Hike in the Cirque of Mafate, Reunion Island

Organized by
6 hrs
Sporty
From 10 years-old and up
Recommended
From€55

Discover one of the most beautiful sites on Reunion Island, the Cirque de Mafate, during a 5 to 6 hours guided walk!

Discover one of the most beautiful sites on Reunion Island, the Cirque de Mafate, during a 5 to 6 hours guided walk!

In the north-west of Reunion Island, at the foot of the Piton Maïdo, the Cirque de Mafate is one of the three large natural cirques of the Piton des Neiges massif in the center of the island. It is located in the heart of Reunion's National Park and is one of the "Pitons, cirques and remparts" listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Cirque de Mafate is a real wilderness setting and is one of the best places for hiking on Reunion Island, as it is only accessible on foot or by helicopter and has significant differences in altitude. There are no roads in this cirque, which makes it even more authentic and unique! It is therefore a hiker's delight and reveals an impressive mineral and vegetal environment that you will discover during this 5 to 6 hours hike in the Cirque de Mafate. 550 meters of positive and negative difference in altitude await you, with a high point at 560 meters.

The walk in the Cirque de Mafate is of medium difficulty with a step-by-step ascent to the islet of Cayenne. You will be accompanied by a state-qualified guide who will be happy to inform you about life in the Cirque de Mafate: its history, its fauna and flora, but also the marronage, as it was the refuge of runaway slaves at that time. On this historical land, people still live today on small plateaus or islets.

Come and discover a wild and authentic environment on Reunion Island by taking part in this guided hike in the Cirque de Mafate!

Book your activity

From€55

Practical information

Course of events

- Meeting with the guide at the meeting point

- 20 to 30 minutes 4×4 trip up the Galets river bed for 12 km (trip to be paid on the spot - 32€ per person)

- Continuation of the activity on foot in the Cirque de Mafate: you will cross the river 4 times, and depending on the season, will have to walk with your feet in the water. You will then take a path that will lead you to the small islet of Cayenne

- Once in Cayenne, you will have a picnic in the heart of this magnificent, isolated and very flowery islet

- Once lunch is over, you will go down and walk in the river bed which you will cross about 12 times. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you can swim in one of the river's basins

- Finally, return outside the Cirque de Mafate by 4×4 to finish the activity

Activity requirements

You will have to pay 32€ per person on the spot for the transfer to and from the "rivière des Galets".

Special terms

There is a lot of traffic in the morning; if you leave from Saint-Gilles, leaving 1 hour in advance is preferable, as well as passing by Boucan Canot and not by the Tamarins road.

Meeting point:
Rue de la liberté in Rivière des Galets, parking of the 4×4 Mafate track in Rivière des Galets: continue on the road until the track, then go down the track on your left for 200 meters
Spoken languages:English, French
Included
  • Guide
Excluded
  • Lunch
  • Transfer to and from in the "rivière des Galets" (32€ per person to pay on site)
Do not forget to bring
  • Hiking shoes or good trainers
  • Depending on the season, a pair of shoes that can go in the water
  • Comfortable clothes (shorts or trousers for the bottom)
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Walking stick if needed
  • Small backpack
  • Bottle of water (2L min.)
  • Snacks
  • Picnic lunch

Reviews

Average rating

4.9/5

(13)
  • Excellent
    92.3%
    12
  • Very good
    7.7%
    1
  • Average
    0%
    0
  • Poor
    0%
    0
  • Terrible
    0%
    0
Marie-France F., Belgium — 27/10/2023
5/5
Parfaite, superbes paysages,de belles rencontres. Peut être un groupe trop grand avec diverses capacités mais pour moi aucun souci
MAGALIE T., France — 26/10/2023
5/5
Très belle activité à faire absolument, seul bémol groupe de 12 personnes avec des cadences différentes, trop gros groupe pour avoir un rythme correct.
Oscar F., Switzerland — 17/09/2023
5/5
Magnifique rando dans le cirque. Vues incroyables et variées de Mafate.
Gilles S., France — 14/09/2023
5/5
Randonnée idéale pour avoir un aperçu de Mafate sur une journée
Karen R., France — 08/11/2022
5/5
Super excursion avec Daniel qui est un guide qui sait partager sa connaissance du site, qui s'adapte à l'endurance de chacun. Très jovial et près des gens. Nous laisse sa carte en partant si on veut le joindre pendant le séjour pour avoir des conseils, éviter les pièges à touristes...bref un super guide pour une magnifique découverte de Mafate !

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