When you think of Mauritius, tropical beaches of white sand and turquoise lagoons immediately spring to mind. But it has many other natural treasures to offer: it's also a veritable paradise for hiking enthusiasts.
The Moka mountain range, located in the centre of the island, is home to iconic peaks such as Le Pouce, Pieter Both and Les Trois Mamelles, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mauritian landscape.
With a wide choice of hiking trails as varied as they are beautiful, Mauritius is an ideal playground for nature-loving adventurers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, its walks take you through spectacular landscapes, majestic mountains, lush forests and unspoilt national parks, where you can still encounter rare endemic species that are unique in the world.
Region by region, discover the best walks in Mauritius, explore a variety of itineraries for a day hike and plunge into the heart of a biodiversity that is unique in the world.
Near Port Louis, the most beautiful mountain walks in Mauritius
The region around the Mauritian capital has some of the best mountain trails in Mauritius! The Moka massif offers moderate to difficult hiking routes, with spectacular views over the centre and coastline of Mauritius.
Le Pouce
The ascent of Montagne du Pouce is one of the must-do hikes in Mauritius. At 812 metres, it is the third highest peak on the island.
Imagine the view from its summit: Le Pouce offers hikers one of the most beautiful views of the Mauritian capital Port Louis, the Moka mountain range, the plateaux of the Wilhems Plains and the small islands to the north.
Although not very difficult, the 4.3km round trip will take you just over 2 hours to complete. Beware, however, of the paths, which can be muddy and slippery after a night's rain!
The Corps de Garde hike
For the more adventurous, the Corps de Garde mountain has some great sporting hikes in store for you in Mauritius. To the south of Port Louis, this impressive mountain stands guard over the town of Quatre Bornes.
There are several possible starting and finishing points for your Corps de Garde hiking itinerary, with an average distance of 5km. Please note that this route is considered difficult, with a walking time of between 3 and 4 hours and a positive difference in altitude of between +580 m and +650 m.
The start of the hike is steep and some of the vertical sections above the town can be vertiginous, but the spectacular views of the countryside along the way are well worth the effort!
The hike to the summit of Pieter Both
The Pieter Both is Mauritius' sporty hike par excellence!
The Pieter Both massif is a mythical hiking destination, famous for its distinctive head-shaped peak that has inspired many local legends.
The second highest peak in the country (823 metres), Pieter Both is considered to be the most difficult hiking route on the island, with a second section graded 7/10 and lasting between 4 and 6 hours. Technical, it requires the use of ropes, harnesses, a safety helmet and, of course, the accompaniment of an experienced local guide.
Hiking routes in the east of Mauritius
In the east of the country, there are hiking trails for beginners on Mauritius, as well as for more experienced hikers.
Lion Mountain
Lion Mountain, famous for its rugged appearance and lion-like shape, dominates the island's largest bay, Vieux Grand Port.
To reach its summit at 480 metres, the route takes an average of 4h30 and is a mixture of hiking and climbing. This physical and sometimes vertiginous ascent will delight fans of sporting hikes in Mauritius.
At the summit, hikers will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view: the southern islets, the Mahébourg lagoon and the vast sugar cane fields stretch as far as the eye can see.
A trip to Ile aux Cerfs
On the east coast of Mauritius, Ile aux Cerfs can be visited by boat, often by the day. Its heavenly beaches will immediately immerse you in a postcard setting!
You can follow the island's eastern coastline to discover its succession of white sandy beaches, as far as Mangénie islet. You can also venture into the interior of the island to discover its tropical jungle: the route will take you between 2 and 3 hours.
It's the perfect way to enjoy a family outing!
The South West, a hiking paradise in Mauritius
With a wide variety of hiking itineraries in Mauritius, the Sud-Ouest region is considered a must for discovering Mauritian nature and biodiversity.
The Trois Mamelles massif
A veritable natural mystery in Mauritius, the Trois Mamelles massif rises to three singular mountain peaks almost 600 metres high, surrounded by lush greenery.
The first part of the hike under the canopy is relatively easy, while the second part involves a steeper path with a steep gradient and vertiginous slopes, with a total duration of 2 to 3 hours for the round trip.
At the summit, an exceptional 360-degree view awaits hikers, overlooking the Yemen valley below and surrounded by the other majestic peaks of Mauritius.
Tourelle de Tamarin
The Tourelle de Tamarin is considered to be one of the most beautiful hikes in Mauritius, offering panoramic views of the Mauritian west coast, the shades of blue of the lagoon and Tamarin Bay from its summit.
