Anse Major

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: easy
Duration: 1-1½ hours each way

description
This relatively easy path winds along the rocky northwest coast of Mahé and leads to the small secluded beach of Anse Major.

route
The greater part of this trail is within the border of Morne Seychellois National Park, with spectacular rock drops (called “glacis” in the Seychelles) and natural vegetation typical of the drier areas of Mahé.

Directions
Follow the road from Beau Vallon through Bel Ombre to Danzil or take bus 21 (Victoria - Bel Ombre) and get off at the Danzil stop. Follow the road uphill for about 200 meters. You can also park your vehicle there. At the fork, take the right road that goes through the small but growing settlement of Danzil, follow the yellow markings.

Not to be missed:
Linger every 100-200 meters along the path, take your time to take in the various granite formations and mountain landscapes and the view of the sea. At the beginning of this path you will be surprised by the wonderful view of the bay of Beau Vallon, while from the hidden bench at the end of the path you have a view of Anse Major.

Cassedent

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: demanding
Duration: 3 - 3 ½ hours each way

description
Cassedent is a relatively long hike, which runs continuously uphill and downhill through fascinating screw pines, palm marshland and various endemic tree species. The path ends at a natural waterfall, the ideal place for a rest.

route
The beginning is a slight ascent on two paths, which meet again higher up on the plateau. For safety reasons, there are wooden platforms and steps along the way at difficult points. A viewing platform runs along the marshland which enables visitors to visit the viewing points. The path runs at the foot of a mountain where the water collects and palm trees thrive.

Directions
From Victoria, follow Sans Soucis Road which goes through Port Glaud. The signpost is in a curve on the right-hand side, approximately 400 meters from the Mission Lodge entrance. STPC bus line no. 14 (Port Glaud via Sans Soucis) runs along this street, the stop is just a few meters from the start of this path. (Just ask the driver if you have any difficulties).

Not to be missed:
After about three quarters of the way you come to a picturesque viewpoint over Westmahé. The unique palm swamp and screw pine forest are important components of the ecosystem in this area. Ruins along the way remind of various economic activities of the past years, such as the remains of a distillery. The end of this path, with a beautiful waterfall and a cave, can rightly be called the highlight.

Dans Gallas

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: difficult
Duration: 1-1½ hours each way

description
This trail offers a variety of panoramic views along the route, including a phenomenal panoramic view from high above Beau Vallon Bay, all of North Mahé and the east coast to the airport and Victoria just below you.

route
This place takes its name from the Gallas, a group of Ethiopians who inhabited this area in the 19th century after they were freed from Arab dhows by the British navy on Mahé.

Halfway there is a shelter at a lookout point from which you can look over the Beau Vallon Bay and the northwest coast of Mahé. This path is a little steep in places, but there are wooden steps and ladders to help you in the somewhat challenging places.

Directions
The easiest way is to take the SPTC bus number 32 to the Le Noil stop. There is a National Park information center across the street, where you can get more detailed information during normal opening hours. The beginning of the path is also located here.

Not to be missed:
The panoramic views from the mountain heights offer first-class photography opportunities and some huge, curious-looking granite rocks are definitely worth a second look. Once at the top you can hear the pulsating life of Victoria. At dusk, with a bit of luck, you can hear the incredibly rare Seychelles dwarf owl. A second call after the first, similar to two saws that saw alternately, indicates an advertising couple.

Glacis La Reserve

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: demanding
Duration: 1 hour

description
The Glacis La Reserve path winds through one of the most impressive palm forests in Mahé with granite rocks and boulders in a picturesque setting in the background. There are three impressive viewpoints along the path from which you can enjoy fantastic views of Mahé.

route
This hiking trail offers different possibilities through the different circular paths that you can follow and three different viewpoints. This means that even the less eager hikers can arrive at the summit. The path is relatively easy but there are steep inclines in certain places.

Directions
The hike begins on the Montagne Posee road, which connects Anse aux Pins on the eastern side of Mahé with Anse Boileau on the west coast. At the highest point, turn onto the small paved road that leads to the Cable and Wireless Station. At the beginning of this street there is a small parking lot and a trail sign.

