I hiked all over the Seychelles islands. Here are my favorite jungle trails and coastal vistas you can check out on your next visit to the archipelago.
While many people visit the Seychelles for the white-sand beaches and luxury resorts, the truth is that this archipelago has so much more to offer.
That’s why I hope to fill the gap and let you in on all the epic adventure opportunities available in the Seychelles.
After spending a lot of time hiking some of the best trails on La Digue, Praslin, and Mahé, I’ve written this run-down of what I consider the best hikes in the Seychelles. I hope it inspires you to get out and explore more of this incredible destination.
Best Hikes on Mahé Island
Since Mahé is the main island of the Seychelles with the most infrastructure, most of the trails are found here. Expect a wide range of experiences, from challenging mountain treks with panoramic views to leisurely coastal walks through lush tropical forests.
Many trails are on well-marked paths but there is a lot of wild nature Morne Seychellois National Park, an era of approximately 3,045 hectares featuring granite peaks, dense jungle, secluded beaches, and abundant wildlife. Here are my favorite hiking trails on Mahé.
Tip: I've written individual hiking guides for most trails linked throughout this post. This include detailed guides with information about the specific nature trails with more photos & directions.
Morne Blanc Nature Trail
- Hike Distance: 1.8 km (1.1 mi)
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Elevation: 230 meters (754 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Sans Soucis Road
One of my favorite hikes here is the Morne Blanc Nature Trail. This track is located within the beautiful (Morne Seychelles National Park).
This is one of the best hikes for amazing views over the west coast of the island. The trail begins on Sans Soucis Road, the scenic, cross-island road connecting Victoria to Port Glaud. The hardest part about this trail is getting to the trailhead.
The Morne Blanc trail is a steep but short climb through amazing jungle to reach the viewpoint. It's only 1.8 kilometers return, but you'll need to hike up around 230 meters of elevation to the summit (667 m above sea level).
From the top, you’ll get a vantage point of Therese and Conception Island, running all the way down the coast to Petite Anse on the south cape.
Book: Morne Blanc Hiking Trip
Anse Major Nature Trail
- Hike Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 mi)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Near Beau Vallon
My favorite beach on Mahé is the remote and mind-blowingly epic Anse Major.
To get here, hikers will need to take a relatively short and easy hike starting near the western end of Beau Vallon. The hike to this remote beach on the isolated northwest end of Mahe offers both jungle and coastal views. However, it's the view at the end that really takes the cake for the most stunning scenery.
Anse Major beach has crystal clear water, perfect white sand, and an unbelievable mountain backdrop. Check out some of the images I captured of this beach from my drone.
Although you'll feel like you are very remote at the end, this coastal track is easy to follow and a good one for families!
Book: Anse Major Hiking Trip
Mare Aux Cochons Trail
- Hike Distance: 7 km (4.3 mi)
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 300 meters (984 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Bel Ombre
One of the lesser-known hikes in the Seychelles is the cross-island Mare aux Cochons trail.
While this one doesn’t offer as many spectacular views as some of the other hikes on this list, it instead allows you to experience the island's interior. That's because the Mare aux Cochons trail has some of the best plant and wildlife viewing in the archipelago.
Again, this trail is a little remote and difficult to follow. Therefore, I recommend booking a guide. My great friend Roddey (above) took me on this trail. He knows absolutely everything about the history and nature of the Seychelles and will point out all the highlights.
Copolia Trail
- Hike Distance: 1.9 km (1.2 mi)
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Elevation: 300 meters (984 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Sans Soucis Road near Victoria
If Morne Blanc offers the best views of Mahé's west coast, then the Copolia has the best views of the east.
This trail begins on the same cross-island road, but this time closer to Victoria. The trail is also similar, being short, but steep. In total, expect just 1.9-kilometer for the return trip.
At the end, you'll be greeted with incredible views of the coast beaches, the village of Takamaka, Victoria, and Eden Island.
Sauzier Waterfall Trail
- Hike Distance: 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Port Glaud
The Seychelles doesn't just have great hikes– it's even got waterfalls!
