Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking Trails
There are two major hiking trails, known as Grande Randonnée® Route 1 (GR® R1) and
Grande Randonnée® Route 2 (GR® R2), with numerous offshoots. The GR® R1 does a
tour of Piton des Neiges, passing through Cilaos, the Forêt de Bébour-Bélouve, Hell-Bourg
and the Cirque de Mafate. The GR® R2 makes an epic traverse of the island all the way
from St-Denis to St-Philippe via the three Cirques, the Plaine-des-Cafres and Piton de la
Fournaise.
A third trail, the Grande Randonnée® Route 3 (GR® R3), does a tour of Cirque de Ma-
fate and overlaps with some sections of the GR® R1 and GR® R2.
The trails are well maintained, but the tropical rainfall can eat through footpaths and
wash away steps and handrails. Even experienced hikers should be prepared for tortuous
ascents, slippery mud chutes and narrow paths beside sheer precipices. The routes are well
signposted on the whole, but it's essential to carry a good map and you should check loc-
ally on the current situation; trails are occasionally closed for maintenance, especially fol-
lowing severe storms.
