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Reunion

nejcf15. 08. 2018 21:55:54

For this year's vacation we wanted to go somewhere far, but we wanted the destination to have as many short and long hiking trails as possible. And so our decision fell on Reunion. It is a small island east of Madagascar, about 10 times smaller than Slovenia, but it is still so landscape diverse. We caught the most suitable time for a visit, as July and August there is winter and thus the dry season.
The internet is full of pages with descriptions of various trails (mostly in French). Unfortunately, we later found out that the stated times and elevation differences are often wrong.

(+6)

nejcf15. 08. 2018 22:07:42

Our first trip was even more "easy". We started at the parking lot above Dos d´Ane village. Wherever you are on the island, you need to start the hike early in the morning. Usually around ten a.m. it clouds over and starts drizzling.
The goal was a two-hour loop on Sentier Roche Verre Bouteille. In ten minutes of gentle descent we reached the viewpoint Cap Noir. Here we had a full view of the breathtaking Cirque de Mafate. Access to it is possible only on foot or by helicopter (there are several villages at the bottom). The path ahead crosses a very steep but overgrown slope. Several times cables and small ladders helped us. After half an hour of walking from the viewpoint we arrived at the rock Verre Bouteille, which is nothing special. Much more special is the view from the ridge that the path climbs right after. On one side we see the vast Indian Ocean and the coast with ports, on the other the wild center of the island. We stopped almost every step to admire the view. Mists quickly began to form, so we headed to the car. A steep descent down stairs separated us from it.

The small parking lot can fill up very quickly, so it's worth arriving early.

Start. Such signposts can be found everywhere on the island

The last section is secured with a fence

Incredible view over Cirque de Mafate. The very steep mountain in the center is Piton Cabris

The slope is getting steeper and steeper

Cirque de Mafate with the protruding rock Verre Bouteille in the foreground

The steps can be quite annoying. Due to erosion from cyclones there are huge numbers of them on all paths

(+11)

nejcf21. 08. 2018 17:05:30

The town that most resembles Kranjska Gora or Bovec is surely Cilaos. It lies in the center of Cirque de Cilaos surrounded by high mountains on all sides. Whoever endures the strenuous drive (some 400 road hairpins and 2 narrow tunnels) is rewarded with exceptional views, fresh air and friendly people. Despite the high mountains, our hike went downhill on the slope. Early in the morning we started from the hotel and began descending the steep road to the last houses of Cilaos. Quickly the path branched into a small valley and became even steeper. The goal was La Chapelle - entrance to a narrow and winding canyon with an underground waterfall and a multicolored wall resembling a chapel. After a nasty 450-meter descent (mostly stairs) the path climbed steeply to the ridge and descended again to the other side. When it reached the very bottom of the stream bed, it ended. Most hikers continue upstream from there. Several times you have to ford the stream (I recommend water shoes) and look for passages between rocks and boulders. Towards the end there is also some scrambling. Unfortunately, due to the high water level, access to the canyon was not possible. The ascent back to Cilaos was long and hot.

From the main road in Cilaos we turn left here

We cross this stream several times. In some places it is quite tricky

(+8)

nejcf26. 08. 2018 21:31:03

To the highest peak of Reunion Piton des Neiges (3070 meters high) there are many different trails from all directions. We chose the shortest one from Cilaos. It starts at the Le Bloc parking lot at 1380 m. The parking lot is mostly packed full, and parked cars have often been targets of vandalism. The first half of the trail is very monotonous: over 1100 elevation meters we overcome in countless serpentines. The trail climbs a very steep, vegetated and damp slope. Almost all the time there are slippery wooden or stone steps. After two and a half hours we finally reach the edge and after five minutes descent we reach the Gite de la Caverne Dufour hut (2479 m). But the summit still looked very far. It took another two hours of climbing over nasty rocks and higher sand. We had a view only to the west, elsewhere there was a sea of fog. The descent was quite painful towards the end.

