Piton des Songes, Volcanic summit in La Plaine-des-Palmistes, France

Piton des Songes is a 1,222-metre summit in the commune of La Plaine-des-Palmistes, in the Hauts of Reunion Island. Its upper part is a steep, massive rock face of dark grey to brownish stone topped by a broad, flat-topped ridge, while its lower slopes merge into rounded, green vegetated hills. It rises above a distant town and the sea.

Pilgrims have climbed Piton des Songes for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on 14 September; in 2008 about 7,000 faithful made the trip, mostly elderly people with some families and children. The summit, 1,222 m high in the commune of La Plaine-des-Palmistes, is reached by two trails that also allow walkers to circle the peak.

Every 14 September the summit hosts a Catholic pilgrimage for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; in 2008 about 7,000 faithful made the trip, mostly elderly people with some families and children. Two trails allow walkers to circle the peak.

The site is best reached on foot via marked hiking trails that circle the area and lead to the summit. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for varied terrain and elevation changes.

The 14 September pilgrimage draws thousands to this 1,222 m summit in La Plaine-des-Palmistes for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; in 2008 about 7,000 faithful came, mostly elderly people and some families with children. No cross or inscription appears on the summit in photographs.