Réunion’s highlands pull you away from the coast and into a wilder side of the island. Volcanic peaks rise above deep cirques, green forests, and villages tucked between steep walls. The mountains in Réunion surround Cilaos, Salazie, and Mafate, home to some of the island’s most dramatic scenery.
When you rent a car in Réunion, you can stop at remote lookouts and explore each route at your own pace. Public transport reaches only a few highland areas, so driving gives you far more freedom. Our guide shows you the best mountain drives, viewpoints, village stops, and practical driving advice.
The main highland routes pass waterfalls, rainforests, ridges, and volcanic plateaux. Exploring these highland routes takes extra time.
The RN5 climbs around 35 kilometres from Saint-Louis to Cilaos through hundreds of bends, tunnels, and cliffs. Sound your horn where signs require it, give way, and watch approaching traffic.
Cilaos is nearly 1,200 metres above sea level. After the winding climb, you can explore vineyards and hot springs in clear weather. Stop for local fruit wine or take a walk to Bras Rouge. Use low gears when driving downhill and brake early before sharp bends. Fill the tank in Saint-Louis and return before dusk.
The Salazie road follows a green canyon with waterfalls and dense plants. Twin falls appear near the entrance. Cascade Blanche and Voile de la Mariée are inside. Hell-Bourg has old Creole houses. The wettest Réunion cirque often has mist and rain. Check conditions after storms because floods and rocks may affect narrow sections. Visit Maison Folio or follow a village trail. These mountains in Réunion look especially green after rain.
Climb from Bourg-Murat through Plaine des Cafres. Plaine des Sables sits at 2,300 metres and looks almost lunar. Continue to Pas de Bellecombe for views. Crater walks depend on conditions. The high volcanic plateau has broad bends, paved roads, and a final gravel stretch. Stop at Nez de Boeuf and Commerson Crater. Fill up before leaving the plains. Expect strong winds and cold above 2,000 metres.
The Saint-Paul road climbs to Maïdo at 2,205 metres. It overlooks Mafate’s deep valleys and sharp ridges. Clear mornings may reveal the coast. It is among the best mountain viewpoints in Réunion. The steep morning climb has good surfaces and narrow bends. Use low gears and watch for traffic. Picnic shelters offer coastal views. Arrive near sunrise before clouds cover Mafate.
This 58-kilometre RN3 crossing links Saint-Pierre and Saint-Benoît through Col de Bellevue at about 1,630 metres. You pass Plaine-des-Palmistes, Bourg-Murat, grasslands, moorland, hydrangeas, and broom-covered slopes. Frost can form above 1,600 metres.
The central plateau crossing is paved but often foggy. Dawn ice may appear during colder months. It links the coast with the volcano road and the Bébour-Bélouve forests. Carry warm clothing.
Drive from Plaine-des-Palmistes into the Bébour forest and towards Bélouve. The narrow road passes giant tree ferns, tamarind trees, mist, and waterfalls. Park near the Bélouve lodge for Trou de Fer walks or the viewing area. The forest plateau viewpoint looks across Salazie towards Piton des Neiges. Watch for approaching four-wheel drives on single-lane sections. Rain across these mountains in Réunion can bring mud, small slips, and wet surfaces.
Trips through Réunion’s steep highlands need more time than coastal journeys. Split demanding drives across several days and stay near major routes.
Collect your car near Saint-Denis and begin from the north. Continue towards Plaine-des-Palmistes or the coast. Choose a compact car for easier parking or an SUV for higher clearance. Book with Final Rentals for competitive rates, cover included, and everything from economy cars to premium SUVs.
Cilaos needs a full day because the approach takes over an hour each way. Add village stops. Fenêtre des Makes uses a shorter forest road, but its lookout deserves another day. The two demanding day trips are tiring when combined.
Enter Salazie for waterfalls and Hell-Bourg. Continue towards Plaine-des-Palmistes or Bélouve later. This reduces backtracking and links the green east with nearby highlands. The eastern route combination works best during stable weather.
