Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
There are no banks in Hell-Bourg, and there's only one ATM.
Office du Tourisme
( 0262 47 89 89;
www.est.reunion.fr
; 47 Rue Général de Gaulle; 8.30am-noon &
1-5.30pm; )
Has pamphlets on hiking options and bus schedules in the Cirque. Can also
arrange bookings at
gîtes de montagne
and guided tours in English if given advance no-
tice. Offers free wi-fi.
8.30am-noon & 1-2.45pm Mon-Fri, 8-11am Sat)
Has an ATM.
Post Office
(Rue du Général de Gaulle;
Grand Îlet & Col des Bœufs
This is a sweet, picturesque spot. About 17km west of Salazie, accessed by a scenic
white-knuckle road, Grand Îlet really feels like the end of the line. The village sits at the
base of the ridge separating the Cirque de Salazie and the Cirque de Mafate. Above the
village are the mountain passes of Col des Bœufs and Col de Fourche, which form the
main pedestrian routes between the two Cirques; access is via the village of
Le Bélier
, 3km
above Grand Îlet, where you'll find the start of the tarred
route forestière
(forestry road)
that leads to Col des Bœufs. The
route forestière
is dotted with a number of
kiosques
(pic-
nic shelters) that are popular at weekends.
About 500m before the guarded car park at Col des Bœufs, there's a sign indicating the
path to
Piton Marmite
on the left. Follow it and after about 10 minutes you'll reach a lookout
with fabulous views of the Cirque de Salazie.
Sleeping & Eating
Chez Liliane Bonnald
( 0262 41 71 62; liliane.bonnald@wanadoo.fr; Chemin Camp-Pierrot; d incl breakfast €42; )
In a mod-
ernish house on the road to Le Bélier, the five rooms upstairs won't be selected for a
Wall-
paper
photo shoot but are kept tickety-boo and boast a few fancy touches, such as Creole
ceilings and wood panelling on the walls. Liliane Bonnald, your affable host, is a good
cook too. Dinner costs €22.
B&B
€
La Campierelle - Chez Christine Boyer
( 0262 47 70 87; Chemin Camp-Pierrot; d incl breakfast €40; )
Here you'll be greeted by an old
lady wearing a straw hat, Madame Boyer. She rents out four humble rooms in a small
B&B
€
