Discover the best hikes in Mauritius, revealing stunning landscapes and cultural history. Summit the island's highest peak, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, and you’ll be rewarded with exceptional views. If you’re into cultural history, a hike around the Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must. Le Pouce invites nature enthusiasts to retrace the footsteps of Charles Darwin, and Tamarind Falls beckons hikers with a hidden cave rainforest adventure.
You can explore Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with ranger-led hikes. To uncover the island folklore, head to the Pieter Both Mountain. If you’re feeling adventurous, paddle to Ile D'Ambre and hike to a volcanic crater, a freshwater cave and ruins.
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Black River Gorges National Park
Ecological diversity and sweeping mountain vistas
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Embark on a hike in the highlands of southwestern Mauritius at Black River Gorges National Park, the largest protected rainforest on the island. The park’s hilly terrain provides a habitat for over 700 species of flora and fauna, including the Mauritian flying fox, Mauritian kestrel and the pink pigeon.
Among the most popular hikes in the park is the cloud-shrouded Black River Peak Trail, leading to Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (Black River Peak), the island’s highest point. For waterfall views, head to the Alexandra Falls Trail, a moderate trail with views of Alexandra Falls. The trail is also popular with birding enthusiasts. The Maccabee Forest Loop guides hikers through Macchabee forest to Mare aux Joncs Waterfall.
Location: B103 - Plaine Champagne Road, Mauritius
Open: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
Phone: +230 464 4053
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Le Morne Brabant
Cultural history and awe-inspiring lagoon views
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LeMorne Brabant, a basaltic monolith with a summit reaching an elevation of 556 metres offers not only breathtaking views, but also an important piece of the island’s history. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of refuge for people who had escaped slavery in the 19th Century. Refugees mistakenly believed authorities who came to inform them that slavery had been abolished meant to re-capture them, so they leapt to their deaths.
The challenging hike to the summit is rewarded with panoramic views of Mauritius and the lagoon with hues of blue and turquoise, a stunning contrast to the island’s verdant landscape. During your hike, look for the red bell-shaped flowers of Trochetia (Trochetia boutoniana), the National Flower of Mauritius.
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Le Pouce
Hiking in Charles Darwin’s footsteps
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The third highest peak on Mauritius at 812 metres, Le Pouce, a thumb-shaped peak, promises panoramic views of the Port Louis area and the Moka Range. While hiking the south route is the standard route, hiking the longer northern route provides more viewpoints and a gentler ascent.
As you explore the diverse flora and fauna, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, who ascended the summit during his tour of the island in 1836 as a naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle. Mauritius marked the last stop on his voyages around the world. His observations during these travels, including those made in Mauritius, influenced his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection.
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Tamarind Falls
A tropical rainforest with a cave behind a waterfall
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At the heart of the island, Tamarind Falls, also known as 7 Cascades, is a spectacular series of waterfalls and one of the best hikes in Mauritius. Located on the Rivière Tamarin, the falls are accessible on a hike in the heart of the Tamarind River Gorge. The hike through dense vegetation and rugged terrain beckons nature seekers with opportunities to witness the falls, swim in a natural pool and explore a cave behind the waterfalls.
As you traverse through the forest, your anticipation will heighten because you’ll hear the waterfall’s thundering roar as you get closer. Along the hike, your guide will provide intriguing facts about the local flora and fauna, including the rare Mauritius kestrel.
Location: Henrietta Branch Rd, Mauritius
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Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire
The highest peak in Mauritius, ebony forests and rare birds
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Embark on a hike to the summit of the highest mountain in Mauritius, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (Little Black River Peak). It rises to 828 metres above the sea. From the summit, you can see exceptional views of the entire island. The ever-changing scenery on this hike reveals panoramic views of the lush ebony forests, deep valleys and viewpoints of Piton Saint Denis and Le Morne Brabant.
