Downhill mountain biking in the mountains and mountain Mafate Maido. Mafate The Circus is one of the 3 major collapses oldest volcano on the island of Reunion. This is the wildest and the only that remains inaccessible to vehicles. It can be reached only on foot or by helicopter. The edge of the circus is an almost vertical wall, over 1000m high. It's called "wall". Maïdo Peak (2203M) is located on the western edge of the "wall". Maïdo, in Malagasy, means "scorched earth". However, even from a botanical point of view, this ballad is enriching, because to get to the platform Maïdo, you need to start your journey from sea level, and as you get up, you will cross several layers of vegetation: growing areas (sugar cane and coffee), to the forests of height 1000 m (up to 1900m) with particular trees marmoset. Then, the forest disappears, as shown meadows. From the 2000m high, only to fall short of some plants, such as bushes, gorse and grasses. One advantage of Maïdo is easily accessible by car, in an excellent way: not as frequent to climb 2000m without tiring! You will arrive in a parking 2180m high and you will only have to walk 5 minutes to join the Belvedere. On the road, crossing villages where still cultivate plants such as geranium and vetiver, which is used in perfumery. From 1500 meters high, is passed along numerous kiosks equipped for barbecue, where families come to picnic meeting and even to spend the weekend in a friendly atmosphere. Along the way, first ignore the fields and the coastal plain, then through the forest, and when you leave it, you will discover the great landscape of the west of the island. Last but not least, from the viewpoint, the Mafate incredible view of the circus, with its impressive height and verticality of the cliffs will bring you breathless! From there, if you look up, receive island summits:. The Piton des neige ("snow peak" - 3070m), the Gros Morne (2991m, where the convergence of the cliffs of Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos cliffs to the right, you will see the summit Bénare Great (2896m), accessible on foot from Maïdo (6 hours to go / back). On the other side Mafate circus can make a good trip to Roche and Roche Ecrite Verre Bouteille viewpoints.> In the first, start your journey from 'Le Brulé "village, with views of Saint-Denis.> In the second, begin their journey from the village of "Dos d'Ane", overlooking Le Port. Maïdo is a good starting point for beautiful walks:> Grand Bénare (2896m), of 6-7 h to and.> Mafate Walk, by way of "The Gap", we reach the village of Roche Plate, 1100m lower: 2.5 hours to descend, but 4 hours to obtain a copy Security This trip is not recommended for people suffering from vertigo! By thrills amateurs, Maïdo is an ideal place to practice:> Paragliding and hang gliding> Mountain biking: good advice: Maido is possible to reach the mountain bike rental company van, and ride down with his mountain bike: a great pleasure! MTB rental companies:> Télénavette, located in Saint Gilles: 02 62 45 18 67.> Meeting Rando Passion: February 62 24 26 19 ou 06 92 88 54 58. www.vttreunion.com MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Instead of driving back to St. Paul by the same way, a good tip is to take the "Route Forestry 9" (forest road no.9 ): This road is also called "Route des Tamarins" (Tamarin Tree Road) leading to Tévelave, overlooking Entang Salé (Salty Lake). This is a very nice way (40 km long, which is always in the forest between 1200m and 1400m high, offers a very attractive, cool and quiet. Along the way, many picnic spots very well equipped and maintained at their disposal. If you are caught in the rain, halfway a way to escape and leads to Saint-Leu. GETTING THERE: By car: you have to leave (temprano!) From Saint Paul and the cross "Guillaume" and "Petite France" people using the road RF8. At about 25 km to to go. A TIP TO EAT: Bring your own food! There are a number of places that await you in gorgeous locations, equipped with barbecue. You only have the embarrassment of the choice and, if you prefer, you can always find a secluded place. DATA Hours INTEREST: It is imperative to leave very early. Like many islands, clouds can go very fast, usually around 10 am, is deprived of sight. So feel free to check out the day rise.