Réunion · France
Route du Volcan
RF5Bourg-Murat to Pas de Bellecombe
A 23 km forestry road that traverses three alien worlds in succession, cattle pasture, wind-blasted moorland and a stark lava plain, ending at the caldera rim of Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes on earth.
Departing Bourg-Murat on the Plaine des Cafres at 1,550 m, the RF5 climbs through tree-heather moorland; the vegetation thins to nothing crossing the Plaine des Sables at 2,350 m, a Mars-like expanse of dark scoria. The final kilometres are unsealed before the road ends at the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint at 2,311 m on the rim of the Enclos Fouqué caldera, the cone of Piton de la Fournaise rising from its floor. Check eruption status before setting out.
Scenery
Best seasons
In these collections
In these guides
Route du Volcan on the map14.0 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 11Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,615.8 – 2,371 mPoints of interest2 stops
- Nez de BoeufViewpoint3.8 mi in
- Table Paysagère La Plaine des RempartsViewpoint11 mi in
Hazards
- Access prohibited during active eruptions
- Ice at Pas des Sables on winter mornings
- Final 6 km unsealed volcanic scoria
- Rapid fog at altitude
- Cyclone-season damage
Sources
“The scenes before me resembled something on Mars! It really felt like we were on Mars!”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Route du Volcan: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Route du Volcan?
How difficult is the Route du Volcan to drive?
When is the best time to drive the Route du Volcan?
Is the Route du Volcan fully paved?
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Route du Volcan.
