Col du Taïbit

The way into Mafate from Cilaos, far more demanding than the Col des Bœufs, with spectacular views of the Trois Salazes, the Grand Bénare and the Cirque de Mafate.

The route

The Col du Taïbit is one of the most legendary passes on Réunion. At 2,081 metres above sea level, it marks the natural border between the Cirque de Cilaos and the Cirque de Mafate, on the ridge line of the Piton des Neiges. It is an essential waypoint on the GRR1 for anyone crossing the cirques on foot.\n\nThe climb from the D241 (the Îlet à Cordes road, 6 km beyond Cilaos) goes relentlessly uphill for 3.7 km with 821 metres of elevation gain. The ascent is mostly under forest cover, with a few airy passages over the last few hundred metres.\n\nAt the pass, the panorama suddenly opens onto the Cirque de Mafate and the îlet of Marla, 430 metres below. From there, several routes are possible: down to Marla (1h), a link to the Cascade des Trois Roches, or onwards along the GRR1 towards La Nouvelle. The pass can also be reached from Marla (Mafate side), with 456 m of elevation gain over 1.7 km.