres of ascent and descent, not 2,375.

An easy walk to the foot of the magnificent waterfall called the Voile de la Mariée. This round route is not difficult.

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 title of this walk forms part of the route along the former TiTrain de la Réunion line: 126.2 km between Saint-Benoît and Saint-Pierre. This route runs parallel to the TiTrain route, which passes through a tunnel between Ravine à Jaques and Saint-Denis. Further on, the railway line passes through two other tunnels: one between Ravine à Jacques and La Grande Chaloupe, and another between La Grande Chaloupe and La Possession. The main attraction of this route is that it provides a continuous link along the railway route. The route is a return route that can be completed on foot or by bike along the old cliff-top road, which is now closed to motor vehicles. This walk can be complemented by a visit to La Grande Chaloupe, the headquarters of the TiTrain association, which works to preserve and promote Réunion’s railway heritage.

Located on the Rivière des Roches, these two pools are very well known and always have water, even at the end of the dry season. The walk is a round trip from Bassin de la Paix to Bassin de la Mer via a very easy trail with numerous viewpoints, particularly over Bassin de la Mer, which is paradoxically located upstream. Ideal for children (under supervision, however). The ground is fairly clayey with few stones, except around the second pool.

A detour to the centre of Mafate.

La Roche Écrite rises to 2,276 metres and is accessible from several points. The route via Dos d'Ane is one of the longest, but also one of the most beautiful, with frequent views of the Cirque de Mafate in the first section. Some sections along the ridge are vertiginous and offer unique views. The detour via the Mare aux Cerfs and the Caverne Soldat adds an extra dimension to this long, challenging route.

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.

The passage near the Ravine Grand Mère caldera is breathtaking.

The famous Scout Trail, where the ridge sections offer impressive views of the Mafate cirque.