The 15 Best Hikes in Mauritius
Altitudes, times, difficulty, guides and access checked in 2026 — the complete field guide, region by region, by the Westimmo team.
The essentials in 30 seconds
Mauritius is far more than a lagoon: it is a volcanic island bristling with peaks, gorges and forests where you can hike all year round. The five must-dos: Le Morne Brabant (the UNESCO-listed icon), Le Pouce (the best effort-to-view ratio), Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (the island's roof at 828 m), Pieter Both (the most spectacular ascent, with a guide) and Black River Gorges (the largest trail network, free of charge). The best season runs from May to November, most trails are free and open to all, and a guide is truly essential only for the head of Pieter Both, Tamarind Falls and the summit section of Le Morne. The full picture, hike by hike and region by region, is below — checked in 2026.
The top 15 at a glance
| # | Hike | Region | Summit | Round trip | Difficulty | Guide | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Morne Brabant | South-West | 556 m | 3-5 h | Moderate then hard | Advised (summit) | Free, 7am-2.30pm |
| 2 | Le Pouce | Centre | 812 m | 2-3 h | Easy-moderate | No | Free |
| 3 | Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire | South-West | 828 m | 3-4 h | Moderate, muddy | No | Free |
| 4 | Pieter Both | Centre-North | 820 m | 4-5 h | Technical | Mandatory (head) | Guided ≈ $100 |
| 5 | Black River Gorges | South-West | 100→750 m | 2.5-7.5 h | Easy → hard | No | Free, 7am-5pm |
| 6 | Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades) | West | canyon | 3-7 h | Moderate-hard | Strongly advised | ≈ Rs 1,000-1,500 (guide) |
| 7 | Lion Mountain | South-East | 480 m | 3-4 h | Hard (ridge) | No | Free, dry weather |
| 8 | Ferney Valley | South-East | 5-18 km | 1.5-6 h | Easy → sustained | Optional | Rs 490-720 |
| 9 | Corps de Garde | West | 719 m | 3-3.5 h | Hard | No | Free |
| 10 | Ebony Forest & Piton Canot | South-West | 540 m | 1-4 h | Easy-moderate | No | ≈ Rs 300-510 |
| 11 | Trois Mamelles | West | 629 m | 3-4 h | Technical | Advised | Free |
| 12 | Rempart Mountain | West | 777 m | 3-4 h | Technical | Advised | Partly private land |
| 13 | Bambous Mountain | East | 626 m | 3-4 h | Hard | Advised | Free |
| 14 | Île d'Ambre (kayak hike) | North-East | — | half-day | Easy | Guided | ≈ €40-45 |
| 15 | Signal Mountain | Port Louis | 323 m | 1.5-2 h | Easy | No | Free |
West and South-West: the great playground
This is where most of Mauritian hiking is concentrated — no coincidence that the villages of Tamarin and Black River have become the base camp of nature lovers.
1. Le Morne Brabant — the icon
556 m · 3 to 5 h round trip · moderate then hard · free · gate 7am-4pm, last ascent 2.30pm
The sacred mountain of Mauritius, UNESCO-listed for its history as a refuge of runaway slaves. A broad track for the first half, then a rocky section where hands are needed, up to the summit cross and an unforgettable panorama over the lagoon and the "underwater waterfall". Contrary to what many articles still claim, a guide is no longer compulsory — but wardens may close the upper section in wet weather, and going accompanied remains the wise choice for the final scramble. We devoted a full story to it: the history of Le Morne Brabant. Full trail guide: access, hours, GPS and tips →
3. Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire — the roof of the island
828 m · 3 to 4 h round trip · moderate, often muddy · free
The highest point of Mauritius is reached by a forest trail off the B103 road (tiny parking spot: arrive early). Slippery stretches after rain and a few fixed ropes near the top, for an immense reward: the whole west coast at your feet, from Le Morne to Flic en Flac. The trailhead is fifteen minutes from Black River. Full trail guide: access, GPS and tips →
5. Black River Gorges — the island's largest network
60 km of trails · 2.5 to 7.5 h depending on the loop · easy to hard · FREE · 7am-5pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends
The national park protects the last great native forest of Mauritius and species found nowhere else on Earth — the Mauritius kestrel, the echo parakeet, fruit bats. Three gateways: the visitor centre on the west side (Macchabée trail), Pétrin on the plateau, and the gorges viewpoint on the Chamarel road. Watch the clock: the barriers close on the dot, car in or out. Entry is free — the "trail fees" you may read about are private guide rates. Full trail guide: routes, hours and GPS →
6. Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades) — the water adventure
Canyon between 300 and 500 m altitude · 3 h (viewpoints) to 7 h (full canyon) · moderate to hard · guide strongly advised (≈ Rs 1,000-1,500)
A descent into a canyon where the Tamarin river leaps from pool to pool — seven visible waterfalls, over a dozen in reality. Swimming in cool basins, slippery passages, no waymarking: this is the outing where a local guide changes everything, for safety and for finding the finest pools. Real flash-flood risk in the rainy season. Full trail guide: guiding, swimming and access →
Still on the west side, three summits for seasoned hikers complete the picture: Corps de Garde (719 m, a sustained climb above Quatre Bornes), Trois Mamelles (629 m, a slender unmarked crest) and the Rempart massif, nicknamed the "Matterhorn of Mauritius" (its highest point, Big Gorilla Peak, reaches 772 m; Rempart proper is lower — many sites conflate the three peaks) — superb silhouette, partly private land, guide advised for the last two. And above Tamarin bay, La Tourelle offers one of the island's finest sunsets (access subject to authorisation). Full La Tourelle trail guide →
Centre and North: the historic classics
2. Le Pouce — the perfect first summit
812 m · 2 to 3 h round trip · easy-moderate · free
This thumb raised above Port Louis is the island's most rewarding hike for a first summit: an obvious trail from Petit Verger or La Laura, a steady gradient, a short rocky step at the end, and up top a 360° view over the capital, the North and the central plateau. Charles Darwin climbed it in 1836 — you will walk in his footsteps. Full trail guide: access, GPS and tips →
4. Pieter Both — the most spectacular
820 m · 4 to 5 h round trip · technical (sealed rungs, ropes) · the head is reached ONLY with an equipped guide (≈ $100/pers.)
Unmistakable with its boulder-head balanced on the summit, the island's second mountain is climbed in two stages: the shoulder, within reach of fit walkers, then the head — a climbing pitch equipped with rungs sealed into the basalt, requiring a guide, helmet and harness. The feeling at the top is unique: you stand on the "head" with the whole island around you. Full trail guide: guiding, price and route →
Above Port Louis, Signal Mountain (323 m) is climbed via a small 3-km paved road — perfect at the end of the day to watch the capital light up, and much loved by local runners.
South and South-East: raw nature and ebony forests
7. Lion Mountain — the great ridge
480 m · 3 to 4 h round trip · hard (exposed ridge, clay) · free
Seen from Mahébourg, the crouching lion is perfect: head, mane, haunches. The ascent follows the spine — steep, sometimes slippery, with a few easy but airy scrambling moves — up to a plunging view over Grand Port bay, its islands and the site of the only French naval victory inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe. For dry days only. Full trail guide: access, GPS and tips →
10. Ebony Forest & Piton Canot — the restored forest
Trails from 2.3 to 6.1 km · 1 to 4 h · easy-moderate · entry ≈ Rs 300-510 (online discount)
In Chamarel, this conservation project is replanting the original ebony forest: wooden walkways at canopy level, viewpoints over Le Morne bay from Piton Canot (540 m), and the chance to spot reintroduced pink pigeons and echo parakeets. The ideal outing with children or between showers — and you leave understanding what Mauritius was before humans.
On the Chamarel road, Alexandra Falls (700 m, a viewpoint 15 minutes' walk away) and the view over the south coast are worth the stop. Further east, Bambous Mountain (626 m) remains the local hikers' hidden gem: wild, unmarked, with a double-lagoon panorama.
East: preserved valleys and mangroves
8. Ferney Valley — the endemic immersion
Loops of 5, 10 and 18 km · 1.5 to 6 h · easy to sustained · Rs 490 (self-guided) / Rs 720 (guided), slots 9am-3pm
This south-eastern reserve protects an entire valley of native forest where you may cross paths with the Mauritius kestrel, the national bird saved from extinction. Broad waymarked trails, a shuttle from the welcome centre, short family options and a sporty 18-km loop — the best "nature" gateway of the South-East.