The drive from Saint-Pierre to Pas de Bellecombe covers about 43 kilometres. Volcanic viewpoints and rough sections across the mountains in Réunion add time. Start early because clouds and access can change. Stay overnight before a crater walk. Pack suitable shoes, water, and warm layers.
Reach Maïdo around sunrise for the clearest chance of seeing Mafate. Clouds often build up by late morning. Stay near Saint-Paul for an early start. The early mountain light also improves views towards the west coast.
Stay in Cilaos for RN5 drives and nearby walks. Base yourself in Hell-Bourg for trips to Salazie and Bélouve. Choose Saint-Pierre or Saint-Benoît for the central plateau and volcano route. Add lookouts, markets, waterfalls, and café stops along the way. These bases also help you avoid long drives after dark.
The mountain roads in Réunion are generally maintained, but many are narrow and exposed. Safe highland trips need slow speeds and careful planning.
Select a car with reliable brakes and enough power. An SUV or four-wheel drive helps on gravel and wet sections. Avoid oversized cars. Shift into a low gear before long climbs or descents. Engine braking controls speed and reduces brake heat. Use lower automatic settings or first and second manual gears.
Mountain weather changes quickly. Check the forecast before leaving and during stops. Fog is common around the Plaine des Cafres and high plateaux. Rain may loosen rocks or soil. Use headlights, reduce speed, and avoid parking below cliffs. Approach blind bends carefully and use your horn where signs require it. Let faster traffic pass at safe pull-ins. Never overtake buses on curves.
Across the mountains in Réunion, fuel stations are scarce. Fill up in Saint-Louis before Cilaos or Saint-Pierre before Bourg-Murat. Petrol costs can be high. Use official parking. Arrive between 8 and 9 in the morning for better parking availability. Do not block narrow roads. Walking uphill is safer than circling crowded car parks.
Winding climbs can cause nausea. Sit in front, keep fresh air flowing, and look towards the horizon. Motion sickness tablets or ginger may help. Take regular stops for short walks and stable ground. The extra roadside breaks can also reduce tiredness.
No road enters Cirque de Mafate. You can only reach its villages by hiking or by helicopter. Drive to Maïdo for the main road-accessible view. Add extra days when hiking into the cirque. The remote mountain setting is part of Mafate’s character.
Most cirque roads have few streetlights. Unlit bends and cliffs make night driving risky. Finish before sunset. Use main coastal roads after dark and stay near your final stop. The safest mountain schedule ends with clear visibility.
The mountains in Réunion reward slow travel. Their bends, forests, and volcanic plateaux deserve more than a rushed crossing. Start early and stop at viewpoints because the best moments often appear between major attractions.
Rent a car in Réunion with Final Rentals to use unlimited mileage across long, highland routes. Included Collision Damage Waiver and Third Party Liability provide useful cover. The same-fuel policy simplifies return planning. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
Réunion’s interior is dominated by two major volcanoes. Piton des Neiges reaches 3,071 metres and is dormant. Active Piton de la Fournaise reaches 2,632 metres in the southeast. These peaks shape the island’s main mountain landscape. Their highlands include the steep ridges and broad cirques of Cilaos, Salazie, and Mafate.
The main scenic routes include the RN5, which winds through hundreds of bends into Cilaos. They also include Salazie’s waterfall road and the volcano road to Pas de Bellecombe. The plateau crossing links both coasts, while Maïdo climbs to a 2,205-metre viewpoint above Mafate. These mountains in Réunion are accessible by car from the airport, making a practical island loop possible.
Roads are maintained, but narrow and winding. Use low gears carefully on steep climbs and descents. Brake early before hairpins. Check the weather because fog and rain limit visibility. Fill up before leaving towns and avoid cirque roads after dark. Start early for Maïdo and Fenêtre des Makes. Scenic breaks also reduce tiredness and motion sickness.
