Hiking and Climbing Le Morne Mountain is one of the most popular and exciting activities you will do during your stay in Mauritius. If you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker, we dare you to take this hike - you are guaranteed to be amazed by the breathtaking views of the magnificent green landscapes and the turquoise lagoon surrounding the area.
However, this activity can be challenging for people with little to no experience in hiking and climbing. But… hang on! We have made a list of the most fundamental things you need to consider before taking a hike to the memorial cross of Le Morne Mountain. Our personal rating (difficulty level) for this adventure is 3/5.
Wear good hiking shoes/ boots
Wearing good hiking shoes is a must! Note that you will spend at least 4 hours walking and climbing to the "little summit" and back, so wearing the right shoes definitely plays an important role for a successful climb. You don't want your feet to start aching or your sole to get torn off half way up the mountain! Hiking shoes are equipped with rubber soles which help reduce your chance of slipping on wet surfaces, so you will remain stable during the rock-scrambling and climbing sections.
Weather
Always check on the weather forecast before doing this activity. Although weather forecasts do not give exact predictions: for example; if you’re checking the weather forecast one day prior to your scheduled hike, the weather you actually experience may not be what was predicted. All you need to do is to be well prepared and in case it starts raining, abort mission! Hiking Le Morne Mountain is extremely dangerous if it’s raining, especially the rock-scrambling/ climbing areas.
You may have started hiking with an amazing tropical feeling to the atmosphere but the weather may deteriorate as well. Imagine yourself at the "little summit" of the mountain, mesmerised by the scenic landscapes and suddenly it starts raining heavily… what do you do then? Well, we have been through this situation quite often! All you need to do is to stay calm. It is advisable to wait for the rain to stop (though it will take some time) and then to make your way back with extreme precautions. How do you prepare for the rock-scrambling/ climbing areas when it’s raining? One simple method is to slide on your bottom. With much traction to the ground, you will be in a stable position to go back down safely.
Emergencies
If you are having problems such as dizziness, cramps, sprained ankle, nausea, fractured bones, cuts, back pain or you are lost, you can always ask for help from a certified guide or call on the following numbers:
999, 112 – Police direct line
115 - Fire services
114 – Samu
Water and Food
Bring at least 1.5 liters of water and make sure you stop every half an hour to have a drink. Staying hydrated remains one of the most fundamental factors in hiking. The distance covered in hiking Le Morne Mountain is 7 km (round-trip). Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. On the other hand, food remains the main source of fuel and electrolytes (salt). Hiking Le Morne Brabant requires light food only such as energy bars, dried food (nuts, almond).
Skin Protection
In order to avoid severe sun burn, use a sunscreen of SPF 40+ as the majority of the trail is exposed to the sun. Avoid putting sunscreen on your forehead because as you perspire; the sunscreen will automatically slide to your eyes, causing irritation. In case you are not comfortable using sunscreen, simply wear long-sleeved clothing. However, not all long-sleeved clothing is a good idea. Try looking for trekking shirts and pants in your local shops, you won’t be disappointed! Wear a cap or a trekking hat to protect your head against the heat of the scorching sun to avoid a heatstroke. Using dark sunglasses will help you maintain a balance between the brightness and contrast of your surroundings.
Know before you eat
A variety of fruits is available on the mountain. You are advised not to consume any of them unless you have proper information of the characteristics of the fruits, making sure that you are not allergic to them.
Time
The best time to start hiking is early in the morning or in the early afternoon. You will be more relaxed while hiking as the temperature is cooler. At mid-day, the sun strikes right above our head in its fullest power thus warming the rock-scrambling/ climbing areas which are completely exposed to the sun. You may feel a bit uncomfortable with this unless you are wearing climbing gloves.
Equipment
Last but not least, a 25 L backpack is ideal to fit all the necessary items for this day hike. Feel free to bring your cameras and drones and don’t forget to bring a light rain cover and rain jacket in case the weather turns bad. Trekking poles are not necessary since you are not going to spend a huge amount of time trekking. A mosquito repellent cream/ spray will also be useful. You may also bring along some spare clothes just in case you want to change your drenched/ sweaty clothes after the hike.
We hope that all these information will be helpful to you and catch you soon on the mountains!
For bookings or inquiries, get in touch with us now!
Email: horazis@venturemauritius.com
Phone: +230 5 814 88 05 (available on WhatsApp)
