Full of photogenic landscapes and diverse terrain, Réunion has established itself as a hikers’ paradise. This enchanting island sits amidst the Indian Ocean and features a coastline dotted with charming cities and volcano-bound mountain paths. Hiking is the number one activity on Réunion, which is no surprise considering there’s almost 1,000 km of trails scattered around the island. The Cirque of Mafate route features lunar-esque landscapes leading up to the edge of the Piton de la Fournaise (‘Eye of the Furnace’) crater. If you’re up for a real challenge, then try out one of the island’s long distance trails. The GR R1 (60 km), GR R2 (130 km) aren’t for the faint-hearted but reward those who dare with breathtaking views onto the island. Réunion is also home to a thriving food scene, with a delicious fusion of Creole, Indian, Chinese and French cuisines. Local beach shacks are the place to go for straight-off-the-boat seafood, while markets are packed with exotic fruit and vegetables. Hotels range from two-star up to luxury resorts, but can get booked up quickly during high season (July to August, mid-December to mid-January). A number of B&Bs, apartments and holiday homes are also available.
