Hikes

On the Plaine Champagne road, a large car park with a few vendors marks the start of a short shady path: past picnic tables and a small bridge over a calm river, you reach the viewpoint in five minutes. A wooden platform gives a panorama over the forested valley and the south-east coast, with the white ribbon of Alexandra Falls on the right. More seasoned walkers can extend on a 2.75 km loop that drops to the top of the falls, which is much steeper. A must-stop when crossing the park.

Bras d'Eau National Park on the north-east coast offers a flat, shady walk. From the visitor centre, pass the picnic area and follow the 'Nature Trail' signs: the loop crosses secondary forest on black basalt, skirts small ponds and wetlands (Mare Chevrettes, Mare Mahogany) and reaches Bras d'Eau beach, lined with large trees. It is one of the best places to look for the endangered Mauritius paradise flycatcher. An ideal family outing to combine with a swim at Poste Lafayette.

In the heart of Curepipe, Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano whose crater, 300–350 m wide and about 80 m deep, cradles a small lake in the forest. A loop of about 1.3 km follows the rim at 605 m above sea level, with lookouts that plunge into the crater or open onto the central plateau, Trois Mamelles and, on a fine day, the west coast. It is a short, flat stroll, perfect for children, morning runners or a break while visiting Curepipe.

High above Chamarel, Ebony Forest is a native forest restoration project where thousands of endemic seedlings have replaced invasive species. The 5–6 km guided trek crosses these recovering plots in search of endemic birds and leads to Sublime Point, a lookout where drinks and snacks are served with views of Le Morne and Île aux Bénitiers. Keener walkers then climb Piton Canot (542 m) for a 360° panorama. The visit includes a short wildlife film and access to the small natural history museum. An accessible, educational outing.

At the foot of the Bambous mountains near Vieux Grand Port, La Vallée de Ferney protects one of the last native forest sanctuaries in the east. Four marked routes are offered: route 01 (5 km, 75 m of ascent) is a family walk on open tracks, while routes 02, 03 and 04 (8, 13 and 18 km) build up to a technical course with nearly 1,000 m of climbing. Along the way: an endemic plant nursery, a tortoise enclosure, deer and Mauritius kestrels; guided tours also mention pink pigeons and echo parakeets. An on-site restaurant serves farm produce.

Right above Port Louis, Signal Mountain (323 m) is the easiest nature outing from the capital. You follow the fitness road up to a saddle, then turn west towards the radio masts to reach the summit. The way is wide and easy, popular with morning joggers. From the top the view plunges over the harbour, the Caudan, the citadel and the Moka range with Le Pouce and Pieter Both. Experienced hikers can continue along the ridge towards Snail Rock, a much rougher route.

Piton Savanne (704 m) overlooks the south coast from the edge of Black River Gorges National Park. The well-made path crosses upland heath and pink pigeon habitat before a short final climb to the summit, easy to spot thanks to its mast. The ascent is modest, making it one of the island's most accessible summit hikes and suitable for families. From the top, the view stretches over the southern cane fields, the lagoon from Souillac to Bel Ombre and the forested ridges of the gorges.

Near Souillac, Rochester Falls emerges in the middle of the cane fields, a few minutes' walk from the end of the track. Known as the widest waterfall in Mauritius, it pours over basalt walls with distinctive rectangular shapes, formed as the lava cooled. You get there by following small signs from the main road, then a stony track. It is not a hike as such but a short, easy walk that combines well with Gris-Gris and the Telfair garden on a day in the south.

In the centre-east of Rodrigues, Grande Montagne reserve is an ecological restoration project led since the 1980s by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and the forestry services. On around twenty hectares replanted with native species, signed trails lead to a lookout over the east coast. The guided tour starts at the Dominique Farla information centre and lets you see the Rodrigues fody and warbler, the Rodrigues fruit bat, Aldabra tortoises and extremely rare plants such as café marron. A great introduction to the island's unique nature.

On Rodrigues's east coast, this path links Graviers with Pointe Coton through the island's wildest coves. After a track under casuarinas, you join a coastal path passing Anse Fémie, Anse Bouteille, Trou d'Argent, Anse Philibert, Saint-François, Anse Ally and Fumier beach. Height gain is minimal, but a few steps and short climbs break up the route between limestone cliffs and white sand. Pack a swimsuit and mask: every cove invites a stop. The walk is one way, with a return by bus.

About 850 m off the south-east coast, Île aux Aigrettes is a 27-hectare nature reserve run by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation since 1985. After a short boat ride, a guide shows you the restored dry coastal forest, one of the last of its kind, and the reintroduced species: pink pigeons, Mauritius fodies and olive white-eyes, Telfair's skinks and Aldabra giant tortoises standing in for the extinct native tortoises. The trail is short and flat, suitable for all. Entry fees directly fund conservation programmes.

