Grand Bénare, Volcanic summit in Réunion Island, France.
Grand Bénare is a volcanic summit on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, rising to approximately 2,900 meters above sea level. The mountain is composed entirely of volcanic rock that reveals the island's formation from ancient eruptions.
The summit of Grand Bénare was reached relatively early in the history of Réunion compared with other peaks of the island. The hiking trail from the summit of Maïdo passes a former ice house (glacière) once worked by the slaves of Madame Desbassayns, who stored ice there for her household.
The name Grand Bénare is said to come from the Malagasy word "Benara", meaning "where it is very cold". Hikers on the trail from Maïdo pass an old ice house (glacière) once worked by the slaves of Madame Desbassayns, who stored ice there before refrigeration.
The hiking path starts from Maïdo parking area and passes through multiple vegetation zones at high altitude. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and steep sections along the way.
The cirques below are not volcanic craters but erosion basins carved into the remnants of the Piton des Neiges shield volcano. The summit also marks the highest point of the commune of Trois-Bassins, and its name is said to come from the Malagasy word Benara, meaning "where it is very cold".
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