Morne Blanc Trail, Mahe, Seychelles — Hike to Stunning Panoramic Views

Looking for one of the most spectacular viewpoints on Mahé? The Morne Blanc Trail might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Unlike the coastal Anse Major walk, this hike takes you deep inland — straight into the heart of Morne Seychellois National Park. Expect a humid cloud forest, moss-covered trees, twisting roots underfoot, and an atmosphere that feels almost magical. At the end, a panoramic viewpoint awaits, overlooking the wild west coast of Mahé, turquoise lagoons, and small offshore islands dotting the horizon.

The trail is only about 1 km one way, but don’t let the short distance fool you — nearly the entire path climbs uphill. Short? Yes. Easy? Not quite. But the view from the top makes every step worth it.

In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about hiking the Morne Blanc Trail: how to get there, whether a guide is needed, what to expect on the climb, practical tips, and why this is one of the most rewarding viewpoints on the island.

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The Morne Blanc Trail is one of the most impressive hikes on Mahé, leading to a viewpoint at roughly 667 metres above sea level.

While Anse Major takes you along the coast, Morne Blanc brings you inland, into dense tropical forest. The air is cooler and damper than at the beaches, and the trail feels wonderfully quiet. Walking under the canopy of moss-draped trees, over tangled roots and stones, surrounded by ferns and endemic plants, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into another world. After rainfall, the forest sparkles with droplets, and the mist gives the scenery an almost prehistoric feel.

The reward comes at the end. From the viewing platform, you can see Port Glaud, Port Launay Bay, Baie Ternay Marine Park, and small islands like Therese Island. On a clear day, the colours are extraordinary — deep green hills, bright turquoise lagoons, and the endless Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon.

We visited Morne Blanc during a full-day tour around Mahé, stopping at the trailhead before heading to Port Launay Beach. Our guide dropped us directly at the start and parked nearby at the Seychelles Tea Factory.

The trail starts along Sans Soucis Road — one of the most scenic mountain roads on the island. The entrance sign isn’t very obvious, so I highly recommend saving the exact location on Google Maps beforehand. It’s easy to drive past if you’re not paying attention.

If you want to hike at your own pace and linger at the viewpoint, renting a car is the most convenient option. There’s a small parking area near the Tea Tavern, just 200 metres from the trail. This way, you can wait for clouds to clear or simply enjoy the view in peace.

Another option is arranging a taxi pick-up time in advance, which works well if you’re not planning to rent a car for the day. And if you still have energy afterwards, stop by the Seychelles Tea Factory for a cup of local tea before continuing towards the beaches of the west coast.

After hiking Morne Blanc on our own, I’d say this depends on your experience. The trail itself is maintained and partially equipped with stone steps, wooden walkways and rope handrails on steeper sections. It’s not an extreme hike. However, some parts are steep and uneven, with larger steps that require careful footing. In a few sections, especially higher up, the path becomes less obvious.

We only met two couples during the entire hike up and down, so it’s definitely less busy than Anse Major. If you were to take a wrong turn or feel unsure, you might not see anyone for quite a while.

A guide isn’t essential, but it can enhance the experience. The forest is full of endemic plants, moss-covered trees and unique birdlife. We spotted unusual birds and insects but had no idea what they were. With a guide, the hike becomes more than just reaching a viewpoint — it turns into a deeper introduction to the ecosystem of Morne Seychellois National Park.

If you’re confident hiking on uneven forest trails and used to steep ascents, you can absolutely do it independently. Just wear proper shoes, bring enough water, and download an offline map.

If you’d prefer extra reassurance and local insight, booking a guided hike is a great option.

• Wear proper footwear. Trainers with good grip or hiking shoes are essential. There are roots, stones and fairly steep sections. Sandals or flip-flops are not suitable.
• Bring plenty of water. At least 1 litre per person — preferably more. The humidity is intense, and the climb is continuous. There are no shops or water sources on the trail.
• Start early. Mornings are cooler, and you’ll have better chances of clear views before clouds roll in.
• Pack a light rain jacket. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. After rainfall, the trail becomes slippery.
• Download an offline map. Mobile signal is very limited — we lost connection shortly after starting the hike.
• Let someone know your plans if hiking without a guide. It’s a simple but sensible safety step.

The dry season, from May to October, is generally the best time for this hike. The trail is less muddy, rocks are less slippery, and the forest is slightly cooler. 

Heavy rain is not recommended — wet roots and clay sections make the climb much more challenging. Cloud cover is another consideration: Morne Blanc reaches the island’s cloud forest, and the view can disappear under mist within minutes. Early morning hikes give the best chance of clear skies.

Avoid hiking late in the afternoon or after sunset — the trail has no lighting, and descending steep sections in the dark is unsafe.

According to the Seychelles National Parks Authority, the Morne Blanc Trail is around 1 km one way, with an elevation gain of approximately 270 metres. The average hiking time is about 1 hour 30 minutes return, and the official difficulty level is listed as Medium. Interestingly, the information board near the trailhead shows slightly different numbers. Either way, in reality, the hike feels more demanding than the statistics suggest. The starting point is already at a decent altitude, and almost the entire route goes uphill. Some of the steps are quite high, and in places it felt like climbing a natural staircase through the jungle.

We completed the hike in about 1 hour 30 minutes return — but quite quickly. If I were to do it again, I’d allow more time to stop, breathe and enjoy the surroundings. There are also a few scenic openings before the main viewpoint where you can already see glimpses of the west coast. Near the top, you’ll reach the Trig Point (marked with a small metal sign in the rock), and from there a short ridge path leads to the main viewing platform overlooking the south-west of Mahé and Port Glaud, roughly 600 metres below.

As you climb higher, the forest transitions into cloud forest. Moss, lichens and smaller endemic plants become more visible. Surprisingly, this ecosystem begins at relatively low altitude in the Seychelles. You’ll also notice invasive species like cinnamon and Chinese guava competing with native vegetation.

And one more thing: clouds move fast here. The park brochure even warns that the viewpoint can be fully covered in mist. Timing matters.

Absolutely. The climb is constant. The humidity is intense. At times it feels like the staircase through the forest will never end. But the moment you step onto the viewing platform, everything changes. From roughly 667 metres above sea level, the west coast of Mahé unfolds below you — deep green hills, bright turquoise lagoons, scattered islands on the horizon and Port Glaud far beneath. The contrast is striking: dense misty forest behind you, open ocean in front of you. On a clear day, the colours are almost too vivid to be real.

For me, this is one of the most impressive viewpoints on Mahé — more dramatic and elevated than anything you’ll experience on the Anse Major trail. Anse Major offers beautiful coastal scenery at sea level; Morne Blanc gives you scale, height and perspective. Yes, the hike is more demanding than it looks on paper. Yes, you’ll have to work for it. But that’s exactly why it stays with you.

If you’re planning a trip around north Mahé, Morne Blanc deserves a place on your itinerary.

However, if you feel this hike might be too challenging, Anse Major is a fantastic alternative — easier, coastal and equally memorable in a different way. I’ve shared a full guide to that trail as well.

Mahé surprises you from every angle — whether from mountain ridges or turquoise lagoons. Morne Blanc just happens to show you both at once.