Set off on a hike to discover the endemic flora of the Bélouve primary forest as far as the Trou de Fer viewpoint and its exceptional waterfall ! On the east of Réunion Island, the Bélouve forest occupies a plateau perched at 1300 metres on the edge of the Cirque de Salazie. At the heart of the Parc National de la Réunion, it is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will meet your professional mountain guide at the start of the trail. Before you even start the hike, you'll enjoy a superb view of the whole cirque de Salazie from the top of the rampart. Your guide will tell you more about the site of Bélouve and its historic forestry activity. You will then follow your guide along the forest trails and paths, observing all the flora around you. The forest is renowned for its many endemic species and tropical vegetation. These include the "tamarin des hauts", an endemic acacia whose precious wood is used by some local cabinet-makers. In fact, you'll pass by "La Reine des Tamarins", a 300-year-old tree that after a cyclone remained lying on its side and has been left that way. Wooden footbridges will allow you to cross less accessible areas with ease, and walk through this forest with its magical atmosphere, surrounded by tree ferns, colourful wooden trunks covered in moss and wild orchids. At the end of the trail, you'll reach a breathtaking viewpoint of the Trou de Fer and its endless cascades pouring down almost 300 metres. After a picnic break (not included), you'll head back down to the starting point.
Liven up your holidays!
