GUNUNG · Réunion (Prancis)

Grand Bénare

Le Grand Bénare

Rempart Grand Bénare dilihat dari Marla di Cirque de Mafate, Réunion — foto kawasan massif, bukan close-up puncak. Photo: source

Information

Elevation: 2.898 m
Country: Réunion (Prancis) (RE)
Location / Range: Massif du Piton des Neiges, Pulau Réunion (Samudra Hindia barat daya); di antara Cirque de Mafate dan Cirque de Cilaos, wilayah komune Trois-Bassins
Mountain type: Puncak berbatu di tepi (rempart) sisa gunung berapi perisai Piton des Neiges yang telah punah dan tererosi — bukan gunung berapi aktif
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: -21.1167, 55.4225
Difficulty: Menengah–berat: pendakian sehari yang panjang (umumnya 6–8 jam pulang-pergi) dengan jarak jauh dan udara tipis di atas 2.800 m; jalur jelas tetapi menuntut stamina
Best Season: Musim kemarau austral, sekitar Mei–November, saat langit lebih cerah dan risiko badai siang lebih kecil; berangkat dini hari untuk menghindari kabut
Permits & Rules: Tidak perlu izin khusus; kawasan masuk Parc national de La Réunion (Situs Warisan Dunia UNESCO) sehingga berlaku aturan konservasi jalur
Hazards: Kabut tebal yang datang cepat pada siang hari, angin kencang dan suhu dingin di puncak, dehidrasi karena jalur panjang tanpa sumber air, serta tepian rempart yang curam ke arah Mafate

Description

Grand Bénare is a 2,898 m summit on the island of Réunion, a French overseas department in the south-western Indian Ocean, and the island's third-highest peak after the Piton des Neiges (3,070 m) and the Gros Morne. It is also the high point of the commune of Trois-Bassins. Its name is thought to come from the Malagasy word "Benara", meaning "where it is very cold" — fitting for the freezing pre-dawn air at its top. Geologically it is not an active volcano but part of the eroded rim (rempart) of the long-extinct Piton des Neiges shield volcano, whose collapse carved Réunion's great cirques. From the summit hikers get one of the island's widest panoramas, perched between the Cirque de Mafate to the north-west and the Cirque de Cilaos to the south-east, with the Piton des Neiges beyond. The classic route starts at the Maïdo viewpoint and follows the high rempart for several hours; another approach climbs from the La Glacière / Fenêtre des Makes side. As the area lies within the UNESCO-listed Parc national de La Réunion, walkers are expected to stay on-trail and protect its endemic vegetation.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Dari Fenêtre des Makes lewat Petit Bénare

Berat, jarak jauh

Pendakian sehari penuh yang panjang

A southern alternative: starting from the Fenêtre des Makes, the trail passes the Petit Bénare before reaching the Grand Bénare. This route is quieter and longer than the Maïdo approach. The Randopitons guide lists its distance, elevation gain, and estimated time.

Source

Dari Maïdo menyusuri rempart (rute klasik)

Menengah–berat, jalur bertanda

Sekitar 6–8 jam pulang-pergi

The most popular route to the Grand Bénare starts at the Maïdo viewpoint and follows the high rempart ridge southwards, with the Cirque de Mafate dropping away to the right. This long, exposed trail demands stamina and an early start to reach the summit before the cloud rises. The official RandoRéunion guide shows the terrain and its panorama.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Accounts of climbing the Grand Bénare consistently stress three things: a long, stamina-testing trail, the need for a very early start to beat the cloud, and the reward of a 360° panorama often called one of Réunion's finest — perched between the Cirque de Mafate and the Cirque de Cilaos. The clips below, including one from Réunion's official tourism board, convey the classic route from the Maïdo and the freezing pre-dawn summit atmosphere.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.