Hiking & Trekking

Holidaying on an idyllic island like Mauritius doesn’t necessarily mean that you must spend most of your time in a luxurious hotel. Instead, you can choose to immerse yourself in its pristine tropical nature, where you will encounter a rich and unique wildlife.

Mauritius makes for a wonderful destination for beach lovers and nature aesthetes alike. Apart from sipping a refreshing cocktail drink by a pool or sunbathing on a powdery beach, there are ample green spots around the island to soak in the fresh air. The best way to take in the scenic view of the Mauritian wilderness is by hiking or trekking the rugged trails or and jaggy mountains.

Despite the relatively small size of the island, there are numerous national parks, iconic waterfall spots, and off-the-beaten trails that have become trendy in recent years, thanks to conscious travelers and nature lovers, who are opting to indulge in ecological activities such as hiking or trekking.

Black River Gorges - The Most Popular National Park in Mauritius To Hike

One of the most popular national parks on the island is hands down the Black River Gorges, which sprawls about 67.54 km² of luxuriantly green areas tucked in the hilly south-western part of Mauritius. This vast area consists of upland native forest, drier lowland forest, and marshy heathland making an ideal habitat for diverse flora and fauna such as The Chinese guava, rusa deer, wild pigs, and some endemic birds like the Mauritius olive white-eye and the pink pigeon. 

Thanks to the painstaking effort of many conservation organisations, the park remains a suitable place for these endemic species, which is why it has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. 

Best Hiking & Trekking Trails in Black River Gorges

Below are some of the most popular trails in Black River Gorges.

• Machabee Trail: 8 km
• Mare Aux Joncs Waterfalls Trail: 6 km
• Alexandra Falls Trail: 2.5 km
• Cascade 500 Pieds Trail: 2.8 km
• Gollum Trail: 7 km
• Parakeet Trail: 6.5 km
• Trochetia Trail: 1.7 km

Iconic Hiking and Trekking Trails in Mauritius

There are many good reasons why many travelers choose to hike the iconic off-the-beaten trails in Mauritius - think basking in the bird’s eye view of the sugarcane fields and the azure ocean, which are all breathtaking! Be ready to take some amazing pictures of the White-tailed Tropicbirds or the Mauritius Kestrel bird as you hike along the way.

Some iconic hiking and trekking trails to consider:

• Pieter Both: Most popular trekking trail and the second-highest peak of Mauritius with a height of 820 meters.
• Le Morne Brabant: A World Heritage Site known for its historical importance and incredible views. 
• Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire: Highest peak of Mauritius, with a height of 828 meters.
• Tamarind Falls Trail: The tail consists of 12 spellbinding waterfalls.
• Eau Bleu Waterfalls: The trail is known for its translucent and turquoise waterholes.
• Le Pouce Mountain: One of the easiest hiking trails in Mauritius.