Hike to Piton de la Fournaise
Difficulty: ++ Elevation: 500m Beauty of the landscape: ++++ First of all before doing this hike check the weather conditions as well as the activity of the volcano indeed the Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world it erupts several times a year it is necessary therefore make sure that there is no eruption in progress in order to be able to access the enclosure. The Piton de la Fournaise is one of the emblematic places of Reunion Island it offers lunar landscapes this place is magical but rather than of great description the best is to go there to be able to judge with your own eyes. The objective of this hike is to get to the top of the Dolomieu crater. Formed in 1791 this crater experienced a collapse during the eruption of April 2007 in fact during this 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.
You cannot go around the crater but you can get to a natural point of view that allows you to admire the crater more closely. To do this hike you have to go to Pas de Bellecombe, you can also start the hike from the volcano lodge.
You have to go to the entrance to the enclosure materialized by a metal door if it is open the enclosure is accessible to the public, however, in the event of an eruption, it will be closed and prohibited from entering. There is no particular difficulty until this metal door you have to go down the steps to the Formica Leo crater this first descent is simple and accessible.
You must then follow the markings on the ground, most of the walkers that you will meet will go straight towards Le Piton de la Fournaise, it is this route that you have to take to go to the top of the Dolomieu crater. The start of the walk is therefore on hardened lava this first part of the route is quite easy until you reach the start of the slope you must then follow the markings on the ground with white marks this time. route will take you to the top of Piton de la Fournaise with a viewpoint of the Dolomieux crater during your walk you can admire several craters on your left which shows all the activity of Piton de la Fournaise these craters represent the different eruptions that there have been in recent years I advise you to do this route very early in the morning, as the weather is a little capricious at Piton de la Fournaise, the weather is more often favorable there very early in the morning. The return journey takes the same route.
