Africa > Réunion > Cirque de Salazie
The Cirque de Salazie is the greenest and most accessible of Réunion's three great natural amphitheatres. From the coastal town of Saint-André, the road climbs steeply into a deep canyon of sheer walls, twisted valleys, and waterfalls that pour down the cliff faces on every side. On a clear morning the cirque is spectacular; most of the time it is wrapped in cloud, which has its own drama.
The road ends at Hell-Bourg, a village of well-preserved Creole architecture — brightly painted wooden houses with fretwork verandas dating from the mid-19th century. It has been named one of France's most beautiful villages. The surrounding area offers several good day hikes, and Hell-Bourg is a reasonable base for exploring the northern part of the cirque on foot.
On the way up from the coast you pass through Salazie village, worth a stop for the Saturday market and for the view back down the canyon. Several roadside stalls sell chouchou (chayote squash) — the staple crop of the cirque — in various preparations.
Unlike the Cirque de Mafate, Salazie is fully accessible by car, though the road is narrow with passing places. Allow about 45 minutes from Saint-André to Hell-Bourg.