Top 5 Réunion Island Car Tours: Discover Paradise on Wheels

Réunion Island, this overseas territory of France, is basically a volcanic gem which sits in the Indian Ocean. That is, it features a landscape which seems lifted straight from a dream. So, for the travel lover inside all of us, really figuring out the heart of this gorgeous island on four wheels? Very much an adventure that calls to the free spirit. What spots should you visit for such a ride, well, it is a puzzle, of course. Because of this, that very exciting exploration of Réunion demands the proper route, more or less.

1. Cirque de Salazie: A Lush Drive into Paradise

Cirque de Salazie, arguably, that is the most easily reached of Réunion’s three great cirques, unfolds in a display of such unbelievable natural beauty which seems almost exaggerated. Think that is somewhere you would want to visit, because I know that is where I would like to go first! Really picturing towering waterfalls? Extremely lush greenery? The picture which develops would blow your mind.

That very winding road toward Salazie is practically a highlight on its own, frankly. Passing through the small, very lovely towns of Hell-Bourg. Picture colourful Creole homes just loaded with flowering plants, a little. Make your very leisurely way to explore this, like your chance to just unwind and soak up all of the area, in some respects. Keep an eye out for Voile de la Mariée (The Bride’s Veil) because it has all those delicate waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides. You might take it a step further with many pit stops. As a matter of fact, the drive might include hikes and photo stops!

In short, Hell-Bourg provides such a really nice break for a quick snack of some scrumptious Creole food! Also, you can go on exploring its cute streets, sort of. Or go to Maison Folio because it is a renovated Creole villa along with beautiful gardens. All those roads inside the cirque can be a bit tight at some points, it seems to me. Drivers of that average vehicle are practically fine when driven along at sensible speeds!

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2. Piton de la Fournaise: Meeting the Volcano

Any experience on Réunion? Definitely not fully experienced unless you, too, gaze into that abyss from atop one of Earth’s most energetic volcanoes. The roads toward Piton de la Fournaise go across a terrain shifting slowly from lush green pastureland, arguably. After a time, the roads take you on toward such desolate volcanic plain, the Plaine des Sables.

Its Martian landscape feels virtually surreal, a little. Keep going and ultimately, just reach Pas de Bellecombe, by the way. That area provides what many travelers call those unparalleled lookout points directly over that volcano’s primary crater. Thinking that you would like walking, too, by chance? Absolutely a variety of paths lead from Pas de Bellecombe toward that crater! All this enables an extremely immersive trek straight down, seemingly, straight into this beating heart of a geological masterpiece, just a little.

Be sure that that drive should be well prepared. It needs the necessary information of weather considerations, for example. Check up on that volcanic action because it’s subject to dramatic changes, more or less. The volcano and surrounding roads are closed when eruptions happen because it is an active volcano, you see.

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3. Route des Plaines: High-Altitude Beauty

The Route des Plaines winds between that east and that west sides through the highlands from the isle! That high-altitude road, well, provides breathtaking vistas. Picture volcanic peaks plus thick forests!

Keep an eye out for Pas de Bellecombe and the Maison du Volcan! Or think about making many stops toward appreciating native flora within that national park. On a clear day you can often notice stunning panorama out across Cirque de Salazie, basically. Moreover, if all that natural scenery and amazing lookouts for photos and vistas aren’t amazing enough, there’s even something to look at with flowers along with amazing trees and more because the native greenery could probably please anybody. Just use all your senses for a truly amazing drive because you will love everything. Check often if it’s going to be clear that day before doing your travel because that road tends toward some heavy fog. Especially in any wetter periods because clear skies can become clouded in fog!

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4. The Wild South: Untamed and Beautiful

Very far down the beaten tourist pathways, frankly, you can feel that true spirit about Réunion along that Wild South’s coast. Very, very many seaside vistas remain really rough! It is where that basalt cliffs do fight with the Indian Ocean in many battles, basically!

Keep traveling along because those roads tend toward many lava flows created fairly recently! Picture these roadways which run across those lava flows where those past flows of those volcano cut straight toward such shorelines. Thinking to want such experiences about nature at its rawest because this place delivers! The Jardin des Parfums et des Épices! Basically, there lies that lush botanic garden. A large assortment with aroma herbs including seasonings there exist from all parts throughout, seemingly. That area along Grand Anse to Saint-Philippe needs some planning for slow traveling toward those seaside towns there! That pace could deliver real memorable pauses near to gorgeous scenery about an unspoiled coast, often. Because I certainly like taking many things slowly and experiencing stuff while traveling places, I want to see what those shores look like and I want to stop every time because there’s stuff to soak in.

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5. Cirque de Cilaos: A Winding Mountain Challenge

Really wanting a test regarding driving skills? What would you say if I showed you some twisty route with some challenging ascents and more? Okay, then consider exploring Cirque de Cilaos!

The route from Saint-Louis features so-called ‘400 bends.’ The roadways there have turns after sharp turn across amazing mountains. But each bend in turn, like your own small gift! What I mean by this is you have wonderful landscapes every time you are on this ride because all roads and mountain ranges change so often in direction. In short, that cirque lies as reward from what some call these incredible paths. Here exist loads about trekking then canyoneering at great elevations from the seaside too, apparently. Take a turn toward exploring those local lens-making centers then vineyards because wine does tend to come directly from this unexpected alpine oasis, in that case.

That specific road toward Cilaos, too, may seem fairly intense although safe with any careful driving technique! Smaller rides may typically make all the difference about traveling about town as you can see! Also plan because that drive calls for one who has all abilities in their experience toward proper control over such steering. Read our full review: cirque de cilaos Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Cirque de Cilaos Mountain Tour)