Mountain massif of Cirque de Mafate, Reunion Island

🇷🇪 Reunion · Mafate

Cirque de Mafate: hiking, îlets and 2026 tips

Cirque de Mafate, UNESCO-listed, is accessible only on foot or by helicopter. Trails, inhabited îlets (Marla, La Nouvelle, Aurère), licensed gîtes and hike prep. Here's how to handle it in 3 to 5 days.

📍 See 📅 When to go 🗺️ Itinerary

Cirque de Mafate at a glance

Area

100 km² (cirque)

Access

On foot only

Ideal stay

3 to 5 days hiking

Budget / day

€60-120 gîte FB

Elevation

800-1,500 m/day

Time diff

+3h winter, +2h summer

Current climate

Best season

Photo : Sergey Zhesterev / Unsplash

In brief

Cirque de Mafate in brief

1

No road, no car, no scooter

Mafate is closed to motorized vehicles. You enter only on foot via the trails (Col des Boeufs, Maïdo, Sans Souci, Salazie) or by helicopter (scenic or resupply).
2

Licensed gîtes to book in advance

€60-90/person full board (dinner, bed, breakfast, picnic). Booking essential, especially July-August, on the Île de La Réunion Tourisme portal.
3

Pick your entry point

Col des Boeufs (parking): easy descent to La Nouvelle (2h). Maïdo: descent to Roche Plate (3-4h, tough). Sans Souci: climb to Aurère (5-6h). Salazie: the longest traverse.
4

Phone ahead: weather and ravines

Fickle weather, daily fog from 1pm, mountain storms. Ravines can flash-flood after rain. Check Météo France Réunion the day before.
5

Good fitness required

800-1,500 m elevation gain per day, technical trails with carved steps. Mafate isn't a Sunday family stroll. High-ankle hiking boots mandatory, poles recommended.

Must-see

What to do in Mafate?

★ #1 📍

Îlet de Marla

Highest îlet in the cirque (1,620 m), spectacular view of the Trois Salazes and Maïdo. Classic hike stage before the Col du Taïbit or Col des Boeufs.

⏱ Hike stage 💰 €70 gîte FB Exceptional view

★ #2 📍

Îlet de La Nouvelle

Most accessible (2h from Col des Boeufs), several gîtes, restaurant, school. Excellent base to discover Mafate without extreme commitment.

⏱ 2h access 💰 €65 gîte FB Ideal base

★ #3 📍

Îlet de Roche Plate

Heart of the cirque, near the Rivière des Galets, natural hot spring. Access from Maïdo (4h, -1,400 m elevation) or Aurère.

⏱ 4h access 💰 €65 gîte FB Hot water

★ #4 📍

Îlet d'Aurère

Northern cirque, climb from Sans Souci (5-6h, +1,500 m). Most remote, view of the Trois Salazes and the authentic Mafate.

⏱ 5-6h access 💰 €60 gîte FB Remote

★ #5 📍

Cayenne

Small îlet between Roche Plate and Aurère, quiet wooded stage. For those seeking absolute silence.

⏱ Hike stage 💰 €60 gîte FB Silence

★ #6 📍

Grand Place les Hauts

Western îlet, access Maïdo or Sans Souci. View of the Rivière des Galets, mango orchards.

⏱ Hike stage 💰 €60 gîte FB Orchard

★ #7 📍

Col des Boeufs (entry)

Easiest entry from Salazie (guarded parking €5/day). Descent to La Nouvelle in 2h, climb back 3h.

⏱ Vehicle access 💰 €5/day parking Simplest

★ #8 📍

Maïdo Belvedere

Belvedere at 2,200 m over the entire cirque. Drive access from Saint-Paul. Starting point of the Roche Plate descent.

⏱ 1h on site 💰 Free 360° view

★ #9 📍

Plaine des Tamarins

Century-old tamarind forest between Col des Boeufs and La Nouvelle. Sacred place for Réunionnais, mystical atmosphere.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 Free Sacred forest

★ #10 📍

Helicopter flight

Overflight of Mafate, the Trois Salazes, the Maïdo. 30 to 60 min, €200-300/person. The only way to see the cirque in one day.

⏱ 30-60 min 💰 €200-300/pp Postcard

Choose your district

Îlets & gîtes of Mafate

Marla (highest)

1,620 m, Trois Salazes view. Several gîtes, exceptional outlook. From €70 FB.

★ View

La Nouvelle (accessible)

Most accessible (2h from Col des Boeufs), many gîtes, restaurant. From €65 FB.

★ Beginner-friendly

Roche Plate (heart)

In the center, natural hot water. Gîtes rarer but unique mood. From €65 FB.

Heart of cirque

Aurère (remote)

Most remote, 5-6h access. For seasoned hikers after authentic Mafate. From €60 FB.

