Trois Frères Trail
A mountain hike above Victoria to the shoulder of the Three Brothers peaks. Steeper and wilder than Copolia, it climbs through forest and glacis to a commanding view over the capital and the sea.
Above the capital
The Trois Freres, the Three Brothers, are the trio of peaks that rise steeply behind Victoria, and the trail that climbs their forested shoulder is one of the classic mountain walks of the Morne Seychellois National Park. It starts near the Sans Souci road above the capital and heads up through tall forest onto open glacis, the bare granite that crowns the Seychelles highlands.
It is a real hike rather than a stroll, steeper and more demanding than the popular Copolia trail nearby, and that effort keeps it quieter. Proper shoes, water and a reasonable level of fitness matter here, and in the wet the granite can be slick, so a dry day is best.
Forest, glacis and the view
The climb passes through shaded endemic forest before breaking out onto the rock, where the vegetation thins and the views begin to open. From the upper trail the reward is a sweeping panorama over Victoria, the harbour, the Ste Anne islands and the ocean beyond, a big, earned view that puts the little capital and its reef into their full setting.
A local guide is well worth arranging for the flora, the route-finding and safety on the steeper glacis. This is the mountain Seychelles that most beach visitors never see, cool, green and wild only a short drive above the town.
Know before you go
| Where | Morne Seychellois National Park, above Victoria, Mahe |
| Type | Steep forest and glacis climb to a viewpoint |
| Effort | Demanding, steeper than Copolia, for reasonably fit walkers |
| Bring | Grippy shoes, plenty of water, sun protection, a rain layer |
| Guide | Recommended for route-finding, flora and safety on the rock |
| Time to allow | Around half a day |
| Best time | Early morning in dry, settled weather |
What visitors say
★ 4.5 · 40 Google reviews★★★★The easy end of moderate. Short, too. Trail is clear and easy to follow. There’s a carpark at the bottom next to the place you pay (or show your residents card).
Mark Lascelles · via Google
★★★★★A much easier path than the Morne Blanc. Previously installed steps are missing in a few places. Wonderful nature at your fingertips and a downright stunning view from the final spot under the roof. Highly recommended to all!
W MS · via Google
★★★★★1.25 hour hike up to a great viewing deck that looks out over Victoria. Saw loads of wildlife and no other humans!
Joe Ford · via Google
★★★★Quite a difficult walk/climb and can be quite slippery despite ropes to hang onto higher up. It takes an hour up and the same time down. Down is actually more difficult and challenging. View on top is very nice, but I wo…
MGG Rodgers · via Google
The mountain trails above Victoria reward a guide who knows the route and the flora over the glacis. Book a guided Morne Seychellois hike, and stay near the capital to reach the Sans Souci trailheads in minutes.
Guided glacis hikeGuided Morne Seychellois trail hikefrom €85 per groupBook this hikeTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Copolia Trail · Salazie Nature Trail · Mission Lodge
Take the easier Copolia trail nearby if you are unsure of your fitness. Trois Freres is steeper and wilder, best saved for a dry morning with a guide, when the earned view over Victoria is at its clearest.
