Our first stop today is the Takamaka Gorge. From the coastal road, we drive up to about 800 m elevation into the valley. The drive takes half an hour and rewards us with a magnificent view into the deep gorge, where two small reservoirs sit, fed by several waterfalls plunging into them. The adjacent power station supplies around two-thirds of Reunion's electricity.

Then we head back to the coast until the turnoff to the Cirque de Salazie branches off to the left. After about half an hour's drive on the D48 through a beautiful green valley, we arrive in the village of Salazie and find ourselves in front of the church and the Hotel de Ville (town hall).

At the edge of town, we turn right towards Ilet a Cordes, a small mountain village. In Ilet a Cordes, we turn right after the church, past picnic areas and the idyllic mountain lake Mare .....

Another road leads from Ilet a Cordes via Le Belier to the Bord Martin parking area at the Col des Boeufs at 1,960 m. Parts of the road are lined with trumpet trees and tree-sized poinsettias. Time and again, there are magnificent views of Salazie, Ilet a Cordes and the Cascades du Voile de la Mariee - the Bridal Veil Waterfalls. Probably the most sought-after attraction in the Cirque de Salazie.

Once at the top, we wanted to enjoy the views of Piton de Maido, Piton des Neiges and the Cirque de Mafate. We just manage the last one before rolling fog banks block the view within minutes. On the way back, we can only enjoy the view downward, as clouds close in from above. The roughly 30 km back to Salazie take us about 50 minutes.

We continue directly to what is arguably the most beautiful Creole-style village on Reunion - Hell-Bourg, where we spend the last night of our round trip at Le Relais des Cimes. The village has been awarded the distinction of being one of the most beautiful villages in France. A signposted tour leads visitors to the most beautiful houses, originally used as holiday retreats by wealthy businessmen and politicians from Reunion.

A visit to the typical Creole villa of the Folio family is highly recommended. There is a beautiful garden, 4 Madagascan tortoises (aged 5, 13, 17 and older - the old lady hisses if you get too close :-)) and 3 chameleons, one of which lives on the tree to the right of the fountain. We found it - can you??? Seek and you shall find :-)

Inside the house, there is among other things a four-poster bed that was stolen by pirates on its way from England to an Indian Maharaja and eventually ended up here. There is a guided tour for EUR 5 in French, or a self-guided tour for EUR 3.50.