Natural Crafts Réunion

A spectacular and refreshing stopover in the East. The waterfalls of the Windward Coast are much more watery than those of the West, and while Niagara obviously looks pale beside its American namesake, it still dominates the St. Suzanne River and its ruffled banks some 50 metres high, imposing its thunderous roar on them, especially in summer during the rainy season. Don't be surprised to see Reunion Islanders rushing there after a heavy rainstorm to admire the spectacle. Watch out for the weekend rush.

This district, wedged between two ramparts, combines residences, industry and historical relics. It's well worth a detour, if only to admire the bichique fishermen's canals, or to stroll along the banks at the river mouth. Along the rue de la Boulangerie, you'll find ^19th-century shops, including the freestone house at the corner of rue du Pont, dated 1835. Portions of the mill canal are still visible at the foot of the Tikatsou staircase. Adjust your gaze and you won't be disappointed.

Starting from the Vincendo marine, here is a pleasant path offering superb panoramas on the wild coast, where the Indian Ocean comes to throw itself on the volcanic rock covered with Durand potatoes. Easy to access, the short walk will lead you to the Yellow Cape, a cliff of about fifty meters high, of ochre color. This geological curiosity is a rare natural wonder in Reunion Island. Its color comes from lava called hyaloclastite. A very steep path leads down to the foot of the cape, but be careful!

This oratory owes its popularity to a "miracle". On May 27, 1940, an old lady is said to have seen the statue of the Virgin move there. Since then it has been a place of recollection and prayer. Always full of flowers, this cave testifies to the attachment that many Reunionese have to the Virgin Mary's cult. The configuration of the site presents the originality of offering two devotions side by side. The grotto of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes is in fact backed by a Holy Expedition.

Created in 2007, its 1,054 km² encompass 42% of the island. It was founded to ensure both human and ecological preservation of the heart of the island. The fauna and flora, the forest, the volcano, the cirques, the landscapes, the traditions and the roots of Reunion's identity are all assets to be protected. Visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists, the national park constitutes a real laboratory for sustainable development in order to respond to the realities of the territory.

You will be able to admire the many viewpoints on the mountains, the circus and the river. Two kiosks are waiting for you to picnic in the shade. From there, you can take the Chemin de la Cascade Blanche and reach another point of view in 30 minutes. If you add another 20 minutes, you will be able to reach the waterfall, which is permanent all year round. This end of the route is recommended for sportsmen and women. Be careful, in any case, it climbs and you will have to cross a river: not to be done in rainy weather.

Mmm... a name like that is more dreamy than "Beef Pond"! This not very high waterfall is indeed deliciously shaded and flows into a welcoming basin. It is earned at the price of an easy walk through a bamboo forest, to the rhythm of birdsong. Those who love thrills and jumps might want to follow the course of the waterfall. Be careful though. We advise you during the week to avoid the rush of Sunday picnics. Exit at Quartier-Français then follow Bras-des-Chevrettes.

The Grotte du Peuplement is located at the southern exit of Saint-Paul, opposite the Cimetière Marin. Legend has it that it served as a refuge for the 1663 arrivals, but historical studies have proven this to be false. This site was named the "Cave of the First Frenchmen" in the 1960s, after having been called the "Cave of the Portuguese" or the "Cave of the 12 Exiles". As the cave remains inaccessible due to falling rocks, you can enjoy the pleasant park which was completely redeveloped in 2016, ideal for a family picnic.

This easy 1.3 km walk is registered on the NFB's list of Marmailles trails. The loop features explanatory panels on the fauna and flora. Here, the forest is generous: coloured woods, fanjans (tree ferns) and 70 other listed species will be discovered. There are even hundred-year-old affouches (huge and tortuous trees)! The loop is quickly closed and one comes out of it educated. It is better to park on the car parks of the plane tree area.

At the edge of the grandiose panorama of the Rivière des Remparts a ravishing undergrowth, full of tamarinds, calumets and arums, stretches out on a gentle slope. The trail cuts through this colourful forest, rich in endemic Bourbon species, and climbs up to the hillsides that dominate the deep gorges of the river. The view is sublime. A belvedere allows you to discover the Mahavel scree and the enclosed islet of Roche-Plate, some 800 m below.

