REUNION (France)
Volcanic landscapes - Reunion National Park
Reunion is above a hotspot in the Earth's crust. The Piton de la Fournaise, a shield volcano on the eastern end of Réunion Island, rises more than 2,631 metres (8,632 ft). It has erupted more than 100 times since 1640 and is under constant monitoring. The Piton des Neiges volcano (extincted), the highest point on the island at 3,070 metres (10,070 ft) above sea level, is north west of the Piton de la Fournaise. Collapsed calderas and canyons are south west of the mountain. The slopes of both volcanoes are heavily forested. Few roads are crossing these volcanic landscapes, but it's possible to trek or to have a bird's eye with an helicopter tour. The Cirque de Mafate is a caldera and was formed from the collapse of the large shield volcano the Piton des Neiges. The very remote and inaccessible cirque was settled in the 19th century by maroon slaves (i.e. slaves who had escaped from their masters), then later by poor white laborers. Today the Cirque is still inhabited and some supplies have to come by helicopter. Reunion National Park is listed by Unesco since 2010.
BEST TIME to VISIT
REUNION
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to REUNION
From June to September
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Reunion National Park - Bird's-eye on the Piton de la Fournaise, a shield volcano on the eastern end of Réunion Island, rises more than 2,631 metres (8,632 ft)
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - Lush volcanic landscape and waterfalls - here a small hydraulic power plant
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - village in a caldera (cirque)
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - few roads are crossing these rough volcanic landscapes
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Parke - Piton de la Fournaise - recent lava
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - few roads are crossing these rough volcanic landscapes
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape with trees and giant ferns
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape with a small lake
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape and a small road
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape - road and waterfall
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape - waterfall
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape - waterfall
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - lush volcanic landscape - waterfall
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape - village
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape - village in a caldera
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape and a small village
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape - waterfalls
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape and villages
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - volcanic landscape
Reunion National Park - Bird's-eye on the Piton de la Fournaise, a shield volcano on the eastern end of Réunion Island, rises more than 2,631 metres (8,632 ft)
around Cilaos - Palmiste Rouge village
Bird's-eye on Reunion National Park - few roads are crossing these rough volcanic landscapes
around Piton de la Fournaise - small crater
driving to Pas de Bellecombe near Piton de la Fournaise
around Piton de la Fournaise - volcanic landscape
around Piton de la Fournaise - volcanic landscape
driving to Pas de Bellecombe near Piton de la Fournaise
around Piton de la Fournaise - volcanic landscape