GUNUNG · Réunion (Prancis)

Piton de la Fournaise

Piton de la Fournaise (Prancis: "Puncak Tungku"; lokal: le Volcan)

Information

Elevation: 2.632 m
Country: Réunion (Prancis) (RE)
Location / Range: Réunion Island, Indian Ocean — Parc National de La Réunion (UNESCO)
Mountain type: Highly active shield volcano (effusive; lava eruptions almost every year)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: -21.2440, 55.7080
Difficulty: Moderate (standard trek from Pas de Bellecombe ~7.5 km round trip; non-technical but rough lava terrain)
Best Season: April–October (local dry season); but an actual eruption can close the trail at any time
Permits & Rules: No special permit for the standard trek; access is automatically closed when the volcano is actively erupting (OVPF-IPGP warning system). Parc National de La Réunion manages the area
Hazards: Volcanic gas, fresh lava fissures, unstable ground, sudden fog, trails closed during eruptions; always check OVPF status

Description

Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m) is a highly active shield volcano on the eastern side of Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. Frequently ranked among the world's most active volcanoes — alongside Kīlauea, Stromboli and Etna — it erupts on average several times a year, almost always effusively (lava flows) that rarely endanger visitors. Locals simply call it "le Volcan". Its summit is ringed by the great Enclos Fouqué caldera, and the celebrated hiking route begins at the Pas de Bellecombe overlook: hikers descend a metal stairway to the caldera floor, cross the lava field following painted white dots, pass the small Formica Léo scoria cone, then climb the eastern flank to the rim of the Dolomieu crater. The whole area lies within the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Pitons, cirques et remparts de l'île de La Réunion", and its activity is closely watched by the local volcano observatory, so the trail is closed the moment an eruption is detected.

Gallery

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

Routes

Boucle Formica Léo (variasi pendek)

Mudah (loop pendek di dasar kaldera)

±1–1,5 jam pulang-pergi

A short option using the same trailhead and stairway down into the Enclos, but turning back at the reddish Formica Léo scoria cone without continuing to Dolomieu. Ideal for those short on time or when the upper trail is closed for weather/eruption. It still delivers the sensation of walking on the volcanic caldera floor.

Source

Pas de Bellecombe → Enclos Fouqué → Cratère Dolomieu (jalur standar)

Sedang (medan lava kasar, non-teknis; sepatu kokoh wajib)

±5–6 jam pulang-pergi

The most popular and the only recommended route when the volcano is quiet. It starts at the Pas de Bellecombe car park (~2,350 m) on the rim of the Enclos Fouqué caldera. A metal stairway descends the rempart to the caldera floor; from there hikers cross the lava field following painted white dots, pass the red Formica Léo scoria cone, then climb the eastern flank to the rim of the Dolomieu crater (~2,632 m). Fog can rise within minutes — do not leave the markers. The trail closes automatically during eruptions; always check the observatory status before setting out. Descending into the crater is forbidden.

Route Segments

1

Pas de Bellecombe → Lantai Kaldera Enclos Fouqué

⏱ ±15–20 menit 2.250 mdpl

Tangga logam menuruni rempart; awal trek yang dramatis
2

Lantai Kaldera → Formica Léo → Kaki Kerucut Dolomieu

⏱ ±1,5–2 jam 2.300 mdpl

Menyeberangi lava mengikuti titik cat putih; lewat kerucut skoria Formica Léo
3

Kaki Kerucut → Bibir Kawah Dolomieu (puncak)

⏱ ±1–1,5 jam 2.632 mdpl

Pendakian curam di lava; pemandangan kawah Dolomieu; waspada retakan & gas

Source

Climbing Experiences

Hiking Piton de la Fournaise is unlike any other mountain: not forests and cliffs but a sea of black, brown and red lava that feels like walking on another planet. From the Pas de Bellecombe car park, hikers descend a metal stairway to the Enclos Fouqué caldera floor, cross the hard lava field following painted white dots, pass the Formica Léo scoria cone, then climb the eastern flank to the rim of the Dolomieu crater. Fog can rise within minutes, so never leave the marked trail. The sources below include first-person vlogs (French and English) plus written trail guides.

References

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