Navigating the Chemin des Anglais Hiking Route in La Réunion
According to regional tourism and geographical records documented by sources, the Chemin des Anglais in La Réunion offers a demanding 9-kilometer basalt-paved hiking trail connecting La Possession and Saint-Denis. The route features nearly 700 meters of elevation change, traversing steep switchbacks, dramatic ravines such as the Ravine à Malheur and Ravine de la Petite Chaloupe, and remnants of the island’s railway history near Grande-Chaloupe before climbing toward the Colorado weather station.
Route Profile and Key Trail Statistics
The trail demands physical endurance and careful footing across uneven basalt cobblestones. According to route descriptions, the excursion spans approximately 9 kilometers of paved volcanic stones with steep gradients. The initial climb out of La Possession gains significant elevation quickly over 500 meters, featuring a 130-meter elevation shift through exposed switchbacks under the shade of tamarind trees. Hikers encounter multiple technical descents and ascents crossing the Ravine à Malheur and Ravine de la Petite Chaloupe before reaching the historic hamlet of Grande-Chaloupe.
Historical Milestones Along Grande-Chaloupe
Passing through Grande-Chaloupe brings hikers alongside infrastructural artifacts from the island’s colonial and industrial past. According to regional guides, visitors cross paths with the former railway line, a preserved steam locomotive, and the historical lazarettos. The route then transitions into its second major basalt-paved climbing section, ascending steeply past the Les Bambous neighborhood toward Saint Bernard.
Ascent to Colorado and Final Descent
The final stretches of the itinerary lead upward past the Ravine à Jacques toward the Colorado weather station. According to trail layouts, hikers navigate a series of paved tracks and forestry paths maintained with Office National des Forêts (ONF) signposting. The final descent towards the Pont Vin-San in Saint-Denis requires technical navigation down steep, root-laden dirt paths and stone steps where natural handholds and tree branches assist hikers through the final steep gradient.
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