Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LES HAUTES PLAINES & THE PITON DE
LA FOURNAISE
Réunion's only cross-island road passes through the Plaine-des-Cafres and the Plaine-des-
Palmistes, collectively known as Les Hautes Plaines. At an altitude of about 1000m, the air
is refreshingly crisp and often swathed in misty fog - a blessing if you're coming from the
scorching coastal cities.
These relatively large open areas actually form the saddle that separates the massif (com-
prising the three Cirques) from the volcano, Piton de la Fournaise. And what a volcano! It
ranks as one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, playing in the same league as Hawaii.
It's also one of the most accessible ones - you can trek up the caldera.
Because there's a road from the Hautes Plaines that approaches within a few kilometres
of the summit of the volcano, nearly all visitors approach it from this side.
