La Chapelle Walk Tour In Cilaos

This well-known short hike near Cilaos offers a chance to admire the geological curiosity that is the short canyon of La Chapelle on the Bras Rouge, made up of volcanic rocks rich in alkaline feldspar, known as trachytes.

Bring a swimming costume and sandals to visit the inside of the Chapelle, which is closed off by a small reservoir whose level varies, as indicated by the various mud marks on the walls.

To admire the play of light from the ceiling reflected on the magnificent striated rocks, it is best to arrive in the late morning. You can enter the tunnel formed by the almost 100m-high boulders, but beware of the slippery floor caused by salangane and bat droppings. You can also get close to the waterfall at the bottom if the water level is not too high.

This waterfall can be seen from above by making the dangerous exit from the bottom of the Cascade de Bras Rouge. After this safe exploration, take advantage of the many slides and waterfalls downstream of the path that leads back up to Cilaos.

The hike can start as close as possible to the trail or further into town. To warm up a little, we recommend starting at the cemetery, where parking is not a problem. You'll have to walk a little further, but you won't have any surprises, especially on a Sunday when there are more hikers and all the pitches are taken.