Mauritius Guide › Hiking
The 15 Best Hikes in Mauritius
Altitudes, durations, difficulty, guides and access checked in 2026 — the field guide, region by region.
Peaks · Gorges · Waterfalls · Forests
The essentials in 30 seconds
Mauritius is not only a lagoon: it is a volcanic island bristling with peaks, gorges and forests where you can hike all year round.
The five essentials: Le Morne Brabant, the UNESCO-listed icon; Le Pouce, the best effort-to-view ratio; Black River Peak, the roof of the island at 828 metres; Pieter Both, the most spectacular ascent; and the Black River Gorges, the largest trail network on the island, and free.
The right season runs from May to November, most trails are free and open, and a guide is genuinely essential only for the head of Pieter Both, the 7 Cascades and the summit section of Le Morne.
In this guide
The 15 at a glance
Every name leads to its own guide: access, GPS, opening hours and field advice.
| # | Hike | Region | Summit or distance | Duration | Difficulty | Guide | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Morne Brabant | South-West | 556 m | 3–5 h | Moderate then hard | Advised (summit) | Free · 7 am–4 pm |
| 2 | Le Pouce | Centre | 812 m | 2–3 h | Easy to moderate | No | Open |
| 3 | Black River Peak | South-West | 828 m | 3–4 h | Moderate · muddy | No | Open |
| 4 | Pieter Both | Centre-North | 820 m | 4–5 h | Technical | Compulsory (head) | Guided trip ≈ $100 |
| 5 | Black River Gorges | South-West | 100 → 750 m | 2.5–7.5 h | Easy → hard | No | Free · 7 am–5 pm |
| 6 | Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades) | West | canyon | 3–7 h | Moderate to hard | Strongly advised | Guide ≈ Rs 1,000–1,500 |
| 7 | Lion Mountain | South-East | 480 m | 3–4 h | Hard · ridge | No | Open · dry weather |
| 8 | La Vallée de Ferney | South-East | 5 to 18 km | 1–6 h | Easy → hard | Optional | Rs 250 res. · Rs 500 vis. |
| 9 | Corps de Garde | Plaines Wilhems | 720 m | 3 h | Strenuous | No | Open |
| 10 | Ebony Forest & Piton Canot | South-West | 542 m | 1–4 h | Easy to moderate | No | Rs 400 res. · Rs 600 non-res. |
| 11 | Trois Mamelles | West | 578 m | 2 h 15 | Hard · technical | Advised | Open |
| 12 | Montagne du Rempart | West | 600 m | — | Mountaineering | Essential | Private land · permission |
| 13 | Bambous Mountain | East | 8 km · 425 m ascent | 3–3.5 h | Hard · unmarked | Advised | Open |
| 14 | Île d'Ambre (kayak trail) | North-East | 7 km paddling | 3–3.5 h | Easy | Guided | €41 adult · €29 child |
| 15 | Signal Mountain | Port Louis | 323 m | 1 h 30–3 h | Easy | No | Open |
Figures recorded on 2 September 2026 from official sites and GPS tracks. Hours and prices change: check them before you set off.
West and South-West: the main playground
This is where most of Mauritian hiking is concentrated — and it is no accident that the villages of Tamarin and Black River have become the base camp for nature lovers.
Le Morne Brabant
The sacred mountain of Mauritius, UNESCO-listed for its history as a refuge for runaway slaves. A wide track to the plateau, then a rock section climbed with hands, and an unforgettable panorama over the lagoon.
Read the guide →Black River Peak
The roof of the island, by a forest path shaded for nearly four kilometres. Tiny car park, often muddy ground, fixed ropes in the final metres.
Read the guide →Black River Gorges
The national park protects the last great native forest on the island. Three ways in, trails of two to seven hours, and gates that close on the hour — your car included.
Read the guide →Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades)
A descent into a canyon where the river drops from pool to pool. Swimmable basins, an unmarked route, and a real risk of flash flooding in the rainy season.
Read the guide →Corps de Garde
Seven kilometres and 633 metres of ascent above Rose Hill, on a slope almost without shade. The best viewpoint over the whole central plateau.
Read the guide →Trois Mamelles
Short but technical: sections climbed with hands, and a rope on the last twenty metres above the drop. Dry weather only.
Read the guide →Montagne du Rempart
The most photogenic cone on the island is not a hike: cable ladders, a cable bridge, permission required. We say so rather than lining it up with the others.
Read the guide →La Tourelle de Tamarin
560 metres of ascent less than a kilometre from the coast, with fixed ropes. One of the finest sunsets on the island — bring a head torch.
Read the guide →Ebony Forest and Piton Canot
At Chamarel, a replanted ebony forest, walkways at canopy level and a peak at 542 metres. The ideal outing with children.
Read the guide →On the Chamarel road, the Alexandra Falls (a viewpoint fifteen minutes' walk away) and the view over the south coast are worth the stop.
Centre and North: the historic classics
Two summits face each other above Port Louis, and you can do both on one trip — starting with the more accessible to gauge yourself.
