Vast, picturesque desert landscape in La Réunion island, ultimately culminates at the most active volcano in the Indian Ocean

La Plaine des Sables, a unique destination located in the southeast of Réunion Island, offers an unforgettable hiking experience to ascend the Piton de la Fournaise. This volcanic wonderland, not a plain in the topographical sense but the bottom of a filled caldera, is a desert-like expanse with no trees and only a few endemic plants surviving.

The journey begins on the forested road of the Volcano (RF5), leading to the Bellecombe-Jacob pass, which stands at an altitude of 2,311 meters, marking the end of the Plaine des Sables. From here, the most direct path for the ascent of the Piton de la Fournaise unfolds.

The hike first descends towards the enclosure, then gradually climbs back up by following the white markers painted on the solidified lava flows. Along the way, hikers pass by the Commerson crater, an immense cavity born of an eruption. The itinerary also passes through the Plaine des Cafres and climbs in switchbacks to the Nez de Bœuf, a viewpoint over the river des Remparts.

The organization responsible for marking the hiking trails in the Enclos Fouqué area around the Piton de la Fournaise and offering ascent options to the volcano's summit is the Parc National de La Réunion (Reunion National Park). For those seeking a quick detour, the Formica Leo, a small reddish dome, can be reached on foot in a few minutes from the Plaine des Sables, with no marked paths or amenities.

The route to La Plaine des Sables is a winding and panoramic one, traversing contrasting landscapes up to the Piton de la Fournaise. The terrain in the Plaine des Sables is irregular, bordered by black scoria and broken crests. The narrow track composed of volcanic sand, gravel, and solidified lava flows adds to the adventure, making each step a testament to the volcanic activity that shaped this extraordinary destination.

From the Bellecombe-Jacob pass, hikers are rewarded with an exceptional panorama over the Enclos Fouqué, an immense caldera where the active cone of the Piton de la Fournaise stands. The ascent to the summit of the Piton de la Fournaise from the Bellecombe-Jacob pass, although challenging, is a journey worth taking for those seeking a unique hiking experience in Réunion Island.