The island's second town and the only road access to the volcano: the forestry road to the Pas de Bellecombe, the lunar Plaine des Sables, the Cité du Volcan in Bourg-Murat, the Parc des Palmiers (1,200 species), highland farm restaurants and local open-air markets. It's the hub of the volcanic south.
A sprawling municipality of 165km² stretching from the lowlands (Trois-Mares, 350m) to the highlands (Plaine des Cafres, 1,600m), Le Tampon is the island's second town, with a university, highland farming (strawberries, cheeses, geranium) and livestock. It feels more rural and cooler than nearby Saint-Pierre.
From the Pas de Bellecombe to the Rivière des Remparts by way of highland gardens and rural markets, here are five stops not to be skipped.
Le Tampon is the sole gateway to Piton de la Fournaise. From Bourg-Murat (Plaine des Cafres, 1,600m), the forestry road crosses Nez de Bœuf, the Pas des Sables (2,350m) and then the Plaine des Sables, an immense plateau of red-ochre ash with a lunar look, all the way to the Pas de Bellecombe car park (2,311m). Allow 1 hr 15 min for the drive. Set off before 6am to beat the clouds and catch the raking light.
In Bourg-Murat, this 6,000m² science museum offers an interactive experience on volcanism: holography, augmented reality, touchscreens, 4D cinema, a lava-flow simulator, real-time monitoring of OVPF activity. It's a must before or after visiting the volcano; allow 2 to 2.5 hours. A solid plan B if the volcano road is closed for an eruption or bad weather.
A botanical garden at 600m altitude dedicated to palm trees: 1,200 species, an educational trail, picnic kiosks, viewpoints over the highlands and the Plaine des Cafres. Free entry, pushchair-friendly. Ideal for a breather between a morning hike and a museum visit, or for a photogenic sunset.
Le Tampon's central market is open every day, busier on Saturday mornings. The highland markets (Bourg-Murat, Trois-Mares) are smaller and more authentic: highland cheeses (bringellier, tropical vacherin), strawberries, charcuterie, local vegetables and baskets woven from vacoa (screw pine) leaves. Don't miss the Bras-Creux Agricultural Fair in July.
A spiritual viewpoint in the highlands above Le Tampon with a view over the Rivière des Remparts, one of the island's deepest cuts. There's a chapel, a place of pilgrimage and a viewpoint indicator. Several accessible loop trails, including the Chemin des Anglais and the Bras de Pontho, historic stone-lined paths with coastal views.
Six loop or one-way routes, from easy to demanding, accessible from Le Tampon or the Plaine des Cafres. Always check the weather, volcano trails can be closed during an eruptive crisis.
A descent into the Enclos followed by the climb to the Dolomieu crater: 12km round trip, 600m of elevation gain, around 5 hours. The trail crosses lava rock; start very early (4.30-5am) for the sea of clouds and the light.
An easy loop from the volcano road: 2.5 hours, 150m of elevation gain. You pass the red-orange Formica Léo cone first and the wider Commerson crater on the way back. From age 8.
A viewpoint opening onto the Rivière des Remparts, reachable from the car park in a few minutes, or via a 1-hour loop. A major photo spot, ideal alongside the volcano road.
A place of pilgrimage in the highlands, with a chapel, a viewpoint indicator, several short marked loops and a panoramic view over the Rivière des Remparts. Expect a rural atmosphere and cool air at altitude.
Historic dry-stone-lined paths that once linked Saint-Pierre to the highlands. Coastal views, a heritage atmosphere. Several stages possible depending on your time.
The roof of the Indian Ocean at 3,070m. A variant from the Plaine des Cafres (the Bloc mountain lodge plus a night ascent). It's demanding: bring a fleece and a head torch, and book the lodge ahead in high season.
A verified selection of partner listings for activities around the volcano, Le Tampon and nearby (Cilaos, Saint-Pierre).
★ 4.9(397)9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.
★ 5(1231)Lava tunnels from the 2004 flow of Piton de la Fournaise in Sainte-Rose from €55. 3 providers compared (Manawa, Viator), 1,220 reviews combined at 5/5.
★ 4.95(160)5 guided hiking packages on Piton de la Fournaise from €55, comparing Manawa and Viator, 4.9/5 from 47 verified reviews.
★ 5(8)A pendulastic jump in Reunion Island from €110 at the Ravine Fontaine viaduc (Saint-Leu) with Air Jump Réunion. 2 listings compared: Manawa & Funbooker.
★ 4(2)A guided ascent of Piton des Neiges (3,070m, the Indian Ocean's highest point) in 1 day from Cilaos with Otenthike (Manawa), from €50 per person.
A full-day horseback ride at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano with the Ferme équestre du Grand Étang (Manawa), from €180 per person.
★ 4.9(23)2 quad packages to cross the Plaine des Sables: a self-drive rental with Bourbon Excursions, or a guided electric excursion with QuadBike Runners, no licence needed, from age 9.
★ 5(65)2 packages to the Piton de la Fournaise volcano: a Ceetiz day excursion from €70, or a 4x4 visit with lunch from €155. Plaine des Sables, Pas de Bellecombe, the Dolomieu crater.
Pierrefonds Airport is a 20-minute drive from Le Tampon. Several companies fly from there: over the Dolomieu crater, the Enclos Fouqué and the Plaine des Sables. During an eruption, it's often the only way to approach the lava flow safely. A complete circuit takes in Mafate, Cilaos, Piton des Neiges, and Trou de Fer on the east side. €205 to €345 depending on duration, with discounts from 4 people.
See helicopter flightsThe ideal starting time for the Piton de la Fournaise ascent is 4.30am from the Pas de Bellecombe. Sleeping in a campervan in Bourg-Murat or at a highland rest area avoids the long drive up from Saint-Pierre. Yescapa centralises campervan rentals in Reunion Island, with delivery possible to Roland-Garros or Pierrefonds airport.
The Plaine des Cafres accounts for a large share of the island's highland farming. With a temperate climate, fertile volcanic soils and steady trade winds, this is where strawberries, potatoes, highland cheeses (bringellier, tropical vacherin, fresh cheese), pink-berry honey and farmhouse charcuterie are grown and made.
Several farm restaurantsserve lunch (often by reservation) with tangue (tenrec) curry, cooked vacoa, palm heart, chayote gratin, and homemade strawberry desserts. Expect €18-35 per person, sometimes with wine included. It's the most authentic food for the money on the island. The Bourg-Murat market on Saturday mornings and the Bras-Creux Agricultural Fair in July round out the offer.
For traditional vacoa basketry (baskets, hats, trays), the highland markets remain the best places to buy, at prices with no middleman: a typically Reunionese souvenir that travels well.
A central position in the south. 15 min to Saint-Pierre, 30 min to Étang-Salé, 50 min to Plaine des Palmistes via the Route des Plaines. Six ideas for exploring further. Car Jaune line 14 links Saint-Pierre and the Plaine des Cafres, but for the rest you'll want your own wheels: check hire car prices and set Pierrefonds Airport, 20 minutes from Le Tampon, as your pick-up point.
Gîtes and guesthouses from Le Tampon to the Plaine des Cafres and Bourg-Murat, an ideal starting point for the volcano.
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Article updated on 24 October 2026.