Hiking Tourelle du Tamarin in Mauritius is a must for adventurers and nature lovers.
Sitting at a height of 563 meters, it provides unparalleled views of the southwest coast of Mauritius. From the summit, you can admire the entire bay of Black River with Le Morne Brabant and Ile aux Benitiers on one side and the Tamarin salt pans on the other.
The hike does require a moderate level of fitness due to the steep and rocky incline but it’s still rated as one of the best hikes to do in Mauritius.
This guide to hiking La Tourelle du Tamarin will tell you everything you need to know from how to get there, how to obtain the authorization to do the hike, what to expect during the hike and other helpful tips.
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Read more about Mauritius:
- The Ultimate Mauritius hiking guide
- Most beautiful waterfalls in Mauritius
- Best hiking trails in the Black River Gorges NP
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How to get authorization to hike La Tourelle?
Since the trail leading to the summit is located on private property, you do need to get permission from the owner first before hiking La Tourelle du Tamarin.
You can do so by sending an email to Mr Loic at loic@terresbrunes.mu. He responded to my email on the same day, so you can ask only a few days before doing the hike.
Despite needing authorization, it’s completely free to hike La Tourelle. If you’re going with a hiking guide, he/she will be the one asking for authorization.
Note that hiking without authorization may incur a fine of Rs 50,000 and 2 years of imprisonment.
How to get to Tourelle du Tamarin Mauritius?
La Tourelle du Tamarin is located in the village of Tamarin on the west coast of Mauritius. You can find the exact location of the trailhead by clicking here.
There’s no bus that will take you directly to the trailhead so I highly recommend renting a car to get there. There isn’t a parking lot nearby but you can leave your car along the side of the road.
Tip: You can read my tips for driving a car in Mauritius and my guide to renting a car in Mauritius here.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to drive, you can take a bus to Tamarin village and walk from the main road.
Just be prepared for a long uphill walk, especially as you get closer to the trailhead. The walk from the main road to the trailhead should take about 45 minutes.
Related post: Best hikes on Mauritius Island
La Tourelle du Tamarin Hiking Trail
- Distance: About 4 km round trip
- Height: 563 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total duration: 3 to 4 hours
To avoid getting lost, I highly recommend downloading the maps.me app for the exact hiking route.
La Tourelle du Tamarin hiking trail begins near a big water tank as shown in the photo below.
You’ll find two signs (one pointing to the left and another to the right) showing the way to two jogging tracks.
Both tracks should lead to the summit but if you turn right toward the concrete path, you’ll see a stone staircase leading to the foot of the mountain. Here you’ll find a fence and a red sign saying that you need an authorization to access the property.
Providing you got authorization prior, go through the opening, immediately turn left and walk adjacent to the fence.
After a few minutes, you’ll reach two signs showing the way to “Sentier Z” and “Sentier X”. I recommend “Sentier Z” since this path is easier to follow and less challenging.
After a few minutes, you’ll see another sign showing the way to “Sentier Z”. Go up and continue along the trail. The path will gradually get steeper but you can use the fixed ropes to help yourself up.
Along the way, you’ll also come across a few lookout points overlooking the ocean and Tamarin salt pans.
While the initial section of the trail is well-shaded under a canopy of trees, it becomes more exposed to the sun as you get closer to the top. The path also becomes quite uneven and rocky so make sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Depending on your level of fitness, it should take about 1-1.5 hours to climb to the top of La Tourelle du Tamarin.
From the summit, you’ll get a panoramic view of Le Morne Brabant, Ile aux Benitiers, and La Preneuse Beach.
To get down, just follow the same route you took to go up the mountain. It should take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to hike down.
Note: I don’t recommend hiking La Tourelle du Tamarin when it’s raining as the path will be very slippery.
Where to Stay in Mauritius?
La Mariposa
La Mariposa Hotel is located about 4 km from the trailhead and is the perfect place to stay for those looking for a budget beachfront hotel.
Rooms are clean and comfortable and can accommodate up to 6 people depending on the room type.
The location is very convenient – close to restaurants, supermarkets, and shops. You can read my full review of La Mariposa Mauritius here or book your stay by clicking the link below.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY FOR LA MARIPOSA
I hope you found this hiking guide of La Tourelle du Tamarin Mauritius helpful. If you have any questions or would like to share your experience, just comment below.
Read more about the hikes in Mauritius:
- Hiking Le Morne Brabant
- Hiking Le Pouce Mountain
- Hiking Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire
- 7 Cascades hiking guide
