Mountains in Mauritius

Also called Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire, Black River Peak is a part of the Black River Range. It is the highest mountain in Mauritius, at 828 metres. Reaching the top is easy. There are two routes for the same. 5 km. You can also start lower from Plateau in Chamarel. 2 km. It is a good idea to go up and come down through different routes.

Le Morne Brabant is a basalt monolith on the south-western tip of Mauritius, rising about 550 metres straight out of the sea at the end of the Le Morne peninsula. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, not for the rock itself but for what happened on it: the summit plateau sheltered maroons, slaves who had escaped the plantations, and it became a symbol of resistance to slavery. The hike takes three to four hours return, and the upper section is done with a licensed guide rather than alone. The lagoon off its western side is where the underwater waterfall illusion is photographed from the air.

Being the second-largest mountain in Mauritius, Pieter Both is 820 metres tall. Named after the first Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, the hill provides an iconic view and is a part of the Moka Range in Mauritius. Reaching the summit of this mountain is not possible without climbing gear. The rocks are very slippery and potentially dangerous. A few bolts on the hills facilitate the use of rope and harnesses, to avoid slipping off the rocks.

Le Pouce is the third-largest mountain in Mauritius that stands 812 metres tall. The climb provides a splendid view of the northern part of the island. The view Of Flat Island, Round Island and Snake Island is mesmerising and worth climbing the mountain. You can also take a look down at the capital city of Port Louis from the mountain top. Since the trailhead is not well sign-posted, it is better to have a map showing the routes.

Trou Aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano, one of the four in Mauritius. Also called Murr's Volcano, it is located in the Curepipe area and is one of Mauritius's most famous natural tourist attractions. The volcanic crater is 650 metres above sea level and has a depth of 100 metres. It is surrounded by dense green forest and offers a panoramic view of the Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis- Moka mountain range.

Standing 720 metres tall, Corps de Garde lies in between Rempart Mountain and Le Pounce Mountain. Located on the west side of Mauritius, it provides a broad and striking view of the island. The hill is well worn and comfortable to climb. Starting early on the trail is a good idea since there is almost no shade on the mountain. The route begins near the Stanley housing estate. There is plenty of parking space. The trail is well marked by white stones, making it easy to reach the ridgeline.

Located in the western Mauritian district of Riviere Noire, Rempart Mountain is closest to Tamarin. One of the highlights of this mountain is that it was featured on the 1950 and 1954 stamps of Mauritius. The route is eventful, and one can see beautiful deer, monkeys and macaques. The road to the south of the mountain is very rocky and has a single track which is going up. Its sharp pyramid shape, rising to about 555 metres behind Tamarin, has earned it the nickname of the Mauritian Matterhorn. The ascent is a steep scramble on loose rock with some exposure near the top, and it is one of the harder hikes on the island rather than a casual walk.

Located near Bataille of Vieux Grand Port, Lion Mountain is located in the southeast of Mauritius. There are different routes to climb up the hill. There are 102 steps on what is called the 'hind leg' of the mountain. The sight of a lighthouse on the island of Fouquet's, also known as Ile aux Phare, is majestic from the top. On the other side of the hill is a forest of Jamrosa trees. The climb on this portion of the forest is very steep, but the tree roots provide support.

Tourelle de Tamarin Mountain is 548 metres high and offers one of the best views of the entire western area of Mauritius. The mountain is private property and belongs to the Maingard family. The climb on this mountain starts at the sea level, on the northern slope. The path to the top of the hill is steep. Very few sections of the mountain are ideal for taking breaks for drinking and clicking beautiful pictures. A variety of indigenous plants grow here.

Located in Port Louis, the Signal Mountain rises to 323m. It has smooth roads, making it popular for a leisurely hike, and ideal for beginners. Quoin Bluff is another mountain located beside the Signal Mountain. Both offer a panoramic view of Port Louis. It rises to about 323 metres directly behind Port Louis and is the easiest real climb on the island, roughly an hour up on a clear path from the Marie Reine de la Paix shrine side. The summit looks straight down on the harbour, the Caudan Waterfront and the ships coming in, and it is best done early before the heat builds.