One of my favorites is Sauzier Waterfall, located just a short walk from Port Glaud, on the western side of Mahé.
The trail starts just a few hundred meters into the village from the church. There's an entry fee for this one, which is just 50 SCR per person. The hike follows a scenic track for just five minutes before finishing up at a majestic jungle waterfall complete with a deep swimming hole.
Ros Sodyer Rock Pool Hike
- Hike Distance: 2.2 km (1.4 mi)
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Near Anse Takamaka
Another unique hiking opportunity on Mahe is the Ros Sodyer Rock Pool near Anse Takamaka Beach. This is quite a distance from popular tourist hubs like Beau Vallon Beach and Eden Island. So, if you're not too keen on organizing transport, then I'd recommend just booking an organized day trip to the pools instead.
The hike is roughly 45-60 minutes returning at about 2.2 kilometers in total. It's a relatively easy track following jungle trails before popping out onto the granite rock features on the coast.
The rock pool is very deep and is perfect for swimming in good weather. I suggest trying to line up your hike to arrive at low tide for the best experience.
Best Hikes on La Digue
La Digue is the smallest of the Seychelles inner islands but packs plenty of adventure!
Hiking trails on La Digue offer an array of adventures, from steep climbs to panoramic viewpoints to tranquil coastal paths that lead to some of the island's most secluded and pristine beaches. Expect fewer options than Mahé but a good mix of well-trodden and remote trails through lush tropical forests and scenic coastal landscapes.
Romeo & Juliet Viewpoint Hike (Unique Viewpoints)
- Hike Distance: 4 km (2.5 mi)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Elevation: Moderate
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Belle Vue Road
This next trail is a remote hike through La Digue's dense interior. This one follows several random logging trails from Belle Vue Road and therefore, I recommend contacting Henry (above) to show you the way.
The Romeo & Juliet viewpoint is an epic rock vantage point over La Digue's mostly untouched east coast.
The view stretches over the green, tropical jungle and all the way down to the Anse Cocos, Petite Anse, and Grand Anse. It’s by far my favorite view on the island.
After soaking up the views you can continue down to Anse Cocos. From here, it's best to walk back via Grand Anse to avoid the steep climb back to the road.
Anse Marron Hike
- Hike Distance: 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: Moderate
- Difficulty: Hard
- Start point: Grand Anse or Belle Vue Road
La Digue comes to the top of my list of favorite islands to go hiking on in the Seychelles.
And, one of the best hikes on the island is the nature trail to Anse Marron. This secluded hidden gem has long been an island secret but has recently blown up on an international scale. This is largely due to a few guides opening up guided walks to Anse Marron.
Once you lay eyes on this beach, you'll soon discover why. This sheltered, private beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Seychelles. It features incredibly blue water and a sheltered cove with amazing granite rock formations.
However, before you head out, it’s best to know that tourists are highly discouraged from commencing this Seychelles hike independently. Apparently, I was told that a lot of tourists get lost on this trail and require rescue and I was told I shouldn’t post directions for this reason.
Luckily, there are small-group, guided trips that are going to be your best bet. I found a hiking tour you can book on Viator with lots of reviews and a 5-stars rating for a decent price, check it out below.
Book: Anse Marron Hike
Anse Cocos Hikes
- Hike Distance: 3 km (1.9 mi) from Grand Anse / 4 km (2.5 mi) from Belle Vue Road
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Start point: Grand Anse or Belle Vue Road
It's no secret that La Digue has some of the best beaches in the world. Besides Anse Source D'Argent, one of my absolute personal favorites is Anse Cocos.
There are two options to get to Anse Cocos on La Digue and both of them require nature trail hikes.
The easy option is to take the short coastal trail from Grand Anse. This is a very scenic, easy, and beautiful trail. It offers plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting, including the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, the Bulbul, the Giant Day Gecko, and the Seychelles Bronze Gecko.
If you're up for more of a challenge, you could hike to Anse Cocos from Belle Vue Road, passing the Romeo & Juliette viewpoint (above).
