hotel4 km
State forest · hills above Les Avirons
Tévelave Forest: free camping along 9 km of forest road
Several camping and picnic areas dot the hills above Les Avirons: wooden shelters, built fire pits, water points, a Creole snack stand at weekends, the Gol and Ouvriers trails, and a chance to spot the Papangue, the island's endemic bird of prey. Ideal for families.
Hills above Les Avironslocation9 km of forest roadareasCar, parking on siteaccessFreecost
The Tévelave forest, in the hills above Les Avirons, is one of the most accessible forest camping spots on the west coast. No lugging gear, no tricky walking: you park right next to the shelter of your choice. The picnic areas dot the 9 km of forest road, with facilities that vary from one site to another (fire pits, water, barbecues).
This page covers everything you need to know before heading up: getting there from the village, gear for the humid forest, ONF rules and hiking trails plus nearby activities (paragliding, diving, horse riding at Maïdo). If you'd rather not pitch a tent, a campervan fits easily in the forest car parks, right next to the areas.
At a glance
Tévelave camping essentials
The areas
Choosing your spot along the forest road
Several areas dot the 9 km of road. It gets busy fast at weekends, so it's worth knowing the options before heading up.
Main area (past the church)
The first site you reach heading up from the village. Several picnic shelters, built fire pits, barbecues, a water point and step-free access for visitors with reduced mobility.
Secondary areas along the forest road
Several quieter spots dotted along the 9 km of forest road, with wooden shelters and tables. Handy on busy weekends when the main area is full.
Creole snack stand
A snack stand operates at the main area on weekends and public holidays: cari (Creole curry), rougails and samosas. Handy if you'd rather not cook.
Route
How to reach Tévelave
From Les Avirons, head up towards the village of Tévelave (D26). At the Tévelave church, turn left: the first picnic area is about 700 metres further on. The forest road continues for 9 kilometres, with more areas dotted along the way.
The road is paved all the wayand fine for any standard car. Allow 25 minutes from the N1 via Les Avirons, 45 minutes from Saint-Pierre. Fill up with fuel on the coast: there are no shops up in the hills apart from the snack stand, open at weekends. No car lined up for the trip yet? The road needs nothing special, so there's no point paying for a bigger category: check hire car rates before you land.
Backpack
What to bring for a night in the forest
- A 3-season tent plus a 10°C sleeping bag (the forested Hauts, the island's uplands, drop below 15°C at night, especially in the southern winter)
- Warm clothing: at 1,000 m, mornings are chilly before sunrise
- A head torch: there is no lighting at night and the canopy blocks out the moonlight
- Water: water points are available at the main areas, but bring a reserve supply
- A portable gas stove: fires are only allowed in the built fire spots
- Bin bags: take all your rubbish home, even biodegradable waste. The ONF (forestry office) keeps a close eye on litter
- Mosquito repellent: there are more mosquitoes in the humid forest than on the coast
- Closed shoes for the Gol and Ouvriers trails, which get slippery after rain
Read before heading up
Camping in a state forest: the rules
The Tévelave forest is managed by the ONF (France's National Forestry Office). Camping is tolerated at the designated areas as long as you follow a few simple rules: pitch your tent late and take it down early, light fires only in the built fire pits, take all your rubbish home, and no generators.
Fire risk runs high during the dry season (September to December): the forest dries out and the smallest ember can start a fire. No fires at the forest edge, no cigarette butts stubbed out, no improvised barbecues on the grass. ONF rangers patrol regularly and can issue fines.
Combine it with
Activities to do around Les Avirons
The west coast has the island's best outdoor activities, 20 to 30 minutes from Tévelave.
Introductory paragliding flight in Saint-Leu
Take-off from the Maïdo rampart, a glide above the lagoon, landing on Saint-Leu beach.
Discover
Horse riding at Piton Maïdo
Riding trails through the cryptomeria forests of the western Hauts, with local guide Zélie.
Discover
Exploration dive in Saint-Leu
Coral drop-offs and tropical wildlife in the marine reserve, 20 minutes' drive down from the hills.
Discover
Also worth combiningAerial view
The Maïdo rampart and Mafate from the sky
Camping puts you right inside the forest: undergrowth, tree ferns, birdsong. A helicopter shows you the bigger picture, flying over the Maïdo rampart above the Tévelave hills and dropping down into Mafate, the island's only cirque (volcanic amphitheatre) with no road access.
It adds the vertical dimension to the landscape. 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 rates
Other spots
Other forest camping spots in Reunion Island
Vaudeville forest area, Trois-Bassins
A neighbouring forest spot with similar facilities on the same west coast, about 30 minutes from Tévelave.
See the spot
Cryptomeria forest at Le Brûlé
A humid forest in the hills above Saint-Denis, with wooden shelters and a similar atmosphere at 1,200 m.
See the spot
Themed evening camping, hills of Saint-Paul
Entertainment, music and Creole food, 30 minutes north of Tévelave.
See the spot
Stay nearby
Accommodation near Tévelave
For the night before or after your camping trip, here's accommodation within 25 km, on the west coast between Les Avirons and Saint-Leu.
hotel4 km
hotel6 km
auberge8 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: camping at Tévelave forest
How do you get to the Tévelave forest?
From the town of Les Avirons, head up towards the village of Tévelave. At the church, turn left: the first picnic area is about 700 metres further on. The forest road continues for 9 km, with more areas dotted along the way. The road is paved all the way and fine for any standard car.
Is camping free here?
Yes, camping is free at the designated areas in the Tévelave state forest. No booking, no fee. The rules: pitch your tent late and take it down early, light fires only in the built fire pits, and take all your rubbish home.
Are there water points and toilets?
The main areas have water points (untreated water, to be filtered or boiled before drinking) and toilets. They are not always well maintained, so bring some drinking water and toilet paper. The snack stand at the main area opens on weekends and public holidays.
Can you light a campfire?
Fires are only allowed in the built fire pits and fixed barbecues at the picnic areas. No fires at the forest edge or anywhere outside a built structure. Bring your own wood or charcoal, as nothing is provided. ONF rangers patrol the area actively, especially in the dry season.
When should you visit Tévelave?
Austral winter (May to October) offers the most stable conditions: dry forest, usable trails, clear skies. Avoid weekends and public holidays, when the areas fill up from early morning, and go on a weekday for some peace and quiet. The rainy season (January to March) makes the trails slippery and the areas muddy.
What hikes start from Tévelave?
Two main trails start from the area: the Gol trail and the Ouvriers trail, both waymarked and suited to families. For mountain bikers, dedicated tracks head down towards the coast. Birdwatchers come to spot the Papangue, Reunion Island's endemic bird of prey, which nests in the canopy.
What else can you do nearby?
Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles are 20 to 30 minutes' drive away: an introductory paragliding flight from the rampart, an exploration dive in the marine reserve, whale watching in season (July to October), or a helicopter flight for the widest perspective on the Maïdo rampart and Mafate.
Is it accessible for visitors with reduced mobility?
The main area, near the church, is set up for visitors with reduced mobility: step-free shelters, accessible toilets and reserved parking spaces. The forest trails and more remote areas aren't wheelchair-accessible.
Page last updated 18 September 2026. GPS coordinates and ONF rules verified as of this date.