Mauritius Guide › Hiking › Pieter Both
Pieter Both
A boulder balanced on the summit of the island's second mountain — and the only Mauritian ascent that genuinely requires guiding.
Hike and climb · Moka Range · 820 m
Can you climb Pieter Both on your own?
Two very different outings need separating here, and most articles conflate them. The shoulder — the lower part up to the ledge below the summit — is a free hike: demanding and steep, but within reach of a strong walker.
The head, the famous rounded boulder, is another matter. It is climbed on metal rungs bolted into the basalt, with ropes and a harness. That is no longer hiking but equipped climbing, and it is done only with a guide who supplies the gear.
Guided outings run in very small groups, often two people maximum, for around 100 dollars per person. Allow 4 to 5 hours round trip for the whole thing.
In this guide
The route
A steep unmarked climb to the shoulder, then an equipped face that belongs to climbing rather than walking.
The start
Above Crève Cœur, north of Port Louis. The path attacks the slope directly, through dense vegetation that hides the objective for a long while.
The unmarked climb
There is no waymarking at all: tracks cross one another, which is reason enough not to go in blind.
The shoulder
You reach it after a solid effort, with Port Louis and the bay opening up below. Many hikers stop here, and it is already a complete outing.
The head
An equipped face with sections of real exposure. Standing on the summit is a rare sensation in Mauritius: you are on the boulder you can see from across the whole region.
Access and parking
Getting to the trailhead
The start is above Crève Cœur. We do not publish GPS coordinates for this one: the approach uses private tracks and the points recorded in mapping databases are unreliable — go by the meeting point your guide gives you.
Parking
The lower section is free and open. For the head, book ahead with an equipped operator: the outing cannot be improvised on the spot and gear is not available to hire at the foot of the mountain.
When to go
Best season
May to November — the austral winter, and dry weather, without exception.
Best time of day
Early morning — the heat on the climb is punishing.
Avoid
Wet rock and wind — on an equipped face they change everything. Guides cancel without hesitation, which is good news.
What else to do around Pieter Both
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a guide for Pieter Both?
For the summit head, yes, it is essential: the face is fitted with bolted rungs and climbed with ropes and a harness supplied by the guide. The climb to the shoulder remains free.
How high is Pieter Both?
820 metres, making it the second summit in Mauritius after Black River Peak (828 m).
How much does a guided Pieter Both climb cost?
Around 100 dollars per person, in a very small group, safety equipment included. Booking is done in advance.
Can you stop at the shoulder?
Yes, and many do. The climb to the shoulder is free and already a complete outing, with views over Port Louis and the bay.
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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