Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
de la Fournaise is not a dormant monster, but an active geological wonder that erupts with
great regularity; in April 2007 the central, 900m-wide crater collapsed by 300m, and new
lava fields were formed on its southeastern flanks, down to the coast. In early January
2010 a new eruption occurred, though less powerful. Scientists keep a close watch on the
volcano's moods, and are poised to issue warnings if things look to be gathering steam. At
the first sign of an eruption, the paths near the volcano and the road up to it will be closed.
The good news is that it's one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, and it's
possible to hike up to the crater rim (though this is subject to change depending on current
conditions, so ask while you're there). You can also fly over the volcano, approach the
area from the saddle of a horse or simply enjoy the scenery from a viewpoint at
Pas de Belle-
combe
(2311m), the 'entrance' to the volcanic area, right on the crater's outer rim, where
the road ends.
The main gateway to the volcano is Bourg-Murat. From there, a scenic, zigzagging sec-
ondary road leads to Pas de Bellecombe, about 30km southeast of Bourg-Murat. The
gradual change of scenery is mind-boggling. The grassy meadows and cryptomeria forests
typical of the Hautes Plaines progressively change to scrubland and Martian landscape. Be
sure to pause at
Belvédère du Nez-de-Bœuf
(viewpoint), blessed with unsurpassable views over
the valley gouged by the Rivière des Remparts. About 22km from Bourg-Murat, there's
another fabulous viewpoint at
Pas des Sables
(2360m), from where you can gaze at a wide
windswept plain, made of ashes,
Plaine des Sables
. With its lunar landscape, it could form a
perfect backdrop for a new version of
Mad Max
. The road plunges down to the plain and
becomes a dirt road with wicked potholes (but it's OK with a car) before continuing uphill
to Pas de Bellecombe and Gîte du Volcan (
Click here
). You've reached the end of the
world.
From the viewpoint at Pas de Bellecombe you'll be rewarded with mesmerising views
of the volcano and its outer crater, known as
Enclos Fouqué
. The very photogenic, small
scoria cone with bizarre ochre hues you can see to the east in Enclos Fouqué is
Formica Leo
. The main crater, the 900m-wide
Dolomieu Crater
, is active; the 2632m-high, 200m-wide
Bory Crater
, to the east, is inactive.
Sleeping & Eating
Gîte du Volcan
GÎTE
€
