Le Pouce Mountain

Le Pouce is the mountain that defines the skyline north of Moka. The most popular hiking route starts from Petit Verger near Saint Pierre and climbs through sugar cane fields and forest to open grassy ridges, taking three to four hours return. The trail is well-marked and feasible for fit walkers without specialist equipment, though the final push to the summit is steep.

The summit gives 360-degree views: Port Louis and the north to the left, the central plateau falling away to the south, and on clear days the whole arc of the Mauritius coastline. It is best hiked early — before 9am to avoid the heat — and is most rewarding in the dry season (May to November) when visibility is sharpest. Take water and sun protection; there is no shade on the upper section.

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A story
Le Pouce — "The Thumb" — takes its name from its distinctive shape, visible from much of the island. At 812 metres it is the third highest peak in Mauritius, but it is the most accessible of the major summits and the most frequently climbed. On clear mornings, from the top you can see both the east and west coasts of the island simultaneously — the whole island laid out below you in one view.