Circular walk through the Plaine des Cafres Forest

To get there:
- From Saint-Benoît: head towards Saint-Pierre via the N3 (Route des Plaines). Pass the Col de Bellevue and take the first right towards the start of the path leading to the Piton des Neiges. At the junction with Chemin Doret, carry straight on. Park at the next car park.
- From Saint-Pierre: head towards Saint-Benoît via the N3 (Route des Plaines). Pass the village of Bourg Murat and take the first left towards the start of the path leading to the Piton des Neiges. At the junction with Chemin Doret, carry straight on. Park at the next car park.

(S/E) Follow the road, leaving the GRR2 on your left, and enjoy the wonderful panoramic views. The road winds its way through pastures and passes several flat rock outcrops. Continue to the end of the road.

(1) Carry on straight ahead onto the Sentier Forestier de Bébour. This marks the start of a zigzagging route as you cross numerous ravines. You’ll come to a footbridge over a ravine.

Take the footbridge; from here, the landscape changes and the path becomes quite muddy. The vegetation is typical of Réunion: this is primary forest with mosses, fanjans and other endemic species – the Plaine des Cafres Departmental and State-owned Forest. Pass close to the Piton de la Plaine des Cafres and begin a fairly steep descent towards the Col de Bébour. Do not run during this steep descent; some steps may be high. A few clearings offer views of the rampart on the other side of the road before reaching the Col de Bébour.

(3) Cross the road and, after a short descent, you’ll soon come to a Y-junction.

(4) Turn left onto the Route de Duvernay. This road passes through a forest of cryptomeria trees and a picnic area. Continue to the end of the road.

(5) Continue along the track, which climbs gently, winding its way up in a few hairpin bends at times. On the map, the track ends at the 1,480 mark. It has since been extended and now ends a little higher up. This section can be muddy.

(6) Just before the end of the track, look out for the path that starts very inconspicuously on the left. It quickly leaves the cryptomeria forest behind and gradually enters the primary forest of the Bébour Biological Reserve. Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to a ladder which may be difficult for those prone to vertigo.
Please take care here: on this section, the route shown on the IGN map is incorrect – follow the GPS route instead.
Some of the slopes are steep and the steps quite high. The path winds around a bend in the hillside. The vegetation is very dense. You will sometimes need to crouch down and step over branches or tree trunks. The path then becomes a little flatter. Just before crossing the Bras Chanson towards the 1760 mark, you may be unsure which way to go. The path then reaches a small stream that is very often dry; follow the stream downwards and then rejoin the path on the left.

(7) Cross the Bras Chanson. The vegetation begins to change slightly as you reach the first slopes. Follow the route shown on the IGN map at this point. After a fairly steep slope, cross the Bras Chanson a second time.

(8) Turn left towards the Plaine des Cafres and Mare à Boue.
Please note: the route shown on the map is incorrect; this is the old route of the path. Follow the GPS route carefully.
Then begin the climb up the ridge.

(9) You’ll reach the ridge.
Please note: There are a few ladders of varying heights which may cause discomfort for those prone to vertigo. After the ladders, begin a long, very muddy descent through the thickets, with frequent views of Mare à Boue. A very large part of the descent takes place through the thickets. Reach the edge of the forest, at the junction of the GR^R2® and the Piton Tortue trail, marked by a boundary stone.

(10) Continue straight on to quickly reach the pastures, which offer remarkable views of the surrounding area. You will then cross a track and continue straight on along the path.
Next, cross a stream via a footbridge and rejoin the junction with the path leading up to Piton Bleu.

(11) Keep left on the^GR® to return to the car park; keep left towards the car park.
You’ll reach your car after about 20 minutes (S/E).

Fanjans are tree ferns.
This walk can be very muddy: make sure you wear good walking boots.
Set off by 7 am at the latest to enjoy the best views.
Several sections involving ladders may cause problems for those prone to vertigo.
The route of the paths is not entirely accurate on IGN maps; follow the GPS route

(S/E) From the starting point, be sure to take in the magnificent views of the Pitons Mare à Boue, the Pâturages de Biberon, the Piton Tortue, the Piton Lepervanche and the Piton Bleu.

(3) Before reaching the pass, a cut through the mountain offers a view towards the Pic des Sables. Here, enjoy a sublime view of the Plaine des Marsouins and the Piton des Neiges.

(9) On the ridge, enjoy unique views over the Bras de Sainte-Suzanne valley, the Piton des Neiges and the Plaine des Marsouins.

Places to see:
- The Plaine des Cafres Departmental and State-owned Forest.
- The Bébour Biological Reserve.

Things to do:
- Visit the village of Bourg Murat and the Maison du Volcan (make sure you have some cash to hand).