An impressive waterfall during the rainy season. It can be reached via the D59 between Saint-André and Bras-Panon. The access is well indicated, contrary to the viewpoint which is not. Stop on the right side of the road, at the level of the railing. At the end of the forest road, you can also go up to the Eden by a path which offers a beautiful view. Another possibility : from Bras Panon, go to Caroline by Liberia. A longer and sometimes muddy loop reaches the lookout of the dog waterfall, via the Eden trail.

Taking its source in the departmental forest of Piton Papangue, the Rivière des Roches passes through several basins, including the famous Peace and Sea basins, before joining the ocean. If the Rivière du Mât, which is a little stirred up, is intended for rafting, the Rivière des Roches is suitable for kayaking and water hiking. Several service providers offer white-water activities. For the less sporty or more contemplative, go to the mouth of the river, from October to December, to observe traditional fishing of the bichiques.

This very accessible lava tunnel is not signposted at all. You can find it on the Internet or with a good map. By the light of a headlamp, you can explore both sides of the tunnel dating back to 1800... for a few meters, without danger, at a height of 2 m. To go any further, you'll need a helmet, a good lamp, hiking boots and a K-way... the tunnel is over a kilometer long! If you'd like to discover other tunnels, call in specialized service providers.

Located just before the famous Grand Galet waterfall, on the road along the Langevin River, the Trou Noir waterfall is less impressive, but it is worth a visit. It has the advantage of being less frequented. To reach it, park just after the hamlet of Grand Défriché. The start of the path is just after the bridge on the right. After only a few minutes of walking, you will reach this magnificent waterfall immersed in a luxuriant setting with its refreshing crystal-clear swimming pool.

On the hiking path leading to the Alcide islet, discover one of the oldest trees of Reunion Island: the King of Tamarins. With its trunk measuring 9 m and its branches reaching 19 m high, it dominates the forest that surrounds it. More than 400 years old, it has a circumference of 3.89 m. Despite the cyclones and storms that have broken part of its branches, it remains majestic. If it could, it would even tell us about its encounter with the first inhabitants of the island. Continuing the hike, you will reach a viewpoint on the Maïdo.

The Col de Bellevue is located at an altitude of 1,600 m, on the plains road at the boundary between the Plaine des Palmistes and the Plaine des Cafres. Stop off here to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of this part of the island. The Col de Bellevue offers a superb view of eastern Réunion, its peaks and coastline. A number of picnic tables await you, as do several starting points for hiking and horse-riding. During the austral summer, make sure you get there early to enjoy the view before the fog rolls in from below.

Upstream of the Bassin Boeuf is the Bassin Grondin, which can be reached by parking a little higher up and at the cost of a nice hike in the undergrowth, dotted with guava trees between April and June. The site is ideal for an introduction to canyoning: jumps, zip lines, abseiling... Be careful however, in case of heavy rain, the waterfalls triple in volume and the pools fill up in a few minutes, crossed by destructive currents. If it rains or the sky is threatening, even far upstream, don't risk it and turn back.

This departmental forest is crossed by numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. The Fougères trail, intended for a family audience, tells the story of Sylvèr, a young fern merchant from Salazie who set off in the direction of the Saint-Denis market (count three hours). For the more sporty, the Piton de la Plaine des Fougères path allows you to make a loop with a view of the Salazie circus. We advise you to leave in the morning.

Linking the Maïdo to the Tévelave at an altitude of 1,700 m, the forest road of the Tamarins stretches for about thirty kilometres. If it is the starting point of several hiking trails such as Piton Rouge, it is just as pleasant to come and rest. Numerous picnic areas equipped with tables, shaded kiosks and barbecue are provided for this purpose. The Reunionese like to meet there on weekends with their families, far from the heat of the coastline.

The viewpoint of the Roche Merveilleuse is a must when visiting the cirque of Cilaos. From the viewpoint accessible by a staircase, take the time to admire the exceptional panorama of the village, surrounded by its immense ramparts. Then, plunge into the undergrowth, for a walk in the heart of the botanical path. This short family walk offers many indications on the local flora, with panels describing the plant species in an original way. You can reach the viewpoint on foot from the village or by car.