The GR R1 is a circular hike Reunion to the Piton des Neiges and the three crater pots Cirque de Mafate, Cirque de Cilaos and Cirque de Salazie in about six daily stages.
background
The three cirques Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate in the interior form a clover leaf. The long-distance hiking trail GR R1 starts for us in Hell-Bourg, Salazie and leads to the mountain Piton des Neiges at 3071m and after Cilaos. From there over the pass into the Mafate Basinwhose villages can only be reached by foot. On the last day we cross another pass and come to the starting point.
The tour is demanding because of the altitude difference and the length of the stages. Since there is no overnight accommodation in between, the stages cannot be divided.
preparation
Prior reservation is mandatory in the Réunions mountain huts. This can be in Saint-Denis (also via the Internet):
A reservation several weeks in advance is required during the main travel times.
getting there
You can take the bus from the airport to Hell-Bourg via Saint-Andre. Therefore, this basin is the suitable start and end point for us. After the hike, you can rent a car at the airport for the rest of your vacation.
Here we go
Luggage can be deposited in many hostels in Hell-Bourg so that we only have to carry the bare essentials during the week-long tour. You can also go on nice day trips from here to enter.
Tip: be sure to order dinner in advance at the huts. SMS is enough. Otherwise you don't get anything. The supply is done by helicopter, the landlords have to place the orders in good time.
Our tour schedule for one week:
day 1
Hell-Bourg for Belouve hut (half a day), afternoon hike to the Trou de Fer waterfall gorge. The gorge is not accessible. There is a lookout point at the top of the kettle.
day 2
Belouve to Dafour Hut, long stage through the rainforest. Impassable places can be crossed by ladders.
Day 3
At night ascent to the Piton des Neiges (Headlamp), after sunrise, descent to Cilaos
Cilaos
Walks around Cilaos (a day or two)
to Marla
Cilaos over the Col du Taïbit to Marla in the Mafate cauldron
Mafate
Marla to la Nouvelle (half day)
back to Hell-Bourg
la Nouvelle over the Col de Fourche to Hell-Bourg (long stage). Alternatively over the Col de Boeuf to the road to Grand Îlet, from there by bus.
security
Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean, but it is European in terms of security. In the event of incidents in the mountains, help is quickly available by helicopter.
trips
After the hike, we recommend renting a car at the airport and the south of the island with the active one volcano explore.
literature
Web links
- GR info: (en) with map and elevation profile
