The best cycling routes around La Réunion

La Réunion offers a diverse selection of over 45 touring cycling routes. These routes cater to various skill levels, with 13 easy, 15 moderate, and 17 difficult options, ensuring there's a suitable path for every cyclist.

La Réunion's volcanic origins create a dramatic and varied landscape for touring cyclists. You can expect to traverse lunar terrains around active volcanoes like Piton de la Fournaise, explore lush valleys within the immense cirques of Mafate, Cilaos, and Salazie, and ride along scenic coastal paths. The scenery changes rapidly, from dense tropical forests to savannas and sugar cane fields.

Yes, La Réunion offers 13 easy touring cycling routes. An example of a shorter, more accessible route is the Center Parcs – Casteljaloux loop from Communauté de communes des Coteaux et Landes de Gascogne, which is about 8.3 km long and takes around 36 minutes to complete.

For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, La Réunion has 17 difficult routes. A notable option is Between lakes and history — loop in the Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne, a 80.7 km path with significant elevation gain. Another difficult route is the Lake Clarens – Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette loop from Lac de Clarens, spanning 26.6 km.

The mild climate during the austral winter, typically from August to November, is particularly ideal for touring cycling in La Réunion. During this period, temperatures are cooler and there is less rainfall, providing more comfortable conditions for exploring the island's diverse terrain.

Yes, many touring cycling routes in La Réunion are designed as loops. For instance, the moderate Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette – Lake Clarens loop from Casteljaloux is a popular circular trail covering 46.2 km. Another challenging loop is Between lakes and history — loop in the Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne.

Along your touring cycling routes in La Réunion, you can discover various points of interest. These include the So Vélo Greenway (Casteljaloux – Marmande), scenic Lake Clarens and its Recreation Area, and charming spots like Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette. You might also encounter breathtaking vistas such as the View from the heights of Saint-Pierre-de-Buzet.

The touring cycling routes in La Réunion are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 47 reviews. More than 600 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore the island's varied terrain, often praising the dramatic contrasts, from towering mountains to scenic coastal paths, and the unique volcanic landscapes.

While specific route names directly referencing volcanoes aren't listed, many routes traverse areas shaped by the island's volcanic origins. The region research indicates that cycling routes often go through lunar landscapes around active volcanoes like Piton de la Fournaise and offer views of the highest peak, Piton des Neiges, providing a unique volcanic cycling experience.

Yes, some routes pass by places where you can stop for a break or a meal. For example, the Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette – Lake Clarens loop from Casteljaloux is named after Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette, a cafe that could serve as a convenient stop. It's always a good idea to check the route details for specific amenities.

Among the listed routes, the longest is Between lakes and history — loop in the Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne, which spans 80.7 km and typically takes around 4 hours and 55 minutes to complete. This difficult route offers a challenging experience through varied terrain.

Moderate touring cycling routes in La Réunion vary in length and duration. For example, Between Landes and Gascony is a 55.4 km route that takes approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes. Another moderate option, the Il Lione D'Anco Guinguette – Lake Clarens loop from Casteljaloux, is 46.2 km and typically completed in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.