La Réunion – a small French island to the east of Madagascar and west of Mauritius – is a stunner. Mountains up to 3000m high; excellent road system to get to every corner and peak; delicious French pastries and cheese; and all sorts of outdoor activities available.

We were fortunate to have excellent weather for hikes up to one of the world’s most active volcanoes the “Piton de la Fournaise“, stunning views from La Maido and Cap Noir into the Cirque de Mafate, the impressive town of Cilaos within its own cirque, and on the eastern side to the pretty village of Hell-bourg in the Cirque de Salazie.

The photos in this gallery speak for themselves.

– Enjoy!

PS: I’ll be sure to add some helpful yachtie notes before we depart for Madagascar.

Topographical view of Reunion Island. Le Port on the NW corner; with the volcano in the SE corner. Mountains up to 3000m in the middle.

Le Volcan

Le Volcan

Le Volcan

Morning sky as we approach the volcano

Ally at 2600m, Reunion

Cliffs are no obstacle for roads here

Excellent roads in Reunion

Lake at Cilaos

One of the 400+ bends on the way to Cilaos

View of Cilaos from Roches Merveilleuse

Le Port from Cap Noir walk up the hill through the small village of Dos D’ane.

View from the beginning of the walk to Roche Verre Bouteille, Cap Noir.

Boucan Canot cafe strip

Fischer Beer in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean.

Looking west towards St Leu, St Gilles les Bains and Le Port

A Pirate’s grave at the Cimetiere Marin near St Gilles les Bains. This guy was executed in 1730 – even has a skull and crossbones on the cross!

View from Le Maido lookout

This mangy but friendly dog greeted us each morning at Le Port. Always on the prowl for some scraps.

Lovely old buildings

Not sure of the exact translation, but believe it’s along the lines of ‘looking after the environment for the future of the children and of Reunion Island’. Fair enough.

This guy was having a blast along the big seas near to Saint Leu on the west coast.

Seaside location and aquarium at St Gilles les Bains

West coast swells up to 4m caused big seas for kite surfers and wind surfers.

St Pierre building.

All this and fromage too!!

Markets at St Pierre

Trip up the windy roads from St Benoit in the east across the cols to St Pierre on the SW coast.

Hell-bourg

The scenic village of Hell-Bourg

Catching up with Ever After and Kaste-helme to watch for the ‘green flash’