The Diagonal - Crossing Reunion Island by trekking
In summary
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Sports
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Duration11 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationFrench Overseas Territories / Reunion Island
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions118.39 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Reunion Island , on a reimagined route of the famous GRR2. Guided by passionate locals, you'll explore a breathtaking mosaic of landscapes over 11 days , from majestic cirques and lush rainforests to spectacular volcanoes . From Mafate to Cilaos , via the hidden trails of Bébour , each stage reveals a unique facet of this captivating island.
This trek takes you to two legendary peaks: Piton des Neiges , the highest point in the Indian Ocean, and Piton de la Fournaise , an active volcano of raw beauty. Each day combines physical exertion , natural wonders , and authentic encounters , for a total immersion in the world of Réunion.
Designed for lovers of wide open spaces and challenging hikes , this circuit offers an extraordinary sensory and human experience. An exceptional journey, combining a change of scenery , intensity , and a deep connection with nature .
The highlights
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An organized trek led by local professional mountain guides
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A complete crossing of the island of Reunion
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The ascent of the two iconic peaks
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The unmissable island crossing, arranged by local guides! We chose not to explore the northern part, which is too prone to bad weather and lacks quality accommodation. You'll start right in the heart of the action with the Mafate cirque, a hiker's paradise.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 9 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 713 m
- Average daily descent: 413 m
Management
French
Qualified and experienced local mountain guides from the Réunion Mountain Bureau
Program
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Two Arms – Aurère
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 10km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 50 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From the west coast, you'll travel by 4x4 for about 10km to the Rivière des Galets , reaching a place called Deux Bras . This is where your hike on the GRR2 begins, winding through a wild and rugged landscape. You'll continue on foot to the peaceful hamlet of Aurère , nestled on the slopes of the Mafate cirque, where you'll spend the night in a traditional mountain refuge .
Day 1 -
Aurère – Grand Place
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After leaving Aurère , you follow the GRR2 trail towards several hamlets nestled in the cirque. The path crosses wooded ravines and lush undergrowth , leading first to Îlet à Malheur , then to Îlet à Bourse . At the end of the day, you reach Grand-Place , a hamlet perched between cliffs and valley, where you spend the night in a gîte (rural guesthouse).
Day 2 -
Grand Place – Roche Plate
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This more packed day takes you through several iconic islets of the cirque. Leaving Grand-Place , you pass through Cayenne , Les Lataniers then Les Orangers , before reaching La Brèche and, a little further on, the islet of Roche Plate , where you spend the night.
For those who wish, a more direct but steeper variant takes the Dacerle trail , with a sustained climb after the Roche Ancrée basin , a wild and spectacular place.
Day 3 -
Roche Plate – Marla
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You join the GRR3 , which runs along the Maïdo rampart in a spectacular setting. The trail leads you to the Trois Roches site, where the river cascades into a deep gorge. You then follow the rocky bed of the Rivière des Galets , between boulders and sparse vegetation, before reaching the Marla plateau , perched at over 1600m altitude. Overnight stay in a gîte in this isolated village, the highest in the cirque.
Day 4 -
Marla – Cilaos
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We leave the Mafate cirque to reach the Cilaos cirque via the Col du Taïbit , the only passage between the two cirques. We cross the road to Îlet à Cordes, then descend to the bottom of the Bras Rouge river to discover the waterfall of the same name. A final climb up the shaded ravine leads us to the town of Cilaos . Unless, of course, the desire to linger longer in the streets of Cilaos led us to take the bus at the intersection with the Îlet à Cordes road…
We find our luggage in Cilaos for the night.
6 H / 11 KM / D+ 700 M / D- 1100 M
Day 5 -
Cilaos – Dufour Cave
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After a welcome rest, we will take a city bus (3 km, 10 minutes) to the start of the Bloc trail in the early afternoon. We will begin the ascent of the steep, verdant escarpment, arriving at the Caverne Dufour refuge at the end of the day to enjoy the extraordinary colors of the sunset at almost 2500 m altitude, around the traditional "cari".
4 H / 4.5 KM / D+ 1100 M / D- 0 M
Day 6 -
Dufour Cave – Piton des Neiges – Bourg Murat
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 5km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After a short night and a hot drink, we begin our ascent to the summit in the dark, to witness the extraordinary spectacle of sunrise over the highest point in the Indian Ocean—an unforgettable moment! We then descend back to the refuge for breakfast. From there, we set off on the long and magnificent GRR2 trail, passing through the Kerveguen hillside , the Bébour forest , and then the Plaine des Cafres forest . A quick transfer takes us to the village of Bourg Murat .
