Plaine des Sables

Plaine des Sables is a high-altitude lava desert on the Route du Volcan (D161) in south-east Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, lying between Bourg-Murat and the Pas de Bellecombe trailhead. Its reddish-grey volcanic gravel and near-total lack of vegetation give the plain a landscape unlike anywhere else on the island, often compared to Mars or the moon because of its colour and barrenness. It formed from ash and cinder deposits rather than solid lava flows. The access road crosses it in a series of switchbacks before dropping to the Piton de la Fournaise car park, and the change from green highland pasture to bare red-grey ground happens within a few hundred metres. Visitors can stop at roadside pullouts to walk out onto the cinders, photograph the cones and craters scattered across the plain, and look towards the volcano rim. Notable stops include the Cratère Commerson and Cratère Kapor viewpoints along the way, and the Formica Leo cone near the end of the road. A typical stop lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, though many visitors treat the plain as part of the larger drive up to the volcano. Morning on a clear day gives the best light and visibility, while later in the day cloud and heat haze often reduce views. May and June are cited as a good time before heat haze builds. The plain is busiest on weekends and when the volcano is active, since many day trippers pass through on the way to Pas de Bellecombe. The road closes when an eruption begins, so checking the volcano status before setting out is wise. There are no services between Bourg-Murat and the volcano car park, and the exposed plain offers no shade, so fuel, water, a hat and sun protection are necessary. Strong wind and sudden cloud can make the temperature drop quickly, so a windproof layer is also useful for those who walk out onto the cinders.