MORNE BLANC
A short, sharp climb to one of the most spectacular viewpoints on Mahé. Through cool mist forest to a lookout perched high above the west coast, with the whole sweep of sea and reef laid out below.
Steep path through an old tea plantation & mist forest to a clifftop platform with sea views.
A steep little classic
Morne Blanc is the great value hike of Mahe, a short trail with an outsized reward. It climbs from the Sans Souci road up the flank of one of the island’s high peaks, and while it is not long, it is genuinely steep, gaining height quickly through a beautiful belt of cool, damp mist forest. Most people reach the top in under an hour of honest effort.
The trailhead sits by the old tea factory on the cross-island road, and the walk begins almost at once into the trees, where the air turns cool and green and the vegetation drips with moisture and endemic life. It is a wonderful, compact taste of the mountain Seychelles.
The view from the edge
The reward is the viewpoint. The trail ends on the edge of a steep drop, and the whole west coast of Mahe falls away beneath you, a vast panorama of forested slopes, the coastline far below and the Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon. When the cloud lifts it is one of the finest views in the Seychelles, and all the sweeter for the short, sharp climb it takes to reach it.
Because the summit catches the mountain weather, it can be misty, so a clear window makes all the difference. Go early, watch the sky, and carry water for the steep return.
Know before you go
| Where | Off the Sans Souci road, by the tea factory, Mahe |
| Type | Short but steep climb through mist forest to a viewpoint |
| Effort | Moderate to hard for its length, a real steady climb |
| Time to allow | Around 1.5 to 2 hours return |
| See | Cool mist forest, endemic plants, a huge west-coast view |
| Bring | Grippy shoes, water, a light layer for the cool top |
| Best time | Early morning, on a clear day, before the cloud builds |
What visitors say
★ 4.8 · 672 Google reviews★★★★★The trail is pretty steep. The views are great and I saw many wild animals on the way to the viewpoint. The view can only be seen if it isn’t a rainy day though
Saule · via Google
★★★★★No fee, free street parking. Mostly shady jungle trail. Well marked steep incline. Took us about 50min up and 30min down. Bring extra water. The clouds parted and we got a nice view at the top.
Alyssa Benedict · via Google
★★★★★Very beautiful hike through the jungle with breathtaking viewpoint at the end. Bring water, fresh t-shirt and appropriate shoes, beach flip-flops definitely not recommended. About 90min there and back, pretty steep on so…
Damir Obad · via Google
★★★★★Morne Blanc Trail is a must-do in Mahé! The hike goes through lush forest with a steep climb – about 1 hour up and 40 minutes down – but it’s absolutely worth the effort. The panoramic view from the top is breathtaking a…
Yafit Koren · via Google
The short steep climb rewards a guide who reads the mist forest and times the cloud for the view. Book a guided Morne Blanc hike, and stay on Mahe within easy reach of the Sans Souci trailhead.
Perfect 5.0 ratingGuided Morne Blanc nature trailfrom €250 per groupBook this hikeTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Sauzier Waterfall · Mission Lodge · Copolia Trail
Go early and watch the sky. The summit sits in the mountain cloud belt, so a clear morning is everything, and the huge west-coast view is more than worth the short, sharp climb to reach it.
