Volcanic, vertiginous, and vibrantly Creole, La Réunion blends the drama of the Pitons, Cirques and Remparts (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with carefree lagoon days and soul-warming cuisine. Nearly 40% of the island is a national park, crisscrossed by some of the Indian Ocean’s best hiking trails—think cloud forests, knife-edge ridgelines, and highland villages draped in ferns.

French by law and Creole at heart, the island’s culture is a mosaic of African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, and European influences. Dishes like cari poulet, rougail saucisse, and bouchons keep hikers fueled; rhum arrangé helps toast the sunsets. Microclimates rule—expect sunshine along the west coast and misty uplands in the cirques.

Practical notes: rent a car for flexibility on winding mountain roads, and start hikes early for clear views and safer weather windows. Cyclone season runs roughly January–March; trails may close temporarily after heavy rain. Pack layers, good footwear, and respect altitude: the island’s highest peaks can be chilly even when the coast is balmy.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains (West Coast Base: Days 1–5)

Welcome to the sunny side: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and neighboring L’Hermitage and Boucan Canot are your launchpad for reefs, sunsets, and the high balcony of Maïdo overlooking Mafate. It’s the sweet spot for mixing beach time with big viewpoints and easy access to island-wide day tours.

• Top highlights: Snorkel the L’Hermitage Lagoon, greet dawn at Piton Maïdo, browse the Saint-Paul market (Fri–Sat), and look for turtles at Kelonia (nearby). Short coastal trails work as recovery walks between big hikes.
• Stay here if you love: Walkable beaches, restaurants by the water, and quick day-trip access to the island’s interior.

How to arrive: Fly into Roland Garros Airport (RUN). For flights from or within Europe, compare on Omio. From outside Europe, search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Airport to Saint-Gilles is ~45–60 minutes by car; plan 1.5–2 hours by bus with a change in Saint-Paul. Renting a car is the most time-efficient option.

Where to stay (mid-range and apartment options): browse VRBO in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains). Look in L’Hermitage for calm streets near the lagoon and in Boucan Canot for surf views.

Eat & drink (local favorites):

• Le D.C.P. (Boucan Canot): Casual seafood spot known for fresh marlin tartare and grilled tuna; ask for “capucin” sauce if you like heat.
• Le Manta (L’Hermitage): Garden seating, Creole-meets-French plates, and good fish à la plancha; nice for a relaxed dinner after a beach day.
• L’Uni Vert (L’Hermitage): Inventive specials with local veg (chouchou, hearts of palm), plus solid veggie options.
• Chez Loulou (Boucan Canot): A beloved bakery-snack stop; grab bouchons, samoussas, and pastries before sunrise drives.

Adventure picks (bookable tours):

Pair a jaw-dropping sunrise at Maïdo with a beach glide later in the day.

Half day Discovery Reunion Piton Maïdo and most beautiful beaches — epic balcony views over Mafate, then time on the lagoon.

Prefer a broad island sampler to get your bearings?

Private and Guided Day Tour of Reunion Island — a flexible way to hit highlights like Niagara Falls, Cap Méchant, and l’Hermitage in one go.

Focus on the wild west’s contrasty landscapes—from savannah to primary forest.

Half-day Private and Guided Excursion of the West — ideal for photographers and first-timers easing into the terrain.

Crave a water-based adventure in lush forest?

Aquatic hike — a unique, rope-free river trek at the foot of the Bébour forest; perfect for hot afternoons.

Days 1–5: West Coast and Mafate Balcony

• Day 1–2: Ease in with lagoon swims at L’Hermitage, sunset at Boucan Canot, and a casual Creole dinner. Visit the Saint-Paul waterfront market (Fri–Sat) for spices and samoussas.
• Day 3: Pre-dawn drive to Maïdo for sunrise; optional short ridge hike on the GR-R2 rim. Afternoon snorkel with reef fish in waist-deep, calm water (bring a rashguard and reef-safe sunscreen).
• Day 4: Choose the Aquatic Hike or a coastal walk toward Pointe des Aigrettes. Refuel with swordfish steaks or chouchou gratin for dinner.
• Day 5: Day trip to Salazie and Hell-Bourg for waterfalls and Creole architecture, or book the dedicated half-day waterfall focus below.

Optional add-on from the West:

Half day Discovery of majestic waterfalls: Salazie — scenic cascades like Voile de la Mariée, plus local food stops.

Getting to Cilaos (Day 6 travel): Drive ~2–2.5 hours from Saint-Gilles via Saint-Leu → Saint-Louis → the RN5 “road of 400 bends.” Buses exist (Car Jaune/Carsud mixes) but can take 3–4 hours and have fewer departures; morning departure recommended.

Cilaos (High-Cirque Hiking Hub: Days 6–10)

Encircled by towering ramparts, Cilaos is the island’s mountain soul. Trails spool out to basalt cathedrals like La Chapelle and up toward Piton des Neiges, while village life serves bowls of famed lentilles de Cilaos to triumphant hikers.

• Top hikes: La Chapelle (river-gorge cathedral), Bras Rouge waterfalls, Col du Taïbit (views toward Mafate). Ambitious trekkers can tackle the overnight climb to Piton des Neiges via the Caverne Dufour refuge.
• Know before you go: Weather shifts fast; clouds often roll in by late morning. Start early, carry layers, and bring headlamps for pre-dawn summit pushes.

