Towering 8,635 feet (2,632 meters) above the southeastern corner of Réunion is Piton de la Fournaise (Peak of the Furnace), a paradise for hikers. Walk to huge craters, gaze in awe at imposing remparts (cliffs) and admire spurting yellow-orange lava. Piton de la Fournaise is a shield volcano situated in Réunion National Park. It first erupted some 50,000 years ago and today remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
There’s no public transport to the volcano so rent a car or join an organized tour. The road to the volcano weaves around rugged peaks from the village of Bourg-Murat. Make a brief stop at Plaine des Sables, a slag-covered plateau with a lunar landscape and curious conical peaks.
The road ends at Pas de Bellecombe, from where marked hiking trails lead to areas of the magnificent and humbling Enclos Fouqué caldera. Climb down the long stairway path to Formica Leo, an 18th-century crater surrounded by lava plateaus and remparts. Look for colorful volcanic flowers, lava tubes and frozen pools.
Continue to Chappelle de Rosemont, a large pile of lava that resembles a burial mound. Here you’ll find two routes of varying length and difficulty, which take you into the heart of the volcano’s cone. One is a short and steep trail to the inactive Bory Crater. The other is a longer yet easier trail that accesses Dolomieu Crater. Lucky visitors might get the chance to observe a natural pyrotechnic show created by lava billowing out from the crater.
Plan a full day when visiting the volcano and set off early in the morning, when the weather is generally better. Wear comfortable walking boots and pack warm clothing, to combat any dramatic changes in temperature. Bring food and water or stock up on supplies at the shop located at the entrance to Pas de Bellecombe.
Find out if the volcano is open to the public by asking at the tourist offices in Réunion’s towns. Tourist agencies in the towns can arrange organized tours to the volcano in addition to spectacular helicopter and light aircraft flyovers.
