PUDDLE FOREST

Mare Longue is a primary rainforest of exceptional botanical richness. Decimated by two centuries of intensive deforestation, miraculously rescued by major conservation efforts, today less than 7% of this original tropical rainforest remains, located mainly in Saint-Philippe. Thérésien Cadet (1937-1987), a professor at the University of La Réunion, was the driving force behind this awareness. In the 1970s, his passion and commitment to the in-depth study of the plant species that make up the Mare Longue forest drew the attention of its managers to the need to preserve this "jewel of Reunion's natural heritage". A stele pays tribute to him at the start of a trail that takes around 1h30 to complete. This is one of Réunion's most beautiful botanical trails, in what is the island's first biological reserve.

Hiking. Take a stroll through the vegetation that has replaced the La Fournaise flows. There are two routes to the botanical trails, signposted on the left of the N2. The first, signposted at the Baril exit, follows a path that joins forest road 4, which leads to the trailhead. The second takes the RF4 directly to the trailhead. On this walk, you'll discover the forest's coloured woods, grand natte, benzoin, cinnamon tree, red-barked rampart wood, candle wood, vanilla stakes and other rare pearls. A leisurely stroll that doesn't tire you out.