Réunion Island: Get Ready for Twelve Hundred Metres Before Lunch

February 4, 2026

For many South African hikers, Réunion remains one of the great bucket-list destinations. Just a few hours across the Indian Ocean lies an island where towering volcanic peaks, dramatic escarpments, and remote mountain villages are connected by one of the most celebrated hiking networks in the world.

But while it's geographically close to South Africa, hiking in Réunion is a very different experience from trekking in the Drakensberg, Cederberg or Tsitsikamma.

If you're planning your first trip, this guide will help you know where to start, what to expect, and where to find the best information. Don't miss the tips at the end from a recent group of South Africans that have just returned from the island.

Start with Ze Caillou

Before booking anything, there's one website we recommend: Ze Caillou.

Romain and Nina, a couple born and raised on Réunion, created this popular travel and adventure blog dedicated to Réunion Island where Romain and Nina have been sharing hiking and travelling insights since 2017. The name comes from "caillou," the French word for stone or rock, which is a common affectionate nickname for Réunion Island itself

What You Can Find on Ze Caillou

Hiking Itineraries: Detailed guides on major routes like the cross-island GRR2 trek and trails through the island’s famous cirques (Cilaos, Salazie).
Outdoor Activities: Practical tips and reviews for paragliding, canyoning, electric biking, and boat trips.
Local Culture & Sights: Recommendations for visiting Creole gardens, museums like Maison du Volcan, and road trip routes.

Romain and Nina

What makes Ze Caillou’s blog posts so enjoyable isn't just the detailed route descriptions and practical advice, it's the fun personality behind the writing. They write authentically (no AI here!) and their English has a wonderfully French charm that reminds you you're discovering the island through the eyes of locals.

Why Réunion Is Different

Many hikers arrive expecting beautiful mountain trails. What they don't expect is just how relentlessly steep the island is.

The terrain is volcanic, meaning long ascents, equally long descents, countless steps, exposed ridges and very little flat walking. Even relatively short days can feel much harder than their distance suggests.

Don't compare the kilometre distances with South African hikes. A 12 km day in Réunion may take as long – or longer – than a 20 km day in the Drakensberg.

The Famous Routes

Most visitors come for one of these iconic adventures:

Tour du Mafate (GRR3) -- a spectacular circuit through the inaccessible Mafate cirque.

Piton des Neiges -- the island's highest peak, famous for sunrise hikes.

Piton de la Fournaise -- one of the world's most active volcanoes.

The Diagonale des Fous (GRR2) -- the legendary full island crossing that also forms part of one of the toughest ultramarathons on earth.

Gîtes

Most multi-day routes stay in mountain gîtes.

These are simple mountain lodges that usually provide dormitory accommodation, dinner, breakfast, hot showers, and blankets. The quality is generally excellent.

The challenge for South Africans is the price. Expect to pay roughly R1,000 to R1,300 per person per night for half-board at many gîtes. On a week-long hike, accommodation alone can become one of the biggest expenses.

Budgeting from South Africa

When planning your trip, remember to budget for:

- Flights

- Airport transfers

- Gîte accommodation

- Meals

- Travel insurance

- Car Jaune (bus transport)

- Emergency cash

Because Réunion is part of France, prices are closer to Europe than mainland Africa.

Train for the Climbs

Fitness matters. Leg strength matters even more. A typical training programme should include:

Long hikes carrying a loaded backpack
Stair climbing
Hill repeats
Trekking with poles
Descents (often harder than the climbs)

Paul and Tshengi catch their breath on the GRR2

What to Pack

Packing light is one of the biggest advantages you can give yourself.

Consider taking:

- Lightweight backpack

- Waterproof pack liner

- Lightweight dry bags for organisation

- Trekking poles

- Waterproof jacket

- Warm mid-layer

- Sun protection

- Headlamp

- Water purification system

- First-aid kit

- Energy snacks

- Mosquito repellant

The less weight you're carrying, the more you'll enjoy the spectacular scenery instead of focusing on sore shoulders.

