Caverne Dufour Hut
A vital mountain refuge for climbing Piton des Neiges, offering basic accommodation, hearty meals, and a communal atmosphere at high altitude.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Unforgettable summit views
Caverne Dufour Hut
Best Time
Unforgettable summit views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vital mountain refuge for climbing Piton des Neiges, offering basic accommodation, hearty meals, and a communal atmosphere at high altitude.
"It's a machine: you eat, sleep, wake up for sunrise, and feel accomplished."
Bring Cash for Everything
No card payments accepted here! Carry enough cash for meals, drinks, and any essentials you might need. :moneywithwings:
Pack a Sleeping Bag Liner
While blankets are provided, a liner or lightweight sleeping bag ensures comfort and hygiene in shared dorms. :sleeping_bed:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Piton des Neiges Sunrise Summit
Piton des Neiges summit
Witness a breathtaking sunrise from the highest point in Réunion Island. An unforgettable experience after an overnight stay.
Hearty Creole Dinner
Communal dining area
Enjoy a delicious, family-style Creole meal shared with fellow hikers. A warm and social experience before bed.
Shared Dormitory Experience
Dormitory rooms
Experience the camaraderie of sharing a room with fellow adventurers, fostering a unique sense of community.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Manage Expectations: It's a Mountain Refuge
Pack Smart for Altitude & Comfort
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Bring Cash for Everything
No card payments accepted here! Carry enough cash for meals, drinks, and any essentials you might need. :moneywithwings:
Pack a Sleeping Bag Liner
While blankets are provided, a liner or lightweight sleeping bag ensures comfort and hygiene in shared dorms. :sleeping_bed:
Hydration is Key (and Pricey)
Water is expensive. Bring your own reusable bottle and refill at designated spots if possible. :water_wave:
Secure Your Belongings
Be mindful of your gear; items can go missing. Keep valuables close and secure. :lock:
Tips
from all over the internet
Bring Cash for Everything
No card payments accepted here! Carry enough cash for meals, drinks, and any essentials you might need. :moneywithwings:
Pack a Sleeping Bag Liner
While blankets are provided, a liner or lightweight sleeping bag ensures comfort and hygiene in shared dorms. :sleeping_bed:
Hydration is Key (and Pricey)
Water is expensive. Bring your own reusable bottle and refill at designated spots if possible. :water_wave:
Secure Your Belongings
Be mindful of your gear; items can go missing. Keep valuables close and secure. :lock:
Embrace the Community Vibe
Shared meals and dorms create a unique atmosphere. Chat with fellow hikers and enjoy the collective adventure. :people_hugging:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Caverne Dufour Hut is a functional mountain refuge, praised for its excellent Creole dinners and friendly staff, providing a crucial stopover for Piton des Neiges ascents. While basic, it offers beds and toilets, though amenities are limited and prices are high due to its remote location. Some visitors find the sanitation facilities challenging.
"It was not as bad as the reviews say. Of course, it's a mountain refuge so don't expect any luxury. Dinner was really good, breakfast was also okay and the staff were nice. The only big problem is the lack of toilets. There were 2 mobile toilets but they were so filthy that no one went inside. Instead people did everything in the bushes around and left their tissues with piss/fecalia there.
Also, take good care of your belongings. I put down my hiking poles and forgot there for about 10 minutes, of course they were gone..."
Sarolta Zsolnai
"Negative reviews, in my opinion, must come from people whose expectations were way off.
Bring cash, they don't take card payments.
We stayed overnight in May after walking in the afternoon. We got up at 03:00 to summit the Piton des Neiges and then walked all the way back down.
We arrived around 17:30, found our bunks, and waited for dinner. The rooms are set up for capacity. Our rooms had 14 others in it, so your bunk was your only bit of personal space.
Dinner was really good. You share a table with others (unless your group is big enough) and there is plenty of tasty créole food, served family style.
After dinner, everyone slowly makes their way to bed with most asleep by 20:00. Almost everyone has the same plan; wake up early and get to the summit for sunrise.
After you have seen the sunrise you can go back to the Gite for some breakfast before continuing on.
It's basic. It serves a purpose. Supplies must arrive by helicopter so of course water is €4 for a 1l bottle, of course other things are somewhat more expensive. There are soft drinks, beer, and snacks available to purchase. Some bring their own gas cooker and cook dinner in the shared space rather than eating the meal provided.
You get a bed with a blanket, proper toilets (and toilet paper), and meals (if you choose).
Extra tips. Things I packed that I didn't need:-
Sleeping bag (could have roughed it a bit more and just used the blanked, many did)
Things I packed that were well worth it:-
Warm layer and hat (for summit)
Flip flops (for gite)
Sleeping bag liner
Headtorch
We enjoyed the company of everyone we met at the Gite and thank you to the team."
Jeremy Green
"This was my second stay at the gîte. The first time I stayed was in 2020. Now it is four years later and I think it still looks the same. Ha ha ha! I have read the other (bad) reviews and I think they are very harsh. Is this the most beautiful gîte? No. Is it the gîte to go to for a romantic night with your partner? No. Is this the gîte you go to for a nice warm shower after a long day of hiking? No.
You go there because you want a bed instead of a tent. You want a toilet to sit on instead of squatting on the ground. You want a very pleasant welcome from the owner and great food.
If you are prepared, you will be fine. This is the highway to Piton des Neiges. This is a machine. You come in, you eat, you sleep for a few hours, you wake up (because everyone wakes up anyway for sunrise), you have a great feeling of accomplishment because you went to the highest point, then you come back down for your hot chocolate and brioche loaded with jam.
