1. Piton de la Fournaise
The magnum opus of Mother Nature in Réunion, Piton de la Fournaise is the island's most famous natural attraction. Simply dubbed le volcan (the volcano) by Réunionnais, Piton de la Fournaise is not a dormant monster, but an active geological wonder that erupts with great regularity; in April 2007 the central, 900m-wide crater collapsed by 300m, and new lava fields were formed on its southeastern flanks, down to the coast. In August 2015 a new eruption occurred, though less powerful. The good news is that it's one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, and it's possible to hike up to the crater rim. You can also fly over the volcano or simply enjoy the scenery from a viewpoint right on the crater's outer rim, where the road ends.
Plaine des Sables
You've reached the end of the world! The Plaine des Sables is a wide windswept plain, made of ashes. With its lunar landscape, it could form a perfect backdrop for a new version of Mad Max. From the Pas des Sables, the road plunges down to the plain and becomes a dirt road with wicked potholes before continuing uphill to Pas de Bellecombe.
Pas de Bellecombe
From the viewpoint at Pas de Bellecombe (2311m), the 'entrance' to the volcanic area, you'll be rewarded with mesmerising views of the volcano and its outer crater, known as Enclos Fouqué. The very photogenic, small scoria cone with bizarre ochre hues you can see to the east in Enclos Fouqué is Formica Leo. The main crater, the 900m-wide Dolomieu Crater, is active.
2. Cirque de Mafate
Surrounded by ramparts, criss-crossed with gullies and studded with narrow ridges, Cirque de Mafate is the wildest and the most remote of Réunion's Cirques. Nothing can prepare you for that first glimpse of this geologic wonder, with its shifting colours, blissful serenity (except for the occasional whirring of choppers) and unsurpassed grandeur. No cars, no towns, no stress. Just soaring mountains, giddily deep ravines and a sprinkle of tiny hamlets where time seems to have stood still. Apart from its grandiose topography, what sets the Cirque de Mafate apart is its relative inaccessibility, despite being very close to the coastal fleshpots. There are no roads that lead into the Cirque (although a route forestière runs right up to the pass at Col des Bœufs), so the villages that are scattered in this giant extinct volcano are accessible only by foot.
3. St-Denis
Francophiles will feel comfortable in St-Denis (san-de-nee), the capital of Réunion. Except for the palms and flamboyant trees to remind you that you're somewhere sunnier (and hotter), St-Denis could be easily mistaken for a French provincial enclave, with a flurry of trendy shops, brasseries, bistros and boulangeries (bakeries). With most of Réunion's tourist attractions located elsewhere on the island, most visitors only stay long enough to rent a car before dashing off to more magnetic locations. But St-Denis warrants more than a fleeting glance. Scratch beneath the French polish and you'll soon realise that the city also boasts an undeniably Creole soul, with some delightful colonial and religious buildings and a casual multi-ethnic atmosphere. If that's not enough, there are always epicurean indulgences. Sip a black coffee at a chic pavement cafe listening to a séga (traditional African music and dance) or maloya (traditional dance music of Réunion) soundtrack or indulge in fine dining at a gourmet restaurant.
4. Le Grand Brûlé
The crowning glory of the Wild South, the arid, eerie landscape of Le Grand Brûlé is a 6km-wide volcanic plain formed by the main lava flow from the volcano. This is where the action goes when the volcano is erupting. The steep slopes above, known as Les Grandes Pentes, have funnelled lava down to the coast for thousands of years.
5. St-Leu
Since the good old days of the sugar industry ended, forward-looking St-Leu has transformed itself into a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. This is the place to get high – legally: no doubt you'll be tempted to join the paragliders who wheel down from the Hauts to the lagoon. Scuba divers also swear that the drop-offs here are the best on the island. St-Leu has a smattering of handsome stone buildings dating from the French colonial era, such as the mairie (town hall) and the church opposite. Other attractions are the shady park along the seafront and a protected beach that is popular with families. St-Leu is also optimally placed for explorations of the coast and forays into the Hauts.
6. Cirque de Cilaos
The setting couldn't be more grandiose. Think snaggle-toothed volcanic peaks, deep ravines and forests that are straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. At times, swirling banks of cloud add a touch of the bizarre. A sweet sprinkling of secluded hamlets top off this area's indisputable allure. For outdoorsy types, the Cirque de Cilaos is hard to beat. To get here, clunk in your seatbelt and take a deep breath: the RN5, which connects St-Louis with Cilaos, 37km to the north, is Réunion's premier drive (and that is saying a lot). Snaking steeply around more than 400 twists and turns along the way up into the amphitheatre, it provides an endless stream of stunning vista-points. Bon voyage!
7. St-Pierre
If you need to let off steam before (or after) heading off into the Cirques, you've come to the right place. St-Pierre pulses with an energy unknown elsewhere on the island, especially at weekends. Havana it ain't, but this vibrant, feisty, good-natured city knows what really counts in life: having a good time. If St-Denis is Réunion's administrative and business capital, enchanting St-Pierre is its throbbing heart. Basking in the clear light of the southwest, the 'capital of the south' has an entirely different feel from its northern counterparts. It remains unmistakably more Creole than cosmopolitan and rather staid St-Denis.
8. Langevin
About 4km east of St-Joseph, you'll reach the coastal town of Langevin. From the coast, the Rivière Langevin valley slithers into the mountains. Come prepared: this scenic valley is extremely popular with picnicking families on Sunday. A narrow road follows the wide stony bed of the Rivière Langevin and leads to Cascade de la Grande Ravine, a majestic waterfall that drops into a broad pool. Admire it from a lookout by the road, about 9km from the junction with the coastal road.
9. St-Paul
Try to visit St-Paul on a Friday or Saturday morning, when the local market is in full swing. This lively city also has a handful of architectural treats, including a few well-preserved colonial buildings along the seafront. The long black-sand beach is alluring but swimming is forbidden. For a dip in safer waters, head to nearby Boucan Canot.
Source: Lonely Planet
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