Léopold

21°06′S · 55°31′E — Reunion Island

A hike. Where life lights the adventure.

State-certified mountain leader and biologist. I walk with you, and I tell you what you are looking at — the species, the terrain, the volcanic history under your feet.

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Branle vert Erica reunionensis Petit bois de rempart Agarista buxifolia Lichen du volcan Stereocaulon vulcani Cratère Dolomieu

The vegetation belts, from the lower slopes to the crater

→ From the sea to the Piton: the vegetation belts

Panorama of the Mafate cirque from the Maïdo viewpoint, ramparts and hamlets in morning light.
Maïdo — start of the Grand Bénare hike

The hikes

Direct booking · instant confirmation

Three walkers on a scoria slope of Piton de la Fournaise, sea of clouds below.

Piton de la Fournaise

The active volcano

Across the Enclos to the Dolomieu crater, reading the lava flows and the pioneer vegetation.

⬥ The ascent uses an off-trail section, permitted only with a guide. You cannot do it alone.

10 KM+ 550 M6 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

The Trou de Fer waterfall dropping along a forest-covered rampart, mist clinging to the cliff, a treetop in the foreground.

Trou de Fer

Relics of primary forest

Bélouve, the tree ferns and the viewpoint above the falls. Starting from Hell-Bourg, or from the Bélouve lodge for an easier version.

12 KM+ 740 M7 H

Easier option from Bélouve: 9.3 km · +200 m · 5 h

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

A view down from Grand Bénare over the ramparts and ravines of a cirque, the ocean on the horizon; lichen-covered shrubs in the foreground.

Grand Bénare

The panoramic summit

Two cirques in one view, and the high-altitude plants found only above 2,500 metres.

16 KM+ 750 M7 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

A hiker with a large pack and poles on a path across the Plaine des Sables, next to a trail signpost; volcanic cones on the horizon.

Plaine des Sables

Geology and hotspot volcanism

We start on the Plaine des Remparts as far as the Sainte-Thérèse shrine, then go down into the Plaine des Sables, between its three main cones, one of them Strombolian.

9 KM+ 200 M4 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

A sea of clouds spilling over a rocky ridge at dawn; in the foreground, red ground dotted with silvery tufts.

Piton des Neiges ascent

Sunrise from the summit

Two days. First we climb to the lodge, at 2,400 m, through a forest of native hardwoods; the next morning, about two hours of climbing by head torch across the volcanic scoria, to reach the highest summit in the Indian Ocean and watch the sun rise over the island.

+ 1 760 M2 DAYS

Day 1: about 4 h · Day 2: about 5 h

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

Price on request

La Chapelle

Geology, volcanism, the history of slavery

This walk takes us to the former magma chamber of the Piton des Neiges: the mouth of a canyon cut by the river through a monolith more than 100 m wide and high, and, at its heart, an incredible cathedral of stone.

8 KM+ 450 M5 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

A view down into a green mountain cirque, deep gorges and steep ramparts under a blue sky with big white clouds; shrubs in the foreground.

Boucle de Bras Rouge

Creole culture, wildlife and plants

A loop rewarded by breathtaking views of the Gros Morne. We see the famous Bras Rouge waterfall, and finish on the porters’ path, which comes out by the church.

10 KM+ 770 M5 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

Piton Cabris

How the island formed, and the Cilaos cirque

A route by way of the Fenêtre des Makes and the Piton Cabris. Right from the start, plenty of viewpoints, which cloud over quickly: the Cilaos cirque, and the Piton des Neiges rising on the horizon. The loop then crosses a forest of Japanese cedars, out of the sun.

6 KM+ 473 M3 H 30

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

Piton d’Anchaing

The history of slavery in Réunion

In the footsteps of Anchaing, an escaped slave who found refuge at the top of this peak. We cross the Rivière du Mât, then start the climb; at the top, a loop around the peak gives a view over the Salazie cirque, if the weather is on our side.

9 KM+ 800 M5 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

The unfurling crozier of a tree fern, its stem covered in rust-coloured scales, under a blue sky.

Piton Fougère

An adventure in the jungle

A loop through dense forest, between tree trunks and lush vegetation: a great diversity of ferns, and a forest of mountain tamarinds. In fine weather, a spectacular view of the line of Roche Écrite, Cimendef, Morne de Fourche, Gros Morne and Grand Bénare, from the ramparts of Salazie.

+ 450 M5 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

Chemin des Anglais

History, endemic wildlife and plants

On the menu: the history of the path, the history of marronage (escaped slaves), the endemic wildlife and plants, a breathtaking view over the ocean and, in the right season, the chance to see whales.

18 KM+ 850 M6 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

Slabs of grey rock hollowed into small pools of dark water, among lichen-covered shrubs; a low ridge under a cloudy sky.

La Roche Écrite

A view of great beauty over 2 cirques: Salazie and Mafate

18.5 KM+ 1 050 M8 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

Grand Bassin

Discovering the unusual îlet (mountain hamlet) of Grand Bassin, and a waterfall

10 KM+ 1 107 M5 H

8 people maximum · 6 on a private hike

60 € / PERS.

