Moris
The Cascade 500 Pieds waterfall
Photo: Swetasawaram / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

🥾 Hikes · Black River Gorges

500-foot waterfall (Cascade 500 Pieds)

From the Alexandra Falls viewpoint to the top of one of the island's highest waterfalls (≈ 150 m), with a natural 'infinity pool' on the edge.

🚗 From the villa40 min · 23.9 kmoff-peak estimate
⏱️ Time needed1.5–2.5 hnot counting the drive
🕓 Best time of day☀️ Morning
💰 PriceRs 0–2,500 (CHF 0–43)Free to the top; a guide for the descent ≈ Rs 1,500–2,500 per person.
🥾 Trail2.8 km · +185 mModerate · out and back · guide recommended

A path on the left of the Alexandra Falls viewpoint leads through forest and heath for about 40 minutes to the top of the Cascade 500 Pieds, which drops about 150 m towards the south coast. At the top, rock pools form a natural infinity pool with a view to the sea.

The descent to the foot of the falls is steep and should only be done with a guide. Stay well back from the edge.

  • Top of a 150 m waterfall
  • Natural infinity pool
  • View to the south coast

Trail map

Path to the top is fine for fit hikers; the descent to the bottom needs a guide.

Trail (moderate)
500 m550 m600 m650 m700 m 0 km0.5 km1 km 665 m
One way; you come back the same way. Elevation from SRTM satellite data (±10 m).

Trail traced on OpenStreetMap paths: check the signs on the ground, and take the OSM or an offline map app (Organic Maps, maps.me) with you.

What to expect on this hike

MudMedium
ShadeMedium
Exposure / vertigoHigh
WaymarkingPartial
ViewpointsAt the end
RopesNone
📍 Where it starts
At the Alexandra Falls car park and viewpoint, off the Plaine Champagne road. The path starts on the left of the viewpoint.
🧭 The route
About 40 minutes each way through forest and open heath, with a few muddy and rocky passages, to the flat rocks and pools at the top of the falls.
🪨 Terrain
Forest path, then bare rock at the top.
👁️ Views
The big view (and the pools) are at the top of the falls.
🔁 Loop?
No loop.
🦟 Insects
Mosquitoes in the forest part.
💧 Water
No water; bring 1.5 litres.
👥 Crowds
Increasingly popular at weekends.
📶 Phone signal
Patchy.
🎒 Bring
Shoes with grip (muddy sections) · Mosquito repellent · Light rain jacket · 1–1.5 litres of water · Snack · Swimsuit for the pools
  1. Alexandra Falls viewpoint
  2. Top of the falls (Cascade des Galets, approx.)

Getting there

Driving route from the villa

🚗 By car: 40 min (23.9 km) off-peak. Alexandra Falls car park. Directions in Google Maps ↗

  • 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 950–1,300 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).

Tips

  • 💡 The pin on the trail map for the waterfall top is approximate.
  • 💡 Never approach the edge when the rocks are wet.

Our notes & votes