Mauritius Gem

Hikes in Mauritius

For a small island, Mauritius has serious walking. Le Morne and Le Pouce are half-day mountains with views over both coasts. Black River Gorges is sixty kilometres of forest trail. Tamarind Falls is a canyon. Bras d'Eau is flat and empty.

All are free. All are best from May to October, when it is cooler and the red earth is not soap. Start early; by eleven the plateau is under cloud and the coast is under sun.

Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius
Photo: Máth Dávid - Mdavid89, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The places

  1. Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius

    01 · West

    Le Morne Brabant

    The UNESCO-listed mountain at the island's south-west tip: a three-hour hike, a maroon-slavery memorial and the best beach on the west coast at its foot.

    When
    May to October for the hike; any month for the beach, with the best light late afternoon
    Time
    Half a day for the hike; an hour for the beach

    HikesViewpointsBeachesCulture & historyFreeSunsets

  2. Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

    02 · West

    Black River Gorges National Park

    The island's last big native forest: 60 km of free trails, a gorge viewpoint from the road, and the best chance of seeing a Mauritius kestrel or echo parakeet.

    When
    May to October, cooler and drier underfoot
    Time
    Fifteen minutes for the viewpoint; three to five hours for a trail

    HikesNatureViewpointsWildlifeFreeHidden gems

  3. Tamarind Falls (Sept Cascades), Mauritius

    03 · West

    Tamarind Falls (Sept Cascades)

    Seven waterfalls stepping down a gorge near Henrietta, with natural pools you can swim in. The island's best half-day canyon walk, and best done with a local guide.

    When
    April to November; never during or after heavy rain
    Time
    Two hours for the upper pools; a full day for all seven

    WaterfallsHikesNatureHidden gems

  4. Bras d'Eau National Park, Mauritius

    04 · East

    Bras d'Eau National Park

    A flat, quiet forest on the north-east coast with easy trails, the ruins of a sugar mill, and the endemic paradise flycatcher. You will likely have it to yourself.

    When
    May to October, dry and cool
    Time
    Two hours

    HikesNatureWildlifeFreeHidden gems

  5. Le Pouce, Mauritius

    05 · Centre

    Le Pouce

    The thumb-shaped peak above Moka: a two-hour walk up a clear path to a summit with Port Louis, the north coast and Pieter Both in one turn of the head.

    When
    May to October, clear mornings
    Time
    Three hours

    HikesViewpointsFreeHidden gems

Questions people ask

What is the best hike in Mauritius?
Le Morne Brabant for the view and the history; Le Pouce for the easiest big summit; the Macchabée trail in Black River Gorges for forest and birds. Do all three if you have a week.
Do I need a guide to hike in Mauritius?
Not for Le Pouce, the Black River Gorges trails or the main Le Morne route. Tamarind Falls beyond the upper pools and the final Le Morne summit are guided.