{"id":5079,"date":"2024-02-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lareunionenphotos.com\/post\/randonn\u00e9e-au-piton-de-la-fournaise"},"modified":"2026-10-26T22:17:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T18:17:06","slug":"randonn%c3%a9e-au-piton-de-la-fournaise-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lareunionenphotos.com\/en\/post\/randonn%c3%a9e-au-piton-de-la-fournaise-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Piton de la Fournaise: A journey to the heart of the volcano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Difficulty: ++<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elevation gain: 500m<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Scenic beauty: ++++<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Piton de la Fournaise:<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/h2>

Piton de la Fournaise, at an altitude of 2,632 meters, is an active volcano on the island of La R\u00e9union in the French overseas department and territory in the Indian Ocean. It corresponds to the summit and eastern slope of the Piton de la Fournaise massif, a shield volcano that constitutes 40% of the southeastern part of the island.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth: in terms of frequency of new eruptions (on average every nine months over the last decade), it is probably number one worldwide; calculated by the average quantity of lava ejected (estimated at 0.32 m3\/s), its output is about 10 times lower than that of K\u012blauea, but comparable to that of Etna. Since the installation of the Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory in 1979, Piton de la Fournaise has been one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

History of the volcano:<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/h2>

On September 21, 16??, the knight Andoche Dolnet de Palmaroux completed the first documented and written ascent. The descriptions of these places are quite poor, but according to Mr. Dornet, only one summit crater existed at the time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Another expedition in October 1768 led to the discovery of Pas de Bellecombe, named after the island’s governor at the time, who joined the expedition but turned back in person before the passage was discovered. At least two accounts of this adventure are known, the first of which is very detailed, written by one of the main protagonists, the King’s Commissioner Honor\u00e9 de Cr\u00e9mont, published in 1770, and his arrival at the top of the mountain is described here:<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe had barely walked 50 paces when we arrived on a small eminence from which we clearly saw the mouth of the Volcano at a great musket shot distance; I cannot express the joy I felt at having fulfilled, even beyond my hopes, the object of my journey: for I did not expect to see it so soon & so close. We remained on this small height to contemplate at leisure this furnace. It was about half past ten in the morning when we arrived; the weather was the finest in the world; the air was calm & the sky serene. The noise that struck our ears resembled that of 20 to 30 bellows of large forges\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

Hiking Piton de la Fournaise:<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/h2>

First of all, before undertaking this hike, check the weather conditions and the volcano’s activity, as Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupting several times a year. Therefore, you must ensure there are no ongoing eruptions to access the enclosure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the iconic places on La R\u00e9union island, offering lunar landscapes. This place is magical, but rather than a grand description, it’s best to go there to see it with your own eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The objective of this hike is to reach the summit of the <\/span>Dolomieu crater<\/span><\/u><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Formed in 1791, this crater experienced a collapse during the <\/span>April 2007 eruption<\/span><\/a>; indeed, during that event, the crater was completely filled with lava. The Dolomieu crater measures one kilometer in length, 750 meters in width, and approximately 350 meters in depth.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The hike to Dolomieu Crater<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/h2>

The hike to Piton de la Fournaise is an essential adventure for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. This active volcano on La R\u00e9union island offers a unique lunar landscape, accessible to all who are well-prepared. Here is a detailed guide to undertaking this exceptional hike, enriched with practical advice and feedback.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Preparation<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

Before you set off, make sure you have good hiking shoes. The rocky and uneven ground requires appropriate gear to avoid injuries. Also, pack warm clothes, a raincoat, a backpack with water, food, snacks, sunglasses, a cap, and sunscreen. The weather can change quickly, so stay covered and remove layers as needed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Departure<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

The hike begins at Pas de Bellecombe, a major access point. If you are leaving from Saint-Denis, allow about 2 hours of driving to get there. The ideal is to start early in the morning, around 7 AM, to benefit from the morning coolness and a clear view. The Bellecombe parking lot is free and offers services like a bar to refuel before and after the hike.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Itinerary<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

After passing through the metal gate marking the entrance to the Fouqu\u00e9 enclos (closed in case of eruption), you will descend towards the Formica Leo crater before starting on a marked path leading to the summit of Piton de la Fournaise. The climb is gradual but becomes more demanding as you approach the summit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The Summit<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

At the summit, over 2600 meters above sea level, the Dolomieu crater awaits you. Take the time to admire this impressive natural spectacle, symbolizing the power of nature. It’s also the ideal moment for a picnic, respecting the R\u00e9union tradition of the “volcano trail picnic.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Practical Tips<\/span><\/span><\/h3>