Le Pouce

Le Pouce is the thumb-shaped peak overlooking Port Louis. The classic trail starts in the sugarcane fields above Saint-Pierre/Moka, climbs gently across the plateau, then steeply up the final rocky 'thumb'. From the top you see Port Louis, the northern plains, Pieter Both and the Moka range.

It's the easiest of the big central peaks and a good first hike.

• Panorama over Port Louis and the north
• Easy start through the cane fields

Trail map

Clear path; short scramble to the summit.

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 south side: take the road up through the sugarcane above Petit Verger / Saint-Pierre (Moka) to where the tarmac ends and park there. The path is well trodden from here.

🧭 The route

A gentle walk up a farm track between cane fields and then a forest path to a grassy shoulder below the 'thumb' (1–1.5 h). From the shoulder you already see Port Louis and the north. The final 50 m is a short, steep rocky scramble to the top (812 m). Back the same way, or continue down the north side to Port Louis (one-way, arrange pick-up).

🪨 Terrain

Farm tracks and forest path, then rock at the very top.

👁️ Views

Views open from the shoulder (Port Louis, Pieter Both); the top gives a 360° panorama of the north of the island.

🔁 Loop?

No loop, but a one-way traverse down to Port Louis is possible.

🦟 Insects

Few mosquitoes; flies on the grassy shoulder.

💧 Water

No water; 1.5 litres each.

👥 Crowds

Popular at weekends (families, runners); calm on weekdays.

📶 Phone signal

Good coverage.

🎒 Bring

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

1. Parking at the end of the road
2. Summit, 812 m

Getting there

Tips

• 💡 The last 50 m to the top is a scramble with some exposure; the shoulder below is a fine turnaround point.

Our notes & votes