Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, is a haven for adventure seekers. Known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and rugged terrain, Réunion offers thrilling activities for adrenaline seekers and nature lovers alike. Whether you're looking to hike through lush cirques, descend into deep canyons, or soar above volcanic craters, Réunion provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable adventure.
In this guide, we will explore some of the most exciting outdoor activities that Réunion has, including hiking, canyoning, and paragliding. These experiences allow you to immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty while challenging yourself physically and mentally. Rent a car in Réunion to enjoy your adventure, allowing you to explore remote areas and reach the most scenic spots at your own pace.
Réunion Island is home to some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the world. With its volcanic origin, the island offers diverse terrains, from lush forests and deep gorges to towering mountains and volcanic craters. Hiking in Réunion is an excellent way to experience the island's rugged beauty while exercising in the great outdoors.
For many hikers, the ultimate challenge in Réunion is summiting Piton des Neiges, the island’s highest peak. This dormant volcano, standing at 3,070 metres, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island’s cirques and coastline. The hike to the summit is challenging, taking approximately 8-10 hours to complete, but the reward at the top is worth every step. From the summit, hikers enjoy stunning views of the island’s dramatic landscapes, including the three cirques of Salazie, Mafate, and Cilaos.
The trail to Piton des Neiges starts in the village of Cilaos, located in the heart of the Cilaos Cirque. The path is steep and rocky, with significant elevation gain, but the stunning scenery makes it a memorable experience. Hikers should be prepared with proper gear, water, and snacks, as it's a challenging hike.
Mafate is one of the most remote and rugged areas of Réunion, and hiking here is an adventure in itself. The Mafate Cirque can only be accessed on foot or by helicopter, making it an authentic wilderness experience. The cirque is home to several small, isolated villages that remain untouched by modern infrastructure, offering visitors a glimpse into the island’s traditional way of life.
There are numerous hiking trails in Mafate, ranging from moderate to challenging, which wind through dense forests and along cliffs. The trails are well-marked, and many offer stunning views of the cirque's deep ravines and jagged peaks. One of the most popular hikes is the trail from La Nouvelle to Roche Plate, which takes about 5-6 hours and offers panoramic views of the cirque's volcanic landscape.
For those looking for a shorter but equally spectacular hike, the trail to the Ilet à Malheur offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Mafate’s isolation and natural beauty make it a must-visit for avid hikers.
Salazie is another of Réunion's three main cirques, famous for its lush greenery and breathtaking waterfalls. Hiking in Salazie takes you through dense forests, past striking waterfalls, and into deep valleys. The Voile de la Mariée (Bridal Veil) waterfall is one of the most iconic spots in Salazie, where water cascades down a cliff face, creating a stunning visual display.
The hikes in Salazie are generally less challenging than those in Mafate and Cilaos but still offer beautiful views and a rewarding experience. One popular trail is the hike to the Mare à Poule d’Eau, a peaceful lake surrounded by dense forest. This trail is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy peaceful walks surrounded by lush vegetation.
For those seeking a wet and wild adventure, canyoning in Réunion is the perfect activity. With its many waterfalls, gorges, and fast-flowing rivers, the island offers some of the best canyoning experiences in the world. Canyoning involves descending through gorges and waterfalls using a combination of walking, climbing, rappelling, and swimming. It’s an exhilarating and fun way to explore Réunion's natural beauty while challenging yourself physically.
The Rivière de l’Est canyon is one of the most popular spots for canyoning in Réunion. This canyon, located in the eastern part of the island, features a series of waterfalls, natural slides, and pools that are perfect for canyoning enthusiasts. The experience begins with a thrilling descent down waterfalls using ropes, followed by a series of jumps and slides into crystal-clear pools below.
The Rivière de l’Est canyon offers routes for all skill levels, making it ideal for beginners and experienced canyoners. The vibrant jungle surroundings and the sound of rushing water make the experience all the more exciting. Canyoning here is an adventure not to be missed for those who want to get up close and personal with Réunion’s wild waterways.
Another popular canyoning location is the Trois Roches Canyon, in the heart of the Mafate Cirque. This challenging canyon features several exciting rappels, jumps, and slides through a series of narrow gorges. The Trois Roches canyon is perfect for experienced canyoners seeking a more technical adventure. The highlight of this canyon is the stunning Trois Roches waterfall, where visitors can rappel down a 25-meter-high drop into the refreshing, clear waters below.
Canyoning in Trois Roches Canyon offers a thrilling blend of natural beauty and adventure. The remote location of the canyon adds to its allure, offering a sense of exclusivity and wilderness that is hard to find anywhere else.
Paragliding offers a unique way to experience Réunion from the sky, making it a must-do activity. With its cliffs, volcanic peaks, and stunning coastline, Réunion provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable paragliding experience.
One of the most popular paragliding spots on the island is the area around Piton de la Fournaise, the active volcano in the southeast. Paragliders launch from the nearby cliffs and soar above the volcanic craters, enjoying panoramic views of the island's rugged terrain and lush forests. The wind conditions around Piton de la Fournaise are perfect for paragliding, making it an excellent spot for beginners and experienced pilots. From the air, you’ll see the dramatic contrasts between the volcanic landscapes, the deep blue ocean, and the lush vegetation that blankets much of the island. Paragliding offers a unique and thrilling way to experience Réunion’s natural beauty from above, giving you freedom and excitement as you glide through the sky.
In addition to Piton de la Fournaise, Réunion offers several other fantastic paragliding spots. One of the most scenic is Col de Bellevue in the Mafate Cirque, where you can glide over the rugged mountains and valleys, taking in sweeping views of the island's wild beauty.
Paragliding over Réunion’s dramatic landscapes is an exhilarating experience, and whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a first-time flyer, it’s an adventure you won’t forget.
Rent a car in Réunion to fully experience the island's adventure offerings. Renting a car allows you to reach the remote areas where many of the island’s best hiking trails, canyons, and paragliding spots. You can plan your itinerary, stop at scenic viewpoints, and explore at your own pace.
Whether heading to the Mafate Cirque for a challenging hike or to the Rivière de l’Est for a thrilling canyoning session, having a rental car ensures you can access Réunion’s hidden gems. With a wide range of vehicles available, including off-road cars suitable for the island’s rough terrain, Finalrentals Réunion makes it easy to get around the island.
Réunion Island is a paradise for adventure seekers, offering various activities that allow you to experience its natural beauty in exciting ways. Réunion offers unforgettable adventures, from hiking its highest peaks and canyoning through remote gorges to paragliding over volcanic landscapes.
To make the most of your time on the island and access its most remote spots, Rent a car through Finalrentals. With a rental car, you can freely explore the island's most awe-inspiring locations and experience the thrill of Réunion's adventure activities.
Book your rental car today and start planning your adventure on Réunion, where every turn reveals a new challenge, and every landscape offers a new thrill.