From the Pétrin plateau, this loop dives into one of the finest remaining native forests in Mauritius, at the heart of Black River Gorges National Park. The trail, on uneven forest ground, follows the Macchabée ridge among native hardwoods and tree ferns, with lookouts opening onto the deep gorges. With luck you may spot the echo parakeet, the pink pigeon or the Mauritius bulbul. Allow a good half-day: the route is long but not technical. Let someone know which loop you are taking before setting off.

Corps de Garde (720 m) is the rocky wall overlooking Rose Hill and Quatre Bornes. The path leaves the roadside near Camp Levieux and climbs straight up, marked with white stones, to the ridgeline. From there you turn south and follow a clear track behind a rock outcrop to the summit. The ascent is steady but not technical, and the view more than repays the effort: the Plaines Wilhems towns, Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce and the distant west coast. An ideal urban hike at sunrise.

Le Morne Brabant is the 556 m basalt monolith guarding the island's south-west tip, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape that honours escaped slaves. The climb is only allowed from the official entrance run by the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund. At present only Section 1 is open: a trail of about 2.5 km one way that climbs through dry scrub to Viewpoint 2, already offering a superb outlook over the lagoon, the peninsula and the kitesurf spots. The steeper Section 2 remains closed because of rockfall danger. Always check the Trust Fund's notices before you go.

Le Pouce (812 m), the island's third-highest summit, takes its name from a rocky spur shaped like a raised thumb above Port Louis. The most common route starts on the Moka side: a track through cane fields leads to a path up the ridge, followed by a short final scramble where you use your hands. The northern version from Tranquebar (Port Louis) is longer but shadier and works as a one-way traverse by bus. From the top you look over the capital, its harbour, Moka, Beau Bassin–Rose Hill and, further off, Pieter Both. An ideal half-day introduction to the central mountains.

Starting at the Black River entrance of the national park, this trail gently follows a stream, almost entirely in forest shade, up to the Mare aux Joncs waterfall. At the first fork bear left towards Mare aux Joncs/Pilgrim Trail, then left again. The climb stays moderate and the path is easy to follow on the way up, making it a good outing for families used to walking. The repeated stream crossings are part of the fun but call for grippy shoes. A pleasant alternative to the peaks when the sun is fierce.

The highest point in Mauritius (828 m), Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire towers over the gorges and the west coast. The most popular route starts high up on the Plaine Champagne road, which keeps the climb modest: a wide, shady path crosses the forest before a final steeper push where a chain helps. On top, a bench nicknamed 'Bench 828' invites you to take in Tamarin, Le Morne, the gorges and, on a clear day, most of the island. Other, longer and tougher approaches start from Chamarel or the Black River visitor centre.

Visible from Mahébourg, Lion Mountain is named after its shape, like a big cat lying above Grand Port bay. The loop starts at the Vieux Grand Port police station, crosses cane fields and climbs a steep gully to the ridge, from where you follow the lion's back among rocks and scrub. The physical effort is reasonable but navigation is tricky: the path is unmarked and forks often. From the top, the view over the turquoise lagoon, Île aux Aigrettes and the south-east coast is one of the finest on the island.

The Parakeet Trail links the Black River entrance, almost at sea level, with the Plaine Champagne plateau at over 700 m. It is named after the echo parakeet, a bird rescued from the brink of extinction that can be seen in these forests. The well-worn path climbs in successive stages under the canopy, so views are rare but the forest immersion is complete. It is often walked one way, which means arranging a car or taxi at the other end. A solid workout for fit hikers.

On the Tamarin River, north-west of the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, a series of seven falls cuts into a lush gorge: the '7 Cascades', or Tamarind Falls. Guided outings usually start from Henrietta and descend unmarked paths between pools, boulders and dense vegetation, with views over several falls. The terrain is rough and access is a sensitive issue, as part of the site is regulated: this is a trip to do with a local guide who knows the water levels and the permissions in force.

The Trois Mamelles are the three rocky points that dominate Vacoas and the western plain, recognisable from afar. The climb to the central peak starts in the cane fields: you follow the treeline, go up a dry stream bed, then a gully leading to the saddle between the west and central peaks. The last part follows a narrow, craggy ridge with a few easy climbing moves and a ledge to negotiate. It is short but committing, for hikers at ease on rocky ground. The reward: a 360° view over Tamarin, the gorges and the central plateau.

At 820 m, Pieter Both is Mauritius's second-highest summit and its most recognisable: a boulder balanced on a spire, visible from Port Louis and Moka. The path leaves La Laura and climbs quickly through steep gullies to the shoulder below the 'head'. It is short but physical, with some easy climbing moves and exposed sections. The summit boulder, about nine metres high, is a climbing objective tackled with rope and belay, often using fixed spikes. For most walkers the shoulder already gives an outstanding panorama over the Moka range and the northern coast. Go only with experience or a qualified guide.