A walk along the Rivière des Roches gorge to pools with waterfalls
At a glance
- Category
- Hikes
- Area
- The east
- Distance
- 2 km
- Elevation gain
- 80 m
- Time
- 1 h
- Difficulty
- 1 out of 5
- With children
- Yes
- Best time
- Dry weather; in the rain, look only
- Places to stay nearby
- 8 places to stay within 10 km
A short family trail in the east: from the car park to the Bassin la Paix pool and its waterfall, then along the river to Bassin la Mer.
Bassin la Paix. 10–15 minutes down a staircase to the pool beneath the waterfall. Swimming is at your own risk; stay out of the water after rain.
Bassin la Mer. Another 30–40 minutes along a riverside path with rocky sections.
- Goes well with a vanilla plantation at Bras-Panon
- Floods are dangerous even in sunny weather, if it is raining higher up in the mountains
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: Bassin la Paix and Bassin la Mer
All places to stay in the area →
Distance from the sight as the crow flies: Héliotrope — 4.5 km; Saint Alexandre — 4.5 km; Tuit-Tuit — 5.1 km; La Ferme du Pommeau — 5.3 km.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
Rum, wine, vanilla
Vanilla in the east and rum distilleriesBourbon vanilla plantations and a rum museum in an old distillery
2–4 hAll year≈ 9.4 km
Guided hikes
Dolomieu crater with a guideA climb up Piton de la Fournaise with the volcano explained on the way
5–6 hDrier May — November; start at dawn≈ 15 km
Canyons and thrills
Canyoning in Cilaos and SalazieWaterfall descents, from beginner canyons to sporting ones
Half a day to a full dayMay — November≈ 17 kmMore to see nearby
Hike
Trou de Fer lookout from Bélouve
A chasm with waterfalls hundreds of metres high — the most photographed view on the island≈ 5.7 km
Nature
Voile de la Mariée waterfall
A tiered waterfall right beside the road to Salazie≈ 11 km
Village
Hell-Bourg
A Creole village listed among the most beautiful in France≈ 12 km
Museum
Cité du Volcan
The volcanology museum at Plaine des Cafres≈ 14 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.