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Hidden Villages on Foot

Mirela Letailleur - (TheTravelBunny)
Reisplan gemaakt door
Mirela Letailleur
What you’ll do

Step off the map and into a slower rhythm. This 3-day itinerary takes you to two of La Réunion’s most remote and beautiful îlets — villages you can only reach by foot. With no roads, no rush, and no phone signal, this is a hike into the island’s heart.

You’ll descend to the palm-filled basin of Grand Bassin, where waterfalls echo through a crater carved by time, and hike along the forested ridges toward Îlet des Orangers, perched high in Cirque de Mafate. Nights are spent in local gîtes, where the meals are homemade, the pace is gentle, and the silence is a gift.

This itinerary is designed for hikers who want more than landscapes — it’s for those who want connection. You'll walk the old footpaths, eat from garden-grown plates, and wake to mountain mist and birdsong. It’s not just about the trail — it’s about the life lived at the end of it.

Includes daily route planning, gîte recommendations, meal ideas, cultural notes, terrain details, weather timing, and insider tips.

Day Total

27,3 km (17 mi)

54 min

Day 1: Descent into Grand Bassin

07:00 – Breakfast & prep in La Plaine-des-Cafres

Start your morning in the highland town of La Plaine-des-Cafres, where the air is cool and the clouds often drift low. Have breakfast at your lodging or a nearby café (try Le QG for local creole options, or Pâtisserie Chez Grondin for something lighter).

🎒 Final checks: water, snacks, camera, suncream, walking sticks if needed.
🧭 Trailhead: Belvédère de Bois Court — ~10 min drive from town.

1

 La Plaine des Cafres Scenic Plateau
La Plaine des Cafres Scenic Plateau
Rural highland with farms, fog, and crater views
Categorie
gebied

3,6 km (2,3 mi)

6 min

2

Deze is optioneel

Le QG (Quartier Général) Restaurant
Le QG (Quartier Général) Restaurant
Casual restaurant with generous Creole classics
Categorie
restaurant
Est. Price
$$$
Restauranttype
lokaal
Pâtisserie Chez Grondin
Pâtisserie Chez Grondin
Old-school bakery with sweet and savory classics
Categorie
bakkerij
Est. Price
$

6,5 km (4 mi)

11 min

08:00 – Begin hike to Grand Bassin

The trail starts at the Bois Court viewpoint, with a jaw-dropping look into the hanging valley far below. Your destination — Grand Bassin — is visible from here, a cluster of rooftops lost in green.

🥾 Distance: ~6.5 km round trip
📉 Descent: ~700m / 2–2.5 hours one way
🌿 Terrain: Stone steps, switchbacks, narrow sections with railing. Shaded in parts, steep but steady.

The path winds through fern-filled forest, wildflowers, and basalt rock, with birdsong all around. You’ll see gardens, fruit trees, and handmade steps toward the bottom — signs you’re approaching life in the îlet.

3

Belvédère de Bois Court
Belvédère de Bois Court
Cliffside viewpoint over Grand Bassin
Categorie
fotospot

5,6 km (3,5 mi)

11 min

4

Grand Bassin Hike from Bois Court
Grand Bassin Hike from Bois Court
Stair-stepped hike to a remote village and waterfall
Categorie
wandeltocht
Est. Duur
4-6h

5,8 km (3,6 mi)

12 min

10:30 – Arrival in Grand Bassin

You’ll feel the change immediately: stillness, warmth, the scent of woodsmoke. This is a place without roads or shops — only gardens, chickens, flowing water, and human kindness.

Drop your bag at your pre-booked gîte. Recommended stays:

  • Gîte Chez Dany – welcoming, family-run

  • Au Randonneur – very clean rooms, with a swimming pool

  • Gite la Cascade – family-friendly, delicious local food.

5

Kies de optie die het beste bij u past

Gîte Chez Dany Grand Bassin
Gîte Chez Dany Grand Bassin
Cozy guesthouse in scenic village
Categorie
herberg
Est. Price
$
Gîte La Cascade
Gîte La Cascade
Welcoming mountain gîte with home cooking in Grand Bassin
Categorie
herberg
Est. Price
$
Gite Au Randonneur
Gite Au Randonneur
Quiet guesthouse near the Route du Volcan
Categorie
herberg
Est. Price
$

🥾 Optional: If you’re up for more, continue 30 minutes to Cascade du Grand Bassin, a graceful waterfall in a shady grove. The perfect place to dip your feet and breathe.

6

Deze is optioneel

Grand Bassin Waterfall
Grand Bassin Waterfall
Remote, powerful waterfall in an off-grid valley
Categorie
waterval

12:30 – Home-cooked lunch at your gîte

Most hosts will prepare a warm Creole lunch: rice, lentils, cari zourite or chicken, and homemade fruit juice (try Goyavier if in season). You’ll eat outdoors, often facing the cliffs or under trees.

Ask your host about life in Grand Bassin — some families have been here for generations. Many are farmers or caretakers of the land, and are happy to share stories if asked gently.

5,8 km (3,6 mi)

12 min

14:00 – Rest, read, or explore the village

The afternoon is yours. Suggested slow activities:

  • Walk barefoot on the lawn by the river

  • Sketch, write, or photograph the light shifting through the valley

  • Help your hosts with a garden task if invited

  • Sit under a mango tree and do nothing — the most authentic choice

📸 Golden hour here is magical — look for birds, banana leaves backlit by the sun, and dogs napping on stone steps.

7

Grand Bassin
Grand Bassin
Remote village only reachable by foot, waterfalls nearby
Categorie
gebied

18:30 – Dinner & starlight

Dinner is another hearty Creole meal, often followed by rhum arrangé, jokes, or music — or simply a good night’s sleep.

🌌 There's little to no light pollution in the valley. If skies are clear, take a moment to step outside and look up. It's the kind of quiet that echoes.

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