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.
Where it runs
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Character
Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,615 – 2,363 mHazards
- 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: Road geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Route du Volcan.
