With the combined forces of the ocean, the air and the movements of the earth’s crust, an island of astonishing scenery has risen from the sea. We are left with the three enormous ‘cirques’ (natural amphitheatres) of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate, the deep valleys hewn into the volcanic slopes by the island’s main rivers, and the upper plains dotted with peaks….
Due to its relatively reduced surface area (2500km²), these abrupt mountains give Reunion a truly unique geographical identity. The flight across the island, either by helicopter or by microlite, is simply breath-taking.
The island’s highest point is the Piton des Neiges at 3 070 m. Its last volcanic eruptions were 16000 years ago. You can reach it either from Cilaos, Salazie or from La Plaine des Cafres, and people generally climb it in two stages, staying one night at the Piton des Neiges ‘gîte’ (hostel) before watching the sun rise over Reunion from the summit the next morning.