Moris

🥾 Hikes · Black River Gorges

Mare Longue loop (from Pétrin)

A long, gentle loop on the plateau from Pétrin, through forest and heath past the Mare Longue reservoir.

🚗 From the villa45 min · 27.9 kmoff-peak estimate
⏱️ Time needed3.5–4.5 hnot counting the drive
🕓 Best time of day☀️ Morning
💰 PriceFreeFree; toilets at Pétrin.
🥾 Trail8.5 km · +119 mModerate · loop · guide not needed

This 12-km loop from the Pétrin information centre is the longest easy walk in the park: well-marked, mostly flat forest tracks and heath, with the Mare Longue reservoir on the way. There are no big summits, but plenty of solitude, birds and cool upland air.

About 4 hours; good for fit walkers who prefer distance to steep climbs.

  • Long, gentle loop
  • Reservoir and upland forest
  • Solitude

Trail map

Well marked, long but not steep.

Trail (moderate)
550 m600 m650 m700 m 0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km 681 m
Loop. 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
ShadeHigh
Exposure / vertigoLow
WaymarkingGood
ViewpointsAlong the way
RopesNone
📍 Where it starts
At the Pétrin information centre on the Grand Bassin road (car park, toilets).
🧭 The route
Forest tracks north to the Mare Longue reservoir, then back through the Macchabée forest to Pétrin. Mostly flat with gentle slopes; long.
🪨 Terrain
Forest tracks and paths; muddy stretches after rain.
👁️ Views
Reservoir and forest views along the way; no big viewpoint.
🔁 Loop?
Yes, a loop.
🦟 Insects
Mosquitoes.
💧 Water
No water; 2 litres.
👥 Crowds
Very quiet.
📶 Phone signal
Patchy.
🎒 Bring
Shoes with grip (muddy sections) · Mosquito repellent · Light rain jacket · 1–1.5 litres of water · Snack
  1. Pétrin
  2. Mare Longue reservoir

Getting there

Driving route from the villa

🚗 By car: 45 min (27.9 km) off-peak. Pétrin information centre car park. Directions in Google Maps ↗

  • 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 1,150–1,500 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).

Our notes & votes