Mahe Among Hiking Trails and History

On Mahe, hiking trails in Morne Seychellois National Park, the Mare aux Cochons freshwater swamp and the historic La Plaine St. André estate offer different experiences. Specific points of reference include the length and difficulty of the Copolia Nature Trail, views over the east coast and the route to Anse Major Beach. This allows you to include nature and culture as separate focal points in your travel plans.

Hiking Trails in Morne Seychellois National Park

The official hiking trails in Morne Seychellois National Park include:

• Copolia
• Mare Aux Cochons
• Salazie
• Trois Frères
• Anse Major
• Morne Blanc
• Dans Gallas

The park authority states that all official nature trails are open to visitors. Check the latest notices before setting out, as access and trail conditions may change.

The Copolia Nature Trail is located near Sans Soucis in the national park, is 1.4 km long and is of moderate difficulty. From the trail, views extend across Mahé’s east coast to Seychelles International Airport. The length and difficulty give you an indication of the route; the view adds a panorama of the coast and airport.

A report from 2022 noted that, since 1 August 2020, more than 117,000 paying visitors who were not resident in the Seychelles had hiked the Copolia Nature Trail.

The Anse Major Trail leads from Danzil Bel-Ombre to Anse Major Beach. The two trails can be described by different features: the length and difficulty are given for Copolia, while the start and end points are specified for the Anse Major Trail. This lets you consider the trails using the points of reference described for each, rather than reducing them to a single measure of distance.

Wetlands and the Island World

The Mare aux Cochons freshwater swamp lies within Morne Seychellois National Park and is a Ramsar site of ecological importance. It adds a wetland and protected-area dimension to the hiking trails. Nature on Mahe thus encompasses both specific trails and a place of ecological importance.

The Ste. Anne Marine National Park is located in the vicinity of Mahe, about five kilometres from Mahé. It consists of six islands and is suitable for snorkelling. Unlike the hiking trails and swamp on Mahe, it is part of the surrounding island world. The island’s hiking and wetland experiences thus contrast with a nearby marine park where you can snorkel.

La Plaine St. André and History

La Plaine St. André adds a historic site to the nature experiences. The Jorre de St. Jorre family established the estate as a plantation in 1792. It is home to a museum, a medicinal plant garden and historic ruins. The year it was established gives its history a specific point in time; the features listed bring together botanical and historical aspects. If you would like to include local history in your travel plans alongside nature trails, La Plaine St. André offers a distinct cultural focus on Mahe.

Discover more destinations: Grand Anse Village, Souvenir

For the main travel overview: Grand Anse Mahe.