Along the Bras Rouge River, large basalt boulders form the natural rock formation “La Chapelle.” Cilaos also offers the Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint, the Cascade de Bras Rouge and marked cycling routes for different kinds of outings. When planning, the time required is a useful first point of comparison: a round-trip hike is estimated to take five to six hours, while the two cycling routes are listed as taking about an hour and a half and 45 minutes, respectively. This makes it possible to consider scenery, activity and local history as different focuses.
Hiking destinations: rock formation, waterfall and panorama
At a fork, the hiking trail goes right to La Chapelle and straight ahead to Ilet Ă Cordes. The round trip is estimated to take five to six hours. This is a longer block of time than the listed cycling times, so take it into account when planning your day. Route descriptions and durations may change. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The Cascade de Bras Rouge lies in the gorge of the Bras Rouge River. At the end of a trail described as fairly easy, it can be seen from above. The Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint offers a different view of the landscape: from there, the panorama extends over the Cirque de Cilaos, the high-altitude forest of “bois de couleur” and the Petit Matarum nature reserve. La Chapelle is a natural rock formation by the river, while Roche Merveilleuse offers views of three named landscape features. These differences can help you choose a hiking destination based on what you would most like to see.
Compare marked cycling routes
The marked cycling route to ĂŽlet Ă Cordes is 13 kilometres long and has 980 metres of elevation gain. The stated cycling time from Cilaos is about an hour and a half. The marked ĂŽlet Ă Calebasse cycling route is 5.3 kilometres long; the stated time for it is about 45 minutes from the Route de Cilaos. The routes therefore differ both in their stated distances and in their cycling times. When comparing them, also note the different starting points: one time is from Cilaos, the other from the Route de Cilaos. Published route details may change; check them before planning.
The thermal baths of Cilaos: historical milestones
The history of the thermal baths can also be traced through specific dates. The first spa visitors in Cilaos are mentioned in 1835; the first simple thermal bath facility was built in 1839. A cyclone almost completely destroyed the baths in 1948. Two years later, they were rebuilt on the foundations of the older buildings. This sequence traces the history from the first spa visitors through the original facility to the rebuilding after its destruction. It offers a historical focus alongside the hiking and cycling routes.
Plan your journey and accommodation
The Route de Cilaos is also known as the “Route aux 400 virages” and is considered one of the island’s most beautiful scenic roads. The 37-kilometre journey to the town of Cilaos is estimated to take about an hour. Actual driving time may vary depending on conditions. Use this estimate as a guide for your journey and allow for possible variations when planning your day.
If you are looking for a hotel in Cilaos, first decide whether hiking, cycling or the history of the thermal baths will shape your stay. The estimated round-trip hiking time, the lengths and elevation gains of the cycling routes, and the approximate journey time offer concrete details to help with planning. Check current trail and route details before making firm plans for excursions. This way, you can coordinate your accommodation and planned activities for the same stay.
Discover more destinations: Petite-ĂŽle, Saint Pierre, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Louis, Manapany-Les-Bains, Casabona, Les Avirons, Entre-Deux.
Go to the main travel overview: Saint Pierre.
