La Chapelle hiking tour Cilaos: Geological marvel with guide

Walk into a volcanic chamber carved by water and time

A guided hike from Cilaos to La Chapelle, a UNESCO-listed geological site on Réunion Island, where you descend a shaded ravine, trace the island's volcanic history with a professional mountain guide, and end at a river cliff split by water. The tour runs Thursday mornings in French only, with groups capped at 12 people, and includes a snack and drink at the riverbed. Duration is about 5 hours over 8 km with 550 meters of elevation gain.

The experience

La Chapelle is the exposed heart of a volcanic chamber, and this hike traces the geological events that built the island. Starting from the village of Cilaos, you descend the Sentier de la Chapelle into a shady ravine bottom where the guide walks you through the rock formations and explains how they formed. After a short climb, you reach the magnificent rocky edifice itself: the centerpiece of the route. A final descent takes you into the riverbed, where the water has split the cliff face, and you stop for a snack and drink at the water's edge before retracing your steps back to Cilaos.

The route is unmarked and follows the riverbed for part of the way, so a professional guide from the Reunion Mountain Office is essential. Groups stay small, no more than 12 people, and the guide speaks French throughout. You'll need a good grasp of the language to follow the geological explanations and safety information. The hike runs about 5 hours total, covering 8 km with 550 meters of elevation gain, and departs every Thursday from Cilaos.

What’s included

• Professional mountain guide from the Reunion Mountain Office.
• local snack and drink served at the riverbed.

Before you book

Days and timesThursdayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideFrench

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bureau Montagne Reunion

Is this one for you?This is a shared group hike capped at 12 people, led entirely in French by a professional guide who explains the geology as you walk. Choose it if you speak French well enough to follow technical explanations and you're comfortable with sustained climbing over unmarked terrain. The small group and expert guide make the geological story accessible, but the language requirement and physical demands mean it's not for casual hikers or non-French speakers.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is La Chapelle and why is it on the UNESCO list?

La Chapelle is a volcanic rock formation that marks the heart of an ancient volcanic chamber on Réunion Island. It's part of the island's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation because it displays the geological events that shaped the island, and the river has carved a dramatic cliff face through it over time.

Do I need to speak French fluently to do this hike?

A correct understanding of French is necessary. The guide leads the tour and explains the geology in French only. If you don't speak the language well, you won't follow the commentary or safety information, so this tour isn't suitable for non-French speakers.

How difficult is the hike and what's the fitness level required?

The hike covers 8 km with 550 meters of elevation gain over about 5 hours, including sections in the riverbed and a final descent to the cliff base. A high level of physical fitness is required. The terrain is steep in places and the route is unmarked, so you need to be comfortable with sustained climbing and uneven ground.

When does this tour depart and how do I get to the starting point?

The hike departs every Thursday morning from the village of Cilaos. You'll need to arrange your own transport to Cilaos. The tour itself begins and ends in the village.

What's included in the price and what should I bring?

A professional mountain guide and a local snack with a drink at the riverbed are included. Bring water, sun protection, sturdy hiking boots suitable for rocky and wet terrain, and a change of clothes if you plan to wade in the river.