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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Arrive in Saint-Denis and Transfer to the West Coast
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).
住宿：聖吉勒萊班
第 2 天 · Maïdo Sunrise and the West Coast
留尼汪島（馬伊多觀景台、馬斯卡蘭國家植物園、聖吉勒·艾爾米塔日海灘）
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.
住宿：聖吉勒萊班
第 3 天 · Southwest Coast to Cilaos
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.
住宿：西拉奧斯
第 4 天 · Cilaos to the Plains (Plaine des Cafres)
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).
住宿：平原區（火山城一帶）
第 5 天 · Early Morning Climb of 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.
住宿：平原區（火山城一帶）
第 6 天 · Southern Wild Coast to the East Coast
留尼汪島（聖皮埃爾市與週六集市、兇岬（梅尚岬）、大燃區與熔岩公路、熔岩聖母教堂）
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.
住宿：埃勒堡
第 7 天 · Slow Travel in Cirque de Salazie
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.
住宿：埃勒堡
第 8 天 · Northeast Coast Back to the Airport
Leave the cirque and drive north along the east coast, stopping to see waterfalls along the way. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the airport for your afternoon or evening departure.