gite6 km
Mafate · 950m · on-foot access only
Wild camping at Aurère: a night in the oldest îlet in Mafate
Set on a plateau at the foot of Piton Cabris, Aurère is one of the most authentic îlets in the roadless cirque. A wild-camping area near the village, shelters, a water point, and a classic stop on the GR R2.
950maltitude3-5happroach walkOn footor helicopterFreeno booking
Aurère is one of the oldest îlets (hamlets) in the Mafate cirque, set on a plateau at 950m altitude between Piton Cabris to the west and the Marianne ridge to the north and east. It's a popular stop for a night of wild camping during a crossing of the cirque, and one of the main entry points when arriving from Sans Souci or Deux-Bras.
The wild-camping area sits on the edge of the village: shelters, picnic tables, a built fire spot and a water point. The village of Aurère itself has a bakery, two small grocery stores for supplies, and several guesthouse-style gîtes like ‘Tatie Jo’ if needed. Motor vehicles are banned in Mafate; for those who want to see the cirque without the walk, an aerial view shows in a few minutes what a day's hike takes to discover.
At a glance
The Aurère camping essentials
The experience
A night in the îlet, after the hike
Arrival. Depending on your trail, you arrive in Aurère after 3 to 6 hours of walking, often tired, your pack damp with sweat. The wild-camping area sits on the edge of the village, overlooking the valley. The wooden-roofed shelter, the picnic tables, the built fire spot. The contrast with the walk is stark: here, you finally catch your breath.
Supplies.The village bakery and grocery stores let you top up your pack: fresh bread, fruit, tinned goods, sometimes a few eggs. Prices are higher than down below, justified by helicopter delivery (everything is flown in from the Sans Souci or Rivière des Galets ravine). Buy only what you really need to avoid weighing down tomorrow's pack.
Night. Aurère is dry and windy, warmer than the high-altitude camps in the other cirques. Light pollution is non-existent: the starry sky is one of the finest on the island, even compared with Maïdo. A few bats flit past at dusk.
Morning.Most people are up early, either to set off towards the next îlet (La Nouvelle, Marla or Roche Plate depending on your loop), or to enjoy the viewpoints within 15 minutes of the village. The morning light on Mafate's inner cliffs is worth a look, even just for a few minutes.
How to get there
How to reach Aurère on foot
Scout trail from Sans Souci. The most direct, about 3 hours of steep climbing from the Sans Souci car park (accessible by car from the west coast). Roughly 700m of elevation gain, a waymarked but demanding trail. This is the option chosen by 70% of hikers heading to Aurère.
Augustave trail from Deux-Bras. A less busy alternative, 4 hours of walking from Deux-Bras (accessible by car via the La Possession road). Quieter, with different scenery (dry forest, then a ravine).
GR R2 from Salazie.Arriving via the Col de Fourche from Hell-Bourg, 5 to 6 hours of walking, with significant elevation gain. This is the ‘Salazie to Mafate crossing’ section of the long-distance GR R2 trail.
Backpack
What to bring for a night at Aurère
- A 35-50L hiking backpack: everything needs to fit on your back for the 3-5 hour approach walk
- A 3-season tent plus a 0°C sleeping bag: night temperatures drop below 10°C in the austral winter at 950m
- A fleece and a hat: Mafate is dry but the air cools quickly after sunset
- Grippy hiking boots: the Scout and Augustave trails have technical sections
- 3L of water per person: there's a water point on site but the flow is irregular, and the trail climbs steeply
- A gas stove: campfires are banned outside the shelter's built fire spot
- Sturdy bin bags: Mafate lives off tourism, and rubbish left behind soon piles up in the îlets
Regulations
Wild camping in the National Park: the rules
Aurère lies within the core of Reunion Island's National Park. Wild camping is permitted there, under conditions. Here are the official rules, quoted verbatim.
- 'Tents and hammocks must be pitched before sunset and taken down in the morning'
- 'Do not light campfires': only stoves and the built, designated fire spots are permitted
- 'Take all your rubbish away with you', including biodegradable waste
- 'The use of generators is prohibited'
- 'No harm may be done to wildlife or plant life'
- 'Leave the site as you found it'
Source: Parc national de La Réunion: Wild camping in the Park core. Since Mafate is a sensitive cirque with heavy visitor numbers in high season, following the rules is crucial to preserving an ecosystem already under strain.
