GUNUNG · Réunion (Prancis)

Roche Écrite

La Roche Écrite

Puncak La Roche Écrite, Réunion. Photo: source

Information

Elevation: 2.276 m
Country: Réunion (Prancis) (RE)
Location / Range: Massif du Piton des Neiges, Pulau Réunion (Samudra Hindia barat daya); di atas Saint-Denis, menghadap Cirque de Mafate dan Cirque de Salazie
Mountain type: Puncak berbatu di tepi (rempart) sisa gunung berapi perisai Piton des Neiges yang tererosi — bukan gunung berapi aktif
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: -21.0147, 55.4608
Difficulty: Berat karena panjang: pendakian sehari yang jauh (umumnya 6–9 jam pulang-pergi) dengan tanjakan panjang; jalur jelas dan bertanda tetapi menuntut stamina
Best Season: Musim kemarau austral (Mei–November); berangkat dini hari untuk memperbesar peluang panorama sebelum kabut naik
Permits & Rules: Tidak perlu izin khusus; kawasan termasuk Réserve naturelle nationale de la Roche Écrite dan Parc national de La Réunion (UNESCO), sehingga berlaku aturan konservasi ketat
Hazards: Kabut siang yang menutup pemandangan, jalur panjang tanpa sumber air, angin dingin di puncak, serta kewajiban tidak mengganggu habitat burung endemik tuit-tuit yang sangat terancam

Description

Roche Écrite is a 2,276 m summit on the island of Réunion that rises above the city of Saint-Denis and overlooks two cirques at once: the Cirque de Mafate to the south-west and the Cirque de Salazie to the south-east. Thanks to its prominent position and relative closeness to the island's capital, Roche Écrite is one of Réunion's classic day hikes — a long climb rewarded by a sweeping panorama over the giant calderas and, on a clear day, the Piton des Neiges. Geologically the peak is part of the eroded rim (rempart) of the extinct Piton des Neiges shield volcano, not an active volcano. The surrounding area is protected as a national nature reserve (Réserve naturelle de la Roche Écrite) because it is the last stronghold of the tuit-tuit, or Réunion cuckooshrike (Lalage newtoni), a critically endangered endemic bird now being recovered through a conservation programme. The main trails start from the Saint-Denis side (Le Brûlé / Mamode Camp) or from the village of Dos d'Âne to the west, both climbing through mountain forest before emerging onto the open rocky summit.

Routes

Dari Dos d'Âne (sisi barat)

Berat, jarak jauh

Pendakian sehari penuh

The route from the village of Dos d'Âne on the west side climbs through mountain forest before emerging onto the open rocky summit of Roche Écrite. It is a long, stamina-testing trail. The Randopitons guide lists distance, elevation gain, and estimated time.

Source

Dari Le Brûlé / Mamode Camp (sisi Saint-Denis)

Berat, tanjakan panjang

Sekitar 6–9 jam pulang-pergi

The classic route from the Saint-Denis side starts via Le Brûlé and the Mamode Camp gîte, a long climb through forest up to the summit overlooking the Cirque de Mafate and Salazie. It is the most common approach from the island's capital. The Randopitons guide has the details.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Experiences on Roche Écrite centre on its character as a long, classic day hike from near Saint-Denis: a climb through mountain forest ending in a double panorama over the Cirque de Mafate and the Cirque de Salazie. Several accounts also highlight its conservation side — the area is the last refuge of the endemic tuit-tuit bird. The clips below, including one from the official tourism board, show routes from Dos d'Âne and Le Brûlé and a cross-island traverse leg.

References

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