Le Pouce
The most rewarding hike for a first summit: waymarked path, steady gradient, a short rock step at the end, and a 360-degree view over the capital. Charles Darwin climbed it in 1836.
Read the guide →Pieter Both
Recognisable by its balancing boulder. The shoulder is within reach of strong walkers; the head is climbed on rungs bolted into the basalt, with a guide, helmet and harness.
Read the guide →Signal Mountain
A road closed to cars that climbs above the capital. The most accessible outing on the island, very popular with runners at the end of the day.
Read the guide →South, South-East and East: raw nature and mangrove
Less busy than the west, this half of the island holds a spectacular ridge, the country's largest private reserve and an outing done sitting down, paddle in hand.
Lion Mountain
Seen from Mahébourg, the lying lion is perfect. The ascent follows the spine to a view plunging over Grand Port bay. Clay ground: dry days only.
Read the guide →La Vallée de Ferney
Two hundred hectares of native forest at the head of Grand Port bay, with four levels on the same site and Java deer you meet as you walk.
Read the guide →Bambous Mountain
The local hikers' quiet gem: wild, unmarked, GPS indispensable, and a double-lagoon panorama at the top.
Read the guide →Île d'Ambre by kayak
The mangrove channels of a deserted islet in the north-east, on a guided trip. No experience needed, equipment provided.
Read the guide →In the north-east, Bras d'Eau national park unrolls flat, shaded trails through an old mahogany and teak forest — the island's only true lowland hike, free and ideal in strong heat.
Walks and viewpoints, not to be confused with hikes
Four superb sites we are often asked about, but which belong to the category of strolls. Perfect alongside a real walking day.
Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
The sacred lake of Mauritian Hinduism and its 33-metre Shiva statue. Minimal walking, maximum contemplation.
Rochester Falls
Near Souillac, basalt columns at the foot of a waterfall. An hour of easy walking.
Eau Bleue, at Cluny
A turquoise pool, a short walk in but slippery and unmanaged. Genuine care needed.
Seven Coloured Earths, Chamarel
Ticket ≈ Rs 750 per adult in 2026, open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. The ticket gives access to the viewpoints; going down to the foot of the waterfall is not allowed.
Practical information 2026
The season
May to November — the austral winter rules: 20 to 25 °C, dry air, stable trails, with September to November the perfect window. Summer means setting off at dawn, avoiding canyons in stormy weather and watching cyclone warnings from January to March.
Guides
Rarely compulsory — essential for the head of Pieter Both, strongly advised at the 7 Cascades, the Trois Mamelles, Le Rempart and for the summit section of Le Morne. Everything else is done unguided. Allow Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per person, around $100 for Pieter Both.
Safety
No dangerous animals — the real risks are heat, wet rock and timing. Set off early, a litre and a half of water minimum per person, closed shoes even for strolls, and tell someone where you are going on unmarked routes. Emergencies: 999 police, 114 ambulance.
Read next
Four questions that come up before every departure, answered trail by trail.
Hiking all year: living on the mountain side
It is the best-kept secret among sporty expatriates: in Mauritius you can live fifteen minutes from your trails.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike in Mauritius?
Le Morne Brabant is the consensus choice: UNESCO-listed history, a sporting section and the finest panorama on the island. For a first summit without difficulty, Le Pouce is unbeatable.
Do you need a guide to hike in Mauritius?
In most cases, no: Le Pouce, the gorges, Black River Peak, Lion Mountain and Ferney are all done unguided. A guide is compulsory for the head of Pieter Both and strongly advised at the 7 Cascades, the Trois Mamelles, Le Rempart and for the final section of Le Morne.
What is the highest mountain in Mauritius?
Black River Peak, 828 metres, above the gorges national park. Pieter Both (820 m) and Le Pouce (812 m) follow.
Can you climb Le Morne Brabant without a guide?
Yes, access is free and open — the gate runs from 7 am to 4 pm, with the last ascent around 2.30 pm. The final section is rocky and may be closed in wet weather; a guide is still recommended if you are not used to mountain terrain.
When is the best time to hike in Mauritius?
From May to November, during the austral winter: dry and cool. September to November is ideal. In summer, set off at dawn and avoid canyons in stormy weather.
Are hikes in Mauritius suitable for children?
Yes: Ebony Forest, the short route at La Vallée de Ferney, Bras d'Eau, Signal Mountain and the gorge viewpoints are perfect for families. Keep Le Pouce for children already used to walking, from 8 to 10 years.
Do the trails cost anything?
The vast majority are free, including the gorges national park and Le Morne. Paid: La Vallée de Ferney (Rs 250 resident, Rs 500 visitor), Ebony Forest (Rs 400 resident, Rs 600 non-resident) and guided outings — Pieter Both, kayaking at Île d'Ambre.
Sources and verification
- La Vallée de Ferney — routes, prices and opening hours
- Ebony Forest — trails and prices
- UNESCO — Le Morne Cultural Landscape
Figures recorded on 2 September 2026. Hours, prices and access conditions change: check them before you set off.
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