Escaping the Crowd:
Why June is the Best Time to Trek La Réunion’s Grande Traversée
“Conveniently, there is also an abundance of trails – about 600 miles worth, by some estimates… Here, the scenery changes faster than a Twitter feed, offering.. an array of astounding landscapes to gaze at, from fields of lentils to cirques of high peaks, forests, and plains, all punctuated by views of a shimmering coastline.”
Kilian Jornet Burgada, National Geographic
If you’re planning the Grande Traversée, La Réunion’s long island-crossing trek, June is hard to beat. It sits right in the heart of the island’s dry season, when conditions on the trail are at their most reliable and the weather works with you, not against you.
Not to mention, you get to escape the Australian Winter!!
Clear Skies and Stable Weather
June marks the start of the cool, dry season that runs from May through October. During this time, rainfall drops significantly and skies clear up, which means more consistent, drier days on the trail.
That’s great news for a long trek that takes you deep into the island’s volcanic interior and up high into mountain terrain. Trails stay firmer, rivers are lower, and the risk of chunky afternoon tropical rainstorms that can wash out paths is much reduced.
Comfortable Temperatures for Big Days
The weather in June is noticeably cooler than during the wet season, especially up in the highlands and near the summits. You still get warm sunshine on the coast, but up where you’ll be hiking day after day the temperatures are much more comfortable for long, hard walking.
That balance makes big altitude gains and steep sections feel easier than they would under humid, wet conditions.
Longer Days and Better Views
With clearer weather comes better visibility. June often brings crisp mornings and wide-open views over the cirques, ridges and peaks that define La Réunion’s interior.
Whether you’re chasing sunrise from a mountain hut or looking back across a cliff-lined valley, the odds of seeing the landscape clearly are higher than in the wetter months.
Outdoor Activities Stack Up Around the Trek
June doesn’t just make the Grande Traversée better, it opens up side experiences, too. It’s prime season for whale watching off the west coast, with humpbacks passing by, and it’s dry enough to take in extra hikes or explore volcanic landscapes around Piton de la Fournaise after your crossing.
Easier Planning and Logistics
The dry season draws more visitors overall, but June comes before the peak school holiday crowds of July and August. That means good availability in mountain huts, easier bookings for transfers and guides, and a slightly quieter trail without paying top-tier peak prices.
In short:
June gives you the best mix of stable weather, comfortable trail conditions, big views and easier logistics, all without the headaches of heavy rain or heat (although remember, this is the tropics, so rain is still possible at any time).
It’s the time when the Grande Traversée feels like a proper adventure, not a battle with the elements.
Trek the Grande Traversée with No Roads Expeditions
Our La Réunion Grande Traversée is an incredible crossing of this diverse French outpost, showcasing its most dramatic high mountain landscape, lush jungles, remote communities and experiencing the rich Creole culture.
There’s also the accolade of ascending the highest point in the Indian Ocean!
Explore the full itinerary here: The Grande Traversée
Wow! What an adventure!
Such diversity of terrain, such richness of food & culture, and such challenging, but rewarding hiking.
Make sure your knees are in good shape, bring trekking poles, and prepare yourself for a stunning, yet at times brutal adventure!