The trail can be muddy, but ropes are installed to assist hikers in getting a good grip where it’s steep. Wildlife sightings vary but keep an eye out for the island’s endemic species, such as the Mauritian flying fox, Mauritius olive white-eye, the pink pigeon and the red-plumed Mauritius fody.
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Bel Ombre Nature Reserve
A ranger-led hike through a biosphere reserve
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Bel Ombre Nature Reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve nestled within the Domaine of Bel Ombre. The biosphere attracts hikers seeking the most spectacular natural scenery on the island. Learn about the reserve’s conservation mission on a ranger-led hike that was developed in partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. On the Two Waterfalls Hiking Trail, you’ll enjoy a trek through the island’s ecosystems to Frédérica Waterfall and Cascade L'exemple.
You’ll discover intriguing insights into the island’s endemic species, including orchids, Mauritian echo parakeet and the Mauritian flying fox, a species that has suffered from deforestation and hunting. After your hike, enjoy a picnic with a fresh garden salad and smoked marlin, chicken curry or vegetarian fare.
Location: Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Phone: +230 660 7400
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La Vallee de Ferney
Sweeping vistas with green rolling hills at a nature reserve
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Explore lush landscapes at La Vallee de Ferney, a nature reserve focused on environmental conservation. Whether you choose to traverse the trails on foot or by bike, an unforgettable journey awaits. Discover the best hikes in Mauritius amid green rolling hills dotted with trees, towering peaks and ocean vistas. Choose the 5-km or 13-km hike, each offering serene views, or you can opt for the 18-km trail for a challenging adventure with magnificent scenery.
A guided tour provides in-depth knowledge about indigenous flora and fauna, including the Mauritian echo parakeet and the takamaka, a flowering tree. Conclude your adventure with a meal prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that reflect the sustainable practices embraced by La Vallee de Ferney.
Location: B 28, Vieux Grand Port, Mauritius
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +230 660 1937
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Lion Mountain
A lion-shaped mountain and coral reefs
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The village of Blue Bay offers fun options to diversify a hiking trip to Lion Mountain, a mountain that resembles a sleeping lion. To see the mountain’s shape from a distance, take a walk along Mahebourg Waterfront. For those interested in hiking to the summit, there is a 4.5-km loop trail.
You can also enjoy snorkeling or diving in Blue Bay Marine Park, an underwater park known for its vibrant coral species and marine life, including damselfish, parrotfish and sea turtles. Soak up the sunshine on the white sands of Blue Bay Beach and swim in its tranquil waters, shop at the market for locally made handicrafts and catch a beautiful Mauritian sunset.
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Pieter Both Mountain
Uncovering folklore at a peculiar landmark with epic mountain views
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Reconnect with nature on the second-highest peak of Mauritius, Pieter Both Mountain, also known as Peter Botte Mountain. It rises 820 metres above sea level. It was named after Pieter Both, the first Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. We recommend a guided hike to this awe-inspiring summit. To hike on your own, you’ll need climbing gear and technical climbing skills.
A large boulder at the top of the mountain resembles a human head. According to Mauritian folklore, a man named Santaka was sleeping beside a mountain when he saw fairies. They gave him the power to see invisible things, but he disobeyed their advice, so the fairies turned him into a massive boulder on top of the summit.
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Ile D'Ambre
An adventure to a volcanic crater, a cave and ruins
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Discover the hidden beauty and intriguing history of Ile D'Ambre (Amber Island). On a kayak tour to the island, paddle through crystal-clear waters beside red mangrove forests that shelter the island from erosion. The mangrove’s roots provide food and shelter for juvenile fish.
As you make your way through the island’s remarkable marine ecosystems, look for birds, crabs and puffer fish. Your guide will help point them out during your exploration of a volcanic crater, a freshwater cave and ruins built by French colonists who survived the shipwreck of Saint Géran on nearby reefs. The wreck inspired a bestselling novel Paul et Virginie (Paul and Virginia) by Bernadin de St. Piere, a French writer and botanist.