A Local’s Guide To The Morne Blanc Trail (Mahé, Seychelles)

From The Authors: Gaelle and Viktor are avid hikers and have done the Morne Blanc Trail a handful of times. 

The Morne Blanc trail, even though it can be challenging at times, is one of the coolest experiences you can have on Mahé.

In this guide, we’ll detail how you can get there, what things to keep in mind, and show you what to expect on the hike and at the end.

👉 How To Get There | The Morne Blanc Hike | The Morne Blanc Viewpoint

How to get to the morne blanc trail

The Copolia Trail is located in the north of Mahé Island, on the edge of the Morne Seychellois National Park (which contains other amazing hikes like the Copolia Trail and historical sites like Mission Lodge).

You simply drive up Sans Souci Road until you reach the entrance. Parking around the area is plentiful and free. You know that you’ve arrived when you see the below pictured sign.

The Google Maps address is accurate, so just set this as your destination and find yourself a nearby parking spot.

Keep in mind that there isn’t any nearby toilet. The closest one is at Mission Lodge, which is roughly 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) away.

Another option is to take the bus (bus lines 14 or 35). That said, we don’t recommend it since the nearest bus stop is quite far away. Plus, you’d lose a lot of time (versus renting a car) since buses drive irregularly.

You can check timetables on the official Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) website under “Mahe Normal Timetable No. 103” by downloading the attached Word document.

Alternatively, download the namesake SPTC mobile app where you can also purchase individual tickets or reload your existing travel card.

If you want the viewpoint all by yourself, then we recommend going during the week, preferably sometime in the morning before 12 pm.

The Morne Blanc Trail

Before we get started, here are some key facts about the trail:

• Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile)
• Elevation Gained: 226 meters (741 ft)
• Duration: 1 hour – 2 hours
• Difficulty: medium – difficult

First things first: yes, this hike is definitely on the more challenging side, in large parts due to the steep ascend and subsequent descend.

We do recommend using hiking shoes if you brought a pair along with you, especially if it rained before or it does during the hike. Hiking sticks, or a branch of wood like the one Gaelle used, may also be of help.

It does tend to get slippery when it rains, so you at least want to make sure to not go out in flip flops or sandals. Athletic shoes should suffice as well, though.

Furthermore, do make sure to watch your steps along the trail since there are many branches that could cause you to trip.

The trail itself, similar to all the other popular hikes we recommend on Mahé, is very well maintained – thanks in large parts due to the Seychelles National Park Authority.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many info signs teaching you about the local flora and fauna, which is what we particularly love about trails like Anse Major or Copolia.

On the other hand, you’ll be greeted with lush jungle forests that make for some truly scenic views along the trail.

This means that you also won’t need to necessarily bring sunscreen since you’ll largely be covered by trees (we do recommend taking mosquito repellant and water with you, though).

And if you need some further protection, just hide in this little tree formation. 😜

From there, it’s around 200 meters until you reach your ultimate destination: the Morne Blanc viewpoint.

The Morne Blanc Viewpoint

Once at the summit of Morne Blanc, trekkers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, the surrounding islands, and the dense forest below.

The viewpoint is also the reason why we a) recommend to bring a drone and b) make sure that you go when the sky is clear.

Otherwise, your views will probably look somewhat like this (from the time Viktor had the grandios idea to go by himself during the rain):

The viewpoint itself isn’t the only picturesque spot, though. Right before the small ladder bridge, there are some additional locations facing the mountains (from the time Gaelle & Viktor’s sister went).

Please be cautious – slipping could result in a steep (and likely fatal) fall. Consequently, the same also applies to the descend.

Make sure to watch your steps and take your time, especially considering that the path is plastered with slippery rocks.

But above anything else, enjoy yourself on this true gem of a hike – you won’t regret it.

Here are some additional impressions to get you into the spirit for the Morne Blanc trail: