From Roche Merveilleuse in 30 minutes to Piton des Neiges over 2 days: 8 trails ranked from easy to very demanding, with distance, elevation gain, duration and practical tips to help you plan.
Several of these trails begin at a car park: at the top of Roche Merveilleuse, at Mare à Joncs, and at Le Bloc for Piton des Neiges (also reachable by 4x4 taxi). The best outings start early: sunrise at the viewpoint, or a pre-7am departure for Les Trois Salazes. Those dawn starts are much easier with a vehicle of your own, and you can line up a hire car once your dates are fixed.
≈ 2km return
≈ 50m elevation gain
≈ 30 min
Cilaos's signature panoramic viewpoint. Parking at the top, a short trail (suitable for families with young children), an orientation table, and a 360° view over the village and the cliffs.
Ideal at sunrise or sunset. You can walk back down to Cilaos on a one-hour trail. No shade at the top.
≈ 8km return
≈ 350m elevation loss/gain
≈ 3h
A descent into the Bras Rouge ravine to a waterfall with reddish-tinted water (iron oxide). A switchback trail with several rocky steps to negotiate. Swimming is possible in the pool at the base.
The climb back up is more demanding than the descent. Allow 4 hours round trip. Suitable for families with children aged 8+ used to walking.
≈ 7km loop
≈ 400m elevation gain
≈ 3h30
A scenic loop from Îlet à Cordes, a balcony trail with sweeping views down into Mafate, crossing pockets of high-altitude forest. Roche Verre Bouteille is one of the most striking viewpoints over the neighbouring cirque.
A 4x4 is recommended to reach Îlet à Cordes (a hamlet in the cirque). The trail is exposed to the sun in places, so bring water and a hat.
≈ 5km loop
≈ 150m elevation gain
≈ 1h30
A loop around the ponds of Cilaos, with mirror-still water and century-old tamarins (a native mountain acacia). A circuit of two reservoirs historically used to irrigate the terraces, on a wide trail, with sections suitable for an all-terrain pushchair.
Starts from the Mare à Joncs car park. A few benches and picnic spots along the way. Ideal for an afternoon.
≈ 16km return
≈ 1,700m elevation gain
2 days (overnight at the Caverne Dufour gîte)
The climb to the roof of the Indian Ocean at 3,070m. A steady ascent through high-altitude forest up to the Caverne Dufour gîte (2,480m). The final push at sunrise (setting off at 4am, a head torch is essential). The reward: a 360° view over all the cirques at daybreak.
Book the gîte 2-3 months ahead in the dry season (June-September). A fleece layer and windbreaker are essential (temperatures around 0-5°C at the summit overnight). Stay on the waymarked trail.
≈ 12km return
≈ 700m elevation gain
≈ 6h
Three rocky spires standing on the ridge separating Cilaos from Mafate. A demanding trail, with cabled sections and sweeping views down into both cirques. One of the most impressive panoramas on the island.
Starts from Le Bloc or Bonnet de Prêtre. Not for anyone with a fear of heights. Watch out for afternoon storms in the wet season: set off before 7am.
≈ 12km return (to the pass)
≈ 800m elevation gain
≈ 5-6h
The pass linking Cilaos to Mafate via Marla. A steep switchback climb through damp forest leads to the pass at 2,080m, with the option to descend towards the îlet of Marla (for a 2-day hike with an overnight stay at a gîte in Marla).
You can continue on into Mafate (book the Marla gîte well ahead). The trail gets slippery after rain. Bring 1.5-2L of water.
≈ 10km return
≈ 500m elevation loss/gain
≈ 5h
A gradual descent into the Bras Rouge ravine to the 'Chapelle': a spectacular crevasse in the basalt with a water-filled gallery and a passage between two walls (nearly 100m high). An iconic site among Reunion Island's canyons.
A wet trail with several river crossings. Water shoes or fast-drying footwear recommended. The site is off-limits after heavy rain (flash-flood risk).
2 days, ≈1,700m elevation gain, sunrise at 6.15am over all the cirques. Book the Caverne Dufour gîte 2-3 months ahead. A head torch and fleece are essential.
Compare with the Mafate hikesArticle last updated 18 September 2026.