Hiking Le Bras Rouge - Cilaos

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Hiking Information:

Information and accommodation for hikes can be booked at the Maison de la Montagne:
www.ville-cilaos.fr

Tel. 0262317171

Hiking Tip

A hike up Piton des Neiges (3,070 m) takes about 8.5 hours and is only suitable for experienced hikers.

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Cilaos: Hiking Les Bras Rouge

Monday, 11 May

Today's hike is called Le Bras Rouge (Tour No. 28 from the Rother Hiking Guide - La Reunion: France's Hiking Paradise in the Indian Ocean*). It starts at the church of Cilaos and leads us towards Col du Taibit. We pass the old thermal springs, which are almost completely in ruins.

Wooden trail sign of the Office National des For — Richtungsweisend

Dramatic view of the steep rock walls of the Cirque de Cilaos on La R — herrliche Panoramen

Rocky hiking trail through tropical rainforest with moss-covered stones on the Les Bras Rouge route, Cilaos — über Stock und Stein

The River Le Bras Rouge

Once at the bottom, we find ourselves right at the top of the Cascade de Bras Rouge

View into the narrow gorge Le Bras Rouge with white rocks and lush tropical vegetation on La R — Der Wasserfall Le Bras Rouge

Water of the river Le Bras Rouge squeezing through a narrow white rock channel on La R

Waterfall plunging over vertical dark rock walls in the canyon of Le Bras Rouge near Cilaos, La R

From here the trail climbs steeply, often in the blazing sun. But the views reward us for the effort. Once at the top, we walk through filao forest, past agave plants and various bushes and shrubs. Again and again we enjoy a fantastic view of the waterfall and the mountains around us.

The starting point Cilaos in the background — Im Hintergrung der Ausgangspunkt Cilaos

View all the way to the ocean — Mit Blick bis zum Ozean

Les Bras Rouge in Cilaos — Durch den Fluss da unten kommen wir sp

View of the waterfall far below us — Tief unter liegt inzwischen der Wasserfall

Up and Down

Narrow hiking trail along a steep rock face with mountain pines on the Bras Rouge path near Cilaos

Tall slender waterfall cascading over a densely forested basalt wall in the mist during the Bras Rouge hike

Large nephila spider in its web on the hiking trail Le Bras Rouge on La R

Jungle-like hiking path with steps leading through tropical vegetation in the Bras Rouge valley near Cilaos

Riverbed of Le Bras Rouge with orange mineral streaks and boulders deep in the mountain gorge

Foaming water of the Bras Rouge rushing over dark rocks seen from above during the hike in Cilaos

Small natural pool between smooth white granite rocks with tufts of grass in the Bras Rouge valley

Wide smooth rock slabs with small waterfall and tropical trees at the edge of the Bras Rouge riverbed

Clouds hanging on the forested ridges above the deep gorge of the Bras Rouge near Cilaos, La R

Once again it's steeply downhill to another crossing of the Bras Rouge, and whoever goes down must climb steeply back up. Contrary to the signs, including snack breaks and photo stops we need almost 5 hours instead of 3

Hiker standing on a narrow rocky ridge with panoramic view into the deep green valley of Le Bras Rouge

Rain-soaked muddy hiking trail through dense rainforest on the Bras Rouge path — vern

Top-down view of the Le Bras Rouge riverbed with characteristic orange mineral streaks on white rocks — oxidierendes Thermalwasser beim Quellaustritt

Bird by the trail in Cilaos — der hier verfolgt einen sogar regelrecht

We had actually planned to relax in the thermal springs and go for a swim

Misty mountain road lined with tall cryptomeria trees on the way to the Cirque de Cilaos, La Reunion

Rest area with rental car and small stone hut at the hiking trail Le Bras Rouge in the Cirque de Cilaos, La Reunion

Afterwards, a quick detour to Bras Sec, just a few kilometres from Cilaos and the starting point for many beautiful hikes.

On the way back we pick up 3 hikers who look just as exhausted as we did about 3 hours earlier. After a short stroll through Cilaos, we head straight for the hot bathtub

Last updated on 01.04.2026