The best hikes in Mauritius
Le Morne Brabant at sunrise, Le Pouce overlooking Port Louis, the Trois Mamelles peaks, the forest trails of the gorges: people forget Mauritius is an island of mountains. Most of these hikes take half a day, need no special gear, and reward you with some of the finest panoramas in the Indian Ocean.
Black River Gorges National Park
Mauritius's largest national park: 6,750 hectares of primary forest, 60 km of marked trails and the last refuges of the pink pigeon and kestrel. The 10 km Macchabée trail from Pétrin to the visitor centre is a classic.
Le Pouce Mountain
The island's third peak (812 m), shaped like a raised thumb and once climbed by Charles Darwin. An accessible hike (2h30-3h return from La Laura) ending in a short rocky scramble and an unforgettable panorama.
Le Morne Brabant Mountain
A 556 m basalt monolith and UNESCO World Heritage site, refuge of the maroon slaves whose symbol it became. The climb (3-4h return) rewards you with dizzying views over Mauritius's most photogenic lagoons.
Ferney Valley
A 200-hectare forest reserve at the foot of the Grand Port range, sanctuary of endemic ebony trees and Mauritius kestrels. Hiking trails, 4x4 safari and a forest table d'hôte.
Pétrin Information Centre
Eastern gateway to the Black River Gorges National Park and trailhead of the big hikes (Macchabée, Mare Longue). Its fenced garden protects a rare sample of endemic flora.
Bras d'Eau National Park
A little-known national park over an old mahogany and eucalyptus forest, refuge of the rare Mauritius paradise flycatcher. Flat shady trails, sugar-mill ruins and lily ponds.
Pieter Both Mountain
Mauritius's iconic mountain (820 m), topped by a balanced head-shaped boulder. The bolted final climb requires a guide; the trail to the shoulder already offers splendid views.
Lion Mountain
A crouching-lion silhouette watching over Grand Port bay, this 480 m mountain offers one of the island's finest short hikes. The summit ridge rewards you with a plunging view over the south-east lagoon.
Signal Mountain
Port Louis's urban hike: a broad track climbing to 323 m above the capital, ideal at sunset when the city and harbour light up.
Black River Peak
Mauritius's highest point (828 m), reached by a forest trail off the Plaine Champagne road. From the top, a 360° panorama over the gorges, Le Morne and the whole south-west.
Trois Mamelles Hike
A trio of spectacular volcanic peaks above the Magenta plain. A short but steep climb (2h30-3h) with an airy finish on the central peak and views along the whole west coast to Le Morne.