Where to stay: Find chalets and guesthouses on VRBO (Cilaos) or compare hotels/inns on Hotels.com (Cilaos). Stay near the village center for trailhead access and restaurants.

Eat & drink (hearty, hike-ready):

• Restaurant Le Vieux Cep: Classic Creole plates—duck cari, gratins, and lentils—plus a cozy dining room ideal after long trails.
• Le Petit Randonneur: Exactly what it sounds like: filling, hiker-friendly dishes, good value, and big portions.
• Chez Noé: A longstanding local address for cari poulet and tangy rougail; try a glass of local wine from the cirque’s small vineyards.

Guided experiences (great for mountain context):

Day visit to the Cirque de Cilaos with breakfast — ideal if you want a narrated overview and scenic stops before choosing your own trails.

Private Tour of Cilaos with a Driver Guide — customize viewpoints like Roche Merveilleuse and the village, or combine with short hikes.

Days 6–10: Cirque Trails and Summit Goals

• Day 6: Travel in, stretch legs around town, and visit Roche Merveilleuse for a gentle panorama.
• Day 7–8: Choose a signature hike: La Chapelle (river wading, cathedral-like grotto) or Bras Rouge (waterfalls, red rock). Pack sandals for stream crossings.
• Day 9–10: Optional Piton des Neiges overnight—book bunks at Caverne Dufour in advance; pre-dawn summit for sunrise over the island. If skipping the summit, day-hike Col du Taïbit to peer into Mafate.

Getting to Saint-Pierre (Day 11 travel): Drive ~1–1.5 hours from Cilaos down the RN5 to Saint-Louis and on to Saint-Pierre. Morning departures avoid heavy coastal traffic. Buses require connections and add time; a car remains most efficient.

Saint-Pierre (Wild South & Volcano Gateway: Days 11–15)

Saint-Pierre blends a lively waterfront with easy access to the “Sud Sauvage”—black cliffs, blowholes, and the raw flanks of Piton de la Fournaise. It’s also a delicious base for markets, rum tastings, and forays into lava country.

• Top highlights: Volcano day to Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob, lava-tube exploration, Cap Méchant’s wave-battered ledges, Grand Brûlé flow fields, and the Saturday morning market (Marché Forain) stacked with fruits, spices, and street snacks.
• Good to know: Volcano road closures can occur during eruptions or heavy weather; check locally the afternoon prior. Start early for summit hikes.

Where to stay: Search seafront stays or central apartments on VRBO (Saint-Pierre) and compare hotels on Hotels.com (Saint-Pierre). Terre-Sainte is a quieter quarter with small beaches and fishing vibes.

Eat & drink (market-to-table):

• Marché Forain (Saturday): Snack your way through bouchons gratinés, fresh juice, samoussas, and bonbons piments. Great picnic prep before a coastal drive.
• Le Reflet des Îles: A dependable local address for seafood cari and Creole staples; generous portions and friendly service.
• Rhum arrangé tasting: Visit a Saint-Pierre distillery boutique for spiced infusions (vanilla, combava, coffee)—perfect souvenirs after a lava day.

Volcano and lava adventures (must-do for hikers):

Take the classic volcano day—from lunar plains to caldera rims.

Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Private Tour with a Driver Guide — maximize viewpoints and geological context without stressing the logistics.

Ready to lace up for the full ascent?

Ascension du Piton de la Fournaise en petit groupe — climb one of the world’s most active volcanoes with a specialist guide, in a small group.

Go underground into the 2004 lava flows—a Reunion-only experience.

Guided tour of the 2004 lava tunnels — helmet-and-headlamp spelunking through frozen ripples and skylights.

Want a driver-guide for a greatest-hits loop (beaches, viewpoints, volcanic south)?

Reunion Island: 8-Hour Private Tour Through 8 Inescapable Sites — efficient if you’re car-free or want a curated recap at trip’s end.

Days 11–15: Volcano, Wild South, and Coastal Wind-Down

• Day 11: Transfer from Cilaos; sunset stroll along Saint-Pierre’s waterfront. Try a Creole plate with local lentils and a splash of rhum arrangé.
• Day 12: Volcano day: Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob viewpoints, Plaine des Sables moonscapes; if fit and conditions allow, do the guided ascent of Fournaise.
• Day 13: Lava tunnels near Sainte-Rose with a certified guide. Afternoon coastal drive: Grand Brûlé, Anse des Cascades, and Cap Méchant’s blowholes.
• Day 14: Market morning, beach time in Terre-Sainte or Étang-Salé’s black sands, and café-hopping. Optional rum tasting at a local distillery boutique.
• Day 15: Buffer day for weather, souvenir shopping, or a last short hike (Gouffre de l’Étang-Salé viewpoint). Drive back to RUN (~1.5–2 hours).

Departing La Réunion: For Europe-bound flights, compare on Omio. For routes beyond Europe, search Kiwi.com and Trip.com. Aim for morning departures if returning a rental car and crossing island traffic.

Budget tips (50/100 sweet spot): Self-cater breakfasts (local fruit, bakeries), choose mid-range apartments with kitchenettes, and mix guided “wow” days (volcano/lava) with self-guided hikes. Public markets are your friend for flavorful, affordable meals-on-the-go.

In fifteen days you’ll have gazed into Mafate from Maïdo, threaded high-cirque trails in Cilaos, and crunched across the ash plains of Fournaise. This plan blends big hiking days with restorative lagoons and markets, so you leave La Réunion exhilarated, well-fed, and already plotting a return.