Cirque de Salazie & Hell-Bourg

Cirque de Salazie is the greenest and wettest of Réunion's three volcanic cirques, in the north-east interior of the French island in the Indian Ocean. Its steep slopes are covered in tree ferns and laced with waterfalls fed by some of the highest rainfall on the island. The village of Hell-Bourg sits inside the cirque and was historically a thermal spa town for colonial-era visitors, before a landslide destroyed the original springs. The usual way in is the RD48 from Saint-André, a drive of about 45 minutes that climbs steadily into the cirque and passes roadside viewpoints and waterfalls, including the Voile de la Mariée, a set of thin cascades that give the cirque its reputation for lushness. Cascade Niagara, a wide waterfall beside the road between Salazie village and Hell-Bourg, makes an easy stop without hiking. Visitors can combine the drive with a stroll through Hell-Bourg, a look at the cirque's chayote and watercress farms, and onward trips towards Grand Îlet and the Bélouve forest, from where the Trou de Fer gorge can be viewed. A visit takes from half a day to a full day depending on the number of stops. The best vantage point for the Voile de la Mariée is the roadside pullout on the way up to Hell-Bourg, particularly after rain when every strand is running. Rain can arrive at almost any time of day because of the trade winds, so waterfall viewing is best planned for the morning before cloud builds up the valley. Crowds are lightest on weekdays and early in the day, while weekends see more local day visitors. Car Jaune bus line 18 serves the cirque from Saint-André for around €3 for those without a vehicle, though a car gives more flexibility for photo stops along the road. Visitors should carry a rain jacket and allow time for the winding road.