Piton des Neiges (3070 m.) on left, view from Le Maïdo
Hiking the Grand Bord, part of the rim of the Mafate volcano crater on the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion. Hike from the Le Maïdo parking (2205 m.) on the Route de la Glacière to an overlook at 2414 m.on the Grand Bord. A specific climate zone, plentiful sunshine (UV Index 15 today) plus moisture and temperatures result in small leaves and flowers on vegetation that is hardened to the conditions.
The overlooks down and across the Mafate crater are impressive and precipitous. Hiking alongside the rim, the overlooks evolving (and the clouds building) as I moved gave a fantastic perspective on the size of this volcano. A vast mountain, this is more than 2200 m. above the beach and the ocean floor is still at least 2000 m. further below.
The Route de la Glacière has been improved since it was cut for slave transport to bring ice stored in a cave down from the mountain for use in the towns below. The rock known as La Vierge (The Virgin), appears in profile just after a particularly arduous part of the climb. I’m thinking the naming was more venal than religious.
The clouds were building rapidly, filling the Mafate crater alongside, spilling up over the edge and became thick fog on the way down, which made a tough drive.
Another sunset over the ocean at St Gilles les Bains with a sunset cocktail. Then talking local French with one of the servers at a beach restaurant where I’ve been eating. That resulted in ordering fresh créole samosas, three different sorts. Hottest red sauce yet. And one of them (twice) full of something hot. Give him the hot stuff and see how he goes... And a different rhum. Sweating again!
This is one of the hikes I’ve been training for: very happy to have enjoyed it despite the tropical conditions and altitude.
