The name of When She Comes Mountain in Glacis preserves a story from the Second World War: it was named after the song soldiers sang while building a lookout post. The trail of the same name offers historical insight into the Seychelles’ involvement in the war. Glacis thus connects a named place with a specific historical episode. At the mountain, the story behind its name, lush vegetation and views from the summit come together.
Glacis on Mahé
Glacis lies on the northwest side of Mahé, about 20 kilometres from Victoria. This approximate distance places the district in relation to the capital, while the local point of discovery is When She Comes Mountain. By including Glacis in your travel plans, you combine geographical orientation with a particular cultural and scenic discovery.
On the way to the summit
The When She Comes Trail is a moderately challenging, shaded walk that takes about an hour and a half to reach the summit. When planning your time, allow for the route to the summit; treat the duration as an approximate guide. From the summit, the 360-degree view stretches from Beau Vallon Bay to the west coast of Pointe Larue. Along the way, the route passes through lush vegetation and by endemic species. The plant life accompanies the walk, while the view opens up in every direction at the summit. Check the trail’s current accessibility before visiting.
More natural and historic sites in the Seychelles
Beyond Glacis, the Seychelles offers other natural and historic sites, each with its own focus. On Curieuse, a mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie; a raised boardwalk runs through the swamp and provides access to the mangrove habitat, even at high tide. Curieuse was used as a quarantine site for people with leprosy for almost a hundred years. Landscape and historic use come together here at a named location.
On Moyenne Island in Ste. Anne Marine National Park, there are remains of early settlers’ houses, pirate graves and a small thatched chapel. Ste. Anne Marine Park comprises six islands. On La Digue, the Veuve Special Reserve covers 21 hectares and forms part of a 200-hectare plateau on the west side of the island. Vallée de Mai on Praslin covers 19.5 hectares and is one of the smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.
Access also varies across the Seychelles: the Seychelles’ marine parks can be reached by boat; Port-Launay can also be reached on foot. These examples add to the picture of the different ways to experience the destination’s landscapes and protected areas.
Discover more destinations: Machabee, Roche CaĂŻman, Les Mamelles, Cascade, Anse Etoile, Baie Lazare, Pointe La Rue, Grand Anse Mahe
For the broader travel overview: Seychelles.
