Hike to the Highest Mountain Peak in Mauritius and Enjoy an Amazing View of the Indian Ocean

Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire

One of the most exciting and amazing hikes in Mauritius, Piton De La Petite Riviere Noire Mountain is the highest mountain peak in Mauritius. And the best part is that it is very easy to reach and hike here and is actually easier than the Le Morne hike as well.

So, if you want to climb the highest mountain of Mauritius, then here is everything you need to know to make this possible. And trust me, you can do it. We saw so many families with small kids doing this hike as well so it is not as tough as some other hikes in Mauritius.

Black River Gorges National Park

About Black River Gorges National Park

Covering an area of approximately 67.5 km square, Black River Gorges National Park offers lots of amazing views and acts as a protection to Mauritius' remaining rainforest land. Here, you will find a large variety of flora and fauna including plants like pivet, Chinese guava, etc. and birds and animals including Rusa Deer, Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Flying Fox, and so on.

But the best part is that it is also home to several amazing trails like Machabee Trail, Parakeet Trail, Mare Longue Reservoir, Black River Peak, and so on.

Out of this, Black River Peak trail is the most famous one as it leads you to the Piton De La Petite Riviere Noire Mountain which is the highest peak in Mauritius.

Mauritius

Best Time to Visit Mauritius

If you are interested in hiking and other outdoor activities then the best time to visit Mauritius is from May to October.

In the winter months, the air is cooler and there is less humidity as well so you can enjoy hiking. And it is a great time for diving, snorkeling, and other water-related activities as well.

The months of August to October are quite popular as well since it is the flowering season in Mauritius. So, during this time, you will be able to sight some exotic flora and fauna like wild guavas, dodo tree, pink pigeon, Mauritius kestrels, and so on.

How to Reach Piton De La Petite Riviere Noire Mountain Trail

Photo of Hike to the Highest Mountain Peak in Mauritius and Enjoy an Amazing View of the Indian Ocean by Rachita Saxena

It is harder to reach the starting point of this trail which is just 300 m from the Gorges viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. But there are a few ways in which you can plan to reach here and start your trek.

Self-Drive Rentals

One of the easiest and the most convenient way of reaching the trail's starting point is by renting a scooty or a car. You will easily get a scooty for 10 USD or less per day here.

So, you can simply take your scooty and park it just opposite the trail and go on the hike. This way, you save a lot of money and you have time flexibility as well.

Buses

There aren't any direct buses coming to this stop so you would be hard-pressed to reach here. One option is to take the Chamarel bus and then walk for 6.5 km to reach here but it would be very tiring.

Cabs/Taxis

Finally, you can hire a taxi to drop you off and pick you up at the road here. It will be costly but if you don't want to walk and don't have a license for renting a scooter or a car, then this is your only option to reach.

Piton De La Petite Riviere Noire Mountain Hiking Route Details

As I said above, the trail for the Black River Peak is around 300 m from the Gorges Viewpoint. And you would see a board and a trail sign on the rock as depicted in the above picture to mark the trail start.

Once you start walking the trail, you would see trees both on your side a basically straightforward pathway. There is no chance of getting lost here because the trail is very clearly laid out and there aren't forks in the trail here.

There is just mud, dirt, and trees on this path for the next 45 - 60 minutes. After that, you will arrive across the first viewpoint from where you can enjoy a view of the Le Morne mountain and a small part of Chamarel.

You will walk and climb gradually on the same path filled with stones, mud, and trees. If you are visiting just after rainfall, then the road will be slightly muddy and slippery which can make it hard to walk. But if the path is dry then it is quite easy to walk here.

After about another 45 minutes, you will come across a slope where you will find a rope fixed at the side to help you climb up. This is the trickiest part of the hike which lasts for all about 5 minutes and you finally reach the top of the Black River Peak.

From here, you can enjoy the west coast view and the rest of the Black River Gorges national park. There is also a bench here to sit and relax and enjoy the magnificent view in front of you.

The trek takes around 1.5 - 2.5 hours to reach the summit and can be completed in a total of 5 hours. So, you can do it in the first half part of your day and then head to Chamarel after it or relax on one of the beaches nearby.

Things to Carry With You on the Piton De La Petite Riviere Noire Mountain Hike

Trekking Shoes

You will definitely need a good pair of trekking shoes as the path is filled of stones, mud, and trees. So, you need a good pair of hiking/trekking shoes to accompany you.

Daypack

You also need to get a daypack with some food, water, jacket, etc. so that you can take your time when you are on the top of the peak.

Food and Water

There is no food or water provision on this hike so you better get your own refreshments.

Light Jacket

The wind is strong at the top of the peak so carry a light jacket to keep yourself warm.

Summary

Honestly, hiking the highest mountain peak in Mauritius was easier than hiking Le Pouce Mountain which is the third highest peak here. Also, the hike was quite rewarding as you get to enjoy a view of the west coast including the Le Morne mountain and you can enjoy the bird's eye view of the rest of the Black River Gorges National Park.