Black River Gorges National Park is the green heart of Mauritius: a wide sweep of deep valleys, cliffs, waterfalls and the island’s largest surviving area of native forest, protected since 1994. It is home to some of the rarest birds on earth, including the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet, all brought back from the edge of extinction, along with fruit bats and troops of macaque monkeys. The park is free to enter and has a network of marked trails from the visitor centres at Pétrin in the uplands and Black River at the lower, western entrance, but the paths are long, steep in places and poorly signed beyond the main routes, which is why a guide makes the visit easier and safer. This page links to Hiking in the Black River Gorges National Park: Native Forest with Yanature, rated 4.9 from around 140 reviews. The walk starts from the lower park entrance near Black River on the west coast and climbs through native forest, over rocks and tree roots, to a viewpoint more than 500 metres above sea level, with the gorges below and the coast beyond. Along the way the guide explains the endemic plants, the conservation work and the island’s geology. It is a satisfying half-day for active walkers and a perfect contrast to beach days.
How it works: you meet the guide at the Riverview Complex on Les Gorges Road in Black River and follow by taxi or rental car to the lower-entrance parking about five kilometres away. The hike lasts about three hours and ends at the Black River visitor centre. Bottled water and any fees are included, start times are chosen at booking, and free cancellation is possible until 24 hours before.
What you see: the trail climbs steeply through native and regenerating forest to a viewpoint over the gorges, with chances to see fruit bats, monkeys and native birds, though wildlife is never guaranteed. The upland Pétrin side of the park, reached by road, has easier short walks and the famous Gorges viewpoint on the road to Chamarel, which you can visit on your own another day.
Making the most of it: wear proper hiking shoes, as the path is rocky and slippery after rain, and bring a light rain jacket. The tour does not accept children under ten and needs moderate fitness. Pair it with a dolphin morning or a quiet afternoon on Flic en Flac or Tamarin beach.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided forest hike from the lower Black River entrance of the national park up to a viewpoint over the gorges, ending at the visitor centre.
Best time
Morning starts in the drier months from May to November give the coolest walking and the clearest views; trails are muddy after heavy summer rain.
How long
About three hours on foot, plus a short drive from the meeting point in Black River.
Tips
Wear hiking shoes with grip, bring a rain layer and insect repellent, and arrange your own transport to the meeting point.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Walkers who want to see the native forest and rare wildlife of Mauritius with someone who knows the trails.
- Families
- Suited to active teenagers and adults; children under ten are not accepted, so younger families should drive to the Gorges viewpoint instead.
- Couples
- A morning in the forest, then a late lunch and sunset on the west coast, is a perfect contrast to beach days.
- Pair with
- The Le Morne hike for a second summit, or the Chamarel Geopark just up the road.
- Time needed
- A morning, leaving the afternoon free.
Good questions
Is Black River Gorges National Park free to visit?+
Yes, entry to the national park is free and you can walk the marked trails on your own. A guide helps on the longer, steeper and less clearly signed routes.
What wildlife might I see in Black River Gorges?+
The park shelters rare native birds such as the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet, as well as fruit bats and macaque monkeys. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How difficult is the guided hike?+
It needs moderate fitness and includes a steep climb over rocks and tree roots. Children under ten are not accepted.
Where does the Black River Gorges hike start?+
You meet the guide in Black River on the west coast and drive about five kilometres to the lower park entrance. The walk ends at the Black River visitor centre.
Can I see the gorges without hiking?+
Yes, the Gorges viewpoint on the upland road between Pétrin and Chamarel looks over the valleys. It is an easy roadside stop on a south-west drive.