What You Should Know Before You Go

Having recently guided her first group across the island, Evadnee Le Goff (Khulu Mountain Co) shared her top takeaways and hard-learned advice for South Africans planning the trip.

Here's a quick preview on Instagram

1. Connectivity & Language

Get an eSIM on an app like Saily as soon as you land. You’ll need data to navigate the local bus network Car Jaune and get around.

Also, keep in mind that this island is completely French – there’s virtually no English spoken! Download Google Translate (make sure to download the offline French language pack before you fly) or DeepL so you can read menus, signposts, and chat with your gîte hosts.

2. Sort Your Paperwork First

Make sure all your admin is 100% in order before arriving. Because Réunion is a French overseas department, border control wants to see your travel insurance, return flights, and proof of accommodation. You can't just rock up and be like, tra la la, let's go hike. That's not going to work.

3. Pack Ultralight (Seriously!)

The elevation gain on this island is no joke. Pack as light as humanly possible. Even if you're just doing day hikes with a daypack, keep it minimal.

Check out our range of Ultralight Gear & Accessories to trim those unnecessary extra grams before you pack.

4. Taste the Local Creole Cuisine

Do not skip the food! Creole cuisine is a delicious fusion of French, Malagasy, Indian, and East African flavors. Lentilles de Cilaos: World-famous lentils grown exclusively in the rich volcanic soil of the Cirque de Cilaos. If you get the chance, I recommend visiting the local markets to check out the exotic local vegetables and tropical fruits. Seasoned European hikers rave about the Rougail Saucisse: A classic spiced Creole sausage stew served with rice and beans, and Samoussas & Bouchons, which are a kind of spiced dumpling.

5. Wild Temperature Extremes

The weather swings are massive. Up on the volcanoes, it gets freezing. Temperatures regularly drop below zero. But down in the Cirques, it easily hits 30°C with high humidity. You need proper cold-weather layers for the peaks, and lightweight clothes with plenty of sunscreen for the valleys.

6. Hydration & Mosquito Protection

Water Carry: Tap and stream water in the mountains isn't reliably potable, and you can generally only buy bottled water in the main towns. Plan your water capacity carefully and bring a reliable filter or purification setup.
Bug Spray: Don't forget strong mosquito repellent. The island has striped tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), which carry chikungunya, a viral disease you definitely don't want to catch on holiday.

7. Stick to Gîtes Over Backpacking

We actually did our Réunion trip backpacking and camping, but my strongest piece of advice? Don't camp. Do what the locals and seasoned trekkers do: stay in the mountain gîtes or guesthouses and stick to day hikes or gîte-to-gîte routes.

Accommodation fills up fast, so book well in advance through the official Île de la Réunion Tourisme website.

8. Timing Is Everything

Avoid going during our South African summer (December to February). That's their rainy and cyclone season. It gets sweltering, humid, and dangerous on the trails. August and September are slammed with European summer holiday crowds.

The sweet spot for South Africans is May, June, and July. The trails are dry, it’s much cooler in the Cirques, and you won't be fighting massive crowds.

9. Ocean Safety: Respect the Sharks

If you're planning a beach cool-down after your hike, be extremely careful. Réunion has a serious shark presence along its coast. Very few beaches are safe for swimming, so stick strictly to designated, protected lagoon areas that are cleared for swimming!

Last Words

Réunion isn't just another hiking destination. It's one of those rare places that challenges you physically while rewarding you with scenery unlike anywhere else on earth.

The climbs are relentless.

The descents test your knees.

The weather changes quickly.

But every summit, every cirque and every volcanic ridge reminds you exactly why hikers travel across the world to experience this remarkable island.

If Réunion is on your bucket list, start by exploring Ze Caillou, begin training early, pack as light as possible, and prepare for one of the most unforgettable hikes you'll ever do.