Trekking in the 3 cirques of Reunion Island

Description

I suggest you discover the GRR1, the jewel of Reunion hiking, which winds through the three majestic cirques of the island: Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate.

This loop trail has a history linked to "maronnage", recalling the journey of escaped slaves in these inaccessible natural ramparts. The landscapes encountered there are vertiginously vertical, alternating between forests of colored wood, crystalline waterfalls and plateaus of lunar slag, without forgetting unique endemic flora, such as fanjans (tree ferns) or Hauts tamarinds.

During this journey, you will cross the small islets of Mafate, accessible only on foot, where time seems to have stood still in an atmosphere of mountain solidarity. You will also climb the Piton des Neiges, culminating at 3,070 meters, which offers a 360° panorama of the Indian Ocean at sunrise.

To continue exploring the vibrant island in a different way, I also suggest other routes:

• a hike to Piton d'Anchaing,
• a trek in the Mafate cirque,
• and a challenging hike to Piton des Neiges and in the Bélouve forest.

Program

Day 1: Hell-Bourg (Salazie) - La Nouvelle (Mafate).
Meet in the village of Hell-Bourg, which is classified among the most beautiful villages in France.
You pass by the old thermal baths and cross the Salazie cirque between forest and waterfalls to the Col de Fourche, your gateway to the mythical Mafate cirque. A descent takes you to the Plaine des Tamarins plateau before reaching the islet of La Nouvelle to spend the first night there.
Distance: 17.3 km, elevation gain: 1450 meters, elevation loss: 950 meters.

Day 2: Mafate - Cilaos.
We leave the islet of La Nouvelle and we will reach Marla the highest islet of Mafate before going up to the Col du Taïbit to access the cirque of Cilaos. At the bottom of the Taïbit trail, it is possible to continue to the heart of the town of Cilaos via the Bras Rouge waterfall trail (an alternative by public bus is possible depending on our progress).
Distance: 17 km, elevation gain: 1400 meters, elevation loss: 1600 meters.

Day 3: Cilaos - Piton des Neiges refuge.
After starting the day in Cilaos, it is possible: 

• to continue directly on foot passing through the oak plateau to take the demanding Bloc path to reach the Piton des Neiges refuge 
• or enjoy a short tour of the city before taking the public bus to the start of the Bloc trail.

Distance: 8.5 km, elevation gain: 1450 meters, elevation loss: 150 meters.

Day 4: Piton des neiges - Bélouve lodge.
Wake up around 4am to climb to the summit of Piton des Neiges (3,070 meters above sea level) and contemplate the magnificent spectacle of the sunrise over the roof of the Indian Ocean.
We go down to the refuge for breakfast before taking the trails back to Cap Anglais and starting the long descent to the Bélouve lodge.
Distance: 14.5 km, elevation gain: 600 meters, elevation loss: 1600 meters.

Day 5: Bélouve lodge - Trou de Fer - Hell-Bourg.
During this last day, you enjoy a magnificent view of the Salazie cirque, then you cross the primary forest of Belouve where you discover the exceptional biodiversity of this tropical forest. Finally, you will be amazed once at the belvedere, with a breathtaking view of the Trou de Fer chasm, the highest waterfall in France.
Return to the lodge and descent to the village of Hell-Bourg to complete this great adventure.
Distance: 11.5 km, positive elevation: 150 meters, negative elevation: 750 meters.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.

The price does not include

• Round-trip transportation to the village of Hell-Bourg, a one-hour drive from Saint-Denis.
• Accomodation.
• Catering.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

I will advise you on the best lodgings that you should book.

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