Mauritius Guide › Hiking › Lion Mountain
Lion Mountain
The spine of a crouching lion above Grand Port bay: the finest ridge in the South-East, for dry days only.
Hike · South-East · 480 m
Who it suits, and why dry weather matters
This is a hard hike despite its 480 metres: 4.5 km round trip, around 490 metres of ascent, and above all an exposed ridge with easy climbing moves where hands come into play. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
The deciding factor is not fitness but weather: the ground is clay and becomes extremely slippery as soon as it is wet. On a ridge, that changes everything.
In dry conditions an experienced hiker manages without a guide; in wet weather you postpone. Waymarking amounts to red paint and yellow ribbons put up by regulars.
In this guide
The route
Cane fields, then the lion's spine followed all the way to the head, high above Grand Port bay.
The start
At Vieux Grand Port, behind the police station, through the cane fields. The path soon joins the lion's spine.
Up the spine
Steep and steady, with a few rock steps that call for hands.
The lion's head
The most exposed passage of the outing. Anyone uneasy with drops can stop shortly before without losing the panorama.
The panorama
The whole of Grand Port bay opens below, with Île aux Aigrettes sitting on the lagoon. This is where the Dutch landed in 1598, and in this bay that the only French naval victory inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe took place.
Access and parking
Getting to the trailhead
Start at Vieux Grand Port: coordinates -20.37485 / 57.72223. Free and open access, no set hours. The path then crosses cultivated plots: stay on the track.
See the trailhead →Parking
Park in the village of Vieux Grand Port, near the police station.
When to go
Best season
May to November — and in dry weather only, whatever the season.
Best time of day
Early morning — the climb is exposed and there is no water on the route.
Check
The local forecast — the South-East gets more rain than the west: check the forecast for the area, not for the island in general.
What else to do around Lion Mountain
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Lion Mountain?
Hard: 4.5 km round trip, 490 m of ascent and an exposed ridge with easy climbing moves. Allow 3 to 4 hours, in dry weather only.
Do you need a guide for Lion Mountain?
Not necessarily for an experienced hiker in dry weather. As waymarking is limited to paint and ribbons, a guide is advisable if you do not know the ground.
Where does the Lion Mountain hike start?
At Vieux Grand Port, near Mahébourg, behind the police station, through the cane fields.
Can you go after rain?
No. The clay ground becomes extremely slippery and holds moisture for a long time, including the day after a shower. On an exposed ridge, that is the main accident factor.
Sources and checks
Checked on 2 September 2026. Opening times, fees and access conditions change: confirm them before you set off.
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