Visit Piton De La Fournaise: Our 5 unusual ideas

To visit one of the most active volcanoes in the world, you can, of course, do it the traditional way by hiking. But that’s not the only way to get acquainted with the lava titan! Here are 5 unusual ways to discover Piton de La Fournaise.

1. Go to a concert in a lava tube

What do caving and music have in common? At first sight, nothing. But you clearly don’t know Piton de La Fournaise! In the company of the enthusiastic Julien, the dark depths of a lava tube can be transformed into an unusual concert hall. Reassured by the guide’s self-assurance – he knows this place inside out – we enter tunnels formed by the cooled magma from old lava flows. This place is like no other and a particularly original introduction to caving!

In the pitch black, as we leave a corridor to enter a vast space, an impressive silence fills the place. Then, as is from nowhere, a Creole beat tears through the darkness. All-encompassing, mesmerizing and at times dizzying, this strange underground concert has its own unusual sound and seems to come from the very centre of the earth. Julien confides that his musician friends love to play in the open air too, on full moon nights… See you there next time!

1. Go to a concert in a lava tube

What do caving and music have in common? At first sight, nothing. But you clearly don’t know Piton de La Fournaise! In the company of the enthusiastic Julien, the dark depths of a lava tube can be transformed into an unusual concert hall. Reassured by the guide’s self-assurance – he knows this place inside out – we enter tunnels formed by the cooled magma from old lava flows. This place is like no other and a particularly original introduction to caving!

In the pitch black, as we leave a corridor to enter a vast space, an impressive silence fills the place. Then, as is from nowhere, a Creole beat tears through the darkness. All-encompassing, mesmerizing and at times dizzying, this strange underground concert has its own unusual sound and seems to come from the very centre of the earth. Julien confides that his musician friends love to play in the open air too, on full moon nights… See you there next time!

Spéléo-Musique

Au cœur d'un tunnel de lave à La Réunion

Heartbeats

2. Piton de La Fournaise from the air

Watching a volcano erupt, quite safely, is a dream that can now come true. On a helicopter or a microlight, adrenaline levels rise as you gain height. Flying over the famous Piton de la Fournaise is an incredible experience, but it becomes truly exceptional when there is an eruption! The lava fountains splash the orange sky and the molten magma rushes down the slopes sweeping aside everything in its path. Being in the best seats to watch this show is indescribable and a real privilege.

An aerial adventure

3. Mountain biking over Piton de La Fournaise

While roaming the lunar landscapes of Piton de la Fournaise is already an adventure in itself, even this experience can be spiced up a bit. Are you cycling enthusiasts? You can hit the trails on a mountain bike with a professional and feel that sweet sensation of freedom pumping through your veins! And if you’re a bit of a trend-setter, you can even go for a ride on a Segway or recumbent bike along the marbled flank of the volcano.

How’s that for unusual and thrilling.

4. Visit Piton de La Fournaise using an app

Piton de la Fournaise is something you must experience at least once in your life. To make the climb to its summit more fun you can always try “The route to the Volcano through the ages”. With this free app, travellers can roam the route to the volcano in a fun and interactive way. They can discover how the “Men of the Volcano” lived and worked on this mountain. An exciting journey back in time for a different view of Piton de La Fournaise. You can download the app directly to your phone or rent a tablet from the Cité du Volcan museum.

Explore the route of the volcano in a playful way

5. With a mountain guide

To discover all the different facets of Piton de la Fournaise, what better than to go with someone who knows it like the back of their hand. Exploring Piton de la Fournaise with a mountain guide means you won’t miss out on anything, you will see every nook and cranny and hear every little anecdote. Become a volcano expert for a day, wander through the lunar landscapes, roam along the paths and discover all that Piton de la Fournaise has to offer.