Volcanic landscapes and hiking in Mauritius' highlands
Black River Gorges National Park, South West Mauritius
Black River Gorges National Park sits in southwest Mauritius and anchors this listing with forested highlands, hiking trails and the island’s highest point. The park covers 6,574 hectares and is managed for conservation, education and leisure, so it feels purposeful rather than purely scenic. Visitors can move through different microclimates, from damp upland forest to drier lowland forest, which adds variety to a hiking day. Independent coverage describes thickly forested hillsides and dizzying canyons, giving the landscape a rugged character that rewards active exploration. The trail network runs to around 60 kilometres, so there is enough terrain to support longer walks as well as shorter outings. One listed route is the Black River Peak Trail, a nine-kilometre return walk from Gorette rated moderate. Mauritius is also presented as a place with a wide range of trails for those willing to go off the beaten path. For travellers who want inland scenery and steady hiking rather than a resort-led stay, this is a strong fit.