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Piton Fournaise

One of the world's most active volcanoes — an eruption every nine months on average — and a lunar landscape of the Plaine des Sables worthy of Mars, accessible by car up to Pas de Bellecombe at 2,311 m.

★ 4.90Sud sauvage

The Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m) is one of the world's most active volcanoes — an eruption every nine months on average since 1640 (modern historical records). It is a Hawaiian-type shield volcano, fed by a deep hotspot identical to that which built Piton des Neiges (3,070 m, extinct) and which continues to shape Réunion. Its eruptions, generally effusive (fluid lava flows, little explosive), take place in the vast majority of cases inside the Enclos Fouqué — caldera of 8 km diameter open to the east, which effectively channels the flows to the sea without threatening inhabited areas.

Access is via the volcano forest road from Bourg-Murat (Plaine des Cafres, 1,600 m). The road climbs in 24 km to the Pas de Bellecombe (2,311 m), starting point of hikes to the crater. It crosses on the way the Plaine des Sables, vast desert of red and black scoria at 2,360 m altitude — a lunar landscape compared without exaggeration to Martian landscapes, where several science fiction film scenes have been shot.

The classic hike from Pas de Bellecombe is the Dolomieu crater loop: 5-6 hours round trip, 12 km, 600 metres descent then ascent. You descend by a steep switchback trail into the Enclos Fouqué, cross the black scoria field towards the Formica Leo (small volcanic cone shaped like an antlion, hence its name), then climb the Dolomieu crater to walk around it. The proper summit of Piton de la Fournaise consists of two twin craters: the Bory (the oldest) and the Dolomieu, which collapsed in April 2007 over 320 metres deep during a full eruption — a major geological event observed in real time by the Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory (OVPF).

In case of ongoing eruption, the crater approach trails are closed to the public for safety reasons, but observation belvederes are arranged around the Enclos. The Piton de Bert trail (from Nez de Bœuf, 1h30 round trip) often offers the best views over the Enclos during eruptions. The Maison du Volcan in Bourg-Murat (excellent interpretation museum, €9) is the obligatory stop to understand the geology of the island before the hike.

What we love

  • ✅One of the world's most active volcanoes — an eruption every 9 months on average
  • ✅Lunar landscape of the Plaine des Sables: desert of red and black scoria at 2,360 m
  • ✅Hike to the Dolomieu crater: 5-6h in a volcanic landscape unique in the world
  • ✅Car access to Pas de Bellecombe (2,311 m), starting point of the trails
  • ✅Possibility to observe an ongoing eruption from dedicated belvederes

What to know

  • ❌Trails regularly closed in cyclone season (January-March)
  • ❌Almost systematic afternoon fog — very early departure imperative (5-6am)
  • ❌Very large attendance in July-August: parking saturated from 7-8am
  • ❌Cold wind at the summit, temperatures below 0°C before dawn in austral winter
  • ❌Long forest road (1h from Bourg-Murat, 1h45 from Saint-Pierre)
When to go
Climate and best seasons.
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Budget
Cost of living and tips.
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Things to do
Activities and must-sees.
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Situation

Où se situe Piton Fournaise ?

Ouvrir la carte en grand sur OpenStreetMap →

Frequently asked questions

How to get to Piton de la Fournaise?+
Access is via the volcano forest road from Bourg-Murat (Plaine des Cafres, 1,600 m). Count 1h from Bourg-Murat, 1h45 from Saint-Pierre, 2h30 from Saint-Denis. The road crosses the Plaine des Cafres, then the Plaine des Sables (lunar landscape, partially unpaved road but accessible to normal cars), and arrives at the Pas de Bellecombe (2,311 m), starting point of hikes. Free parking (but saturated in high season from 7-8am).
How long does the crater hike take?+
The full Dolomieu crater loop from Pas de Bellecombe lasts 5 to 6 hours round trip (12 km, 600 m elevation descent then ascent). Descent by steep switchback trail into the Enclos Fouqué (1h30), traverse of the black scoria field towards Formica Leo (1h), ascent of the Dolomieu crater and full tour (1h30), return by the same itinerary (2h). Marked trail without major technical difficulty but physical. For those who do not want to do the full loop, the Formica Leo walk (descent to the small cone then ascent, 2-3h round trip, 200 m elevation) is the shorter option.
What to do if Piton de la Fournaise is erupting?+
An ongoing eruption is a chance and a rare spectacle. The vapour plume visible from tens of kilometres away, sometimes lava flows visible at night from certain belvederes. The crater approach trails are then closed to the public for safety, but observation belvederes are arranged. The Piton de Bert trail (from Nez de Bœuf, 1h30 round trip) often offers the best views over the Enclos in case of eruption. Follow the Prefecture and OVPF recommendations (Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory, fournaise.info). Eruptions typically last from a few days to a few weeks.
How to know if the trails are open?+
Check mandatorily the trail status the day before your hike on two sources. The site fournaise.info of the OVPF (Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory) gives the volcano activity status in real time, eruption alerts and recommendations. The ONF site (National Forestry Office) and the Maison de la Montagne in Saint-Denis provide municipal and prefectoral closure orders. In case of doubt, call directly 0262 27 06 30 (volcano gîte).
What equipment for the hike?+
Middle-mountain hiking equipment: high-top hiking shoes with cleated sole (volcanic lava is very abrasive), windbreaker and warm fleece (cold wind at the summit even in dry season, temperatures below 0°C before dawn), hat and gloves, long trousers (protection against scoria), 2 L/person water minimum (no water source in the Enclos), energy bars or picnic, headlamp (departures before sunrise), SPF 50+ sunscreen (intense reverberation on black ground), hat, sunglasses. Helmet preferable if you descend into the Enclos in full eruption. Minimal first aid kit.
Can you fly over Piton de la Fournaise by helicopter?+
Yes, and it is spectacular — particularly in case of ongoing eruption. Several providers from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Gilles: Hélilagon, Corail Hélicoptères, Réunion Hélicoptères. Panoramic flights 30-45 minutes: €250-400/person, overflight of the summit, the Dolomieu crater, the Plaine des Sables and recent flows towards the Grand Brûlé. In case of eruption, possibility of overflight of active lava flows (under safety conditions). Reservation 1-2 days in advance, possible cancellation in case of bad weather.
What is the best time for the volcano?+
The austral winter, from May to November, without hesitation. Volcano trails accessible in 95% of cases, optimal visibility in early morning from Pas de Bellecombe (before fog rises from the plains around 11am), dry Highland roads, cool but pleasant temperatures (5-15°C at Pas de Bellecombe during the day, 0 to -5°C before dawn). Avoid January-March: real cyclone risk (Plaine des Sables can be inaccessible for several days in a row), almost permanent fog from morning, muddy and slippery trails, possible torrential rains.

Our verdict

The Piton de la Fournaise is Réunion's signature geological experience. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and it is an immense chance to be able to walk there on foot — on the hardened lava flows, through the black scoria field, to the edge of the Dolomieu crater. The landscape of the Plaine des Sables, at 2,360 metres altitude, is so Martian that science fiction film scenes have been shot there. Dedicate a full day to the excursion: very early departure from your accommodation (Plaine des Cafres or south coast), 1h of forest road to Pas de Bellecombe, 5-6h of hike to the Dolomieu crater, descent before fog sets in. Come imperatively between May and November, check the trail status on fournaise.info the day before, and equip yourself warmly.

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The Editors
The Editorsauteur principal✓ Verified

"Été austral chaud-humide, cyclones possibles."

Expert on Piton Fournaise · 1 contributions

Reviewed by :Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor

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