So look at my photos. You will share the room with 9 or 15 or 16 other people. You will get a mattress and one gigantic blanket. So there is NO pillow and there is NO sheet. So you must bring a sleeping bag or at the very least a sleeping bag liner and a pillow. Or use your backpack as a pillow. You can use the given blanket as a burrito to put below and on top of you.
The drinks are very expensive (5euros for a Dodo), but so what? Just have one instead of two and enjoy it. Or don't have one. Or bring your own and drink it outside. We got a whole bottle of wine as part of dinner to share between four people. You're paying for an experience, not for comfort.
Yes, it is true that there is no drinking water at the gîte. You can buy 1L for 4euros. If you come from Le Bloc, you can fill up your water bottle at the kiosque halfway up. But there is water at least to flush the toilet and to wash your hands.
Also remember that the gîte only opens at 15h00. So for me there is no point to arrive there before then. I would say aim for 17h00. There is nothing to do but sit in the cold. The only reason to arrive early (at 15h00) would be to make sure you get a bottom bed because it is first come, first served. But in my opinion the third bed is the best because it is the warmest.
So take it easy on the way up. Enjoy the hike. Enjoy the view!"
Santjie Du Toit
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The hut is primarily accessed via hiking trails, most commonly as a stopover for climbing Piton des Neiges. The main approach is from the parking area at Le Bloc, involving a significant uphill hike. Allow several hours for the ascent.
The hike is challenging and steep, especially the final ascent to Piton des Neiges. It's a well-trodden path but requires good physical condition and appropriate hiking gear.
No, the hut is located at high altitude and is only accessible by foot. You'll need to park your car at a designated trailhead, such as Le Bloc.
While the Le Bloc route is most common for Piton des Neiges, other trails can lead to the general vicinity, but they are often longer and more demanding. Always check trail conditions.
Ensure you have sturdy hiking boots, adequate water, snacks, and appropriate clothing for changing mountain weather. A headlamp is crucial if you plan for a pre-dawn summit.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons or if you plan to summit Piton des Neiges for sunrise. This ensures you secure a bunk.
The hut typically opens for check-in around 3:00 PM. It's best to arrive later, around 5:00 PM, as there's little to do before check-in.
Prices are for a bed and often include dinner and breakfast. Expect prices to be higher than in the valley due to the remote location and logistics. Bring cash!
A bed with a blanket is provided. Meals (dinner and breakfast) can be purchased. There are toilets, but amenities are basic.
No, Caverne Dufour Hut does not accept card payments. You must bring sufficient cash to cover all your expenses.
🎫 🛏️ Onsite Experience
Dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds accommodating many people (9-16+). You get a mattress and a blanket. Bring a sleeping bag liner or lightweight sleeping bag for comfort and hygiene.
There are toilets, and they are generally functional with toilet paper. However, showers are not available. Be prepared for basic sanitation facilities.
Dinner is a hearty, family-style Creole meal, often featuring rice, beans, chicken, and fish. Breakfast typically includes bread with jam.
Some visitors bring their own cooking equipment, but it's advisable to check if this is permitted and if there are designated areas. The provided meals are generally well-regarded.
There is usually a designated area to store shoes, poles, and wet gear, keeping the sleeping areas cleaner.
🎫 💧 Essentials & Gear
Pack a sleeping bag liner, warm layers, hat, headlamp, sturdy hiking boots, cash, and a reusable water bottle. Flip-flops for inside the hut are also useful.
Potable drinking water is not readily available. You can purchase bottled water at a high price. It's best to bring your own supply or refill at kiosks lower down the trail.
Temperatures can drop significantly at this altitude, especially at night. Be prepared for cold weather, even in warmer months. Warm layers are essential.
Absolutely! A headlamp is essential for early morning departures for sunrise summits or navigating the hut in the dark.
Bring your own basic toiletries. While there are toilets, amenities are minimal. Hand sanitizer is also a good idea.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider the limited amenities and the need for cash. It might be wise to pack extra snacks that kids enjoy. The experience is more about the adventure and the accomplishment of reaching a high altitude than about child-specific entertainment. Focus on the journey and the stunning natural beauty.
💰 Budget Travelers
Compare the cost of the hut's meal package versus bringing your own food if you have a portable stove (check if allowed). The experience of sharing a meal with fellow hikers is often considered part of the value, so weigh that against potential savings.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Piton des Neiges Sunrise Experience
After witnessing the sunrise, hikers typically return to the hut for breakfast before descending. The sense of accomplishment after reaching the highest point is immense, making the basic accommodations of the hut entirely worthwhile. The communal aspect of sharing this experience with other hikers adds to the memorable nature of the trip.
Pro Tip: Check the weather forecast before your climb. Clear skies are essential for a good sunrise view. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions in the mountains.
Life at a Remote Mountain Refuge
Sanitation is a significant consideration. While toilets are available, they can be basic, and some reviews mention cleanliness issues. Showers are not provided. Visitors are advised to bring their own essentials, including a sleeping bag liner for hygiene and comfort, and to be prepared for the lack of readily available drinking water.
Despite the challenges, the staff are often described as friendly and helpful, providing information on trails and conditions. The hut serves its purpose as a vital stopover for adventurers tackling Piton des Neiges, offering a roof over your head and sustenance in a demanding environment.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit