A Martian landscape of red scoria on the road to the volcano
At a glance
- Category
- Nature
- Time needed
- 20–40 min
- Opening hours
- 24 hours
- Admission
- Free
- Places to stay nearby
- 5 places to stay within 5 km
A plateau of red and ochre volcanic scoria, crossed by the unpaved section of the Route du Volcan. Stop at the Pas des Sables viewpoint before descending onto the plain — the best view is from above.
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: Plaine des Sables
All places to stay in the area →
Distance from the sight as the crow flies: Le Mahavel — 4.2 km; Chalet Piton des Songes — 5.4 km; Gîte Piton Mahot — 6.0 km; Piton Mahot — 6.0 km.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
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≈ 4.3 km
Rum, wine, vanilla
Vanilla in the east and rum distilleriesBourbon vanilla plantations and a rum museum in an old distillery
2–4 hAll year≈ 16 km
Canyons and thrills
Lava tunnels of the 2004 flowDown with a helmet and headlamp into the tubes where lava once ran
3–4 hAll year, except days of heavy rain≈ 16 kmMore to see nearby
Viewpoint
Pas de Bellecombe lookout
The rim of the caldera, facing the volcano's crater≈ 4.3 km
Hike
To the Dolomieu crater
A walk across solidified lava to the rim of the volcano's main crater≈ 6.7 km
Museum
Cité du Volcan
The volcanology museum at Plaine des Cafres≈ 8.1 km
Nature
Grand Galet waterfall (Langevin)
A wide waterfall and freshwater pools in the Langevin valley≈ 8.3 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.