Morne Seychellois National Park: hiking Mahé's mountains

Why go up the mountain

From the beach, Mahé's interior looks like a solid wall of green. Up close, it is a cool, quiet world of tree ferns, wild cinnamon, pitcher plants and bare granite domes, with views over the turquoise lagoons below. A morning in the park is the perfect contrast to beach days and costs very little.

The best hikes

**Copolia** is the classic. The trail starts on the Sans Souci road above Victoria and climbs for about an hour through forest to a broad granite summit. From the top you look down on Victoria, Eden Island and the Sainte Anne Marine Park, and on clear days out to Praslin. Look for pitcher plants and the endemic jellyfish tree on the way.

**Morne Blanc** starts near the old tea factory on the Sans Souci road and is short but steep, taking around forty-five minutes up through mist forest to a sheer cliff edge. The view over the west coast and Port Glaud at sunset is unforgettable.

The **Trois Frères** trail climbs to a summit above Victoria, and the longer **Morne Seychellois** route to the country's highest point is for fit, experienced hikers, ideally with a guide. Paths can be overgrown and confusing.

Lower down, the **Vacoa Nature Trail** and the walk to **Anse Major** from Danzil sit on the park's edge and suit anyone with a little stamina.

Mission Ruins and the tea factory

The **Mission Ruins** at Venn's Town, on the Sans Souci road, are the remains of a 19th century school for the children of freed slaves. An avenue of sandragon trees leads to a viewing platform with a sweeping view down to the west coast. It is a calm, moving stop and easy to reach. Just along the road, the **Seychelles Tea Tavern** at the old tea factory lets you taste locally grown tea with a view of the plantations.

Wildlife and plants

The park shelters many plants found nowhere else, including the Seychelles pitcher plant, the jellyfish tree and endemic palms. Birdwatchers look for the Seychelles blue pigeon, Seychelles bulbul, sunbird and, with luck, the Seychelles kestrel. Tiny frogs and chameleons live in the leaf litter.

When to go

May to October is cooler and drier, with clearer skies on the summits. December to March is hot, humid and wetter, and trails can be slippery. Whatever the month, start early, because cloud often builds on the peaks by late morning.

Getting there

The **Sans Souci road**, which crosses Mahé from Victoria to Port Glaud, gives access to most trailheads. Buses use the road several times a day, or take a taxi and arrange a pickup. Trailheads are signed but parking is limited.

Staying safe on the trails

Hike with company, tell someone at your accommodation where you are going and when you expect to be back, and stick to marked paths. Carry plenty of water, wear shoes with grip and take a rain layer. Government travel advice notes occasional robberies on isolated trails, so walking in a group or with a registered guide is wise. The park is managed by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority; check its site for trail news and any entry fees.

Where to stay

There is no lodge inside the park, but guesthouses in the hills at Sans Souci and Bel Air sit close to the trailheads, and Beau Vallon and Victoria are both a short ride away.