In the north-east, Bras d'Eau national park unrolls flat, shaded trails through a former mahogany and teak forest — the island's only true lowland hike, free and ideal in strong heat. And for a change of register, Île d'Ambre is explored by kayak through mangrove channels (guided outings, ≈ €40-45), with a landing and walk on the deserted island.
Walks and viewpoints (not to be confused with hikes)
Four superb sites we are often asked about, which are strolls rather than hikes: Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), the sacred lake of Mauritian Hinduism with its 33-m Shiva statue; Rochester Falls near Souillac (basalt columns, an easy 1-h walk); the turquoise pool of Eau Bleue in Cluny (short but slippery, unmanaged, caution); and the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel (ticket ≈ Rs 750 per adult in 2026, open 8.30am-5.30pm; the ticket covers the viewpoints — walking down to the foot of the waterfall is prohibited). Perfect add-ons to a proper day's walking.
Practical information 2026
The season. You can hike all year, but the austral winter (May-November) is king: 20-25 °C, dry air, stable trails — September-November being the perfect window. In summer (December-April), start at dawn, avoid canyons in stormy weather (flash floods at Tamarind Falls) and watch cyclone alerts from January to March.
Guides. Mandatory: the head of Pieter Both (equipment provided). Strongly advised: Tamarind Falls, Trois Mamelles, Rempart, and the summit section of Le Morne. Everything else can be done independently. Budget Rs 1,000-1,500 per person for a classic guided outing, ~$100 for Pieter Both.
Safety. No dangerous animals on the trails — the real risks are heat, wet rock and timing. Start early (the gates of Le Morne and the gorges close), carry at least 1.5 L of water per person, wear closed shoes even for "walks", and tell someone your route on unmarked itineraries (Bambous, Trois Mamelles). Emergencies: 999 (police) / 114 (ambulance).
⚠️ The costly mistake: trusting "European" daylight. Night falls here between 5.45pm and 7pm depending on the season, with hardly any twilight — and the gorges' barriers close at 5pm sharp, car included. An ascent of Le Morne started at 2pm ends at a locked gate. Local rule: summit before noon, down before 3pm.
Hiking all year round: living on the mountain side
It is the best-kept secret of sporty expatriates: in Mauritius you can live fifteen minutes from your trails. From Tamarin, La Tourelle can be climbed before work and Tamarind Falls is 20 minutes away; from Black River, you reach the gorges and the island's highest point without touching the motorway; from Bel Ombre, the Chamarel forest and Alexandra Falls are the garden next door. Hikers, trail runners (the island hosts several ultra-trails every austral winter), families: the west coast and the South offer that rare blend of lagoon at breakfast and forest at the weekend. To go further: our Living in Mauritius guide and the map of new developments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful hike in Mauritius?
Le Morne Brabant wins by consensus: UNESCO-listed history, a genuine sporty section and the island's finest panorama. 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, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, Lion Mountain or Ferney can be done independently. A guide is mandatory for the head of Pieter Both and strongly advised at Tamarind Falls, Trois Mamelles, Rempart and for the final section of Le Morne.
What is the highest mountain in Mauritius?
Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828 m), above Black River Gorges national park. Then come Pieter Both (820 m) and Le Pouce (812 m).
Can you climb Le Morne Brabant without a guide?
Yes, access is free (gate 7am-4pm, last ascent 2.30pm). The final section is rocky and may be closed in wet weather; a guide remains recommended if you are not sure-footed.
When is the best time to hike in Mauritius?
From May to November (austral winter): dry, cool weather. September-November is ideal. In summer, start at dawn and avoid canyons in stormy weather.
Are Mauritius hikes suitable for children?
Yes: Ebony Forest, Ferney Valley (short loop), Bras d'Eau, Signal Mountain and the gorges' viewpoints are perfect for families. Save Le Pouce for walking children (from 8-10 years old).
Do the trails charge entrance fees?
The vast majority are free, including Black River Gorges national park and Le Morne. Paid: Ferney Valley (Rs 490-720), Ebony Forest (≈ Rs 300-510) and guided outings (Pieter Both, Île d'Ambre kayak).