8 H / 18 KM / D+ 700 M / D- 1100 M
Day 7 -
Bourg Murat – Gîte du Volcan
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A change of atmosphere, a change of mountain range! We leave behind the Piton des Neiges to enter the domain of the Piton de la Fournaise . A magnificent, gradual ascent, through pastures, heather-covered plains, and across the "Martian" Plaine des Sables, where we will sleep at the foot of the volcano's summit cone.
7 H / 18 KM / D+ 900 M / D- 250 M
Day 8 -
Ascent of Piton de la Fournaise
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A day trip to the summit of one of the world's most active volcanoes! The stark, mineral landscape and recent lava flows give this place an exceptional character. Eruptions, fountains, flows, scree, and ropy lava will hold no more secrets for you after this day.
6 H / 12 KM / D+ 500 M / D- 500 M
Day 9 -
Gîte du Volcan – Lower Valley
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We walk along the rampart of the Fouqué enclosure , paying a final respect to the summit of the volcano, before descending its southern face. This long, wild path, dotted with volcanic cones, plunges into the lush forest and offers sublime views of the " Wild South " coast.
8 H / 18 KM / D+ 100 M / D- 1800 M
Day 10 -
Lower Valley – The Barrel
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 90km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Our final hike to reach the coast takes us through plantations of palm trees, vanilla, and fruit orchards typical of the south coast. We'll share a picnic at Cap Méchant , enjoying our last moments at the foot of the volcano.
3 H / 5 KM / D+ 0 M / D- 600 M
Day 11
Note
Program subject to change depending on field conditions encountered.
Accommodation
Double rooms available depending on the cottage and availability, supplement of €30 per room per night
Generally, little or no water is used for washing.
Access
Go to the starting point
Transport services operated by a trusted private hire vehicle provider, in recent minibuses.
Price details
The price includes
- Guided by the Mountain Leader from Day 1 to Day 11
- Overnight stays with half-board (dinner and breakfast), in a gîte or mountain refuge, in small dormitories
- The vehicle transfers mentioned in the program
- Vehicle storage
The price does not include
- Lunchtime picnics. Your tour guide will advise you on the best places to eat.
- Transfers by vehicle before pick-up and after drop-off
- Drinks other than those served with meals
- Hiking equipment
- Personal expenses
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
See "Clothing".
Clothing to bring
You will have to carry some of your personal belongings for several
nights during treks.
You will have your supply baggage available on day 6 in Cilaos.
In your hiking bag and on your person:
-A comfortable 40-50L hiking bag, equipped with its waterproof cover.
- Things to protect yourself from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, scarf...)
- 2 or 3 T-shirts, short and long sleeves, made of quick-drying technical fabric
fast.
- A warm fleece
- A waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with a hood, of the "Gore-Tex" type
- Comfortable walking trousers or shorts (ideally trousers with legs)
detachable).
- A pair of comfortable hiking shoes with a good sole
Member. We recommend low and lightweight shoes.
- Two to three pairs of good quality walking socks, to avoid
light bulbs.
- A minimum 2L water reserve.
- Energy snacks (bars, dried fruit, etc.)
- Personal medical treatments (your guide has a complete first aid kit, but is not able to provide you with medication).
- Headlamp.
- Knife, cutlery.
- A few "zip" freezer bags and a small airtight container for storing food.
- A pair of hiking poles is recommended.
- Swimsuit, optional.
- Gloves and a hat are recommended during the southern winter.
For evening comfort:
- A small pair of light shoes / flip-flops (no "clogs" provided in the accommodations).
- Lightweight and comfortable trousers.
- Long-sleeved thermal underwear.
- A pair of warm socks.
- Nightwear.
- A compact bath towel.
- Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste.
- Hiking sheet for the Piton des Neiges refuge. All other accommodations provide sheets and blankets.
Recommended bag weight, all inclusive:
-Women: 15% of the person's weight
-Man: 20% of the person's weight
Note: as the climate is generally warm, it is often possible to wash and
drying belongings during the trek.
Your resupply bag:
Maximum 80L, 20kg. This bag can be stored under varying conditions.
must be sturdy and in good condition to ensure its handling.