The times on the signpost are exaggerated. To the hut we needed 2h 45min, to the summit 4h 30min.

The shorter, flatter section ends at the wooden hut on the Petit Matarum plain.

600 meters ascended, 1100 still to the goal.

After crossing 2000 m the path becomes rockier.

First in the sun - right below the edge.

In the background, one of the world's most active volcanoes peeks out from the mists - Piton de la Fournaise.

The path is very nicely marked with white dots.

In the background the island's second highest peak Gros Morne.

Unknown little animal by the path. When I got a bit closer, it started huffing aggressively

(+11)

dragon27. 08. 2018 18:27:37

Interesting that such a small island has such high mountains. Similar to Tenerife.
And congratulations for the conquered summit.

(+2)

nejcf2. 09. 2018 20:42:50

Thanks!

nejcf2. 09. 2018 20:52:26

Our hill climbing then moved to the southern part of the island - volcano Piton de la Fournaise. Initially we wanted to climb it on the marked trail, but it was closed due to a three-week-old bad eruption. We followed the advice of our apartment owner and climbed to the Morne Langevin viewpoint. Via Route de Volcan we drove to Pas des Sables. There followed a light one-hour ascent on Plaine des Remparts. Suddenly we found ourselves on the edge of the plateau on a 1000-meter cliff. Below us wild gorges descended towards the sea. We could also see some coastal places and the vast ocean.

Thus begins one of the steepest and narrowest gorges on the island. In the background the cone of the Fournaise volcano.

On top of the completely flat plateau, steeply cut off on all sides.

The already conquered highest peak Piton des Neiges is also visible (approximate).

The crater can also be viewed by helicopter.

(+4)

nejcf3. 09. 2018 14:42:36

Route de Volcan then descends in a few serpentines to Plaine des Sables and crosses it. It ends after 4 km at Pas de Bellecombe. For this short road we needed 20 min, because the road is very potholed. Due to the closed trail to the volcano we decided for a trip to Piton Partage. This is a peak on the edge of the volcano's caldera. We reached the top in half an hour of walking. Besides us, a huge number of other people admired the wild surroundings of the volcano full of smaller craters, cracks, holes and deposits of solidified lava.

Closed path into the caldera and to the volcano

On this side the lava flows reached the sea. In the middle the peak Nez Coupe

And also Piton Partage from near the starting point

(+4)

nejcf6. 09. 2018 14:04:58

The last trip took place on the eastern side of the island. After a long road we drove to the Belouve hut at 1500 m altitude. From here short, long, easy and demanding tours are possible in all directions. We chose the 1 h 45 min long trail to the Trou du Fer viewpoint. Most of the time we walked on a muddy and very tropical forest-covered plateau. The last 10 min we descended on wooden stairs, similar to at Lovrenška lakes. Suddenly the plateau ends and we step onto a terrace with an exceptional view. Below us we spotted a very deep and narrow, practically inaccessible gorge and a huge waterfall falling into it. Luckily the weather was sunny that day (usually around ten o'clock fog forms and covers the view). Back we went by road and avoided the mud.

At the viewpoint on Cirque de Salazie near Belouve hut

Very slippery path due to lush vegetation

Warning due to path degradation, slipperiness and muddiness

There were some cases of vandalism at the parking lot

(+2)

Lisica24. 04. 2019 16:59:56

Reunion is a real gem. I liked it most because there are few tourists, in short except French you don't meet many other nations. velik nasmeh

There was no excessive crowding anywhere.

We managed to climb Piton de la Fournaise, the volcano, because this time it didn't erupt. Around the volcano there is about 15 km trail, wonderful! nasmeh

At the top of Piton des Neiges it's worth waiting for sunrise. Unforgettable. cool

For swimming there aren't many options, need to watch out for sharks but it works.
Definitely for those who want different vacations and hikes. Recommend. nasmeh