With its sharp relief, vertiginous ramparts and subtle light, Cilaos was made to inspire painters and poets. Its courteous and hospitable inhabitants, ancestral specialities - lentils, wine and embroidery - and salutary hot springs contribute to the appeal of this austere, awe-inspiring place. The Cirque also contains many hiking trails of different levels. TheCilaos road leading to the Cirque is an amazing technical feat, with no less than 400 turns along the 30km connecting the Saint-Louis River and the village of Cilaos, at an altitude of 1,200m.