Trail Notes for Black River Mauritius
Safety note, 31 October 2026: After curfews from 12 to 18 October, Mauritius reopened on 19 October with roads and schools running again. The UK says to avoid demonstrations, and the US asks visitors to take increased caution because of crime. Confirm your own government’s guidance before paying for anything.
Trail notes for Black River
The main hikes in Black River District fit one table. Figures are approximate, because published distances vary between sources, and no public bus reaches any of the trailheads.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire | about 6 to 7.5 km return | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | free |
| Macchabee, Petrin to Black River | about 8 to 10 km one way | 3 to 4 hours downhill | free park entry |
| Le Morne Brabant | about 7 km return | 3.5 to 4 hours | free, guide extra |
Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire
This 828 m summit is the island’s highest point. Start from the B103 Plaine Champagne road near Petrin. A shaded forest track leads in, and the last stretch is a steep ridge where ropes help you over slick roots and rock. The ground is muddy for most of the year. Deep-tread boots matter more than anything else in the bag. A guide is optional for walkers with experience.
Macchabee trail
Walk it from the highland end, at Petrin, down to the Black River visitor centre near the coast. On the way you pass the Macchabee viewpoint over the gorge and forest where echo parakeets and pink pigeons live. Visitor centres open for short hours, and Petrin shuts around mid-afternoon on weekdays and around 11:00 on Saturdays, so be on the trail early. Book a taxi for pickup at the lower end.
For company on the trail, look at guided gorge hikes on GetYourGuide .
River and weather rules
- A downpour on Plaine Champagne can lift stream levels in minutes. Turn back instead of wading.
- Macaques along the trails are not to be fed.
- Allow 1.5 to 2 litres of water each.
Le Morne Brabant
A UNESCO site, this mountain honours the Maroons who took refuge on it, so hikers should go quietly and treat it as a place of memory. The lower half is a graded gravel path to a plateau around 250 m, open to anyone of moderate fitness. The upper half is an exposed scramble on steep basalt. A licensed guide is strongly advised for it, and group guided hikes run about Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per person. Begin at 06:00 or 06:30 to beat the heat, and carry at least 2 litres of water. The route is closed in wet weather. It also closed after a landslide in 2023 and reopened in July 2023 on a new route, so check conditions before you travel.
Kit list
Grippy shoes, a hat, sun cream, a rain layer, water and a charged phone.
Read more: sightseeing , outdoor activities and the 4 day Mauritius itinerary .
Official pages: Black River Gorges National Park and UNESCO on Le Morne .