Reunion Island's trails go from sea level to over 3,000m, through rainforest, sharp lava and chilly summits, sometimes in a single day. Here's what to pack, from boots for Piton de la Fournaise to a waterproof you'll never leave behind, for day hikes, camping, multi-day treks and trail running, plus where to buy anything you've forgotten.
On top of standard hiking kit, three features of Reunion Island's trails should shape what you pack.
Reunion Island has three climates: dry and tropical in the west (Saint-Leu, Saint-Paul, 25-32°C), humid and tropical in the east (Saint-Benoît, Sainte-Anne, 22-28°C with frequent showers) and cool and alpine at altitude (Maïdo, the volcano, Piton des Neiges, 5-18°C, dropping to 0°C on winter nights). So you need layers, from a UV-protective T-shirt by the sea to a down jacket up high, sometimes on the same day.
A 10km trail in Reunion Island often involves 1,000m of ascent and 1,000m of descent. Your knees and thighs take a pounding on the way down, so telescopic poles are close to essential (€40-60 entry-level). Sharp basalt (Piton de la Fournaise, Mafate, Plaine des Sables) can wreck trainers in a day: walking boots with a lugged Vibram sole are the way to go.
Bright sun at 9am, fog at 11am, a downpour at 2pm in the highlands. Always carry a breathable waterproof, even when it's clear. The showers that build over the mountains are short but heavy. A standard membrane (10,000-15,000mm) is fine for a day hike; save Gore-Tex Pro for multi-day treks and extreme trail running.
On a Reunion Island trail that goes from the coast (28°C) through humid mountain forest (18°C) to an exposed summit (10°C), the right layers make all the difference. The 3-layer system (a breathable, sweat-wicking base layer, a light warm layer and a breathable waterproof) is the standard in any mountains, but in Reunion Island the warm layer is often thin, or even optional near the sea.
For trousers, have a look at the hiking trousers suited to the climate from French brand Cimalp, whose cuts, designed for mid-mountain trekking, work very well in Reunion Island (quick-drying, mesh vents, water-repellent). Expect to pay €60-120 for a good all-round pair.
Four types of trip, nine categories of gear. A day hike needs only the basics; trail running calls for its own ultralight kit.
| Category | Day hike | 1-night camp | Multi-day | Trail running |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footwear | Waterproof low-cut boots | Waterproof mid-cut boots | Sturdy waterproof mid-cut boots | Grippy trail running shoes (Salomon, La Sportiva) |
| Rucksack | 25-35L | 45-55L | 55-70L | 5-12L hydration vest |
| Waterproof | 10,000mm+ membrane | 15,000mm+ membrane | 15,000mm+ Gore-Tex membrane | Ultralight jacket (200g) |
| Warm layer | Thin fleece | Fleece + light down jacket | Fleece + down jacket | Packable insulated jacket |
| Water | 2-3L | 2L + filter/tablets | 2L + Sawyer or Katadyn filter | 1.5L bladder + soft flasks |
| Sleeping | - | Tent + sleeping bag rated to 5°C | Light tent + sleeping bag rated to 0°C | - |
| Cooking | - | Gas stove + 100g canister | Stove + 230g canister + pot | - |
| Head torch | 1 (spare batteries optional) | 1 + spare batteries | 1 + batteries + power bank | Ultralight head torch + backup |
| First aid kit | Mini (blister plasters, whistle) | Standard | Extended (medication, splint) | Mini + GPS |
The list below covers a day hike. For a camping trip, add a tent, a sleeping bag rated to 5°C, an insulating mat, a stove, a filter bottle and food.
Low or mid-cut, waterproof Gore-Tex, with a lugged Vibram sole. Essential on the basalt of the volcano and Mafate. Reliable brands: Salomon, La Sportiva, Quechua MH500+.
For day hikes: a hydration sleeve, hip and chest straps and a built-in rain cover. Models such as the Quechua, Osprey Talon or Deuter Speed Lite.
10,000mm+ membrane, taped seams and an adjustable hood. Essential even in good weather, as showers in the highlands are unpredictable. Keep it within easy reach.
Lightweight, quick-drying and water-repellent, unlike jeans, which turn into a sponge. French brands Cimalp and Lafuma make cuts suited to tropical and mountain climates.
UV-protective (UPF 30+) and quick-drying. On exposed trails, covering up beats sunscreen: less chemicals in nature and more reliable protection.
For the highlands (Maïdo, the volcano, Piton des Neiges), where mornings can drop to 5°C in the southern winter. A packable 200-300g down jacket is ideal.
The tropical midday sun is fierce, so this is essential once you're out of the forest. A multi-purpose Buff (€15) also works as a headband, light scarf or neck protection.
For pre-dawn starts (Piton des Neiges, the volcano) and any long hike. A 250-lumen Petzl Tikka (€35) is enough. Check the batteries before you set off.
There are no drinking fountains on the National Park's trails, so carry it all from the start. Always filter water from streams in Mafate (a €25 Sawyer filter, or Micropur tablets).
Blister plasters (Compeed), antiseptic, sterile dressings, a foil survival blanket, a whistle and a charged phone. The whistle is compulsory in the National Park.
The island is well supplied with outdoor shops, so you'll find the essentials easily, and you can order specialist technical kit online.
| Shop / channel | Area | Specialty | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decathlon | Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Le Port, Saint-Paul | Own brands Quechua, Forclaz, Kalenji. Entry-level and mid-range, decent advice. | € - €€ |
| Intersport | Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre | International brands Salomon, Lafuma, The North Face. Sports and outdoor. | €€ - €€€ |
| Specialised outdoor shops | Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul | Expert advice, technical brands (MSR, Vaude, Petzl, Patagonia) | €€€ |
| Online (Cimalp, Snowleader, Hardloop) | 5-10 day delivery to Reunion Island | Technical brands not sold on the island, bigger discounts | €€ - €€€€ |
Price guide: € = entry-level (boots from €60, jackets from €50), €€ = mid-range, €€€ = high-end, €€€€ = premium kit for demanding expeditions.