La Roche Ecrite

La Roche Écrite reaches 2276 metres above Saint-Denis and its summit is one of the few places from which the cirques of Mafate and Salazie can both be looked into, with Piton des Neiges standing behind and, on an exceptional morning, the whole northern half of the island laid out. The walk up from Le Brûlé takes several hours through cryptomeria plantation, tamarin forest and then heath. A gîte on the route allows an overnight start.

What you actually see

• The summit view - Mafate and Salazie both visible from the same point.
• The Piton des Neiges backdrop - the island's highest summit standing behind.
• The forest zones - cryptomeria, tamarin and heath passed on the ascent.
• The Plaine des Chicots gite - the refuge on the route allowing a pre-dawn start.

When to go

May to November is the dry season. The summit is clear only early in the morning, which is why many walkers stay at the gite and start before dawn. Winter mornings are cold.

Honest expectations

It is a long walk, several hours each way with substantial ascent. Cloud closes the view by mid-morning on most days. The path is muddy and slippery in the forest sections.

Nearby

Cap Noir is below, and Saint-Denis is north.