From Cap Noir to Roche Ecrite trek, La Réunion

1)When you leave the Port city, take the road RD 1 going through the "Rivière-des-Galets" then Sainte-Thérèse villages and that arrives at the "Dos d’Ane" hamlet. Then take (on the right) the RF road (Route Forestière) of the Cap Noir and leave your car at the parking (1143m).

2)After a 20mn flat walk, you will reach Cap Noir, enjoying an impressive view over Mafate... Then go further on the flat trail and, after having climbed up a few ladders, you will discover a curious stone, looking like a bottle and a glass : Roche Verre Bouteille (1239 m).

Be careful, this trail is sometimes not accessible due to landslides... Then, to have a secure trek, walk direct from the parking on the trail going to the crest, and reach Roche Verre Bouteille from the top.

3)Walk further (North-East) on the trail, going along the Mafate circus edge. At many places you will enjoy a wonderful view. From there, if can, try to see the little Orangers canal standing in the middle the opposite cliff. The construction of this vertiginous canal costed many lifes...

There in no real orientation problem. Just follow the edge of the circus for one hour. Then leave on your left the trail coming from "Ilet à Guillaume" and walk a bit away from the edge to access to the Chicots plain. There you will find the Chicots refuge (1830m).

4)After the refuge, the vegetation gets more and more clear. And particularly since a fire... The trail goes South East through the plain (La Plaine) : a flat and clear surface.

Then, you will pass along the Dufour cave (Caverne Dufour) and the Soldier cave (Caverne du Soldat). Then you will reach the "Roche Ecrite" summit (2277m) : this is an extraordinary viewpoint overlooking the Mafate and Salazie circuses.

When you come back, you can make a little extra to the "Mare aux Cerfs" (1996m).

5) Going to Cap Noir - Roche Ecrite and getting back is a long trek : from 9 to 11hours, with a 1600m height...

Thus, if you are not so courageous, you can :

• sleep at the Chicots refuge (to go to the summit on the following day).
• leave a second car at the Camp Mamode car park (see Highlights 2) : we think this might be the best solution !