Visiting Piton de la Fournaise: our practical guide
Located in the southeast of the island, Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active shield volcanoes on the planet. It stands as the premier natural attraction in Réunion, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its exceptional geological value. Visiting provides direct observation of volcanic formations within a remarkably preserved and monitored environment, delivering an experience that is both spectacular and educational.
Why Piton de la Fournaise is unmissable
The main appeal of the site lies in its unique accessibility for a volcano of this scale. Unlike other global giants, it is possible to reach the summit of its main caldera, the Enclos Fouqué, via a paved road followed by a well-maintained hiking trail.
The area functions as an open-air laboratory, constantly studied by the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF) (Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise), which ensures a high level of safety for visitors. It offers a rare chance to understand geodynamics and observe landscapes shaped by recent eruptions.
The access route: the Route du Volcan (RF5)
Approaching the volcano is an integral part of the experience. The Route du Volcan, or RF5, leaves the vegetation of La Plaine des Cafres behind to climb through increasingly mineral landscapes.
The tipping point is the Pas des Sables, an overlook gazing down at the Plaine des Sables, a vast expanse of volcanic scoria with a desert-like feel. The road then turns into a rough dirt track crossing this plain to the parking area at the Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob, the trailhead for hikes with a direct view of the Dolomieu crater.
Main hiking trails
Two routes are particularly popular.
- The main option is the climb to the Dolomieu crater, a hike of about 12 km round trip, taking 5 to 6 hours. The trail, marked in white, first descends into the Enclos Fouqué before climbing back up the flanks of the terminal cone. The terrain is uneven and the effort is sustained, but the view from the rim of the crater is the ultimate reward.
- For a shorter, family-friendly option, the walk to Formica Leo, a small volcanic cone dating back over two centuries, takes only 30 minutes round trip and provides a great first taste of the Enclos landscape.
Eruption information
Eruptions at Piton de la Fournaise are frequent and predominantly effusive, meaning lava flows smoothly, mostly within the Enclos Fouqué. During an eruption, access to the Enclos is systematically closed by prefectural decree for safety reasons. Even so, the sight of the lava flows is often visible at night from Pas de Bellecombe or other secure viewpoints along the road.
Checking the prefecture bulletins before any visit is essential to confirm the current alert level and active restrictions.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Everything has been said. In that laid back Reunion Island style...
Getting there means waking up well before dawn and heading to the Pas de Bellecombe. It means walking through the breaking dawn and the freezing cold. Then suddenly, the sun shoots out its first rays and the whole environment transforms. The peak stands tall, proud to be so beautiful and so ferocious.
The white markers will probably guide you on the way back, which you should plan for late morning, before the sea of clouds rolls in and swallows you whole.