3 Best Hikes in Mauritius

When visiting Mauritius you should definitely check the hiking trails that this island has to offer! The flora of Mauritius is spectacular and every trail and peak offers unique views.

1. Tamarind falls / 7 cascades

The Tamarind falls are also known as Tamarin Falls or 7 cascades. They are a series of seven waterfalls located in the south-west of Mauritius in the village called Henrietta. This hike will definitely be the highlight of your trip to Mauritius. The breathtaking views, lush nature and the possibility to swim in the natural pools with refreshing water under the waterfalls are all reasons to visit the falls!

Initially, we were thinking about doing the hike by ourselves, but after discussing with locals and other tourists we decided to take a guide. Apparently, the mobile connection in the hiking area is not working properly and some of the trails are steep and challenging. Also, some of the tourists have gotten lost while hiking. If you are doing the hike for the first time I would definitely recommend to do it with a guide.

We did the full day tour (approx 6 hours) to the waterfalls with Prakash Isram from Green Discovery. Prakash is offering 2 types of hikes: full-day and half-day. The hike was an unforgettable and very interesting experience since our guide provided us with information regarding the flora and fauna. Our guide also offered home made Mauritian lunch, water and fruits that we ate while sitting next to a waterfall. Since our guide had over 10 years of experience he also knew which spots are safe for jumping in the water. During the hike you will be able to see not only 7 but 12 waterfalls! Prakash can be reached via WhatsApp on +23057608367.

2. La Tourelle de Tamarin Mountain

La Tourelle mountain is located in the village of Tamarin. When you reach the top of this mountain you will be amazed by the incredible views of the island’s west coast. 

There are two paths to the Mountain (path Z and path X). Path Z is 1,8 km and the difficulty level of this path is 3. The other path X is 1,3 km and the difficulty level of this route is 5. Both paths lead to the top of the mountain. We ended up choosing the path Z.

I recommend to start this hike early since the temperature is rising during the day. You should also bring enough water for this hike!

We started our hike at 6 am and the whole hike from the beginning to the end took us around 4 hours with the stop at the top. There had been a heavy rain on the previous day and the paths were pretty slippery. Be prepared that some parts of this hike are steep and there are ropes that help you to hike up. I ended up on my butt several times because the path was muddy and slippery in some places.

This Mountain is surrounded by a private area that has to be crossed in order to be able to hike the mountain. When we were staying in our accommodation our host was familiar with the owner of the land and he asked for the permission for us. However, you can also send an email to loic@terresbrunes.mu.

3. Le Morne Brabant Mountain

Le Morne Brabant Mountain, is probably the most popular tourist attraction of Mauritius. This mountain is located in south-western tip of the island and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. This mountain is an important symbol of the island and it has its own history related to slavery. You might want to get familiar with the history before you do the hike.

The hiking trail is 3,5 kilometres and you can choose to hike it alone or with the guide. We did the hike without a guide and I think that you can do the hike easily without one. The first part of the trail is easy and you just have to walk on the road. However, the second part requires climbing and at the end you are pretty much at 90 degrees with the mountain. Thus, you will have to use your hands to hike up. The whole hike will take 2-3 hours depending on your pace and the time that you spend at the top.

At the top of the mountain you’ll see a beautiful view of the lagoon and the south-western part of the island.