Cirque de Cilaos — Grand Bassin Loop

The Grand Bassin loop is a half-day hike in the Cirque de Cilaos, in the highlands of central Réunion. The trail starts at Bras Sec, at the end of the RD240 road about 15 minutes' drive from Cilaos village, where visitors can park at the road end. The loop measures roughly 8 km and takes three to four hours, with about 550 m of ascent, which places it in the moderate category. The path climbs and descends through terraced hillsides, small farms and patches of forest, following stepped stone paths, packed earth and some rocky sections. Shade is intermittent, with open stretches that are hot by midday and cooler forest segments where the trail can be damp after rain. Along the route hikers pass the small hamlet of Bras Sec, with its traditional Creole houses, and look over the Bras de Bénare and nearby ravines, with views toward the surrounding peaks of the cirque. Because it is a loop, there is no formal turn-around point, but walkers who tire can retrace their steps to Bras Sec from the first main viewpoints. No refuge huts operate on this short loop, and drinking water is not reliably available, so about two litres per person should be carried along with a light snack. Cilaos village has restaurants, shops and accommodation for refuelling before or after the walk. Weather in the cirque can shift quickly, with cloud rolling in during the afternoon, so an earlier start is helpful for views and temperature. Sturdy hiking shoes are advisable because the stone steps are uneven and can be slippery when wet. The trail is a good introduction to the terrain of Cilaos for those who are not ready for the longer routes toward Piton des Neiges.