Sitting at 1,000m on the Route des Plaines, this highland plateau is the northern gateway to the Bébour-Bélouve primary forest and the trail to Trou de Fer. Add Creole heritage at Maison Folio, the Sunday market and geranium distilling, in one of the wettest places in France.
Plaine des Palmistes sits in the corridor between Saint-Benoît and Plaine des Cafres. Part of Reunion Island's national park, it holds one of the last high-altitude primary forests left in the world. It's farming country too: Bourbon geranium, cheeses from the Hauts, fa'ham and guavas, grown on fertile volcanic soils watered year-round. (Fa'ham is a native orchid used to flavour syrups and tea.)
Five sites that make the Plaine worth the stop, from the famous to the more low-key. They combine easily over one or two days.
France's highest waterfall (725m combined drops) hides in a wooded chasm. The classic trail starts from the Bélouve mountain lodge, 30 minutes along a forest road from the Plaine (D55, Petite Plaine, Col de Bébour). The final viewpoint is currently closed after a cliff collapse, so a helicopter is now the only way to see the falls from above. The trail itself is still open through the forest and leads to the other viewpoints.
A 6,000ha forest inside the national park, with centuries-old mountain tamarind trees, tree ferns, moss, lichen and endemic orchids. Several nature trails start from the Plaine: Sentier de l'École Normale (easy, 1h-1h30), Sentier Botanique and Sentier de la Plaine des Marsouins. The fog rolls in fast, so set off early with a windproof jacket in your bag.
Three cascading drops totalling about 240m, a 30 to 45-minute return walk from the car park. The trail is waymarked through damp, lush forest, and you can swim in the plunge pool (guaranteed cold, 14 to 18°C). Go in the morning, before the sea of clouds rolls in.
Iconic Creole heritage. Maison Folio (late 19th century), a colourful wooden case (traditional Creole house), is home to the tourist office and a medicinal plant garden. Domaine des Tourelles, a restored former manor, hosts craftspeople (a geranium distiller, vacoa (screwpine) basket weaving), exhibitions, a park, kiosks and a wood-fired restaurant. Free entry, open all week.
A 15-minute drive from the Plaine, heading down towards Saint-Benoît. It's the island's only high-altitude lake (530m, about 1km long): walk around it in 2 hours, or spend a half-day on horseback from the riding centre. Showers are frequent but brief, so bring a rain jacket. If you want the highlight without the full loop, a wooden viewpoint is 30 minutes from the car park.
Six waymarked trails starting from the Plaine or the Bélouve mountain lodge, from an easy family loop to a strenuous trek towards Salazie, so there's something for every level. Always check the weather forecast: the forest is very humid and the fog rolls in fast.
An easy loop in Bébour, 1h to 1h30, and a perfect introduction to the primary forest. The trail is wide and shaded, suitable for children from age 5.
From the Bélouve mountain lodge, 12km return on tracks, moderate elevation gain. The final viewpoint is currently closed due to a rockfall, but the viewpoints along the way and the walk through the forest are still well worth it.
A nature trail loop in the heart of Bébour, with information panels on the endemic flora, centuries-old mountain tamarinds and tree ferns. Ideal for understanding what you're looking at.
A short out-and-back walk from the car park. You can swim in the plunge pool (very cold water). Avoid after rain: the river rises fast.
A family-friendly trail along the river with little elevation gain, small pools, wooden bridges and the damp undergrowth typical of the Hauts.
For well-prepared hikers: a full-day traverse to Salazie via the Plaines. Only in dry weather, and arrange a taxi or shuttle back if you don't have two vehicles.
Bélouve to Trou de Fer with a local guide, Trou Blanc canyoning in Salazie, Marsouins rafting from Saint-Benoît, and a helicopter to see Trou de Fer from above. My checked selection.
★ 4.9(397)9 helicopter flight options over Reunion Island from €204: volcano, cirques, waterfalls. Prices, operators and honest advice.
★ 4.6(61)A half-day ride around one of Reunion Island's rare natural lakes, from €70 with Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang.
★ 5(2)Canyoning at Trou Blanc in the Salazie cirque from Hell-Bourg from €90, a 5-hour descent, 10 natural basalt slides and abseils.
★ 4.9(17)A guided hike to Trou de Fer waterfall from Bélouve forest, from €50. 3 packages (Manawa and Viator), 4.9/5 from 14 verified reviews.
★ 4.8(101)Whitewater rafting on the Marsouins River in Saint-Benoît from €35 with Manawa. 4.7/5 from 75 verified reviews.
★ 5(30)Water hiking and canyoning in the Rivière des Roches at Saint-Benoît from €45 with Rando Aqua Réunion (5/5 from 30 Manawa reviews). 2 packages of jumps and slides, from age 7-8.
A guided walking tour of Hell-Bourg village, one of 'The Most Beautiful Villages of France', at the heart of the Cirque de Salazie. €37.50 per person with Ceetiz.
★ 4.8(17)A combo day excursion to the Cirque de Salazie and a traditional vanilla farm, €75 per person with Ceetiz. Hell-Bourg, Voile de la Mariée, Mare à Poule d'Eau.
With the official Bélouve trail viewpoint closed following a cliff collapse, the only way to look down into Trou de Fer (725m combined drops, France's highest waterfall) today is a helicopter flyover.
The full east coast route flies over the Salazie cirque, the Bébour-Bélouve primary forests, Piton des Neiges and Mafate. Flights last 30 to 55 minutes and cost €205 to €345 depending on the company, with better value for groups of four.
Trou de Fer only rewards those who beat the clouds, which means arriving before 10am. Sleeping in a van at the Plaine or in the Col de Bébour car parks lets you be at the trailhead by dawn, while the light still filters through the tree ferns. Yescapa lists campervans available in Reunion Island, with airport delivery on request.
Rent a Yescapa van
The Plaine's Sunday market is small, but that's exactly what makes it worthwhile: what's sold here is grown right here. Producers from the Hauts arrive at dawn. Bringellier cheese, tropical vacherin, pink berry honey, fa'ham syrup, guava jam in season (May to July), bonbons piment (chilli fritters) and samosas. Arrive around 7.30am for the best choice, as stalls often pack up by 11am.
Just steps away, the Maison du Géraniumstill distils Bourbon geranium essential oil, the town's pride. There's a short tour of the still and a shop selling oil, hydrosol and cosmetics. You can smell the geranium from the road as soon as you drive up onto the Plaine: it's the area's signature scent.
For food: Les Terrasses de la Plaine (wood-fired cooking with a forest view), Ti Case Lontan (homestyle Creole cooking), Snack Le Relais des Tourelles (daily specials with local vegetables at fair prices). Booking is recommended at weekends.
The Plaine sits centrally on the island. Saint-Benoît to the east, Salazie to the west, Le Tampon and Plaine des Cafres to the south, Sainte-Suzanne and Saint-André to the north-east. Six ideas for a half-day or full day. Most are only really practical by van or car. If your travel dates aren't set in stone yet, choose a rental you can cancel and collect it when you land at Roland-Garros.
Hotels, guesthouses and gîtes in the Plaines, tucked in the forest at the foot of Piton des Neiges.
An affiliate link, at no extra cost to you
An affiliate link, at no extra cost to you
An affiliate link, at no extra cost to you
Article updated on 4 November 2026.