Cilaos · Cilaos
Le Piton des Neiges
The highest summit in the Indian Ocean
Duration
6h30
Distance
12 km
Elevation gain
1 200 m
Route
Out-and-back
The climb to the roof of the Indian Ocean, usually over two days with a night at the Caverne Dufour gîte before reaching the summit at sunrise.
The route
The ascent of the Piton des Neiges (3,071 m), the highest summit in the Indian Ocean, from Cilaos via the Parking du Bloc at Bras Sec. The classic route passes the Caverne Dufour refuge (alt. ~2,480 m), where hikers often spend the night so as to reach the summit at dawn, with the clearest skies and bearable temperatures. The total elevation gain exceeds 1,662 m. The sunrise view over the cirques, the clouds below and the ocean is one of Réunion's most iconic experiences.
Step by step
- D
Start · Trailhead car park (Cilaos)
Stage 1
Parking du Bloc (alt. 1,409 m)
Stage 2
Caverne Dufour refuge (alt. ~2,480 m)
Stage 3
Summit of the Piton des Neiges (3,071 m)
Stage 4
Panorama over the three cirques and the Indian Ocean
Trailhead
Geology
The Piton des Neiges massif, a shield volcano formed around 3 million years ago and now extinct. Erosion carved out the three cirques of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate. Rocks: basalts, phonolites, volcanic breccias.
Photo: Bouba · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
Sources (3)
- https://www.reunion.fr/offres/cilaos-piton-des-neiges-cilaos-fr-575464/
- https://www.reunion.fr/offres/piton-des-neiges-cilaos-fr-6056745/
- ONF — arrêté n°2026-1657 du 22 septembre 2026
