Other Places of Interest

When you are travelling around Mauritius, there are other places which might be of interest to the visitor there. Below, I have listed some places and their geo-position which are worth stopping for if you are passing through the area.

Signal Mountain

Coordinates: -20.173711, 57.500043

Located to the south of the capital Port Louis, there is a tarred road leading to the top of Signal mountain. Access to vehicles is blocked by a gate, but there is free access to pedestrians. Relatively easy walk offring views over the capital, and is best accomplished during the early hours when the sun is still low.

Trou Kanaka

Coordinates: -20.4056753, 57.5187174

Trou Kanaka is an extinct volcano crater in the south of Mauritius, similar to that of Trou aux Cerfs, located in the tea fields of Grand Bois and Bois Cheri. The route is along an untarred road starting off the B88 travelling from Grand Bassin to Grand Bois. The route is short enough to be accomplished by foot or can be undertaken using a car during dry periods or a 4x4 vehicle.

Grand River South East Waterfall

Coordinates: -20.2804896, 57.7746308

Most visitors are accustomed to visiting this waterfall by boat from either Ile aux Cerfs or from the estuary of Grand River South East. The top of the waterfall can be reached from a short path from the main road going to the estuary of Grand River South East.

Tamarind Falls

Coordinates: -20.3400101, 57.4690472

This series of several waterfalls located near Henrietta are a popular destination for hikers. There are two routes, the first starts by the viewpoint near the bus station and takes you down to the hydro-electric power station at the bottom of the valley, and the second route takes you along the river near Tamarind Falls reservoir starting from the top of the first waterfall and making your way down. When you reach the bus station of Henrietta, you will likely be accosted by locals offering to guide you down to the waterfalls at cost. If it is your first visit to the area, use of a guide is recommended as the path can be tricky in some places.

Mount Piton

Coordinates: -20.1173826, 57.6280415

Mount Piton is a small mount surrounded by sugar cane fields in the north of Mauritius, near the village of Piton. The location offers some good views over the North of the island and inland towards the mountain ranges near Port Louis, Moka and Pieter Both.

Northern Viewpoint

Coordinates: -20.1960885, 57.5607607

The Northern Viewpoint is located in the valley located near La Laura-Malenga and Montagne Longue mountain. The area is accessible from the North by the road leading from Montagne Longue with a short walk uphill to the viewpoint, or from the village of Malenga from the centre of the island. Only a footpath remains connecting the two roads, so it is not possible to drive by car across the two locations.

Pont BonDieu

Coordinates: -20.1849759, 57.6427594

Pont BonDieu is a complex of underground lava tubes forming caves found in the Northern part of Mauritius near the route to La Nicoliere reservoir from Ripailles. The location has some interesting features, but fly tipping has blighted the area.

Waterfall at Riche en Eau

Coordinates: -20.385414, 57.663219

Riche en Eau is a small village near Mahebourg, notable for its sugar factory. A small but impressive set of waterfalls is to be found a short distance away through the sugar cane fields.

Black River National Park

Coordinates: -20.408752, 57.4729347

This park covers a fairly large area. There are two starting points; the first is located at Black River where a road is signposted off the main coastal road after you have left La Preneuse, and the second is located in the highlands of Les Marres at the junction to Grand Bassin.
There are various routes available here, and if you are starting from Les Marres, the routes are fairly flat and there is little climbing involved. Places to visit from Les Marres include the Machabee viewpoint and the Mare Longue path. Starting from Black River, there is a route taking you up the valley to the Machabee viewpoint and a further route taking you to the Mare aux Joncs waterfall.
There are also other places to visit including the waterfalls at Alexandria Falls, and a further hike past the first set of falls will take you to the 500 Foot waterfall. On the road to the Black River viewpoint, there is a hiking sign indicting a route to Bel Air found on the south coast of the Island.

Chamarel Waterfall

Coordinates: -20.443037, 57.385955

This popular waterfall is often seen from the road leading to the Seven coloured earths at Chamarel, and as an alternative, you can also view the valley below from the top of the waterfall. It is a short walk from the main road travelling from the entrance to the Seven coloured earths to Baie du Cap. You must cross the river to reach the top of the waterfall and care should be taken by the small dam, as a long leap is required to cross the water. Note: Agricultural activity takes place in this area, keep to the road and footpaths and do not damage any crops.
It is also possible to walk to the bottom of the valley of the waterfall, but I have never undertaken this route.