Fodor's Expert Review Cirque de Mafate

The collapse of a large shield volcano created this lush amphitheatre-like valley—one of three on the island. But exploring Cirque de Mafate, on the island's northwest side, is no cakewalk. It's a rugged wonderland of sheer ravines, jagged mountain peaks, and thick forests with no access roads; it's only open to hikers and helicopters. First settled by escaped slaves, the cirque only has one village, La Nouvelle, and a handful of smaller hamlets where hikers can find food and lodging. If you're not up for hiking any of the 86 miles of trails, you can view the area from the 6,500-foot Maido Peak, a scenic overlook on the edge of the cirque that's accessible by car.