The Mafate cirque, the most isolated

Lodged between the steep walls of the Piton des Neiges massif, the Cirque de Mafate has no roads. What's more, it is divided into three parts by impassable peaks. So how do you get there?

Well, there are two ways to get to the Cirque de Mafate: by land for hikers and by air in a helicopter. Either way, it's a breathtaking sight!

If you can, we strongly advise you to go hiking in Mafate. There you'll find another world, a total disconnect. The cirque is steeped in history, as it was a refuge for runaway slaves in colonial times. The people of Mafate are steeped in Reunionese culture and offer hikers a warm welcome.

It's perfectly possible to plan just one day to explore the Mafate cirque. You'll need to leave at sunrise to take advantage of the clear skies, but above all to have time to make the round trip while enjoying the cirque, its landscapes and its unique way of life.

However, if you have the time, we still advise you to plan at least two days in Mafate, with one night on site. This is the best way to really "experience" the Mafate cirque. It's a timeless place that invites you to totally disconnect and reconnect with simple things. You'll have plenty of time to let go, recharge your batteries and take full advantage of the circus atmosphere.

Some travellers do not hesitate to stay two or even three nights in the circus. Of course, this depends on the time you have available. In any case, between the incredible landscapes to discover and the friendliness of the mafatais, who are always ready to chat, you won't get bored! It's rare to find a place so cut off from the world that you can really recharge your batteries.

What's more, if you have at least two days to spare, you'll have time to visit several of the cirque's ilets, including La Nouvelle and Marla. The ilets are small villages nestling in the middle of the cirque's abundant vegetation.

We recommend hiking Mafate between April and December, during the dry season. That way, you'll have a better chance of getting through the drops and avoiding the rainy periods.

Then, whether you're going for one day or several, we advise you to set off very early! The skies over Mafate are known to change very quickly, becoming heavy in the late morning/early afternoon. The earlier you leave, the more you'll enjoy the blue skies in the morning. In the afternoon, even if the showers are short, on Mafate when it rains, it rains... and it's easy to see why the vegetation is so lush! So don't forget your mackintosh!

There are various entry points for hiking in Mafate, some easy, others more difficult. For example, you can access Mafate via the Col du Taïbit from Cilaos, via the Maïdo, the Col des Bœufs, from the village of Dos d'ne, or from Possession via the Rivière des Galets.

We therefore advise you to find out the difficulty of each one. Your choice of trail will depend on your level of fitness, the time you have available and the time of year you plan to visit. During the rainy season, some roads and paths are closed.

In all, you can choose from 29 different walks in the Mafate cirque! So you can choose the one that best suits your walking ability, from easy to very difficult. The easiest hike can be done as a family, over a day or with an overnight stay in the cirque, as you wish. This is the hike from the Col des Bœufs to La Nouvelle. It takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to descend and 3 hours to climb back up. As for the more difficult route, it is around 23 kilometres long and takes 11 hours to walk there and back. The choice is yours!

You can also go on guided walks with a mountain leader. You'll learn a lot about the environment of the cirque and its history!