Discover the best hiking on Réunion Island, whose rugged beauty and breathtaking landscapes beguile and bewitch and never disappoints. On this walking holiday you can explore its variety of fauna and flora, volcanic topography and best walking trails.
- Summit one of the world's most active volcanoes
- Climb the tallest peak in the Indian Ocean
- Walk off-the-beaten-track trails
- Hike along rugged volcanic landscapes
- Explore Réunion's traditional island hospitality
Emerging from the ocean like a basaltic shield adorned with lush greenery, Réunion is an island of remarkable scenic beauty, characterised by an extraordinary variety of landscapes. Visitors can anticipate breathtaking mountains, towering volcanic calderas, snow-capped volcanoes, lush forests, cascading waterfalls, awe-inspiring vistas, vibrant coastal cities, and a mix of white and black sand beaches. Additionally, the island is home to the impressive Piton de la Fournaise, recognised as one of the most accessible active volcanoes globally.
The island's centre is characterised by three expansive eroded calderas, Cirque de Salazie, Mafate and Cilaos, with small villages peppered across the hillsides. This provides the perfect backdrop to numerous walking options not to missed. Staying in a mix of hotels and mountain huts (gites), this Réunion hiking holiday promises spectacular possibilities, and is certainly one of the more adventurous locations to escape to!
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Fly to Réunion Island via Paris
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Day 2: Arrive in Saint-Denis, the capital of Réunion
Transfer to your hotel situated in the town centre. Meet a local representative in the afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure.
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Day 3: Hike from Cols des Boeufs to La Nouvelle
Follow the GR®R1 trail from Cols des Boeufs to La Nouvelle towards the Plaine aux Tamarins, an area known for its tamarind tree forests. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mafate and Salazie cirques, before you reach your stop for the night at Gîte de la Nouvelle.
Walking distance: 8 km | Ascent: 820 m
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Day 4: Walk from La Nouvelle to Marla
This morning you have some time to wander around the village of La Nouvelle. You then make your way to the village of Marla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cirque de Mafate. Upon reaching the Rivière des Galets, you can choose to ford the river or detour towards the Joset Etheve footbridge. You then merge onto the main GR path via the Kelval ravine to Marla.
Walking distance: 5 km | Ascent: 310 m
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Day 5: Walk from Marla to Cilaos
This walk follows the route of the recent activity of the Piton des Neiges with great views of the Cirque de Cilaos. There's time to explore the village of Marla before setting off towards Trois Roches. Enjoy views of the Rivière des Galets riverbed before crossing it again, as you ascend and descend along the river bank.
Once you've reached Trois Roches, continue to Col du Taïbit where you can stop to take a few photos of the panoramic views over Cirque de Cilaos. The trail then passes through Source Ti Louis, Trois Salazes, Ilet des Salazes before zig-zagging to Ilet à Corde road.
Walking distance: 5 km | Ascent: 440 m
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Day 6: Explore the Cirque de Cilaos
Today's walk follows the route around the Piton des Neiges, the island's highest peak, giving you a taste of what's to come in a few days time! Cirque de Cilaos is located at the base of Piton des Neiges, which stands as the highest peak on the island at 3,070 metres. Explore various walking routes in the village, or opt for a rest day and visit the historic thermal baths, an embroidery centre, a winery or chapel. Alternatively, you can enjoy the facilities of the hotel spa.
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Day 7: Hike the Piton des Neiges trail
Today's hike involves your highest elevation gain of the trip so far, as you steadily make your way along the GR®R1 & GR®R2 to the Caverne Dufour gite. Follow a steep and continuous ascent until you reach the Plateau du Petit Matarum. Continue along the GR®R1 until reach the intersection of the pass with the Piton des Neiges trail, before descending to the Refuge de la Caverne Dufour, where you spend the night.
Walking distance: 4 km | Ascent: 1,140 m
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Day 8: Hike to the Piton des Neiges Summit
Rise early this morning to reach the summit of Piton des Neiges at sunrise, joined by other hikers who you can share the achievement with! To the east, you can see red rocks and the Indian Ocean in the distance, and to the south-west the town of Cilaos.
As you descend, the landscape around you changes from arid terrain to sparse vegetation, and from afar you can see Piton de la Fournaise and its surrounding craters come into view. Enjoy breakfast at the gite before transferring on foot to your next destination, Bélouve via Cap Anglais.
Walking distance: 10 km | Ascent: 800 m
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Day 9: Discover the Trou de Fer (Iron Hole)
Today's walk follows a trail to a magnificent viewpoint of a collapsed crater and canyon, with rich vegetation including tree ferns and chestnut vines dotting the path. Traverse through the stunning Bélouve forest, take a dip in the freshwater Bras de Caverne pool, witness cascading waterfalls and enjoy viewpoints overlooking Salazie.
Walking distance: 10 km | Ascent: 250 m
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Day 10: Piton de la Fournaise Volcano trail
This hike is a must for anyone wishing to hike on one of the world’s most active volcanoes! Starting at the gite or car park, you take a short walk until you reach steps down to the caldera. Pass by Formica Leo, a small crater, before passing previous lava flows and ascending up to the peak, known as Dolomieu. Look inside the crater before returning the way you came.
Volcano activity is monitored, and the path is closed if necessary, however, eruptions are effusive (not explosive) and the lava steadily flows out of the volcano - sometimes into the ocean.
After your day hike, transfer to the west coast, where you can relax and unwind at your hotel.
Walking distance: 13 km | Ascent: 500 m
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Day 11: Beach day, then fly home
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Saint Gilles les Bains for some beach time before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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Day 12: Arrive UK
Price and Other Information
- Duration and price excluding international flights: 10 days from £1,189 per person
- Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 12 days from £2,299 per person
- Single room supplement: From £340
- Walking grade: Moderate to Demanding
- Guiding: Self-Guided
- Max alt: 3,070m
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When to go: View Dates & Prices
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Route map:
View map 
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What’s included
- Hotel x 4 nights & gite x 5 nights
- 10 breakfasts & 5 dinners
Next Steps
| Year | Daily Departures† | Price From (Exc. Flights) | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| All prices are per person. † Daily departures subject to availability. | |||
| 2026 | From 15 Mar to 31 Oct | £1,189 | Book or Enquire |
If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
