Saint-Paul to Cilaos ride-hailing: mountain route guide 974
Saint-Paul to Cilaos ride-hailing: mountain route guide 974
Saint-Paul (110,000 residents, 974's largest town by area) and Cilaos (one of the three cirques) are linked by the famed RN5, ranked among France's most sinuous roads with 400+ bends. It's the historical axis to the cirque. Here is how to use Zoot for this run and to explore Saint-Paul on the flat.
Contents
- Saint-Paul on the flat: market, seafront, Tour des Roches
- The RN5 to Cilaos
- Zoot fares for this run
- Hourly hire for a Cilaos day
- What to see in the cirque
- Mountain tips
- FAQ
- Related reads
Saint-Paul on the flat: market, seafront, Tour des Roches
Saint-Paul is also a flat town with its seafront, the maritime cemetery (pirate La Buse's grave), the famous Friday and Saturday morning forain market on the seafront (rated one of France's finest by the ministry), and residential neighbourhoods of Plateau-Caillou, Tour des Roches, La Possession (neighbouring town).
Saint-Paul centre to the market: 5 min, from €25. To reach Saint-Gilles or L'Ermitage: 15 min, see the Saint-Gilles and L'Ermitage guide.
Install Zoot, west and highlands
The RN5 to Cilaos
RN5 starts in Saint-Louis (south-west of Saint-Paul), not directly from Saint-Paul. Classic itinerary from Saint-Paul:
- Saint-Paul to Saint-Louis (motorway, 25 min).
- Saint-Louis to Cilaos (RN5, 1h05, 400+ bends, tunnels, gorges).
Total Saint-Paul to Cilaos: about 1h30 in clear weather. Add 15-30 min if clouds in the cirque (limited visibility).
Key RN5 points:
- Successive tunnels: road alternates gorge openings and dark sections.
- Tight crossings: bus and 4x4s can't always pass each other, sometimes you must reverse.
- Sudden rain in the cirque, especially afternoons.
That's why handing over to a driver who runs this road weekly is real comfort, you enjoy the view instead of gripping the wheel.
Zoot fares for this run
- Direct Saint-Paul to Cilaos: price shown before booking. From €25 for short rides, more for the mountain run.
- Hourly hire: from €41/h (20% commission included).
For a full Cilaos day (ascent, lunch, walk, return), 6-8 hours of hourly hire is unbeatable.
Hourly hire for a Cilaos day
Tried-and-tested plan:
- 8:30, depart Saint-Paul.
- 10:00, arrive Cilaos, coffee at Hôtel des Thermes.
- 10:30-13:00, walk at Bras-Rouge, viewpoint over Piton des Neiges.
- 13:00, lunch at a guest table (duck with vanilla, Cilaos lentils).
- 15:00, visit the wine co-op (Cilaos AOC wine).
- 16:00, descent toward Saint-Paul.
- 18:00, back at your hotel.
8 hours hourly hire at €41/h = €328 for 1-4 passengers. Far less than a stay with rental car + parking + the nervous exhaustion of the RN5.
What to see in the cirque
- Bras-Rouge and waterfall: 1h family walk.
- Piton des Neiges: 3,070 m summit, early start (5 AM) for sunrise at the top.
- Bras-Sec: authentic village, hiking trails.
- Wine co-op: Cilaos AOC.
- Thermes: sulphured water, historical spa.
For full itinerary ideas, read what to do on Reunion by ride-hail.
Mountain tips
- Book the day before: driver availability in Cilaos is rarer than on the coast.
- Motion sickness: warn the driver, they'll adapt. Avoid heavy meals before climbing.
- Weather: before climbing, check Météo France 974. Low clouds at 1,000 m = blocked panorama. Postpone to a clear day.
- Clothing: 10°C cooler than Saint-Paul. Pack a fleece even in austral summer.
FAQ
How long Saint-Paul to Cilaos by ride-hail? 1h30 in clear weather via Saint-Louis and RN5. Up to 2h with rain or traffic.
How much for the climb to Cilaos? Direct ride: price shown before booking. Day-long hourly hire is more cost-effective.
Is there mobile coverage in the cirque? Yes in Cilaos village. Patchy on the RN5 (tunnels, gorges). Pre-load the trip before climbing.
Can I sleep in Cilaos and come down the next day? Yes, book two separate rides, or schedule the return in advance.
Is there a ride-hail descending from Cilaos to Saint-Pierre? Yes, southern side. See Saint-Pierre guide, there's a southern descent via the RN5.
Related reads
Related articles
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