Guaranteed departure from 4 people

All the hikes →

None of these hikes quite right? A hike can also be built around you.

Coming soon: Le Dimitile. Private hike at €250 per day for one or two people, then €40 per additional person, up to six. School groups on request.

What our guests say

Léopold was great at adjusting our route and walking at the pace to accommodate our young family. He explained everything really well in perfect English. A highlight of our trip so far :)

Sarah, United Kingdom GetYourGuide review · August 2026

It was a great experience! Leopold was very friendly and knowledgeable guide and passionate about his profession. We learned a lot about the nature and history of this area! It was rrally very nice to go partly off the beaten track. A really wonderfull experience!

Nina, Netherlands GetYourGuide review · July 2026

Leopold is a super guide, he made our day a wonderful experience out of the standard path. Ha loves his land and makes you fall in love as well, with al the interesting explanations of nature, history, traditions, and everything else came in our minds. Super recommended.

Alessandro, Italy GetYourGuide review · August 2026
See the 12 other reviews

À recommander. Très belle expérience avec un guide passionné, à l'écoute et respectueux du rythme de chacun. Léopold a su adapter la sortie à cause d'une météo maussade et nous a proposé une très belle randonnée en partageant ses connaissances autour du volcan avec nous. Nous avons passé un très bon moment. Merci !

Martine Gilon Google review · July 2026

Nous avons fait une randonnée au piton de la fournaise avec Léopold. Léopold est un excellent guide et passionné par son activité. Il nous a également fait découvrir plein de choses sur l'histoire du volcan, les coulées de lave, la végétation... Cette randonnée restera un excellent souvenir. Vous pouvez réserver les yeux fermés.

Johan Loricourt Google review · July 2026

Un grand merci à Léopold avec qui nous avons monté le piton de la fournaise. On sent qu'il aime profondément ce qu'il fait, et cela rend la visite beaucoup plus intéressante. Tout au long de la randonnée, il prend le temps de nous expliquer ce qui nous entoure, l'histoire du volcan, les paysages et les particularités de La Réunion. Il est également très professionnel, attentif, à l'écoute et sait s'adapter au rythme du groupe. Sa bonne humeur et sa passion rendent la randonnée encore plus agréable. Un grand merci pour cette belle découverte, je recommande vivement !

Morgann Muller Madec Google review · August 2026

Un super guide ! Une connaissance parfaite du terrain, faune, flore... Préparation minutieuse au jour le jour avec des repas inventifs et variés, une attention parfaite pour les membres du groupe. A recommander

florian LAPEYRE Google review · November 2025

Merci Léopold pour cette belle randonnée au Piton de la Fournaise .

Nous avons adoré l'expérience et toute la famille a passé une superbe journée

Nous recommandons :)

Annaelle Muller Google review · August 2026

Super expérience ,adaptabilité au niveau du groupe ,grande connaissance ,disponibilité un grand merci à Léopold

Pierre Chassin Google review · November 2025

Notre randonnée au piton de la fournaise pendant les vacances de la Toussaint avec Leopold était génial. C'est un guide super sympa et très abordable, on passé une agréable journée. Je recommande à 100%. Bonne continuation à toi, Frédéric et Sabine

Frédéric et Sabine Google review · November 2025

Randonnée magnifique avec un guide attentif, partageant de nombreuses informations sur la faune et la flore rencontrées le long du trajet, ainsi que des légendes locales. Je recommande !

Traveller, France GetYourGuide review · July 2026

Je recommande de faire cette excursion scientifique en petit groupe qui fut une très belle expérience grâce à Léopold. Au delà de la randonnée juste incroyable sur le plan visuel, Léopold l’a rendu passionnante et ludique. De plus, nous avons pu aller hors du chemin classique ce qui a rendu l’expérience unique. Enfin je tiens à souligner que Léopold s’est s’adapter au rythme de chacun et est très sérieux en terme de sécurité. Nous avons passé une excellente journée.

Traveller, France GetYourGuide review · August 2026

Super expérience, Léopold est un très bon guide, il s'adapte au rythme de chacun, est de très bon conseil et nous a expliqué en détail la faune, la flore, tous les détails sur le volcan et sur l'île. Je recommande les yeux fermés !!!

Elodie, France GetYourGuide review · July 2026

Que de bons moments partagés, merci pour ton expertise, tes connaissances et ta bonne humeur… Hâte de te revoir et de partager à nouveau🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Lionel Cruchon Google review · November 2025

Super expérience ,adaptabilité au niveau du groupe ,grande connaissance ,disponibilité un grand merci à Léopold

Pierre Chassin Google review · November 2025

Treks and multi-day hikes

I guide you. You book your own lodge.

There is no fixed length: these are hikes walked over several days, not one set circuit, and we agree the duration and the route together. I sell the guiding; the night is booked directly with the lodge keeper or through the island’s central office, according to the trek you choose — and I explain exactly how: timing, season, and the lodges I know.

Read how it works

The red-roofed hamlets of Mafate, seen from above.