Towering at a height of 720 meters, Corps de Garde mountain is located in Stanley Rose Hill and features incredible panoramic views of the neighboring towns and mountains. Plus, you can even get a glimpse of a waterfall from the summit!
The hiking trail is easy to follow and rates among the best hikes to do on Mauritius Island. Since there isn’t much shade along the trail, it’s highly recommended to start early in the morning. And if you decide to do a sunrise hike, you’ll be able to witness the fog hovering over the summit which is pretty spectacular!
Read this guide to find out how to hike Corps de Garde mountain in Mauritius, including how to get there, the best time to visit and what to expect during the hike.
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Where is Corps de Garde?
Corps de Garde mountain is located in Stanley Rose Hill. There are no buses that will take you directly to the trailhead so the best way to get there is by your own car (be sure to read my tips for driving in Mauritius and guide to booking a car rental in Mauritius).
There’s a small parking area next to the trailhead (see exact location here). Alternatively, if you’re visiting Mauritius on a budget, you can take the bus from Rose Hill bus terminal to Stanley or Camp Levieux and walk from there.
Related post: Ultimate list of the best hiking trails in Mauritius
Corps de Garde Hike
- Distance: About 4 km round trip
- Height: 720 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total duration: 3 to 4 hours
The Corps de Garde hiking trail starts in Stanley Rose Hill. As you walk through the residential area, you’ll come across a small bridge and river. On the other side of the river is the parking area and immediately ahead is the trail entrance.
The path is easily noticeable and weaves in between the grass until you get to the mountain ridge. The first section of the hike is quite steep and completely exposed to the sun, so an early start is advisable. Also, be careful as the path is slippery in some places due to loose gravel.
In about 20 minutes, you’ll reach the ridge that provides a nice view over the town of Rose Hill on one side and La Ferme Reservoir on the other. You can also see Le Pouce and Pieter Both mountains in the distance.
Take some time to enjoy the view and rest your legs before moving on to the summit of Corps de Garde mountain. You’ll find a narrow path on your left and a boulder with a white arrow.
The path is well-beaten and mostly flat until you reach a huge boulder that looks like a face. You do have to use your hands to pull yourself up over the rocks but don’t worry as this part isn’t too difficult.
Note: If you decide to take another rest here, avoid sitting directly underneath the boulder as there are hundreds of wasps flying around.
The rest of the trail is easy to follow as you just need to keep walking along the ridge. At about ¾ of the hike, you’ll reach a very steep rock face. I only recommend going further if you’re not afraid of heights and are confident that you can handle the climb.
Since this part of the hike is quite challenging, make sure to take your time here and grab onto the rocks to climb up. Once you get past this section, the hike becomes easier and in about 10-15 minutes, you’ll reach the summit.
From the top, you’ll get a panoramic view of Rose Hill and Quatre Bornes to the east and Flic en Flac to the west. You can also spot other mountains such as Trois Mamelles, Le Morne Brabant, La Tourelle du Tamarin and Montagne Saint Pierre.
But the best part is, without a doubt La Ferme waterfall! If you look to your right, you’ll see the waterfall plunging down into La Ferme reservoir.
To get down, return along the same route. You can also download the maps.me app for the exact details of the hiking trail.
Related post: 44 Unique things to do and places to visit in Mauritius
Where to stay in Mauritius?
La Mariposa Mauritius
La Mariposa Mauritius is perfect for those wishing to stay just a few steps from the beach but still close enough to a selection of restaurants, supermarkets and shops. It features clean and comfy rooms, a swimming pool and a beautiful garden.
Click here to book your stay at La Mariposa Mauritius
Vanilla House Mauritius
Vanilla House is a budget guesthouse located on the west coast of Mauritius. It features nine spacious suites tucked in the middle of a lush green garden. Each room comes with a double bed or two twin beds, a private bathroom, kitchenette and free Wi-Fi. For more information, you can read my review of Vanilla House here.
Click here to book your stay at Vanilla House
If you have any questions about hiking Corps de Garde mountain or if you’d like to share your experience, just comment below.
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- How to hike Le Morne Brabant mountain?
- Hiking Le Pouce Mountain in Mauritius
- Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire hiking guide
- What it’s like to hike Lion Mountain?