Things to do in Salazie and Hell-Bourg

Salazie is the greenest of Réunion's three cirques and the easiest to reach by car, a straightforward drive from Saint-André up to Hell-Bourg in around 40 minutes, unlike roadless Mafate next door, which is walking access only.

The cirque is thick with waterfalls, including the Voile de la Mariée cascading down the cliff face near Salazie village, and a viewpoint over the Trou de Fer gorge from Belouve, roughly a 45-minute drive plus a short walk.

Hell-Bourg itself, ranked among France's Plus Beaux Villages, is a cluster of creole houses built from the 1850s onward, best covered on foot in half a day, with its thermal-era villas and gardens rather than any technical hike. Expect frequent rain here, more than in Cilaos or on the west coast, so check conditions before setting out.