Mauritius - Hell Bourg

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Hell-Bourg is the centre for hiking in Réunion. Apart from its superb mountain scenery and numerous trails, it’s such a pretty village that it invites a stay of a few days even for casual walkers. Be warned, however: it rains a lot in Hell-Bourg and the most popular trails are consequently very muddy. Good rain gear and waterproof hiking boots are a prerequisite.

An information sheet on the walks (‘Liste des Balades dans le Cirque de Salazie’) is available from the tourist office in Hell-Bourg (for contact details, see opposite). They are also marked on map 4402 RT (St-Denis) in the IGN 1:25,000 series of six maps covering Réunion. It is useful to know that the official French trail system, the Grandes Randonnées, is marked by red and white paint. Other footpaths are indicated in red and yellow.

As a warm-up try Les Trois Cascades (one hour there and back) where you’ll find a series of waterfalls in a lovely mountain setting, or the four-hour walk (there and back) to Source Manouilh. More challenging is the climb up to the top of the escarpment and Bélouve Forest. Beginning at the town hall, this is a two-hour slog up a well-constructed path to the Gîte de Bélouve where, disconcertingly, you’ll find some parked cars (it is connected by forest road to Plaine-des-Palmistes). The altitude gain from Hell-Bourg to the gîte is about 500m, so it’s hard work but the views and vegetation on the way up are magnificent. The return takes only about an hour.

Once here, you can walk to the famous Trou de Fer, a deep pool fed by waterfalls hurtling down the sheer mountainsides that surround it. However, you should allow at least four hours for this walk (there and back). The latter part of the trail can be very muddy and difficult, and although it looks level on the map it is steeply up and down the whole way. So if you are an average hiker you need to leave Hell-Bourg early in the morning to be sure to be back before dark, and be fit enough for a seven-hour walk. It’s much better, therefore, to stay in the comfortable dormitories in the gîte. Book as far in advance as possible (%/f 0262 412123; e gite.belouve[at]wanadoo.fr).

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Mauritius - Hell Bourg

Reunion

Mauritius - Hell Bourg