La Tourelle du Tamarin
563 metres above Tamarin bay, a relentless climb and fixed ropes: the hike you do before breakfast when you live on the west coast.
A small mountain, a real hike
The modest altitude is deceptive. The trail climbs 560 metres over 4.4 kilometres round trip — a sustained gradient almost throughout, with sections equipped with ropes. Allow 2.5 to 4 hours depending on your pace. This is not a beginner's hike, but it is one of the island's most rewarding: the summit looks straight down onto the lagoon.
An important point usually left unsaid: part of the route crosses private land. Local practice is to ask the owner's permission. The trail is also unmarked, which makes going accompanied worthwhile the first time.
The route
The start is taken from the coast road between Tamarin and La Preneuse. The peak rises less than a kilometre from the shoreline, which explains the steepness: you go from sea level to 563 metres almost in one push.
The climb alternates faint paths through dry vegetation with rocky steps where fixed ropes help. Nothing technical in the climbing sense, but you will need your arms and shoes that grip.
At the top, the panorama is exactly what you come to this coast for: Tamarin bay stretching out, the Black River lagoon, Le Morne to the south, and opposite, the silhouettes of Rempart and Corps de Garde. At sunset it is one of the finest viewpoints in Mauritius — provided you have planned the descent before dark.
Access and permission
The trail leaves the B9 coast road between Tamarin and La Preneuse. There is no ticket office and no official hours, but the approach crosses private property: ask locally before committing, as regulars do. A local guide settles that question along with the route-finding.
When to go
All year, early morning or late afternoon: the slope is very exposed and midday heat is harsh. Avoid it after rain, when ropes and rock turn slippery. The austral winter offers the best visibility over the lagoon.
⚠️ The costly mistake: going for the sunset without a head torch. Night falls here in about twenty minutes, with no lingering dusk, and the descent includes rope sections. Those who climb for the sunset come down in the dark: that is fine, but with a torch, not a phone.
Around the hike
This is the village mountain: from Tamarin the trailhead is a few minutes' drive, and you come straight back down to the beach or the cafés in town. It is also the best vantage point for grasping the geography of the west coast before house-hunting in the area.
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Frequently asked questions
Is La Tourelle de Tamarin a hard hike?
Yes, harder than it looks: 560 metres of ascent over 4.4 km round trip, with rope-equipped sections. Allow 2.5 to 4 hours and good fitness.
Do you need permission for La Tourelle de Tamarin?
Part of the route crosses private land, and local practice is to ask the owner's permission. As the trail is unmarked, a local guide settles both questions at once.
How high is La Tourelle du Tamarin?
563 metres, less than a kilometre from the shore, which is what makes the climb so steep.