Walk along the hiking trails and discover inner Reunion !
Reunion Island offers an exceptional playground for mountain lovers: a mountainous landscape (Piton des Neiges culminates at 3069 m altitude), authentic cirques free from civilization, a spectacular volcano, fascinating primary forests ... Everybody will find something to their taste and level: from the half-hour family walks (the famous "sentiers marmailles") to the "Grand Raid" which each year gets a few hundreds of runners rush through the island (8000 m difference in height!), everyone can find their way up! The National Forest Office has indeed marked more than 1,000 km of trails, not to mention the two big hiking trails ("GR1 and GR2") that crisscross the mountains of Reunion. (Info on the site of la Maison de la Montagne)
If you do not want to walk alone on the trails, you can hire a "guide PEI" (Island Heritage Environment), a guide trained to help you discover the island in an original non-sporting and cultural way. A friendly formula for safe hiking and learning a bunch of anecdotes about local Nature and History, and sometimes a way to access not-so-famous places. In addition, some associations organize, through newspaper advertisements, hiking across the island. Another nice way to meet the Reunionese who are particularly fond of these group outings.
 Roby Soriano |
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ROBY SORIANO, a certified Mountaineering instructor, fascinated by volcanoes, offers the unique and authentic discovery of Reunion Island through one or several day hikes, an unusual approach of the volcano (“20 000 leagues under the lava"). Roby will share his passion for Reunion Island, a safe and unforgettable experience! | Unusual hikes | |
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Trails
Impossible to list everything: the entire island is a walking area ! But let's particularly mention the three cirques (particularly Mafate), the Volcano, the Bélouve and Bébour forests, etc ...
- For beginners
the Bélouve Forest, Trou de Fer ; La Nouvelle (Mafate) through le Col des Bœufs ; Marmites de Fleurs Jaunes in Cilaos ; le Pas de Bellecombe ; most coastal trails and "sentiers marmailles".
- For fans
Le Maïdo ; Mafate through the “Canalisation des Orangers”; the Volcano ; the ridge of “les Trois Salazes” in Cilaos ; Grand Bassin.
- For good hikers
Le Piton des Neiges, la Roche Ecrite, le Dimitile, hiking around “la Vallée Heureuse“.
* Timing : Reunion Island is for those who get up early, and it is even more true for hiking! Indeed, mid-morning usually brings the fog, and early hours will allow you to enjoy the first rays of sun on the walls of the cirques.
* Weather : In any case, find out about the weather before starting your day! Ask about the 24 hour weather forecast calling 08 92 68 00 00 or 32 50. Never go out in the rain or just after, the ground gets slippery and you won't be able to walk across some gullies. Ask around! Any good guide will tell you the walking time from one stage to another, as well as the signs at the ONF trailheads.
* In your backpack : Make sure you take water bottles and a picnic for lunch, even if some "boutiques" in the "îlets"(the small isolated mountain hamlets) sell supplies during the week. If you have booked a gite or a guest room, you can also book your evening meal at their "table d'hôtes", a typical and convivial formula. Your hosts will provide sheets and blankets, so it is not necessary to bring your sleeping bag.
* Maps : IGN maps (official topographic maps) can be useful, or la Maison de la Montagne's guidebooks.
* Security : It is advised not to go out in the mountains alone. If you are really experienced and go out without supervision, take a loaded cell phone: even without a chip, you can join the international emergency number: 112. Remember to take with you the mountain rescue team number: PGHM 02 62 930 930 Your bag should also contain a headlamp in case you take longer than expected ...
- Itinéraires Réunionnais Jean Pierre Lorillot, Jean-Marie Wallet. Editions ONF.
- Les Plus Beaux Paysages de la Réunion en 80 Randonnées Luc Reynaud, Editions Orphie.
- Les Plus Belles Ballades à la Réunion
Lucay Permalnaïck,Jean-Camille Didgen, Zalan Hoareau, Gilbert Deveaux, Gilles Elma
- 52 Balades et Randonnées Faciles à la Réunion Luc Reynaud, Editions Orphie
- Guide Touristique Du Cirque De Mafate Editions ONF.
- Topo Guides Sentiers Forestiers de l’Ile de la Réunion (25 randonnées) Editions FFRP.
Topo Guides des sentiers de randonnée (pour les grands marcheurs): GR R1 GR R2 et R3 / Le Tour du Piton des Neiges (GR R1 en 6 étapes)/ La Grande Traversée de l'île (GR R2 en 13 étapes) / Le Nouveau GRR3 (Tour de Mafate) Éditions FFRP (Octobre 2006)