Réunion🇷🇪 | best hikesDiscover the 4 Best hikes Across Réunion

How many hikes to choose: I advise 4 to 6 hikes over a week. That is enough to see the cirques, the volcano and a coastal or forest option, while leaving room for rest and a rain day. Pushing past that number brings blisters, wet gear and rushed mornings that miss the clear light before the clouds roll in. Each walk climbs hundreds of meters on stairs, roots and loose rock, so legs tire faster than the distances suggest.Which kind for which traveler: Independent budget travelers should favor the cirque trails with gîte stays, because dinner, bed and breakfast come together and you walk with villagers hauling supplies. Travelers who want a short effort should choose volcano rim and forest walks, which give wide lava views at sunrise and fit a single morning. Experienced walkers can string together … read more 👉

How many hikes to choose: I advise 4 to 6 hikes over a week. That is enough to see the cirques, the volcano and a coastal or forest option, while leaving room for rest and a rain day. Pushing past that number brings blisters, wet gear and rushed mornings that miss the clear light before the clouds roll in. Each walk climbs hundreds of meters on stairs, roots and loose rock, so legs tire faster than the distances suggest.Which kind for which traveler: Independent budget travelers should favor the cirque trails with gîte stays, because dinner, bed and breakfast come together and you walk with villagers hauling supplies. Travelers who want a short effort should choose volcano rim and forest walks, which give wide lava views at sunrise and fit a single morning. Experienced walkers can string together multi-day GR routes, and everyone else should stay on day loops with a car.What it costs: Budget about US$45 to 85 a day (€40 to 80). Gîte half board runs roughly €45 to 60 a night, lunch supplies €6 to 12, and a rental car €30 to 55 a day. Most trails are free, though a guide costs about €60 to 120 for a day. A week usually lands between €350 and €650 once fuel, parking and a helicopter-free budget are counted. In Mafate, carry cash because many gîtes do not take cards.Safety and etiquette: Weather turns fast, and slippery basalt and cloud cover cause most trouble. Start early, carry rain gear and 2 liters of water, and check the Météo-France alert level and ONF trail closures before each walk. Cell signal drops in the cirques. Respect the rules in the national park: stay on marked paths, carry out trash and keep clear of closed volcano zones. Greet people with a quick “bonjour” on the trail. In Mafate, supplies arrive by helicopter or on foot, so pack lightly and thank hosts for meals.