The northern loop of Reunion Island by hiking

Description

Go on a trek for an original loop in the north of Reunion Island, starting from the main town of Saint-Denis. Along the 65 kilometres of trail between 700 and 2276 meters of altitude, you will climb a positive altitude difference of 3950 meters.

I propose you a trek out of the tourist circuits, to discover the north of the island, passing by the cirques of Mafate and Salazie. Sumptuous views, paradisiacal islets, forests and waterfalls will be there!

Pick-up and drop-off are in Saint-Denis. Transfers are done by city bus.

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

I also propose a hiking loop in the south of Reunion Island to discover other spectacular landscapes. And for more sporty trips, you can follow me on the Reunion diagonal trek or for 3 days of trail running on the island.

Program

D1: Saint-Denis - Dos d'Âne.
From Saint-Denis, we take the city bus up to the heights of La Montagne, to reach our starting point under the Colorado Park. We walk along the top of the Saint-Denis river rampart with its magnificent views of the coast, and then into the Roche Écrite Conservation Area, where you may be lucky enough to see the "Tuit-tuit"... You can then admire the famous view of Mafate from Cap Noir, before reaching the village of Dos d'Âne, where we spend our first night.
Duration: 7 hours, distance: 16km, positive altitude difference: 1000 meters, negative altitude difference: 600 meters.

D2: Dos d'Âne - Îlet à Malheur.
Following the GRR2, we descend into the Galets river to enter the mythical cirque of Mafate. You pass by Deux Bras, then go up to the Aurère islet under the Piton Cabris, and then reach the charming Îlet à Malheur.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 13km, D+: 800m, D-: 900m.

D3: Îlet à Malheur - Grand Ilet.
We climb the superb Scout trail, which offers exceptional views over Mafate, to switch to the Salazie cirque, where we reach the village of Grand Ilet to spend the night.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 12km, D+: 900m, D-: 600m.

D4: Grand Îlet - Sommet de la roche Écrite - Gîte de la roche Écrite.
Sporty morning: you attack the "Vertical Km of la Roche Écrite", that is to say 1000 meters of altitude difference for 2.4 km of distance! Enough to warm up before discovering the unique atmosphere of the Chicots plain. You finish the ascent of the Roche Écrite, to discover an exceptional panorama of Mafate and Salazie. The descent is much quieter, as you watch out for the Java deer that populate this area. Overnight stay at the Roche Écrite lodge.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 12km, D+: 1200m, D-: 500m.

D5: Gîte de la Roche Écrite - Saint-Denis.
Descent in the enchanting atmosphere of the forest to Mamode camp, followed by a visit to the Maniquet waterfall, before reaching Le Brulé, from where the city bus takes us back down to Saint-Denis.
Duration: 5 hours, distance: 12km, D+: 50m, D-: 1100m.

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.
• Drinks other than those provided at meals.
• Vehicle transfers other than those mentioned in the program.
• Personal equipment.
• Personal expenses.
• Insurance and assistance (optional).
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Mountain lodges.

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