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Reunion Island Loop — Réunion — Scenic
Africa

Reunion Island Loop

Réunion

Loop / circuit
Loop from Saint-Denis

In short: Reunion Island Loop is a about 360 km including volcano and Maïdo ascents scenic road trip in Réunion, typically driven over 4 days, best in May-October. Highlights: Saint-Denis, Sainte-Suzanne, Anse des Cascades.

Distance
about 360 km including volcano and Maïdo ascents
Duration
4 days
Best Season
May-October
IconicModerateScenic

Circle Réunion on its coastal roads for a compact but dramatic island drive, linking volcanic cliffs, black-sand beaches, sugarcane fields, and Creole seaside towns. The loop pairs the palm-lined east coast with the wilder south and the dramatic western lava coast, with mountain access spurs inland.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Check the Prefecture order, volcano observatory, Route du Volcan, ONF trails, and weather on the morning of every inland excursion. Following the 2026 eruption, use only currently authorized marked trails; the Kapor trail remains closed under the May 2026 partial reopening. Cyclones and heavy rain can disrupt roads and trails outside the dry season. Reach Maïdo from a west-coast overnight rather than making a long predawn drive from Saint-Pierre.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Saint-Denis to Saint-Philippe on the wild east coast

Stade de la Redoute lookout · Notre-Dame des Laves · Le Palais des Sens

Day 2Saint-Philippe to Saint-Pierre via the volcanic south

Cap Méchant · Cascade de Grand Galet (Langevin) · Le Cap Méchant restaurant

Day 3Route du Volcan from Saint-Pierre

Piton de la Fournaise viewpoint · Le QG

Day 4West-coast overnight to dawn Piton Maïdo, then Saint-Denis

Piton Maïdo · Kelonia · Chez Doudou

Stops along the route

Saint-Denis — Departure — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Departure
Saint-Denis
Start in the capital beneath steep green slopes and colonial streets. It is the busiest gateway to the island and a good place to stock up.
Hotels
Sainte-Suzanne — City — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
City
Sainte-Suzanne
A coastal stop with sugarcane views and calm lagoon edges. The road here opens into a classic east-coast island scene.
Hotels
Saint-Philippe — City — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
City
Saint-Philippe
A south coast town framed by rugged lava landscapes and ocean spray. It feels wilder and more volcanic than the north.
Hotels
Saint-Pierre — City — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
City
Saint-Pierre
The island's lively southern hub with a waterfront promenade and Creole charm. It is a natural stop for food, fuel, and a beach walk.
Hotels
Saint-Leu — City — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
City
Saint-Leu
Réunion's top surf and whale-watching town, home to Kelonia, the island's well-known sea turtle observatory and conservation center.
Saint-Paul — City — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
City
Saint-Paul
An old west coast town known for markets and a broad bay. The sunsets here are a highlight of the loop.
Hotels
Show 1 more
Saint-Denis — Arrival — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Arrival
Saint-Denis
Return to the capital after a full island circuit. The loop closes with city energy after a day of coast and cliffs.
Hotels

Things to Do

Anse des Cascades — Nature — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Nature
Anse des Cascades
A lush seaside cove where waterfalls, palms, and lava rock meet. It is one of the route's most photogenic pull-offs.
Plage de Grande Anse — Nature — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Nature
Plage de Grande Anse
A famous black-sand beach backed by palms and a sheltered picnic area. It is a relaxed break before the west coast drive.
Piton Maïdo — Landmark — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Landmark
Piton Maïdo
A mountain viewpoint high above the western cliffs and cirques. The final inland detour adds the route's biggest panoramic payoff.
Bassin Cormoran — Waterfall pool — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Waterfall pool
Bassin Cormoran
A scenic natural pool near the west coast road with lush cliff scenery. It is a quick nature stop if conditions and access are open.
Notre-Dame des Laves — Landmark church — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Landmark church
Notre-Dame des Laves
A church in Sainte-Rose famously spared by lava during the 1977 eruption, sitting near Anse des Cascades. It is a striking reminder of the island's volcanic power.
Cap Méchant — Nature stop — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Nature stop
Cap Méchant
Dramatic lava sea-cliffs on the south coast between Saint-Philippe and Saint-Pierre, one of the most photographed stops on this stretch and right on the driven path.
Show 4 more
Cascade de Grand Galet (Langevin) — Waterfall — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Waterfall
Cascade de Grand Galet (Langevin)
A classic, easily-accessed waterfall in the Langevin river valley on the south coast, a short detour from the main road.
Kelonia — Sea turtle observatory — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Sea turtle observatory
Kelonia
A sea turtle observatory and conservation center in Saint-Leu, one of the island's most-visited paid attractions.
Piton de la Fournaise viewpoint — Volcano viewpoint — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Volcano viewpoint
Piton de la Fournaise viewpoint
A half-day-plus excursion reached inland via Bourg-Murat and the Route du Volcan, not from the Saint-Philippe coast road. Reaching the crater rim at Pas de Bellecombe requires a real hike, so budget accordingly rather than treating it as a quick roadside stop. Check current volcano access status before going.
Stade de la Redoute lookout — Viewpoint — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Viewpoint
Stade de la Redoute lookout
A classic overlook above Saint-Denis with city and coastline views. It is an easy final stop before ending the loop.

Where to Eat

Le D.C.P. — Seafood, Creole — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Seafood, Creole
Le D.C.P.
A current Saint-Gilles-les-Bains seafood restaurant, not a Saint-Denis venue.
Marché de Saint-Paul — Market food, Creole snacks — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Market food, Creole snacks
Marché de Saint-Paul
Food browsing only on the market’s published Friday and Saturday sessions; it is not an always-open restaurant.
Le Palais des Sens — French, Creole — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
French, Creole
Le Palais des Sens
A well-known Saint-Pierre restaurant with a polished take on island flavors. Good for a sit-down lunch or dinner in the south.
Chez Doudou — Creole buffet — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Creole buffet
Chez Doudou
A valid Réunionnais meal when open; check the published Monday, Wednesday, and June closures.
Le QG — Réunionnais — Reunion Island Loop — Réunion
Réunionnais
Le QG
A named Bourg-Murat meal before or after the volcano road; verify current hours.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Reunion Island Loop drive?

The Reunion Island Loop covers about 360 km including volcano and Maïdo ascents from start to finish.

How long does the Reunion Island Loop take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Reunion Island Loop, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Reunion Island Loop?

The recommended season for the Reunion Island Loop is May-October.

What are the main stops on the Reunion Island Loop?

The Reunion Island Loop passes through Saint-Denis, Sainte-Suzanne, Anse des Cascades.

How difficult is the Reunion Island Loop to drive?

The Reunion Island Loop is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Reunion Island Loop in a regular car?

Yes — the Reunion Island Loop is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Reunion Island Loop?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Reunion Island Loop, based on its about 360 km including volcano and Maïdo ascents length.

Is the Reunion Island Loop safe to drive?

Check the Prefecture order, volcano observatory, Route du Volcan, ONF trails, and weather on the morning of every inland excursion. Following the 2026 eruption, use only currently authorized marked trails; the Kapor trail remains closed under the May 2026 partial reopening. Cyclones and heavy rain can disrupt roads and trails outside the dry season. Reach Maïdo from a west-coast overnight rather than making a long predawn drive from Saint-Pierre.

What scenic tier is the Reunion Island Loop?

The Reunion Island Loop is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.