Hiking the Piton de la Fournaise
Photo: Nop112233, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The piton de la Fournaise (which translates to Furnace Peak in English) provides some excellent hiking opportunities on Réunion's only active volcano. The circuit of 14.5 km takes about 5 hours of walking and can be said to be one of the greatest hikes in the East African Islands.
As the trail is in the "inner zone" of Réunion National Park, the trail is on a world heritage area.
UnderstandHiking on the slopes of the Fournaise will give you the rare experience of walking in a mineral landscape formed by successive lava flows.
PrepareSee Hiking in Réunion § Prepare for information on what to bring. All of that information applies to this trail.
Get inSee the article on piton de la Fournaise on information on how to get to the trail.
WalkThe first thing you will encounter is on the Nez de bœuf pass (2136 m), where, after walking through lush greenery, you'll encounter a panoramic view over the plaine des sables(plain of sands).
Stay safeSee Hiking in Réunion § Stay safe for information on what to bring. All of that information applies to this trail.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hiking the Piton de la Fournaise" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Nop112233, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons