North of Réunion Island

The Pic Adam loop from Bois de Nèfles

Hard

Distance6.9km

Ascent530m

Estimated time2 h 55

Loop705 – 1,206 m−530 m of descentStart Bois de Nèfles (départ)

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The Pic Adam, also called Piton Bois de Nèfles, rises to 1,124 m above Bois de Nèfles, in the heights of Saint-Denis. This 6.9 km loop goes round it, with 530 m of ascent, and gives open views over Saint-Denis and the whole north coast. It is a half-day outing close to the city.

Map and profile

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

Loop, 6.9 km · +530 m / −530 mStops: markers on the trace and on the profile

Stops

Bois de Nèfles (départ)Placekm 0.0
Pic AdamSummitkm 1.8 1,053 m

In pictures

Trail statusClosed trail nearby: Sentier de Bois de Nèfles

The route crosses it without following it: at the junction, do not take that way.

See the closure →Checked on 7 October 2026 · ONF orders

The route

The start is at the end of the route du Piton, in the Hauts de Bois de Nèfles, at the car park by the water tanks. You get there from the boulevard Sud by following signs for Sainte-Clotilde, then Bois de Nèfles, up a winding road. Spaces are few: arrive early.

The trail climbs through forest, under guava trees, eucalyptus and tamarinds, with longoses (white ginger) in the undergrowth, and passes the Pic Adam picnic area. The trail does not go over the summit: where it comes closest, a short branch to the right leads to a viewpoint with a bench and a panel about the valleys. On a clear day the view takes in the whole north coast, from the slopes of La Montagne to Sainte-Suzanne, with Saint-Denis, Sainte-Marie and the airport below.

At the high point of the loop, around 1,200 m, leave the trail climbing to the Roche Écrite on your left and go down to the right through the branles. The path crosses the side streams of the Ravine Blanche, goes through a cryptomeria forest lined with water pipes, then guava trees, before joining the concrete road back to the car park. The descent is steep, with two ladders, a few passages with cables, high steps and roots that are slippery when wet: good shoes and poles make it more comfortable.

Good to know

Since the prefectoral order of 8 October 2026, the Bois de Nèfles trail, which links the Pic Adam loop to the Roche Écrite trail, has been closed. The loop stays open, but at the high point do not take the branch towards the Roche Écrite. Close to the city as it is, this loop crosses a forest where the trails branch out: RandoMafate keeps the map offline, shows ONF closures before you set off and the climbing left on the way, and the people close to you follow your hike on a simple web page, with a notification if the return time you announced has passed.

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.