Nid D'Aigle (Eagle's Nest)
- Hike Distance: 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from Belle Vue Restaurant
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Elevation: 333 meters (1,093 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Belle Vue Restaurant
Fancy hiking to the highest point of La Digue Island?
This point is known as Nid D'Airlge or the Eagle's Nest. The summit is roughly 333 meters. However, chances are you won't be beginning this trail from sea level.
The best way to hike Nid D'Aigle in the Seychelles is to begin at Belle Vue Restaurant. There's a steep but short trail leading from this restaurant all the way to the summit in less than 20 minutes.
Anse Songe Nature Trail
- Hike Distance: 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Near Grand Anse
Starting from Grand Anse, Anse Songe is another great short coastal nature trail on La Digue Island.
This trail begins just a few hundred meters before the access to Grand Anse Beach on the southeastern end of La Digue. The track begins by winding through a flat, sandy jungle before climbing over a short hill. In total, this Seychelles hiking trail should only take about 20 minutes and you could even ride your bicycle to the short hill, cutting down some time.
Anse Songe is a rocky beach that you’ll often have all to yourself. This beach is a little shallow and there is a small stretch of sand below a large granite boulder that is great for swimming (confident swimmers only) and cooling off after the walk.
Scenic Coastal Trails on Praslin Island
In my opinion, the trails on La Digue are more scenic than on Praslin. However, there are a few great coastal paths and lush forest routes.
Expect well-maintained trails showcasing the island's unique flora and fauna, including the famous coco de mer palms, and opportunities for wildlife spotting (especially in the tropical interior).
Anse Georgette Hike
- Hike Distance: 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: West end of Anse Lazio beach
Everybody knows about the amazing Anse Lazio on Praslin.
However, what many visitors don't know is that its neighbor, Anse Georgette, is equally as beautiful. Best of all, it's much quieter too!
To get to Anse Georgette, you'll need to either stay at the Constance Lemuria Resort, or take the jungle trail over the hill from Anse Lazio.
This trail takes about an hour but is easy to follow for the duration. Start the hike from the west end of Anse Lazio beach.
Le Glacis Noir Trail
- Hike Distance: 2.8 km (1.7 mi)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Elevation: Moderate
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Vallée de Mai
The Le Glacis Noir Trail is one of the best hiking trails on Praslin Island. You can begin this hike from the nearby Vallée de Mai.
The trail leads through the dense, tropical forests and climbs to a viewpoint tower offering an amazing vantage point of the coast. The roughly 2.8-kilometre trail is mostly shaded throughout and should take about an hour for most people to complete.
This is one of the best hiking trails in the Seychelles for wildlife spotting. Most people see multiple black parrots here!
Salazie & Pasquière Track
- Hike Distance: 8 km (5 mi)
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Grand Anse
This next trail is one of the longest hikes on the Seychelles island of Praslin. This is a loop trail combining the Salazie Track with the Pasquière Trail.
The path is quite level, with little incline throughout. It features several great coastal viewpoints and an opportunity to walk through some of the island's less visited areas. On this loop, you'll see:
- Anse Volbert
- Anse Petite Cour
- Grand Anse
- Anse Possession
It's best to start this one at Grand Anse and continue into the interior from there.
Vallée de Mai
- Hike Distance: Varies (1-3 km / 0.6-1.9 mi loops)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve Entrance
The last trail on this list of the best hikes in the Seychelles is the one-and-only Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.
Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best place in the Seychelles to see the endemic coco de mer palms. There is a variety of loop trail options you can take, each with amazing opportunities to see the Seychelles endemic palms.
At the entrance, there are dried examples of the coco de mer (male and female), as well as a few other Seychelles endemic palm seeds.
There is an entrance fee of 450 SCR to enter Vallée de Mai. However, this money goes to maintaining the reserve, as well as the Aldabra Atoll.
