The best outdoor activities in Maïdo, Saint-Paul

Discover the activities to do around the Piton Maïdo and in the Saint-Paul region! Between land and sea, there are many activities on this side of the Réunion Island!

The town of Saint-Paul is the second largest on the Réunion Island, after Saint-Denis. It is well known for its market, the largest on the island. A tour of the market is therefore a must in Saint-Paul, where you can also enjoy a few other cultural visits, notably the marine cemetery. The town has a pond, part of the Etang de Saint-Paul Nature Reserve, a small green and quiet area to visit on foot, by kayak, or even by water-ski! Saint-Paul also has a microlight base offering panoramic flights over the region and its Cirque de Mafate, an activity not to be missed under any circumstances!

Located on the coast, Saint-Paul also has a beach. However, it is not made of white sand and swimming is not allowed. A few water sports clubs offer diving and sailing in the area. But if you want to swim and snorkel, you'll have to head south where you'll find the beach of Boucan Canot.

The region of Saint-Paul, although populated, has retained some wild places within it, including the Savane de Saint-Paul, running along its coastline to the viewpoint of Cap la Houssaye. You can cross it on foot, by quad, and even on horseback! And if you want to go further inland, towards the Piton Maïdo and the Cirque de Mafate, there are many other things to do.

The Piton Maïdo (2,200 m) is located right on the border of the Cirque de Mafate, offering a superb view of the latter. You can hike up to it, and why not decide to go back downhill on a mountain bike, or paraglide for maximum thrills! Other activities are also possible at the foot of the Piton Maïdo: let's mention horse riding or quad biking, as well as summer sledging, an original and fun activity! And if you are a fan of spectacular landscapes, don't hesitate to climb the Cap Noir, or the Piton du Grand Bénare and its 2,898 m of altitude: these two viewpoints will offer you breathtaking panoramas of the Cirque de Mafate and its natural ramparts, a paradise for experienced hikers who will appreciate the challenges given by the steep slopes of this wild cirque which is only accessible by foot or by helicopter.

The region of Saint-Paul and the Cirque de Mafate, in the north-west of the Réunion Island, is therefore a must-see place, especially if you are looking for sensational activities, far from the tourist crowds of the Lagon de Saint-Gilles and the Baie de Saint-Leu. So don't pass by the Piton Maïdo and Saint-Paul without stopping: they are part of all the intensity that Réunion Island has to offer!