Piton des Trous Blancs, Volcanic summit in Réunion, France.
Piton des Trous Blancs is a volcanic summit standing at 1525 meters, with two bowl-shaped craters formed when magma encountered underground water. The crater walls display the geological traces of these explosive origins and descend sharply into the depths.
The summit formed thousands of years ago through volcanic eruptions that fundamentally shaped Réunion's landscape. These ancient explosions left behind the crater landscape visible today, telling the geological story of the island.
The place gets its name from the pale mineral deposits that coat the crater walls, giving the summit its distinctive appearance. Visitors notice these white stains immediately when climbing, making the location unmistakable in the local landscape.
The hike is a circular route of about 7 kilometers starting from Route Forestière du Volcan and takes roughly 2.5 hours. Wear good shoes and bring plenty of water, since the climb covers about 400 meters and conditions can change quickly.
One of the two craters allows visitors to descend all the way to its floor and explore the inner structure up close. This opportunity is rare and offers an unusual glimpse into the summit's inner geology.
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