Trekking of the Reunion diagonal

Description

I propose you to go for the great crossing of the Reunion Island, from north to south. In a few figures, you will cover 115 kilometres, from sea level to the highest point of the island at 3070 meters of altitude, for a total altitude difference of 6600 metres.

This trek is the opportunity to follow the legendary GRR2 trail, that I have redesigned! 11 days of hiking await you to discover the great variety of the island's landscapes and its immense richness: the cirques of Mafate and Cilaos, the luxuriant forest of Bébour, as well as the ascent of the two emblematic peaks, the Piton des Neiges and the Piton de la Fournaise.

Pick-up and drop-off are at the Rivière des Galets (La Possession). Parking lot is available as an option.

If I am unavailable, a colleague from the Bureau Montagne Réunion Trek will take care of the supervision.

If you feel like a sportive stay, don't hesitate to follow me on this trail stay in Reunion Island. And for a gentler way of discovering this intense island, why not let yourself be tempted by this discovery of the wild south of Reunion or this trekking in the northern part of the island?

Program

D1: Deux Bras - Aurère islet.
From La Possession on the west coast, we take a 4WD vehicle to go up the Galets river. From the place called "Deux Bras", you start your trek by the GRR2 to reach the charming islet of Aurère, where we spend our first night in a lodge.
Duration: 4 hours, distance: 6.5km, positive altitude difference: 700 meters, negative altitude difference: 50 meters.

D2: Aurère islet - Grand Place islet.
After crossing the islet, the GRR2 takes you to the islet of Malheur, then the islet of Bourse, through gullies and forests. You then reach the islet of Grand Place to spend the night.
Duration: 5 hours, distance: 7,5km, positive D+: 400m, D-: 650m.

D3: Grand Place islet - Roche Plate islet.
"By the top or by the bottom"? There are two options to reach the Roche Ancrée basin via the viewpoint of Grand Place les Hauts or via the pleasant path of the Galets river. You will then have to climb the tough ascent of the Dacerle trail under the Bronchard mountain to reach the plateau of the Roche Plate islet.
Duration: 5 hours, distance: 6.5km, D+: 750m, D-: 500m.

D4: Roche Plate islet - Marla islet.
Superb stage on the GRR3, at the foot of the Maïdo rampart to reach the Trois Roches site and its plunging waterfall. You then walk up the mineral decor of the Galets river to reach the plateau of the Marla islet, the highest islet of the Mafate cirque.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 8km, D+: 750m, D-: 250m.

D5: Marla islet - Cilaos.
Today we leave the Mafate cirque to reach the Cilaos cirque via the Taïbit pass, the only passage between the two cirques. You cross the road to the îlet à Cordes, then reach the bottom of the Bras Rouge river to discover the waterfall of the same name. A final climb along the bottom of a shaded ravine leads you to the town of Cilaos. Unless the desire to stroll longer in the streets of Cilaos has made us take the bus from îlet à Cordes...
You will find your luggage in Cilaos for the night.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 11km, D+: 700m, D-: 1100m.

D6: Cilaos - Dufour cave.
After a welcome rest, we take the bus to the start of the Bloc trail in the early afternoon. You start the ascent of the steep green rampart, to arrive at the Dufour cave refuge at the end of the day and enjoy the extraordinary colours of the sunset at an altitude of almost 2500 meters, around the traditional "cari".
Duration: 4 hours, distance: 4.5km, D+: 1100m, D-: 0m.

D7 : Dufour cave - Piton des Neiges - Bourg-Murat.
After a short night and a hot drink, we start the ascent of the Piton des Neiges by night, in order to witness the extraordinary spectacle of the sunrise on the highest point of the Indian Ocean for an unforgettable moment! You will then go back down to the refuge for breakfast, before starting the long and magnificent GRR2 trail through the Kerveguen hillside, the Bébour forest, then the forest of the Plaine des Cafres, to reach the village of Bourg-Murat.
Duration: 8 hours, distance: 18km, D+: 700m, D-: 1100m.

D8: Bourg-Murat - Volcano lodge.
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. You will enjoy a magnificent gradual ascent, through pastures and heather plains, to finish by crossing the "Martian" plain of the Sands, where you will sleep at the foot of the volcano's summit cone.
Duration: 7 hours, distance: 18km, D+: 900m, D-: 250m.

D9: Ascent of Piton de La Fournaise.
Incredible out-and-back hike to the summit of one of the most active volcanoes in the world! The mineral atmosphere and recent lava flows give this place an exceptional character. Eruptions, fountains, lava flows, lava gratons and lava ropes will no longer hold any secrets for you after this beautiful day.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 12km, D+: 500m, D-: 500m.

D10: Volcano lodge - Basse Vallée.
Today you walk along the rampart of the Fouqué enclosure, greeting the volcano one last time, before descending by its southern face. The long, wild trail, dotted with volcanic cones, winds its way through the lush forest and offers sublime views of the "Wild South" coast.
Duration: 8 hours, distance: 10km, D+: 100m, D-: 1800m.

D11: Basse Vallée - Le Baril.
Last hike of the diagonal to reach the coast, through the plantations of "palmistes", vanilla and fruit orchards typical of the south coast. You share a picnic at Cap Méchant to enjoy the last moments at the foot of the volcano.
Transfer from Le Baril to La Possession by minibus (1h30, 90km).
Duration: 3 hours, distance: 5km, D+: 0m, D-: 600m.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Accommodation in ½ board (night + evening meal and breakfasts), in gites or huts, in small dormitories.
• Transfers mentioned in the programme.
• Price calculated on a minimum number of 4 participants, guidance in French.
• Special requests (small groups, large groups, foreign languages): please contact me.
• For groups that have already been formed, the rates are degressive according to the number of participants.

The price does not include

• Picnic lunches (available as an option). I will advise you of the best ways to have lunch.
• Vehicle transfers before pick-up and after drop-off.
• Drinks other than those provided at meals.
• Personal equipment.
• Personal expenses.
• Insurance and assistance (optional).
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• In lodges and mountain huts.

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