South of Réunion Island

The Argamasse loop from Piton Textor

Moderate

Distance7.0km

Ascent130m

Estimated time1 h 45

Loop2,019 – 2,153 m−140 m of descentStart Parking du Piton Textor

Crater lake
Piton Textor panorama
Rivière des Remparts rampart
High-altitude plants
Family friendly
Patchy waymarks

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On the heights of the Plaine-des-Cafres, the Piton Argamasse hides in its old crater one of the island's rare crater lakes, a reedy pond of less than a hectare. The National Park's loop starts from Piton Textor, at 2,150 m, drops to the Argamasse, heads for the Nez de Bœuf and follows the rim of the Rivière des Remparts before returning to the car park. Allow 7.0 km with 130 m of ascent, an easy outing, ideal for families according to the Park, which gives three hours.

Map and profile

Hover over the profile or the trace: the marker follows on both.

Loop, 7.0 km · +130 m / −140 mStops: markers on the trace and on the profile

Stops

Parking du Piton TextorPlacekm 0.0
Parking du Piton TextorPlacekm 0.0
Hauts de la Rivière des RempartsPlacekm 5.5 2,070 m

In pictures

Trail statusNo known closure on this route

Checked on 7 October 2026 · ONF ordersClosed trails in the south of the island →

The route

From Bourg-Murat, follow the Volcano road for about ten kilometres to the Piton Textor car park, easy to spot by its masts and shelters. No bus goes up there. Start by going round the fence of the masts on the left to the paragliding take-off. The view reaches from Saint-Pierre to Bras-Panon, over the Plaine des Palmistes, the Bébour and Bélouve forests and the Piton des Neiges.

Go back the way you came and take the path down towards the Argamasse, on lapilli ground. At the foot of the piton, a 300 m out-and-back straight ahead leads into the heart of the crater. Its pond is held in by the Bellecombe ash, an impermeable layer that keeps the rainwater, and it is seldom dry. The word argamasse once meant the floors where coffee was laid out to dry.

The loop sets off again towards the Nez de Bœuf, then takes a bridle path, marked in orange, to a concrete forest road. The Park warns that waymarking is uneven and that paths often cross on this stretch. Beyond the road, a path marked in yellow leads to the viewpoint over the Rivière des Remparts, on the Nez de Bœuf plateau. Its cliffs can top 1,000 m, and the Commerson crater shows in the distance. The way back follows the rampart, crosses the concrete road again and reaches the car park.

The whole loop crosses high-altitude vegetation: branle vert heath, small highland tamarinds, an endangered endemic species, and wild thyme grassland. Here 70% of the plants are endemic.

Good to know

Above 2,000 m there is neither water nor shade, and the yearly average is below 10 °C. Set off around 8 am, before the midday clouds and rain, with a windproof and sun protection. The rim of the Rivière des Remparts drops sheer: watch children closely. Fires are banned outside the fitted spots. RandoMafate keeps the map offline where waymarks are missing, shows the ONF trail closures and the forecast for the hike before you leave, and your close ones follow your outing on a simple web page.

Plan this hike in RandoMafate

The trail map offline, elevation to the metre, ONF closures and the weather for the day, and the people close to you told when you set off and when you are back.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Argamasse loop take?

The National Park gives three hours. RandoMafate estimates 1 h 45 of walking, without breaks.

Can you do it with children?

Yes, the Park presents it as an ideal family hike: little climbing and no difficult stretch. Keep children close at the rampart edge, at the viewpoint over the Rivière des Remparts.

Is there a short version?

Yes. The out-and-back from the Piton Textor car park to the Argamasse pond is 3.4 km and takes an hour and a half. The Park even suggests it at nightfall, for the sunset over the pond, with a head torch and warm clothes.

Is the Piton de Caille on the loop?

No. The Piton de Caille is about 800 m from the loop, beyond the grassy plain east of Piton Textor, and its top is reached off-trail, on a track that is hard to follow.