Remote

Getting around

Access to Mafate

🥾

Col des Boeufs trail

Easiest: drive to the parking (€5/day), 2h descent to La Nouvelle, 3h climb back. Ideal for 1 or 2 gîte nights.

🥾

Maïdo trail (Roche Plate)

Belvedere at 2,200 m, 4h descent to Roche Plate (-1,400 m elevation), 6h climb back. Steep trail, carved steps. Very tough.

🥾

Sans Souci trail (Aurère)

From the north (Saint-Paul). 5-6h climb to Aurère, +1,500 m elevation. For strong hikers, avoid mid-heat.

🚁

Helicopter

30-60 min scenic flight, €200-300/person. Hélilagon, Corail Hélicoptères. Gîte resupply possible (€4/kg).

Climate & crowds

When to visit Mafate?

Ideal Fair Avoid

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Dry austral winter

May to Oct · 5-22°C, dry · Ideal: clear skies, trails open, cool nights

Humid summer

Nov to Apr · 10-25°C, storms · Fair: frequent rain, fog, possible flooded ravines

Cyclone peak

Jan to Mar · Major risk · Avoid: cut ravines, sometimes closed gîtes

Shoulder

Apr & Nov · 8-23°C · Good: balance of price/crowds

How much

Mafate budget (per day, per person)

Self-supported hike

€60

per day

🏠 Licensed gîte: €60 full board
🎒 Personal hiking backpack
🥾 Trail (free)
💧 Water bottle + filter

Recommended

Guided comfort

€120

per day

🏠 4-star gîte: €80 FB
🥾 Hiking guide: €30/day
🎒 Gîte resupply
🚁 1 return helicopter trip

Helicopter premium

€400

per day

🏠 Boutique gîte: €90 FB
🚁 Scenic flights included: €250
🥾 Private guide + porter
🍷 Fine-dining picnics

Our tested itinerary

Mafate in 3 days (Col des Boeufs entry)

Day-by-day program.

Day 1: Col des Boeufs → La Nouvelle

8am Leave Col des Boeufs parking
9am Plaine des Tamarins (sacred forest)
10:30am Arrive at La Nouvelle gîte
Afternoon Rest, explore îlet, chat with locals
7pm Gîte dinner (carry, rougail, arranged rum)

Day 2: La Nouvelle → Marla

8am Leave La Nouvelle
10am Plaine aux Sables
12pm Col des Calumets
1:30pm Arrive at Marla gîte (1,620 m)
4pm Sunset on the Trois Salazes

Day 3: Marla → Col du Taïbit → exit

7am Leave Marla toward Col du Taïbit
10am Col du Taïbit (cirque exit)
12pm Descent to Cilaos
2pm Lunch in Cilaos, overnight or back to Saint-Denis

Detailed itinerary →

Around

Beyond Mafate

📍

Cirque de Cilaos

Southern neighbor · Thermal spring, Cilaos wine and lentils

📍

Cirque de Salazie

Northeastern neighbor · Wetter and greener, listed Hell-Bourg

📍

Piton des Neiges

3,071 m summit · Night climb for sunrise

📍

Saint-Denis

Capital · Rest and Creole food before or after Mafate

FAQ

Cirque de Mafate FAQ

Do you need to be fit for Mafate? +

Yes, Mafate is real mountain hiking. 800 to 1,500 m elevation per day depending on stages, technical trails, carved steps, drop-offs. High-ankle hiking boots mandatory, poles recommended. Not a Sunday family stroll.

How to book Mafate gîtes? +

Via the official Île de La Réunion Tourisme portal or directly with the licensed gîtes. €60 to €90/person full board (Creole dinner, bed, breakfast, next-day picnic). Book 2-3 months ahead for July-August, freer in shoulder seasons.

Easiest entry point? +

Col des Boeufs: drive to the parking (Salazie), 2h descent to La Nouvelle. Ideal for a first taste or a 1-2 night stay. Maïdo is more spectacular but much harder (4h descent, 6h climb back).

Can you enter Mafate by helicopter? +

Yes, several operators offer scenic flights (Hélilagon, Corail Hélicoptères, €200-300/person for 30-60 min). No classic drop-off tourism, but gîte resupply possible (useful if you don't carry your gear). Check with the gîte before departure.

What gear for Mafate? +

High-ankle hiking boots (ankles), 30-40 L backpack, rain + heat clothing (layers), hiking poles, headlamp, 2L water bottle minimum + filter, first aid, IGN Top 25 paper map (4402 RT or 4406 RT). Charged phone, share your itinerary with someone.

Is there mobile coverage in Mafate? +

Very patchy. A few ridges pick up a weak signal, La Nouvelle has Free and Orange spots. Don't rely on it for navigation. Paper IGN maps mandatory, trails marked by the French Hiking Federation.