Moderate to difficult, the climb takes between 2h30 and 3h30 for the entire route, in the midst of totally unspoilt nature. A guide is strongly recommended, as the route crosses private land and requires a permit.
The Seven Cascades canyon
The Sept Cascades site is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Mauritius, taking you through the Mauritian primary forest to discover each waterfall and its natural basin, in the heart of unspoilt, lush nature.
The descent into the canyon is impressive and requires a good level of fitness. The entire Seven Cascades canyon is a day trip, but a half-day tour is available to visit the first three waterfalls.
The coastal path between Flic-en-Flac and Tamarin
For an easy, relaxing walk, the route linking Flic-en-Flac and Tamarin is one of the most beautiful coastal paths in Mauritius. With a total length of almost 8km and close to the sea, you can stroll at your own pace along the beach or under the filaos.
Tour of Ile aux Bénitiers
Set in the middle of the lagoon, Ile aux Bénitiers is a small paradise island less than 2km long, accessible by boat from Tamarin or Flic-en-Flac beach.
A trip around Les Bénitiers is a relaxed way to enjoy the idyllic beach of pristine white sand and the colourful lagoon, where dolphins are often spotted. The views of Mauritius's west coast and the Morne massif are breathtaking, and you'll find Crystal Rock, one of Mauritius's most famous snorkelling spots.
Morne Brabant, the must-see hiking destination in Mauritius
Morne Brabant is one of the country's most emblematic natural treasures and THE must-see hiking destination in Mauritius.
This historic mountain, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the south-west of Mauritius at an altitude of 555 metres.
The climb begins fairly easily, and continues along a steeper path. Home to wild and endemic flora and fauna, such as the Trochetia Boutoniana (Mauritius's floral emblem), the hike is punctuated by breathtaking panoramic views over the lagoon, the Ile aux Bénitiers and the beach at Moritier.
and Le Morne beach. The hike takes around 3 hours, and a guide is required to reach the summit of Morne Brabant.
The Black River Gorges National Park, a nature hiking paradise in Mauritius
The Black River Gorges National Park is the largest national park in Mauritius, covering 2% of the country's surface area (6,700 hectares).
It plays a vital role in protecting Mauritius' biodiversity. Alternating between hills and lush forests, its unique ecosystem is home to the last primary tropical forest in Mauritius and the last remaining Mauritian Ebony trees.
The Black River Gorges are inhabited by numerous endemic animal species classified as endangered, such as the Pink Pigeon, the Mauritian Cardinal, the Blue-tailed Gecko and the Grosse Câteau verte. You'll also come across many monkeys, deer, wild boar and black bats, which are endemic to the island.
With over 60 km of signposted trails, the Black River Gorges National Park is considered to be a paradise for nature hikers in Mauritius!
Climbing the Piton de la Rivière Noire
Located in the centre of the Gorges de la Rivière Noire National Park, the Piton de la Rivière Noire is the country's highest peak (828 m). It offers majestic views over the entire west coast of Mauritius, the lagoon and the immense rainforest of the national park.
The hike to its summit can be difficult, and a guide may be advisable for a safe hike and to learn more about the biodiversity.
The Macchabée Viewpoint tour
This 11km hike, which lasts between 4 and 4.5 hours on average, takes you along the Colophane Trail to the Macchabée Viewpoint.
Along the way, the view of the Black River National Park below is impressive. At the summit, the 828-metre-high Piton de la Rivière Noire rises up before you, and to the north the Moka mountain range, with the Mauritian lagoon as a backdrop.
Sophie Natural Walk
The Sophie Loop Natural Walk is a beginner's hiking trail in Mauritius, ideal for a nature walk.
With a distance of 2.5km and a duration of 1h to 1h30, it winds its way through the immense, unspoilt forest of the Black River Gorges National Park, bordering several lakes that serve as water reservoirs for the Mauritian population.
There are many other hiking trails in the Black River Gorges National Park, including the Gorges Viewpoints trail (2.5 hours, easy), the Macchabée Forest Loop trail (3 hours, medium) and the Parakeet trail (7.5 hours, difficult).
For more information on the best hikes in Mauritius, we recommend that you consult the specialised website of Alltrails.com.
Domaine d'Anbalaba, the ideal starting point for some of the best walks in Mauritius
Located in the south of Mauritius, between mountains and dreamy beaches, our development is a haven of peace in a lush natural setting.
Close to Morne Brabant, a UNESCO-listed site, and Chamarel, gateway to the Black River Gorges National Park, Domaine d'Anbalaba is the ideal starting point for discovering the island's most beautiful walks.