Trou de Fer Hike via Bélouve: difficulty, guided tours, 2026 prices

This is the most-reviewed guided hike to Trou de Fer from the Bélouve side, averaging 4.9 out of 5 from 14 verified Manawa reviews. It starts in Bélouve forest (above Plaine des Palmistes, in the east), beyond the Bélouve gîte (mountain lodge), where the road ends. The trail winds through ancient rainforest (tree ferns, centuries-old mountain tamarinds, calumet bamboo) to the Trou de Fer viewpoint.

Trou de Fer is one of Reunion Island's tallest waterfalls, plunging in several tiers from the edge of the Salazie cirque for a total of 700 metres. The view from the lookout is one of the island's most breathtaking sights. The hike is about 6km there and back with moderate ascent (~250m), fine for regular walkers aged 12 and over.

Who it suits: regular walkers aged 12 and over who are comfortable on mountain trails and can manage 6km in humid conditions (Bélouve is one of the wettest parts of the island). Who it doesn't suit: children under 12 (the €50 Bélouve-only hike on Manawa takes children from age 8), people with limited mobility and anyone with a fear of heights (some sections run along the edge of the cirque).

Manawa price €60 per person. Flexible cancellation for bad weather. Bring waterproof walking boots, a light waterproof (essential, as Bélouve is always damp), water and a snack, a cap or hat, and a light warm layer (the forest is cooler than the coast), plus sunscreen for the open stretches. The hike starts early to catch the light on the waterfall before the clouds roll in mid-morning.

The family-friendly alternative to the full €60 Trou de Fer hike: €50 per person, from age 8, for a shorter half-day loop through Bélouve's ancient rainforest that stops short of the Trou de Fer viewpoint. The scenery is just as stunning (tree ferns, centuries-old mountain tamarinds, calumet bamboo), but it's far less demanding.

The loop covers a few fairly flat kilometres, partly through damp undergrowth. The guide sets the pace for the children and stops regularly to explain the native plants: mountain tamarinds, tree ferns, fuchsias and the invasive species to look out for. A real nature outing for families with children aged 8 and over.

Who it suits: families with children aged 8-12, travellers who want to experience Reunion Island's ancient rainforest without a long hike, and parents who want to keep things flexible. Who it doesn't suit: regular walkers who really want to see Trou de Fer (book the €60 hike instead).

Manawa price €50 per person. Rated 5 out of 5, but from just 1 review so far (it's a recent listing). Flexible cancellation for bad weather. Bring the same gear as for the full hike: walking boots, a light waterproof, water and a snack. It's shorter, so less tiring for children.

This is the same Bélouve and Trou de Fer hike, but booked through Viator rather than Manawa, at €67 per person (€7 more than on Manawa). It's rated 4.7 out of 5 from 10 verified Viator reviews, which is still solid.

The route is much the same as on Manawa: from the Bélouve gîte through the rainforest to the Trou de Fer viewpoint and back. The main difference is that Viator doesn't name the operator (it works with several local operators), whereas on Manawa you know exactly who you're booking and how they're rated.

Who it suits: travellers who already use Viator and prefer to stick with it, or as a backup if the Manawa hike is full. Who it doesn't suit: anyone who prefers a named operator with its own reviews (book the €60 Manawa hike, with 14 reviews for the same operator).

Viator price €67 per person. Cancellation under Viator's terms, shown on the listing when you book. Bring the same gear as for the Manawa hike. The operator may vary with availability; the quality is comparable, but Manawa offers better value for its ratings.