The Piton de la Fournaise
🥾 Hike to Piton de la Fournaise – Assaulting an active volcano emblematic of Reunion Island
📌 Practical information
- Departure from the L'Échelle guest house : La Plaine des Palmistes
- Driving time to Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob (parking) : Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes (55 km)
- Starting point of the hike : Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob car park, Bourg-Murat
- Average duration : 4 to 5 hours (round trip to the main crater, Formica Léo and Dolomieu)
- Distance : Approximately 11 km (round trip)
- Elevation gain : ~500 m
- Difficulty Level : 🟠 Moderate to Difficult
- Type of audience : 🧗 Sports enthusiasts / 🌋 Lovers of volcanic landscapes
- Access : Free – depends on volcanic activity (check with OVPF or prefecture)
- Marking : Yes (white lines on the lava)
- Recommended equipment : Sturdy hiking shoes, water (2L minimum/person), windbreaker, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, energy snacks, warm clothing (changeable weather).
🌟 Highlights of the hike
- ✅ Walk on a recent lava flow, unique in the world
- ✅ Bird's eye view of the Fouqué enclosure, a vast volcanic caldera
- ✅ Discovery of the Formica Léo crater and the Dolomieu
- ✅ Lunar atmosphere and otherworldly landscapes
- ✅ Legendary experience in Reunion, accessible without a guide
🧭 Access to the starting point
From our B&B L'Échelle in La Plaine des Palmistes , take the RN3 towards Bourg-Murat. In Bourg-Murat, follow the signs for "Piton de la Fournaise" via the Volcan forest road (RF5). The road climbs to the Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob (free parking), located at an altitude of 2,311 m.
🕒 Estimated time: 1h10 to 1h20
🛣️ Road in good condition but winding. Accessible by conventional car, beware of frequent fog.
❤️ Why we love this hike
Climbing the Piton de la Fournaise is like walking on an active volcano and feeling the power of nature. The start from the Pas de Bellecombe , with its impressive view of the enclosure, is an unforgettable moment. By leaving early from our guesthouse, you can enjoy the sunrise over the lava flows, a magical spectacle. It is an intense but unforgettable hike, a must during a stay in La Réuni
🚸 Tips & Safety
- 🌋 Check the trail is open : access is prohibited during an eruption or alert period.
- 🌦️ Leave early: changeable weather and heat on the lava flows.
- 🧭 Follow the white markers: the terrain can be disorienting in overcast conditions.
- 📶 No network on site: inform someone of your departure.
🏡 Our local council
By staying with us in L'Échelle , you are ideally placed to leave early for the volcano while enjoying the peace and quiet of La Plaine des Palmistes. An early breakfast can be arranged for early hikers 🥐☕.
🎒 Book your stay and explore Piton de la Fournaise!