Combine it with
Activities and hikes from Aurère
A few ideas for extending your time in Mafate, or seeing the cirque from a different angle.
Mafate hike from Îlet Cayenne
A guided crossing of the cirque over 1 or more days, with stops at îlets including Aurère.
Discover
Bélouve hike, Trou de Fer waterfall
Primary forest and a vertiginous waterfall on the cliffs between Salazie and Mafate.
Discover
Wild camping at Piton Maïdo, the other side of Mafate
A viewpoint on the west side of the same cirque, accessible by car for a different angle.
Discover
The other way into MafateThe aerial option
Mafate without the approach walk: a 5-minute flight
Mafate is the only cirque with no road. To get there: 3 to 5 hours on foot, or five minutes by helicopter. The flyover gives you in a few minutes what a day's hike takes to reveal: the full shape of the cirque, the sequence of îlets, the cliffs seen at eye level.
It's also the option for those who want to see Mafate without carrying a backpack. 8 different routes, the short Mafate flight at 15 minutes, the full cirques tour at 60 minutes.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Stay nearby
Accommodation near Mafate
Since Mafate can't be reached by car, this accommodation sits at the gateways to the cirque (Sans Souci, La Possession), for the night before setting off or the night after coming back down.
gite6 km
hotel6 km
hotel12 kmOther spots
Other wild-camping spots in Mafate and nearby
Wild camping at Trois Roches, Mafate
A waterfall and pools in the heart of the cirque, a classic stop between Marla and Roche Plate.
See the spot
Wild camping at Bras Rouge, Cilaos
If you're crossing via the Col du Taïbit from Marla, the natural next stop towards Cilaos.
See the spot
Wild camping at Piton des Neiges
The roof of the Indian Ocean at 3,071m, also accessible from Mafate by trail.
See the spot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ: wild camping at Aurère, Mafate
How do you get to Aurère?
On foot only. Three main routes: the Scout trail from Sans Souci (3 hours, the most direct), the Augustave trail from Deux-Bras (4 hours, less busy), or the GR R2 from Salazie via the Col de Fourche (5-6 hours). No car access, no cable car. Mafate is the only cirque on the island with no road.
What facilities are there at Aurère?
The wild-camping area is on the edge of the village. Several shelters with picnic tables, a built fire spot, a water point (irregular flow, bring a reserve). The village has a few gîtes, a bakery, and two small grocery stores for supplies. No reliable phone signal beyond the village.
Do you need a permit to camp at Aurère?
No, wild camping is unrestricted and free, as everywhere within the core of Reunion Island's National Park. Basic rule: pitch your tent after sunset and take it down in the morning, no fires outside the built fire spot, take all your rubbish with you. Since Mafate is a sensitive cirque, following the rules is crucial to preserving an ecosystem already under pressure from visitor numbers.
What's the altitude and what temperatures should you expect?
Aurère sits at 950m altitude. At night, expect 10 to 15°C in the dry season, 5 to 10°C in the austral winter (July-August). Warmer than Maïdo or Piton Sec, but noticeably cooler than the coast. The wind can make it feel colder in exposed spots.
How long should you stay at Aurère?
At least half a day to enjoy the viewpoints within 15 minutes of the village. Ideally: a night on site, setting off the next morning for the next îlet (La Nouvelle, Marla or Roche Plate depending on your route). Aurère is one of the most authentic îlets in Mafate, not one to rush through.
Are there gîtes in Aurère for nights when camping isn't an option?
Yes, several guesthouse-style gîtes welcome hikers. The best known is 'Tatie Jo', for its warm welcome and home-cooked Creole table d'hôte meals. Booking by phone is strongly recommended, especially in high season (July-August, school holidays). If the weather turns, switching to a gîte is a good backup option.
What's the alternative for seeing Mafate without hiking?
Since Mafate can't be reached by car, there are two options for seeing the cirque without carrying a backpack: the Piton Maïdo viewpoint by car, or a helicopter flyover of Mafate that shows the entire cirque in a few minutes (from €125).
Page updated on 20 September 2026. GPS coordinates and National Park rules verified as of this date.