Black River Gorges Viewpoint
The island's most spectacular viewpoint: an amphitheatre of primary forest plunging towards the west coast, with endemic birds and fruit bats soaring below. Unmissable on the Plaine Champagne road.
Tip: Come in the morning, clouds often build up in the afternoon; watch out for monkeys eyeing bags and sandwiches.
A balcony over the national park
This is the drive-up lookout of Black River Gorges National Park, the way to see the heart of the park without hiking. From the platform you look straight down into a deep bowl of forest that opens west towards the coast and the ocean, ringed by the peaks of the massif.
On a clear day a waterfall shows on the right, slipping into the trees. Keep an eye on the sky too: white-tailed tropicbirds and fruit bats regularly glide over the gorges.
Everything below you belongs to the 6,574 ha national park, whose highest point, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828 m), is also the summit of Mauritius. The lookout gives you the scale of it in a single glance.
Getting there
The viewpoint sits on the B103 Plaine Champagne road, which crosses the park between Pétrin and Chamarel. There is a large free car park by the road, then a gentle 200 m slope to the platform, with free toilets and a few vendor stalls.
Allow about an hour from Port Louis, 45 minutes from Flic en Flac via Chamarel and 1h30 from Grand Baie. No convenient bus stops here, so come by car, taxi or tour. Access is free (checked in October 2026).
When to go
The lookout is high up, where clouds build quickly. Mornings usually give the clearest view; afternoons bring warmer light on the cliffs if the sky holds, but the odds of mist rise. If the valley is a white blanket, wait ten minutes: clouds often drift through.
The dry season (May to November) has the most clear days, while heavy summer rain makes the waterfalls more visible. Bear in mind the plateau has its own weather: it can be sunny in Flic en Flac and foggy up here.
Practical tips
Macaques live around the car park. They are generally not aggressive but very interested in food: leave nothing on benches or in an open car, and never feed them.
It is noticeably cooler than on the coast, so bring a windproof layer. The path is short but not wheelchair-friendly all the way. Binoculars are a real bonus for birdwatching.
Combine with
Treat it as a 20 to 30 minute stop on a Plaine Champagne road trip: Alexandra Falls is a few minutes away, Grand Bassin and Pétrin lie to the east, Chamarel and its Seven Coloured Earth to the west. To actually hike into the gorges, see Black River Gorges National Park.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee for the Black River Gorges Viewpoint?
No, parking and the viewing platform are free.
Do you have to hike to see Black River Gorges?
Hardly: it is a gentle 200 m walk from the car park on the Plaine Champagne road.
What time is best for the Black River Gorges Viewpoint?
Morning for the clearest view, as clouds often build over the plateau in the afternoon. Late in the day the light is lovelier if the sky stays clear.
Are the monkeys dangerous?
They are rarely aggressive but will snatch food. Keep bags closed and snacks in the car.
