Copolia, Trois Freres and Anse Major Trails
Walking in Seychelles means short, steep trails through humid forest and across bare granite. Distances look modest on paper, but the climbs are real, the stone is slippery after rain and there is little shade on the open rock. Start soon after the gates open, take more water than you expect to need, and keep valuables out of parked cars at trailheads.
Trails at a glance
- Copolia, Mahe: 1.2 km, about 180 m of climb, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes. Medium to high difficulty. SCR 100. Open 08:00 to 16:00.
- Trois Freres, Mahe: 1.4 km, about 411 m of elevation, roughly 1 hour. Medium difficulty. SCR 150. Open 08:00 to 16:00.
- Anse Major, Mahe: SCR 150. About 2 to 2.5 km each way and 45 to 75 minutes by the reported figures.
- Morne Seychellois summit, Mahe: 905 m. SCR 250. Guide compulsory.
- Vallee de Mai, Praslin: routes of about 1.5 to 4 km. SCR 450.
- Veuve Reserve, La Digue: flat and shaded. SCR 150 on your own, SCR 200 with a guide.
Copolia in detail
The trailhead is about 6 km up Sans Souci Road from Victoria, where the ticket office also stands. The path crosses a stream and then steepens. The reward is an open glacis with views of the north-east coast, Ste Anne Marine Park and the inner islands, and carnivorous pitcher plants beside the path. Good shoes matter more than anything else you pack.
Trois Freres in detail
The trail is rated medium and takes around an hour. The park authority notes that the stretch beyond the trail, towards the Trois Freres cross, is not suitable for hiking and cannot be reached, so turn around where the path ends.
Anse Major in detail
The path begins at Danzil in Bel Ombre and follows the coast to a quiet beach. Bus 21 from Victoria is reported to serve Danzil. A boat back is mentioned at about SCR 150, but there is no confirmed timetable. No lifeguards work this beach, so enjoy it from the sand.
The summit and Morne Blanc
Tickets for the summit are sold from 08:00 to 12:00, so the walk must start in the morning. The national park spans about 3,045 hectares, which is over a fifth of Mahe, and has around 15 km of trails including Mare aux Cochons, Salazie, Morne Blanc and Dans Gallas. Morne Blanc starts near the old tea factory and ends at a platform with a view. Tour operators say the SCR 250 park fee covers it.
Gentle options
A stroll in Victoria can combine the Clock Tower, the temporary market on Albert Street and the Botanical Garden (SCR 250). On Curieuse, a 433 m boardwalk crosses the mangroves at Baie Laraie.
Tickets and care
Each ticket covers one person at one park for one day and cannot be refunded. The gate takes only cards, and online sales are on the SPGA site . Entering without a ticket brings a fine of SCR 600. Medical help is limited on Praslin and La Digue, so insure for evacuation.
For guided hikes, browse GetYourGuide .
Read more: sightseeing and solo activities .