THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive the famous 400 bends up to Cilaos for cliffside panoramas, a 360° lookout at La Roche Merveilleuse, a stroll through the village and a sunset stop on Réunion’s black sand coast. Expect a mostly relaxed day of short walks, local food and dramatic geology.
Drive the famous 400 bends up to Cilaos for cliffside panoramas, a 360° lookout at La Roche Merveilleuse, a stroll through the village and a sunset stop on Réunion’s black sand coast. Expect a mostly relaxed day of short walks, local food and dramatic geology.
The van peels away from the coast and the road begins to coil—hundreds of turns that force the island’s interior into view. At 1,200 meters the air sharpens; ramparts and pitons rise like held-back waves and the famous “400 bends” dare the driver and passenger alike to look away.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by 5A Transports Reunion · Cilaos, Réunion
The van peels away from the coast and the road begins to coil—hundreds of turns that force the island’s interior into view. At 1,200 meters the air sharpens; ramparts and pitons rise like held-back waves and the famous “400 bends” dare the driver and passenger alike to look away.
Cilaos sits in one of Réunion’s three cirques, carved by ancient volcanic collapse and the slow patience of erosion. Piton des Neiges, the island’s highest summit at about 3,070 meters, watches from behind La Roche Merveilleuse, a 360-degree viewpoint that makes the island’s geology legible: steep walls, radiating river valleys and terraces of smallholdings famed for lentils, embroidery and a surprising local wine tradition.
The village itself is practical and plain—a stone church, Creole houses, thermal springs and narrow streets where cafés serve simple lunches of lentils and grilled meats. A short stroll around Mare à Joncs is flat and quiet; the lake’s reed edges seem to breathe. Later the return route drops to the coast and finishes at the black sand of L’Étang-Salé, where cooled lava meets the ocean.
Practically: this private day trip runs about 7–8 hours with pickup (commonly around 08:00) and uses air-conditioned vehicles with onboard wifi and bottled water. Expect several short walks rather than long hikes, and bring layers for sudden mountain weather. Roads are steep and winding—pack motion-sickness remedies if you’re sensitive. Cash helps for market stalls and small cafés. The tour balances easy walking, strong scenery and local flavor, making it a compact way to experience Réunion’s highlands in a single day.
easy.
7–8 hours.
Suitable for average fitness; mostly vehicle-based with several short, easy walks around viewpoints and village streets.
No—lunch is not included; the itinerary allows time in Cilaos to choose a local restaurant or café to sample lentils, local wine and Creole dishes.
No—this is primarily a vehicle tour with short walks (15–30 minutes) at viewpoints, the village center and Mare à Joncs; no technical hiking is required.
Pickup is generally from your hotel or residence (often around 08:00) in the booked pickup zone—confirm the exact time and location with the operator before the tour.
Yes—operators may cancel for safety if mountain roads or visibility are hazardous; the tour’s policy allows full refund with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Cilaos developed around thermal springs and highland agriculture; the cirque’s settlement reflects Réunion’s mix of Creole culture and mountain subsistence farming.
The cirques are fragile mountain ecosystems—stay on marked paths, avoid littering and support local businesses to promote sustainable tourism.
5A Transports Reunion operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The van peels away from the coast and the road begins to coil—hundreds of turns that force the island’s interior into view. At 1,200 meters the air sharpens; ramparts and pitons rise like held-back waves and the famous “400 bends” dare the driver and passenger alike to look away.
The van peels away from the coast and the road begins to coil—hundreds of turns that force the island’s interior into view. At 1,200 meters the air sharpens; ramparts and pitons rise like held-back waves and the famous “400 bends” dare the driver and passenger alike to look away.
Cilaos sits in one of Réunion’s three cirques, carved by ancient volcanic collapse and the slow patience of erosion. Piton des Neiges, the island’s highest summit at about 3,070 meters, watches from behind La Roche Merveilleuse, a 360-degree viewpoint that makes the island’s geology legible: steep walls, radiating river valleys and terraces of smallholdings famed for lentils, embroidery and a surprising local wine tradition.
The village itself is practical and plain—a stone church, Creole houses, thermal springs and narrow streets where cafés serve simple lunches of lentils and grilled meats. A short stroll around Mare à Joncs is flat and quiet; the lake’s reed edges seem to breathe. Later the return route drops to the coast and finishes at the black sand of L’Étang-Salé, where cooled lava meets the ocean.
Practically: this private day trip runs about 7–8 hours with pickup (commonly around 08:00) and uses air-conditioned vehicles with onboard wifi and bottled water. Expect several short walks rather than long hikes, and bring layers for sudden mountain weather. Roads are steep and winding—pack motion-sickness remedies if you’re sensitive. Cash helps for market stalls and small cafés. The tour balances easy walking, strong scenery and local flavor, making it a compact way to experience Réunion’s highlands in a single day.