Moris
🥾 Hikes · South-East
Lion Mountain
A ridge hike above Vieux Grand Port, shaped like a lying lion, with views over the south-east lagoon, Île aux Aigrettes and Mahébourg.
Lion Mountain (480 m) rises above Vieux Grand Port, where the Dutch first landed in 1598. The trail climbs steeply through forest to the lion's 'back', then follows a narrow ridge with a few exposed sections to the 'head', with a magnificent view over the Grand Port bay and the lagoon.
It's one of the island's most rewarding hikes, but it's 1h15 from the villa: combine it with Mahébourg or Blue Bay.
- Ridge walk with lagoon views
- View over Île aux Aigrettes and Mahébourg bay
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Trail map
Steep forest climb, then an exposed ridge; use the fixed ropes where present.
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
- In the village of Vieux Grand Port, on the coast road north of Mahébourg: the path starts behind the houses near the police station (ask locals for 'Montagne Lion'). Park along the road.
- 🧭 The route
- A steep climb through forest on a narrow, rooty path (45–60 min) to the 'back' of the lion, then a spectacular ridge walk with drops on both sides to the 'head' (480 m). Views over the whole Grand Port bay, Île aux Aigrettes and the Mahébourg lagoon. Back the same way.
- 🪨 Terrain
- Rooty forest path, then rocky ridge with narrow sections.
- 👁️ Views
- Views start on the ridge and are continuous to the summit; the lagoon view from the head is the highlight.
- 🪢 Ropes
- Fixed ropes on one or two steep rock steps below the ridge (check their condition before using them).
- 🔁 Loop?
- No loop.
- 🦟 Insects
- Mosquitoes in the lower forest, especially after rain.
- 💧 Water
- No water; 1.5–2 litres each.
- 👥 Crowds
- Quiet on weekdays, some local groups 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 · Mosquito repellent
- Start in Vieux Grand Port
- Summit (the lion’s head)
Getting there
🚗 By car: 1 h 15 (61.9 km) off-peak. Park in Vieux Grand Port near the start of the trail (behind the police station). Directions in Google Maps ↗
- 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 2,500–3,350 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).
Tips
- 💡 The ridge section is narrow and exposed: not for vertigo sufferers.
- 💡 Leave the villa at 6:00 to start before the heat.