How to visit the Cirque de Salazie
The Cirque de Salazie is one of the island's greenest areas, and the only one of its kind on the island. So don't wait any longer to discover it, with a range of activities to make your visit an unforgettable experience!
Located in the Saint-Benoît district, the Cirque de Salazie stands out from the other cirques on the island not only for its lush vegetation and numerous waterfalls, but also for its easy access by road from Saint-André. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exceptional natural site offers a sublime backdrop of lush green forests and charming villages, including Hell-Bourg, which has been awarded the "most beautiful village in France" label. So a visit to the Cirque de Salazie is a must on Réunion Island, and one that immerses you in its environment through a range of outdoor activities!
At one with the water of the Cirque de Salazie
Water is omnipresent in the heart of the Salazie cirque, and is the source of its abundant greenery. With numerous streams and impressive waterfalls, as well as more rainfall than in the Cilaos and Mafate cirques, you'll soon realise just how important water is! The area is also ideal for canyoning, particularly on the famous Trou Blanc canyon.
Beginning at the Piton d'Anchaing, the Trou Blanc canyon offers a day's experience of swimming, jumping, sliding, walking and contemplation. Water from the Piton des Neiges has shaped the whitish rock of this exceptional canyon, which is a must-see on Réunion Island. Venturing into the Trou Blanc canyon is a wonderful way to visit the Cirque de Salazie, combining thrills and breathtaking scenery, so don't miss out if you can!
Venture into the lush forests of the Cirque de Salazie
Between the hiking trails in the very heart of the Cirque, in the Bélouve forest and in the Bébour forest, there are many possible itineraries for visiting the Cirque de Salazie. Whether on foot or by vehicle, you'll have no trouble finding the one that suits you best, so you can explore the area to your heart's content! Families with young children or those who simply prefer to take part in an outing with a varied programme will be won over by a guided tour of the Cirque de Salazie in a van, while the more sporty nature-seekers will prefer to set off on an electric mountain bike tour of the Bélouve and Bébour forests.
But as with every other cirque on Réunion Island, hiking is still the best way to discover the area in total immersion! In fact, you can only reach some of the wilderness sites on foot, including the most beautiful waterfalls in the cirque, such as the famous Voile de la Mariée waterfall and the impressive Trou de Fer. What's more, the best way to enjoy some incredible walks is to set off with a guide, who will be able to share some great anecdotes about the sites you visit. So don't hesitate to book a guided walk in the Bélouve forest, for example, to admire the Trou de Fer!
Take to the skies for incredible views of the Cirque de Salazie
It's also from the air that the Cirque de Salazie reveals all its beauty, where the importance of its greenery is most obvious. Even if the trees seem smaller from above, the immensity of the forest is all the more visible, leaving you with unforgettable images!
A helicopter flight over the Trou de Fer and Réunion's cirques is an experience that will leave a lasting impression, whether or not you have already visited the Cirque de Salazie. With take-off from the heights of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains in Saint-Paul, even visitors not travelling to the island's east coast will be able to enjoy spectacular aerial views of the Cirque de Salazie, as well as Réunion's 2 other cirques and the imposing Piton des Neiges.
With one of the greenest environments on Réunion Island, the Cirque de Salazie has its own charm that makes it just as unmissable as its neighbours, the cirques of Mafate and Cilaos. Whether you have a penchant for sporting adventures or prefer simple, peaceful visits, there are plenty of ways to discover the Cirque de Salazie to suit everyone's tastes!
And this last point is just one of the assets of the island that is nicknamed the "intense" island, because there are so many things to do on Réunion Island to make your trip unforgettable!