Cultural history: Trou Chenille and Le Morne
Trou Chenille in Le Morne is considered the birthplace of settlement in southwest Mauritius after the abolition of slavery in 1835. It is also regarded as the first village in Le Morne where the descendants of enslaved people lived. The reconstruction project of the former village aims to raise awareness among visitors from Mauritius and abroad of its historical and cultural significance and to inform them about it.
In Mauritius, the cultural landscape of Le Morne illustrates the history of slavery and the pursuit of freedom in the 17th and 18th centuries. The mountain served as a stronghold and refuge for escaped enslaved people; physical and oral evidence documents this use. The cultural landscape lies at the southwestern tip of the island and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 10 July 2008.
The time periods also differ: Trou Chenille is associated with settlement after the abolition of slavery in 1835; the cultural landscape of Le Morne illustrates the broader historical context of Mauritius. These themes thus lead from the village and its residents to the history of slavery and the pursuit of freedom on the island.
Volcanic sand and waterfall views near Chamarel
The Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel are a natural formation made of volcanic sand. At Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth, a three-kilometre trail leads from the main entrance to the dunes and passes two viewpoints overlooking Chamarel Waterfall. At the Geopark of the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel, you can see Aldabra giant tortoises; the animals on display may change. Check current conditions before your visit.
Nature and getting around in the wider destination of Mauritius
In the wider destination of Mauritius, Black River Gorges National Park lies in the southwest of the island. It covers 6,574 hectares of forest and includes the 828-metre-high Piton de la Rivière Noire. Around 60 kilometres of hiking trails offer views and opportunities to observe nature. When hiking from east to west, the trail passes through different microclimates: from the humid, rain-soaked mountain forest to drier lowland forest. Check current trail conditions locally.
Bus connections can also be useful for getting around Mauritius: buses operate in various regions and make it possible to travel to nearly every place on the island. Check current routes and timetables if buses are part of your plans. Dhollpuri and roti are among Mauritians’ favourite dishes.
Different scales for trip planning
The nature experiences differ in scale: in Chamarel, a single three-kilometre trail leads to the dunes and waterfall viewpoints; in Black River Gorges National Park, in the wider destination of Mauritius, the trail network covers around 60 kilometres. This comparison can help you decide whether to include a specific trail or a larger hiking network in your trip plans.
Discover more destinations: Black River, Tamarin, Le Morne, Flic En Flac, La Preneuse, Albion, Chamarel, La Gaulette, Petite Riviere
Back to the main travel overview: Mauritius.
