PLAN YOUR TRIP TO MAURITIUS – Hiking & Things to do

Hiking & Things to do:

Hike the Black River Gorges National Park 

The Black River Gorges National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Mauritius. The national park covers over 6,700 hectares of mountains and forests where you can spend the day hiking to several viewpoints and waterfalls. 

The Black River Gorges is completely free to visit and there are different hiking trails available including the Black River Peak, Mare aux Joncs and Savanne trail or the more challenging Parakeet trail. The national park is also home to two popular waterfalls –  Cascade 500 Pieds and Alexandra Falls.

Most of the trails are well-marked but you can also use the maps.me app to help you navigate around the national park. 

There are four main entrances to the Black River Gorges and the two information centers are located at Petrin and Black River.

Hike to Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades) 

The Tamarind Falls (also known as Tamarin Falls or 7 Cascades) is a series of 12 waterfalls, seven of which are much bigger. The waterfalls are located in the village of Henrietta and are among the most popular attractions in Mauritius. 

Bras D’Eau National Park 

A less popular alternative to the Black River Gorges, Bras D’Eau National Park covers an area of over 490 hectares and is one of the most underrated things to do in Mauritius. 

You can start your hike from the visitor’s center or if you’re coming from Bras D’Eau Beach, walk along the road and take the little dirt road on your right just before the road bends towards the left (click here for the exact location).  

Keep walking until you see a huge stone building which was probably an old sugar mill. Walk for a few meters and then turn right until you reach a sign pointing to the “Coq de Bois” trail and “Mare Chevrette”. 

Unfortunately, the trail can be confusing so I recommend using google maps or maps.me to get a rough idea of where you’re going. 

Scenic hike to Pont Naturel 

If you love exploring the outdoors and are looking for a unique thing to do in Mauritius, make sure to add Pont Naturel to your list! Pont Naturel is a natural rock formation that has been shaped into a bridge by the force of nature over several thousand years.  

The best and most scenic way to get there is to hike from La Cambuse or Le Bouchon beach which will take you through sugarcane fields, mangroves with stunning views over a rugged coastline. 

Trou Kanaka

Ever been inside a volcano? If not, you can actually hike to Trou Kanaka which is a dormant volcano found in the village of Bois Chéri, in the south of Mauritius.

The volcano is easily accessible through a dirt road that goes along several tea fields. The landscape is truly breathtaking with rows of tea fields that seem to stretch out for miles! Along the way, you’ll also go through a bamboo forest that looks like a tunnel! 

The trail is mostly flat, thus suitable for all fitness levels. You do need to be careful when going inside the volcano as the path becomes slightly steeper.

To get there, park your car on a little side road (exact location) found next to the tea fields. Take the path next to the Kanaka Lane sign. Keep walking and then turn right along a narrow path. 

You’ll eventually reach an intersection that opens up to more tea fields. Turn left and keep walking straight ahead until you find a path on your left that goes slightly uphill. This leads to the viewpoint area. You can also hike down to the inside of the volcano if you wish. 

Overall, it should take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to get from the main road to Trou Kanaka. For more details, you can refer to this map.

Climb up Le Morne Brabant Mountain

Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was previously used as a refuge for runaway slaves. Today it’s one of the top hikes to do in Mauritius.

While the hiking trail is to follow, it does require some rock scrambling towards the middle but you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views of the underwater waterfall, a unique natural phenomenon in Mauritius!  

After the hike, head to Le Morne beach to cool off. The main beach is very busy during the weekend but you can go a bit further to the beach next to Hotel Riu Le Morne if you want to escape the crowds. 

Hike up Le Pouce Mountain 

Shaped like a thumb, the peak of Le Pouce Mountain provides a 360-degree view all over Mauritius Island. Located in the village of Petit Verger, Saint Pierre, the hiking trail is quite easy, making it perfect for all fitness levels.  

Hike up Corps de Garde Mountain 

A great spot for nature lovers, Corps de Garde mountain stands at a height of 720 meters and is located in Stanley, Rose Hill. The hike isn’t too challenging but since the path isn’t covered by trees, an early start is advisable before it starts to heat up.

Watch the sunset on Signal Mountain 

If you’re not up for a hike but rather prefer an easy walk to witness the sunset over Port Louis, Signal Mountain is right up your alley! The path is easy to follow and it takes less than one hour to climb all the way up.