Not to be missed:
The path to the mountain offers 3 different viewpoints where you can catch a glimpse of Mahé's east and west coast. Five of the six endemic palm trees of the Seychelles are on this path and many other examples of the rare creatures of this island world. Endemic birds such as the Seychelles Bulbül, the warty pigeon, the Seychelles nectavird and the Seychelles stick insect are just some of the specimens that you might spot on your hike.

Glacis Noire

Island: Praslin
Difficulty level: demanding
Duration: 2 hours

description
This path leads to a fire tower built on a hilltop. From here you can see the east coast of Praslin, as well as La Digue and the surrounding small islands. The trail allows visitors to discover endemic palm trees such as the famous Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) and also to compare the vegetation between an intact and a fire damaged forest.

route
It is a fairly easy path about 1.4 km long. The main interest lies in the beautiful views and the shape of the landscape. Allow 2 hours for hiking.

Not to be missed:
All six of the Seychelles' endemic palm trees; Palmiste (Blanketia nobilis), Latanier lat (Verschaffeltia splendida), Latanier oban (Roschenia melanochaetes), Latanier feuille (Phoenicophorium borsigianum), Latanier millepatte (Nephrosperma vanhoutteanum) and Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica).

Glacis Trois Frères

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: easy
Duration: 30-45 minutes each way

description
At a height of 300 meters, the Glacis Trois Frères path offers wonderful views of Victoria, Ste.Anne Marine Park and other eastern islands of the archipelago. On a clear day you can also see Praslin and La Digue from here.

route
This relatively easy path can be explored in a short time. There used to be a second path that led to the Trois Frères Cross higher up in the mountains, which can be seen from the kiosk, but the path is no longer maintained and can therefore be dangerous.

Directions
Follow Sans Soucis Road, which goes from Victoria to Port Glaud, or take SPTC bus number 35 or 14. In either case, get off at Sans Soucis Forestry Station. Now take the side road uphill, which is marked with a wooden sign “Trois Frères”. After crossing an old settlement, you will come to a dead end street that can be used as a parking lot.

Not to be missed:
The famous carnivorous plant, the Seychelles pitcher plant, can be found at the end of the trail - a separate trail with a wooden sign that guides you to where they grow. From the kiosk at the end of the path you can see various islands, as well as sights in Victoria and the international airport.

Mare aux Cochons

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: difficult
Duration: varies

description
Deep in Morne Seychellois National Park there are a number of interconnected trails, with the upper valley of Mare aux Cochons as your destination. These enable hikers to adapt the ascent to their level of fitness and specific interests.

route
Regardless of which route you want to take within the winding paths of the Mare aux Cochons, it is advisable to plan a full day for the excursions, as most of the routes take 3-4 hours, time for small deviations or explorations is not planned.

Directions
Le Niol is the starting point for many of the suggested routes. It can be reached by bus route 32 (Victoria - Le Niol). The info point is at the beginning of the path.

Not to be missed:
The different paths all offer something special to see, but the unique and unique ecology of the Seychelles can be admired continually. Mare aux Cocons itself is a fresh water swamp and is fed by a river that runs along the path - an ideal spot for picnics. The surrounding paths lead to a spectacular lookout point (Glacis d'Antin), where there are some ruins of historical importance. The cave, which is next to a beautiful waterfall, is said to have been the place where treasures of the pirate La Buse were buried in the 18th century.

Morne Blanc

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: demanding
Duration: 1-1½ hours each way

description
This path is a constant uphill climb from an already high altitude starting point in Morne Seychelles National Park, through foggy forest to the summit of Morne Blanc, with stunning views over Mahé's western coasts.

route
First the path leads through an old tea plantation, with increasing incline the flora changes according to its foggy environment, with lichens, mosses and ferns growing on most of the surfaces. Many jackfruit trees and their fallen, ripe fruits line the path.
There are several caves and holes in the ground that are hidden by the thick undergrowth, so hikers are advised not to deviate from the path.

Directions
Follow Sans Souci Road from Victoria to Port Glaud, or take SPTC bus number 14 (Victoria - Sans Souci - Port Launay). Stop at the tea factory where there is ample parking across from the tea tavern. Follow the main road uphill for about 200 m, the sign is on the left.

