Mafate: 4×4 Ride and Public Hike in Réunion – Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever heard about Mafate? It is an amazing, escape-from-reality destination and a great spot for some rest and relaxation in the Indian Ocean – the French island of Réunion. With plenty of activities on offer, it is the perfect place to get away from it all.

One of the most popular activities is a Mafate 4×4 ride and public hike. There are a wide range of tours and guided hikes around the awesome mountainous area, with fantastic views of gorgeous scenery, nature, and wildlife.

This guide provides all the information you need to know about the amazing Mafate 4×4 ride and public hike in Réunion, including what you need to know before you go, the different tours and hikes available, how to get there, and how to book your trip. Let’s take a look.

What Is Mafate?

Mafate is a remote area on the French island of Réunion, part of the Mascarene Islands off Madagascar and Mauritius. The area is surrounded by cliffs and has a lush greenery. The name “Mafate” originated from the local Creole word “Mafati”, which means “stuck” as the area is only accessible by foot or muletrain.

Located in the Réunion National Park, Mafate covers an area of 6,456 hectares (15,960 acres) and has some of the most stunning landscape in the world. It has three small “circuses” or cauldrons, in which rivers form deep narrow valleys in hills surrounded by cliffs, framed by basalt rock shapes of all sizes. This breathtaking view is made even more beautiful by lush green vegetation and colorful wildflowers.

What Is the Mafate 4×4 Ride and Public Hike?

The Mafate 4×4 Ride and Public Hike are two ways for visitors to experience this idyllic location. Visitors can either join an organized tour or trek independently through this incredible landscape.

The 4×4 ride is an eight-hour tour on a 4×4 vehicle or mule cart across the island of Réunion to take in some of its awe-inspiring beauty. This ride offers breathtaking views of the volcano, lush valleys, rivers, waterfalls, rainforests, and steep gorges, stopping along the way for photo opportunities.

Alternatively, visitors can choose to explore this majestic area on their own. Hiking through Mafate allows tourists to experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in Réunion and spot a wide range of flora and fauna along the way. Popular hiking trails allow hikers to explore scenic valleys, pick up rare flowers and herbs used for traditional medicine on nothern Réunion, and discover old lava flows from previous eruptions.

What Do You Need to Know Before You Go?

There are some important things that you should know before you visit Mafate on either a tour or independently. Firstly, it is advisable to make sure you have packed properly for this type of trip – waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes are essential as you will be hiking for a long time. It is also a good idea to pack enough water and snacks as there are not many places to stop along the trail.

You should also consider getting local travel insurance in case of any unexpected events or accidents while you are trekking through Mafate – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

It is important that you read up on the conditions before your trip. The weather in Mafate can be unpredictable and can drastically change during the day. Check the weather forecast a few days before as this will determine if you will be able to make it on your intended date.

Finally, it is essential that you look out for any hazards when trekking through Mafate – there are wild animals around such as hyraxes, guerrillas, chameleons, geckos, skinks, bats, lizards, frogs, snakes, iguanas and others so it’s essential that you look out for them and keep your eyes open when exploring this area.

What Tours and Hikes are Available?

There are several tours available which provide guided hikes around Mafate as well as 4×4 rides across the island which can usually be tailored depending on your specific needs. Here are four top-rated tours:

• A Unique 4X4 Ride in Réunion Island – Explore Réunion Island on a 4×4 car with experienced drivers as they explain the history behind each site.
• Réunion Island: 4X4 Ride Into Mafate – This 4×4 guided tour takes you through wild landscapes, volcanic ridges with deep gorges surrounded by lush basalt rock.
• Réunion Private Hike Through Mafate – Enjoy spectacular views on an exclusive walking tour of one of Réunion’s hidden gems.
• Circus of Salazie Hike and Waterfall Visit – Discover natural wonders in one of Réunion’s most stunning cirques with a tour guide.

How Do You Get There?

The best way to get to Mafate from major towns such as Saint-Denis or Saint Pierre is by car or bus followed by an Easterly trek towards La Nouvelle route du Volcan (NRV). You can also get there by helicopter service if you wish. From there you can begin your journey into Mafate which should take around 5-6 hours along a rocky path in order to reach your intended destination.

How Can I Book My Trip?

There are several ways to book your trip to Mafate ranging from guided tours with GetYourGuide to independent hikes with a professional guide or tools to help you plan your own customized routes and accommodations on your hike.

If you want an organized tour with expert guides and local travel experts then GetYourGuide is definitely the way to go – they offer an array of unique tours such as private helicopter transfer rides over Mafate’s volcanos as well as 4×4 rides across the island through hidden gems like Mararain Falls and Trou de Fer gorges. These tours take care of all necessary logistics so all you have to do is turn up ready for your unforgettable experience! To book an unforgettable experience with GetYourGuide click here.

If you prefer something more low-key there are also local guides who will take you on private hikes or independent hikers who just want navigation tools or access to online resources as they prepare their route independently but safely. For tips on navigating the trail, we recommend checking out the free online forum called Faites de Vous même (Do It Yourself) located at doityourself-reunion-mafate-forum or reading through some books such as République – Voyage hors des sentiers battus (Republic – The Other Side). For advice from seasoned trekkers who have traversed this beautiful area before check out Facebook groups such as Trekking Reunion Island for help planning your trip.

Conclusion

Mafate is definitely an amazing destination for both 4×4 rides over the island and public hikes with incredible views of nature at every turn. By using this guide, we hope you now have a better idea of what activities there are available in Mafate, what you need to know before you go there, how to get there, and how to book your trip. To guarantee an unforgettable experience, book your private hike or 4×4 tour with GetYourGuide here.. Enjoy your time in Réunion!