Corps de Garde

Corps de Garde (719 m) is the long mountain rising above Quatre Bornes and Rose Hill. The trail climbs steeply through forest and rocky steps to the ridge, with a few easy scrambles, and ends at a summit with views to Port Louis, Flic en Flac and Le Morne.

A good morning hike 30 minutes from the villa, often combined with the Quatre Bornes market.

• Views over the west coast and the plateau
• Rocky ridge and small caves

Trail map

Steep and rocky with easy scrambles; well used by locals.

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

📍 Where it starts

From the Quatre Bornes / Palma side, at the end of a residential street at the foot of the mountain (many locals start from the road near the Bois Chéri / Sodnac area). Park in the street.

🧭 The route

A steep, direct climb through forest and rocky steps (45–60 min) to the ridge, then along the ridge with a few easy scrambles to the summit (719 m). Views over the west coast, Quatre Bornes and the plateau. Back the same way.

🪨 Terrain

Steep rocky steps and a forested ridge.

👁️ Views

Views open on the ridge; the summit has a wide view to the west coast.

🪢 Ropes

No fixed ropes; hands needed on a few rock steps.

🔁 Loop?

No loop.

🦟 Insects

Some mosquitoes in the forest.

💧 Water

No water; 1.5 litres each.

👥 Crowds

Popular with locals at sunrise and at weekends.

📶 Phone signal

Good coverage.

🎒 Bring

Shoes with grip (trail runners or boots) · 1.5–2 litres of water each · Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses · Snack

1. Start
2. Summit, 719 m

Getting there

Our notes & votes