hotel6 km
Mountain hut · Plaine des Chicots · 1,700m
Roche Écrite mountain hut: a bed for €19 and a sunrise at the summit
A mountain hut at 1,700m on the Plaine des Chicots, in the National Park, and the essential overnight stop for climbing Roche Écrite (2,277m, a further 1 hour 30). From the top you get one of the island's finest sunrises, with a panoramic view over the Salazie and Mafate cirques.
Plaine des Chicots, Saint-Denislocation€19 dorm + €25 half-boardrate30 peoplecapacity1h30 from the gîtesummit
The Roche Écrite mountain hut, at Plaine des Chicots, is a mountain gîte (a simple hikers' lodge) at 1,700 metres, in forested mountains in the heart of Reunion National Park. It's the key overnight stop for climbing Roche Écrite (2,277m), a further 1 hour 30 from the hut, where you get one of the island's finest sunrises, with a panoramic view over the Salazie and Mafate cirques.
Here's what you need to know before booking: rates (€19 in a dorm, plus €25 for half-board), the hike in from Dos d'Âne or the hills above Saint-Denis (3 hours 30), room for 30 people and basic mountain facilities, plus tips for planning your climb. The GR2, the long-distance trail that crosses the island, passes right by the hut.
At a glance
The refuge essentials
The experience
A night before the summit
Arriving at the hut. The gîte stands on the Plaine des Chicots, in a clearing among tamarind and cryptomeria trees. The main building is red timber, brightened in season by white agapanthus flowers. It feels like a classic mountain hut: friendly, basic, and focused on the essentials (sleeping warm, eating well, setting off early).
The accommodation. Room for about 30 people, in dorms (4 to 8 beds) and a few double rooms, with shared toilets and showers, a water point, a shared barbecue and a covered shelter for meals. Bring warm clothes: at 1,700m, nights often drop below 10°C, and close to 0°C in the southern winter. No pets.
Half-board. The €25 dinner and breakfastoption is well worth it: Creole caris (curries) served under the shelter and shared with fellow hikers, in a proper mountain-hut atmosphere. It's what makes the stop memorable, especially after the 3 hour 30 walk from Dos d'Âne.
The summit ascent. Allow a further 1 hour 30 on foot from the hut to the summit of Roche Écrite (2,277m), setting off by head torch before dawn. From the top, you see the Salazie and Mafate cirques at once, and on a clear day even Piton des Neiges. It's one of the finest sunrises on the island, and probably the easiest of the high summits in the interior.
How to get there
How to hike up to the hut
The hut is on the GR2, the long-distance trail that crosses the island. There are three main routes in:
From Dos d'Âne (La Possession): about 3 hours 30 of steady walking, and the most popular route. The trail climbs along the foot of the Mafate cliffs before crossing to the Plaine des Chicots.
From Le Brûlé (Saint-Denis): via the trail up from the hills above the capital: an alternative from the north.
From Grand-Îlet (Salazie): along the GR2 from the Salazie cirque. Longer, and better suited to hikers on a multi-day crossing.
There's no road to the hut. Buy supplies before you set off. The trails are well marked but can get slippery after rain, so closed shoes with grippy soles are essential.
On site
Services and facilities at the hut
- Dorms (4 to 8 beds), total capacity of 30 people
- A few double rooms
- Half-board: a Creole dinner and breakfast (€25 on top of the dorm rate)
- Shared toilets with showers
- A water point for washing up and freshening up
- A shared outdoor barbecue
- A covered shelter for meals and evenings
- A panoramic viewpoint from the hut
- Trail advice and directions from the wardens
- No pets
Rates
How much does a night cost?
A dorm bed costs about €19 a night, and half-board is €25 extra (dinner and breakfast), so around €44 in total. That's the best option for most hikers: meals guaranteed, shared with fellow walkers, and no extra food to carry.
Double rooms cost more (check when booking). Cards are not accepted, so bring cash.
Contact & booking
Booking the hut
Phone: +262 692 94 85 36
Address: Plaine des Chicots, 97400 Saint-Denis
Booking is essential: the hut is one of the most popular stops in the north of the island. Book several weeks ahead in high season (June to October).
Mobile signal is poor on the Plaine des Chicots, so call from Saint-Denis or Dos d'Âne before you set off.
Combine it with
Things to do nearby
The hut is the key stop for climbing Roche Écrite, and a great base for exploring the north and the neighbouring cirques.
Guided Trek in Mafate
A multi-day crossing of the Mafate cirque, starting from Dos d'Âne or via the GR2.
See the activity
Bélouve and Trou de Fer Waterfall
A guided walk to the viewpoint over the island's tallest waterfall, reached from Salazie.
See the activity
Helicopter Flight Over the Cirques
A scenic flight over Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos, the perfect complement to seeing them on foot.
See the activity
Also worth doingAerial view
Reunion Island seen from the sky
On foot you see the island up close. A helicopter shows you the bigger picture: peaks, cirques, lava flows and lagoon in just a few minutes.
There are 8 routes departing from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Paul, lasting 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter prices
See also
Other gîtes in the cirques
Chez Jimmy, Marla, Mafate
The liveliest gîte in Mafate, half-board €55, with sega and maloya music.
See the gîte
Chez Tatie Jo, Aurère, Mafate
A warm, family-run gîte in the hamlet (îlet) of Aurère.
See the gîte
Le Guétali, Grand-Îlet, Salazie
A quiet gîte in Grand-Îlet, in the neighbouring cirque.
See the gîte
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
For alternatives in the mountains or in a cirque, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
hotel6 km
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gite6 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book the hut?
By phone on +262 692 94 85 36; booking is essential. Book several weeks ahead in high season (June to October). Mobile signal is poor on the Plaine des Chicots, so call from Saint-Denis or Dos d'Âne before you set off.
How much does a night cost?
About €19 a night in a dorm, plus €25 for half-board (a Creole dinner and breakfast), so around €44 in total. Double rooms cost more. Cards are not accepted, so bring cash.
How long does it take to hike up to the hut?
About 3 hours 30 from Dos d'Âne (the most popular route): the GR2 climbs along the foot of the Mafate cliffs before crossing to the Plaine des Chicots. Allow longer from Le Brûlé (Saint-Denis) or Grand-Îlet (Salazie).
Is it really worth hiking up to the Roche Écrite summit?
If the weather is good, yes: it's a further 1 hour 30 from the hut to the 2,277m summit. At sunrise you see Salazie and Mafate at once, and on a clear day Piton des Neiges too. It's one of the finest sunrises on the island, and the main reason to spend the night at the hut.
What gear should you bring?
Warm clothes (at 1,700m, nights often drop below 10°C), a head torch (essential for the pre-dawn climb), closed shoes with grippy soles and waterproofs. A sleeping bag isn't essential if you book half-board (sheets are provided in the dorms).
Can you bring your dog?
No, pets aren't allowed at the hut. That's the rule at most National Park huts, to protect the native wildlife.
What else can you do from the hut?
Climb to the Roche Écrite summit (1h30), cross into Mafate (La Nouvelle) on the GR2, or head back down to Saint-Denis or Salazie. For the best view of the cirques, nothing beats a helicopter flight.
When's the best time to hike up to the hut?
The southern winter (May to October) brings the most stable conditions: often clear skies at the summit, dry trails and cool but pleasant temperatures. Avoid the cyclone season (January to March), when heavy rain can make the GR2 impassable.
Page updated on 20 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the refuge before travelling.
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Roche Écrite Hut
RateFrom €19/night