Not to be missed:
The path leads to a platform right on the cliff of Morne Blanc. From here, the full splendor of the Seychelles unfolds in front of you and tropical birds soar gracefully above and below your viewing platform. The mountain forests are home to most of the endemic bird species such as the Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Swiftlet, and Seychelles Sunbird. With a bit of luck you will also hear the amazingly loud calls of the smallest frog in the world! However, to discover this endemic representative with a length of just 1 cm should prove to be difficult.

Salacia

Island: Mahé
Difficulty level: demanding
Duration: 3 hours

description
The first part of the trail is easy as the road leads through cultivated mahogany forests and tea plantations. The last part is more demanding, as it goes through the dense forest and on a narrow path between undergrowth and rocks to a private settlement.

route
The road leads through a mahogany forest with occasional signs of former occupation. In the past, wild carp was harvested and agriculture was generally practiced in the mountains. The road then slowly descends into vast tea plantations.
The path continues to an abandoned concrete water tank in the middle of the bushes on your right, where the path forks. Take the path to the left and walk uphill following a grassy path lined with mahogany trees. From here the path becomes more shady and the vegetation thicker.

Directions
From Victoria, take Sans Souci Street or SPTC Bus 14 (Victoria - Sans Soucis - Port Launay). The trail sign is on the left at the Salazie tea plantation.
Visitors with their own car are advised to follow the path to an open space where they can park and continue on foot

Not to be missed:
The tea plantation with women collecting tea leaves or cutting the bushes. From here you can enjoy a panoramic view. The forest is also impressive.

Vacoa Nature Trail

Island: Mahé Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes

description
This short circular path leads up and around the Dauban River, from its network of mangroves to the forest further inland, which is mainly dominated by the pandanus - often referred to as screw pine or vacoa in creole. The path was named after her.

route
At the starting point of this circular route, the Dauban River flows into the mangrove swamp. The path leads hikers over a network of bridges, which also includes a covered kiosk. The bridges were recently repaired as part of a public - private partnership between the Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel and the Environment Agency.

Directions
To access the Vacoa Path from Victoria, follow La Misère Road to the west coast, where it ends at the fork in Grand Anse. At this fork, turn left towards Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel, about 700 m away. Before you cross the bridge, with the mangrove forest on the sea side, you will find a parking lot on the land side, from which the path begins.

Not to be missed:
The indigenous Seychelles screw pines are the most common representatives along the entire trail, and grow unusually tall in this area. The large granite boulders along the way are constant reminders that the Seychelles are the only granite islands in the whole world, in the middle of the ocean.

Vallée de Mai

Island: Praslin
Difficulty level: easy
Duration: 2-4 hours

description
The legendary Vallée de Mai is one of two UNESCO World Heritage projects in the Seychelles and the once believed Garden of Eden. This often visited, beautiful prehistoric forest is home to around 6000 Coco de Mer trees.

route
The paths allow a lot of flexibility. Hikers can turn around before completing all the way. In order to explore all the trails and really soak up the atmosphere of the Vallée de Mai, it is best to take 3 - 4 hours.

A new addition is a path that is accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the only forest in the Seychelles that can be experienced by people from all walks of life.

For further information, individual trail brochures in English, French, Italian and German will be handed out to visitors free of charge after purchasing the entrance ticket in the Vallée de Mai Visitor Center.

With your visit to the Vallée de Mai you support the Aldabra Atoll Seychelles first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Directions
From the airport in Praslin, turn left on the main road towards Grand Anse. You will come to a fork in the road with signs for the Vallée de Mai on the left. The parking lot and entrance are on the left.

Not to be missed:
The Vallée impresses with the six endemic palm species as well as many other native tree species and is the last habitat of the endangered Vasa parrot. The Coco de Mer palm, which grows here in abundance, is one of the most interesting highlights. The female palm, whose double nuts resemble a female butt, and the male palm, whose fruit resembles a male member. A path that branches off from the large circular path leads to a covered lookout point from which you can overlook the entire valley. There is also an enchanting waterfall in the valley.

Source: Seychelles Tourist Office