About the GRR3 Réunion

country
France
length
40 km(25 mi)
Type of trail
Long-distance
difficulty

Difficulty is highly personal. Be aware of the weather conditions as bad weather turns easier trails in difficult trails especially in the mountains.

Moderate
accommodation

Lodging means a mix of hotels, hostels or AirBnB’s.

Lodging
Elevation gain
2500 m(8202 ft)
terrain
Mountains, Forest
remoteness
Some of the time
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The GRR3 Réunion is a classic hike that almost completes the tour of the Cirque de Mafate. It is designed for experienced hikers, although the relatively short loop can be completed in two stages of 20 km each. An extra day gives you a more leisurely pace to enjoy the island landscapes of Mafate. It is advised to leave your car at the paid parking of Col des Boeufs to keep it safe.

Hiking on Reunion Island is an experience like no other. The trails crisscross jungles and mountains and are filled with locals who love to get outside. It’s more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life. Families, friends, and solo hikers are all out there exploring the volcanic peaks and valleys. In recent decades, hiking on Reunion Island, and hiking tourism on the island, has flourished. There are now over 1,000 kilometers of well-maintained trails, the perfect way to explore the island’s volcanos, forests, and coastlines.

 

women in hiking gear

Mathilde Fox

Meet Mathilde, a nature lover born and raised on Réunion Island. She knows the island’s mountains like the back of her hand and always has her white dog, Moka, by her side. When she’s not soaking in the views, she’s training for her next trail running competition. Splitting her time between Réunion and Brussels, Mathilde loves exploring Europe’s hiking trails, especially the Alps, her absolute favorite. You can find her on Instagram  @fox.mathilde

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The Trail

The first day is mostly downhill. From Col des Boeufs parking, you’ll retrace your steps a bit to start from the beginning of the Sentier Scout via the RF of Haut Mafate. The hike starts in a beautiful tropical forest, quickly followed by a steep climb to reach a mountain ridge. Those sensitive to heights generally don’t like this part, although it is easy, safe and very short. The walk is easy until the Filaos forest. Then the descent becomes steeper with very high steps at times and many switchbacks. There are frequent viewpoints over Piton Cabris, (a triangle-shaped mountain standing out from the landscape) which dominates the center of the panorama.

You will cross the villages of Ilet à Malheur and Aurère before reaching Bord Bazar for stunning wild views to the south. The descent is steep until it crosses the footbridge over Bras d’Oussy. Continue on a pleasant and finally flat path towards Grand Place and turn right towards Ilet des Latanier. This is the last (and very steep) climb to Îlet des Lataniers. As Ilet des Lataniers is a very small village, the accommodation options there are rare. You might have to walk until the next village, Ilet des Orangers, to spend the night, keeping in mind that the ascent to Ilet des Orangers is steep and long, making it a long and difficult day.

On the second day, if you have spent the night in Ilet des Lataniers, you’ll hike on a steep and occasionally protected path to Ilet des Orangers, and continue towards the Brèche. Once at the Brèche, there are new panoramas over the cirque of Mafate and you’ll start the smooth descent under the filaos to reach Roche Plate effortlessly. At the school of the village, hidden behind a small wall, you will find three drinking water taps to refill your bottles. This will be the only place to refill during the day and they are hard to spot. Continue towards the well-known Cascade de Trois Roches for a pleasant break.

The precipice is quite dangerous, so be cautious when trying to look down. This is where you’ll see the balancing rocks on basalt plates that gave the place its name. Follow the flat path on the right bank of the river and a difficult climb begins on very rocky and unstable ground. Fortunately, beautiful steps have been arranged in some gravel areas that require a bit of attention not to slip or stumble on loose stones. When you enter the Filaos forest, you know that the climb is over and that you have reached Marla. This large îlet offers plenty of sleeping options for your second night.

The third day is very short and would be a simple walk if not for two rather steep climbs. Reach Maison Laclos and walk towards La Nouvelle on a comfortable and easy trail. Then the hike starts a more difficult climb to the most frequented path of the cirque towards Col des Bœufs where you have parked your car. Some steps are high, but by maintaining a regular pace, you quickly reach the summit, turn around, and enjoy one last view of Mafate before ending the day.

Stages

3-stage itinerary

Stage 1:

Col des Boeufs – Ilet des Latanier, 18 km | 11 mi

Stage 2:

Ilet des Lataniers – Marla, 13 km | 8 mi

Stage 3:

Marla – Col des Boeufs, 9 km | 5.5 mi

Accommodations

You will spend 2 nights in Mafate, and because of its remoteness, you will only find guesthouses and mountain huts owned by locals. There, you will experience the local food, which will keep you fueled for your next big hiking stage, and the hospitality of the people from Réunion. Especially in Mafate, try to book your accommodation a few weeks (or months, in the holiday season) in advance, as it is a very popular place for hikers. It is not forbidden to camp, but it is not very appreciated by the locals of Mafate, as hosting is their only source of income.

Accommodation per stage

Stage 1:

Ilet des Lataniers

Stage 2:

Marla

Best time of the year

You can hike the GRR3 all year round as Réunion has only two seasons: a warm summer and a warm winter. Some months are still better than others: in winter (June to September), you will benefit from dry days with very little rainfall, and from October to December, the rains are still rare and the temperatures are higher and the days longer.

Keep in mind that the weather in the high mountains can change rapidly, and it’s important to be prepared for all conditions, including tropical rainfalls or heavy heat. Always check trail conditions and local weather forecasts before starting the hike, especially in the cyclone season from January to May.

Safety & Gear

For hiking the GRR3 on Réunion Island, pack for heavy heat as well as heavy rain! You’ll want to include lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, a waterproof jacket, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a warm layer for higher altitudes, a good backpack with a rain cover, plenty of water, high-energy snacks as there is nowhere to resupply during the day, a first aid kit, a headlamp, and a map or GPS device. Be sure to include a quick-dry towel for the night in Mafate as most huts don’t provide towels.

Good to know

Chances are high that your host won’t speak very good English or any English at all. Google Translate or the other hikers will help smooth the conversation.

There are no water sources between the villages, so pack water for the day (at least 2.5L)

Route
Circuit
Highest point
1950m (6400 ft)

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