Hiking Pieter Both Mountain: An Experience Like No Other

No matter whether it’s up an incredibly high mountain or just a small hill that gets your heart pumping, hiking is an incredible experience which creates everlasting memories. No matter how hard it is, at the end of the hike, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Recently, we visited Pieter Both mountain in Mauritius and we couldn’t recommend it enough. If you’ve seen our TikTok videos on it, you know just how we felt when we reached the peak: indeed, on top of the world. So let's discover more about the climb in detail, as it is one of the best things to do on Mauritius island!

A Climb Like No Other

Before you think about the mountain like any other, let us make something clear: Hiking Pieter Both mountain is something that truly tests your fear of heights. It is the country’s most famous mountain and comes second in the height category: Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire is the first. It is a very challenging hike because of its steepness: it is high, steep, and it requires you to have a harness to make sure you get to the top safe and sound. With challenges, comes great rewards. As the views of Mauritius Island from the top of Pieter Both Mountain are out of this world.

The Hike - Section 1 

The hike starts in La Laura, which is a small village on Mauritius Island. The hike itself is around 0.7 miles round trip. Don’t be fooled by the short trek: the lowest point is at 1421 feet, and the highest is at 2500 feet, so it’s a steep and high climb!

From a certain angle, Pieter Both mountain is shaped like a human head with shoulders. Using that as a reference, the hike is generally split up into two sections. The bottom of the mountain all the way up to the shoulders, and the final part from the shoulders to the top of the head. The first part is not as tough as the second, however it consists of many steep steps which will push you to rest quite often, even if your stamina is of the best. We used the harness once during the first part, mainly to climb a slightly slanted rock.  

It takes about 2 hours to get to the shoulders of Pieter Both mountain, that includes short resting and lunch breaks in between. 

The Hike - Section 2

The second section is more technical and takes around 30 minutes to hike to the peak, at a slow and steady pace using a harness. This part can be challenging, and many quit the hike to the top, based on what stands ahead. Being physically and mentally prepared might be of use, but at this point of time, it comes down to your courage. There is nothing to be worried about if you have a supportive and knowledgeable guide who will help you to the top.

The Importance Of A Guide

It’s best to have a guide or two with you who know exactly where to go, what they are doing, and how to get you up there safely. 

We highly recommend our private guide Irfaan. He is based in Mauritius Island and has climbed the mountain up and down multiple times, understands the trail in and out, and ensures safety comes first before climbing Pieter Both Mountain. He prepared all the equipment for us, lead the group with confidence and helped us take memorable pictures that will last a lifetime. We had reached out to him via instagram, and the first thing he had mentioned was, if the weather is not great or if it rained the night before, the trek will have to be postponed.

Thankfully we had good weather and completed the climb, even though we had food poisoning the night before. 

Be Careful!

We can't stress enough how important a guide is. As this is a mountain, GPS signal will be lost, usually before you reach section 2. While you may have some signal, it’s always best to go with people who know the ins-and-outs of the place and understand the terrain in all conditions. 

Have you been to Pieter Both? Are you planning on hiking Pieter Both mountain? Are you looking for more things to do on Mauritius Island, and are just curious about this hike? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!