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Réunion: the Volcano Island – Route Guide

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The crater plain of Piton de la Fournaise
Photo: Rémih · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

France in the Indian Ocean: three collapsed calderas walled in green, an active volcano you can walk to, and hairpin roads into cloud villages.

Réunion: the Volcano Island is a 229 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 5–7 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for September, built from 56 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

5–7
days
229km
distance
4
Stops
56
curated stops

Plan your own version → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go

The route

Saint-Denis→ 40 kmSalazie→ 70 kmCilaos→ 40 kmSaint-Pierre

What you'll see

Jardin de l'Etat
Wander lush botanical gardens from the 18th century.
Saint-Denis
Trou de Fer
Feel awe at towering waterfalls plunging into a deep basin.
Cilaos
Léon Dierx Museum
View local and international art in a colonial villa.
Saint-Denis
Piton des Neiges
Challenge yourself hiking to Réunion's highest peak.
Cilaos
Villa Déramond-Barre
Explore another standout colonial vernacular home.
Saint-Denis
Cirque de Mafate
Gaze at remote mountains and rugged cliffs.
Cilaos
Artothèque
Enjoy rotating contemporary art exhibitions every two months.
Saint-Denis
Cirque de Cilaos
You will see dramatic cliffs and lush greenery in the heart of Réunion's volcanic landscape.
Cilaos

Choose your length

5-day plan27 stops · 11.4 h transit5.4 stops/day · 2.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan30 stops · 11.8 h transit5 stops/day · 2 h transit/daySee the full plan →7-day plan36 stops · 13.9 h transit5.1 stops/day · 2 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October

Dry season: cirque trails firm, the volcano road open and lagoon snorkelling calm.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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Plan your own version →