CatchPressions: Hiking in Mauritius: Mount Le Pouce

We recently went hiking in Mauritius up the mountain Le Pouce and I wanted to share the experience with you. Le Pouce is the third highest peak in Mauritius. It is located in the Moka District and is part of the Moka range of mountains. Le Pouce, which in French means “The Thumb”, is so named because of its thumb shaped peak.

The majority of the hike is considered to be fairly easy and no climbing gear is required. However, the very last part, about 75 metres to the summit can be slightly challenging; especially for newbies like me, due to the steep ascent. But let that not deter you; you only need a few good friends: some to push you from below and some others to hoist you up to the top!!

Anyway, I made it to the top, along with a great group of friends and the view from the summit is absolutely breathtaking. You can get a 360 degrees panoramic view of the island, especially on a clear day. The other mountain ranges, the harbour, the capital, the Champs de Mars racecourse, the northern plain and some of the northern islands are clearly visible.

If you are visiting Mauritius, I definitely recommend the hike up the Le Pouce. It is a great activity to do with a group of friends. The entire hike takes approximately half a day. It is best to start at daybreak; that way you can take advantage of the crisp, refreshing morning air and by the time you reach the summit, the early morning sunshine adds a magical glow to everything.

How to get there?

It is fairly easy to reach Le Pouce either from Port Louis (the capital) or St. Pierre (a village in the Moka District). If coming from Port Louis, either take a bus going towards St. Pierre (No. 12 Sebastopol) and get off at Chemin Le Pouce from where you can walk to the mountain or you could take a cab straight to the foot of the mountain. If coming from St. Pierre, you can take a bus going towards Port Louis (No. 12 Port Louis) and again get off at the same location. There are road signs leading up to the base of Le Pouce but these are not very distinct. So, in case of any confusion, do not hesitate to ask the locals for directions and they will be happy to guide you.

Things to take with you

It is not required to carry much stuff; just a water bottle, a few nuts or energy bars or something to keep you fuelled should you need it, some mosquito repellent and a cap/hat should be all that you’ll need. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy hiking shoes. Of course, do carry your camera for some stunning pictures.

In case you run out of water; Nature has made provision for that too! There is a fresh water source in the woods along the way and you get clear, cool, pure water that is so refreshing! However, a small word of caution here: go searching for the water source only if you are with people who know the terrain well.

Sharing some of the pictures I took along the way and at the summit. Hope you like them!