Réunion Cirques & Volcano Loop

Rent a car and drive counter-clockwise around the island, connecting the west coast, two cirques, Piton de la Fournaise, and the southern wild lava coast.

From the west coast to the south, then back to the north via the east coast, this route uses four overnight bases to avoid daily round trips on winding mountain roads. Head up to Maïdo before dawn and climb the volcano in the early morning to catch the views before the clouds roll in. Ideal for first-time visitors with average physical fitness who want to see the island's diverse landscapes in one go. Mafate is only viewed from the Maïdo viewpoint, and Piton des Neiges requires two days, so neither is included in this itinerary.

December to March is the rainy and cyclone season, during which mountain roads and hiking trails are often affected.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Saint-Denis and Transfer to the West Coast

Réunion（Jardin de l'État、Le Barachois、Boucan Canot Beach）

Pick up your rental car at the airport, explore Saint-Denis first, then drive about 50 km along the coastal highway to Saint-Gilles (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Day 2 · Maïdo Sunrise and the West Coast

Réunion（Maïdo Viewpoint、Mascarin Botanical Garden、L'Ermitage Beach, Saint-Gilles）

Drive up the mountain from Saint-Gilles before dawn (approx. 1 hour to Maïdo). Head down in the afternoon and return to Saint-Gilles for the night.

Clouds and mist usually rise in the morning, so aim to reach the viewpoint around sunrise.

Stay: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Day 3 · Southwest Coast to Cilaos

Réunion（Kélonia、Stella Matutina Museum、L'Étang-Salé Beach）

Drive south along the coast, then take the RN5 from Saint-Louis into the mountains. The 37 km of winding roads take about 1.5 hours.

The RN5 is narrow and has many sharp bends. Drive slowly when passing oncoming cars, and try to enter the mountains before dark.

Stay: Cilaos

Day 4 · Cilaos to the Plains (Plaine des Cafres)

Réunion（Cirque de Cilaos、Cité du Volcan）

Spend the morning hiking inside the cirque. After driving down the mountain, take the RN3 via Saint-Pierre to reach the plains (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Plaine des Cafres (Cité du Volcan area)

Day 5 · Early Morning Climb of Piton de la Fournaise

Réunion（Plaine des Sables、Piton de la Fournaise）

Drive the volcano road to Pas de Bellecombe before dawn (approx. 1 hour). The volcano hike takes 5–6 hours round trip.

As of October 2026, the volcano remains under alert. Check the prefecture's official announcements before setting off.

Stay: Plaine des Cafres (Cité du Volcan area)

Day 6 · Southern Wild Coast to the East Coast

Réunion（Saint-Pierre & Saturday Market、Cap Méchant、Grand Brûlé & Route des Laves、Notre-Dame-des-Laves）

Drive down to Saint-Pierre, head north along the RN2 across the Route des Laves, and then enter Salazie. Total driving time for the day is about 4 hours.

The Saint-Pierre market is held on Saturdays. The RN2 may be closed during volcanic eruptions.

Stay: Hell-Bourg

Day 7 · Slow Travel in Cirque de Salazie

Réunion（Cirque de Salazie & Hell-Bourg、Voile de la Mariée）

Based in Hell-Bourg, explore the historic village on foot in the morning, and take short drives to see waterfalls in the afternoon (all within a 30-minute drive).

Arriving before 8:00 AM helps you beat the clouds that roll into the cirque before midday.