Praslin highlights tour: Vallée de Mai & Anse Lazio
Curieuse Island & Mangroves Walk
- Hike Distance: 3.5 km (2.2 mi)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start point: Baie Laraie
Curieuse Island offers a unique hiking experience with its blend of coastal and mangrove trails, with one of the largest populations of Aldebra Tortoises in the Seychelles.
I did a lot of independent travel in the Seychelles but I did do a few tours. The Curieuse Island tour was by far one of the highlights, which included hiking, snorkeling, and a visit to St Pierre Islet.
The Mangroves Walk is an easy trail that takes you through the island’s lush mangrove forests and along scenic coastal paths, providing opportunities to spot giant tortoises and other unique wildlife.
Best Adventure & Outdoor Activities to Book in Seychelles
In a rush? Here are three of the best hiking adventure tours and outdoor activities that you can book in the Seychelles Islands.
- Anse Marron Tour - a guided hiking tour to one of the most beautiful hidden beaches on La Digue Island.
- Mahe Rock Pool Tour - discover a unique opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful and secluded natural rock pools in the Seychelles.
- Hike to Anse Major - an awesome hike to one of the best beaches on Mahe Island via stunning jungle trails.
Where to Stay in the Seychelles for Hiking
No doubt, picking the right accommodation for your trip is important. There's nothing like relaxing in iconic Seychelles beachside hotels after a long day of hiking. Due to the ease of getting around, where to stay in the Seychelles isn't as important as which island you plan to stay on.
In my opinion, Mahé has the best network of hiking trails, but you'll find established routes throughout as you know by now.
If you want island-specific breakdowns with more options, then also check out the guides below:
FAQ About Hiking in the Seychelles
Here are some quick things to know about hiking in the Seychelles.
Do I need a guide to go hiking in the Seychelles?
Hiring a local guide is the best way to experience the awesome hiking trails in the Seychelles. This way, you’ll not only get to enjoy nature, but you’ll learn so much about the endemic plants and animals of the Seychelles.
The guys and girls below are my great friends and awesome guides that I can personally recommend.
- Praslin: Medina
- La Digue: Henry
- Mahé: Roddey
Is there an Internet & LTE connection on the trails?
Internet & LTE connectivity is not great once you get out on the trails. If you plan to walk some of the more remote nature trails in the Seychelles, it’s best to know this in advance. You can pick up a sim card with Airtel at the Mahe airport or at Cable & Wireless Kiosks on the main islands.
What's unique about the trails?
The Granitic Islands of the Seychelles are very unique. This is the only place on earth where granite islands exist mid-ocean.
How do I get between the islands?
Getting between islands is very easy. Read how to get to La Digue and how to get to Praslin. The most popular is to take the Cat Cocos ferry from Mahe Island to Praslin first.
What kind of wildlife can I see on the trails?
Endemic species are abundant in the Seychelles. La Digue in particular is one of the only islands where you can spot the illusive Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher.
When's the time to Visit the Seychelles for Hiking
The Seychelles sits near the equator within the subequatorial climatic zone. What this means is that the islands enjoy a tropical and mostly stable climate with a constant temperature between 25-35°C.
As a result, the Seychelles has great weather for hiking. However, just remember to pack plenty of water on hot days.
Furthermore, there are periods of seasonal rainfall which tend to begin in December and finish in March.
Many sources say that the best time to visit the Seychelles is during the months of April and May and October and November. However, don't be too worried about visiting in the wetter months. My recent trip was in December and I had great hiking weather almost every day!
That's a wrap for this rundown of the best Seychelles hikes and nature trail walks. Before you go, stick around for more detailed guides and inspiration for planning your trip.
Below are three island-specific guides that cover everything you need to know on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.
- 50 Things to do in the Seychelles - Ultimate travel guide with lots of great activity recommendations
- 18 Best Beaches in the Seychelles - These are the best beaches across all of the islands
- Mahé Island Travel Guide
- Praslin Island Travel Guide
- La Digue Island Travel Guide
Plan Where to Stay in the Seychelles
Wondering where to stay in the Seychelles? Don't miss these up-to-date accommodation guides.