Experiences in Seychelles

The diversity of the Seychelles landscape rushes up to greet you the moment your aircraft begins its descent and promises a long list of exciting things to do.

Seychelles is famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, pristine and uncrowded. Some are framed by age-old granite boulders and others offer powder-soft sands, turquoiseclear waters and sublime opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and pure relaxation.

There are great opportunities for island-hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation. These range from sumptuous 5-star resorts to rustic island lodges and cozy beachside bungalows. On your way, you will discover such gems as the legendary Vallée de Mai, home to the legendary Coco-de-Mer.

You will also find proud national monuments, beautiful Creole houses, artists’ studios, national reserves and marine parks, as well as breathtaking natural wonders above and beneath the waves. Various excursions will introduce you to the pleasures of glass-bottom boating, or enjoying a choice of water sports.

There’s also golf course and for the keen explorer, guided nature tours where to enjoy some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Not forgetting the mellow Seychelles nightlife where you can take in a casino, some local bars and fine restaurants offering unforgettable Creole and international cuisine.

NIZ D’AIGLE
Climb to the highest point in La Digue and get a 360° view of its wonders. View vistas and beaches and enjoy a look at the nearby islands rising from the ocean.

Length: 1.3 km
Time: 40 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Total ascent/descent: 213 m

From the village of La Passe, take a taxi to Belle Vue restaurant. The trailhead is located at the base of the building, marked by the ‘mountain’ sign. If you choose to hike the entire trek from the village to the peak, it is much longer and much more challenging.

ANSE GEORGETTE VIA ANSE LAZIO
Discover two tropical beaches and pass through the incredible landscapes of Praslin’s north point.

Length: 7 km out and back
Time: Approx. 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Total ascent/descent: Approx 200 m

Park near the Lemuria hotel and walk toward the Newcome forest house on a paved path.

SALAZIE PASQUIÈRE
A large loop that crosses the island through the Plaine Hollandaise on two main trails, Pasquière and Salazie.

Length: 6.9 km
Time: Approx. 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Total ascent/descent: 519 m

The trailhead is located in the Grand Anse region of the southern coast. Park your vehicle above the Britania cemetery and walk along the road as it switchbacks.

FOND FERDINAND
A smart alternative to the very popular Vallée de Mai.

This former palm plantation was ravaged by fire in 1990; it was painstakingly restored before being opened to the public in 2012. Today, the site boasts a magnificent forest of coco de mer trees covering more than 150 hectares (370 acres), parts of which are open to visitors. Enjoy the tranquility of the trails, which are less busy than those in the UNESCO site just a few km away.

Length: 2 km
Time: 1 to 2 hrs
Difficulty: Easy
The entrance to Fond Ferdinand is located in southern Praslin along the coastal road near Anse Marie Louise.

ANSE MONDON
Spend a few hours exploring the northeastern coast of Silhouette on this hike that ends at the beautiful Anse Mondon beach, only accesible on foot.

Length: 3.2 km
Time: 1h 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Total ascent/descent: 387 m
Starting from La Passe Village, walk through the entire Hilton Labriz complex northward, then walk along the ‘presidential’ beach until you reach the information sign.

GRAND BARBE
This hiking trail is one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in the country. The trail runs from one side of Silhouette island to the other. Exploring its wildest regions.

Length: 6.5 km
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Total ascent/descent: 421 m
Our recommendation is to hire a boat to take you to Grand Barbe beach and then take the moutain trail to reach the Village of La Passe.

CASSEDENT
Cassedent is a relatively long walk of continuous ascends and descends through fascinating communities of screw pines, a palm marsh and endemic trees, with a natural waterfall at trail’s end for the perfect resting spot.

The Hike can start from several different points,but the best route is the one that follows the sans Souci Road down to the mangrove forest in Port Glaud on the west coast.

Lenght : 8.2 Kms
Time : 4 hours
Difficulty : Hard
Total ascent/descent: 843 m (2,766 ft.)
On the Sans Souci road from Victirua, stop on the right-hand side of the road about 1 km after the Mission Lodge. The trail begins beside the road.

GLACIS TROIS FRÈRES
With an altitude of 300 metres, the Glacis Trois Frères trail offers a magnificent view of Victoria, the Ste Anne Marine Park and other easterly islands in the archipelago, including Praslin and La Digue on clear days. It is one of the most popular hikes on Mahé, though it does not include the summit, for safety reasons.

Length: 1.4 km
Time: 35 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent/Descent: 237 m (778 ft.)
From the Sans-Souci road, take the small paved road that leads toward the mountain, located just across from the grocery store. Pass through the residential area to reach the trailhead.

SALAZIE NATURE TRAIL
The first part of this trail is easy as it follows a road through cultivated mahogany forest and tea plantations. The last part of the trail is more challenging, passing though dense forest and down a narrow path between undergrowth and boulders to a private housing estate.

Length: 2.9 km
Time: 1 hour
Diffuclty: Easy
Total ascent/descent: 329 m (1,079 ft.)
As you are coming from Victoria on the Sans-Souci road, look for the sign on your left and drive for a few dozen meters down the forest path, where you can park your vehicle.

COPOLIA TRAIL
This trail spills out onto the wide expanse of a granite mountaintop with 360 degree views, and provides easy access to the unique flora found in the intermediate altitudes of Seychelles. Forests, glacis and a panoramic view await you on this popular hike along the East Coast.

Length: 1.6km
Time: 45 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent/Descent: 242 m (794 Ft.)
From Victoria, head toward the Sans-Souci road. After a few kilometers, park near the Copolia Lodge. The traihead is just across from the hotel, near the bus stop.

DANS GALLAS
This trail opens up a number of different panoramic views along the route, including a stunning vista at the top that encapsulates Beau Vallon Bay, all of North Mahé, and the eastern coast down to the airport, with the whole of Victoria straight below. It is one of the only hikes that boasts views of the East and West coasts of Mahé.

Length: 2.9 KM (1.8 Ml.)
Time: 1h15 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Ascent/Descent: 556m (1, 824 ft.)
We recommend that you start in the morning so you can fully appreciate the view before the clouds roll in the midday. The trail starts from Le Niol road, across from the last bus stop.

MORNE BLANC
This trail is a continuous uphill climb from an already high-altitude starting point in the Morne Seychellois National Park, through mist forests and to the top of the mountain of Morne Blanc, with sweeping views across Mahé’s western seaboard. It is an ascent in the heart of the forest to the most beautiful overlook on the west coast.

GLACIS LA RESERVE
The Glacis La Reserve trail winds through one of the most impressive palm forests on Mahé against a backdrop of granite cliffs and boulders, with three superb viewpoints along the way overlooking several different areas of Mahé. It is a short, easy hike that boasts a super collection ofpalms and gives you the chance to experience a huge glacis overlooking the West Coast.

Length: 0.9km
Time: 25 mins
Difficulty: Very easy
Total Ascent/Descent: 134 m (440 ft.)
On the Montagne Posée road, park near the Cable & Wirelss station at Bon Espoir.

MARE AUX COCHONS
Deep in the Morne Seychellois National Park, this is a series of interlinked trails with the upland valley of Mare aux Cochons as the focus, allowing hikers to customize their experience depending on their own level of fitness and specific interests.

Length: 9.6km
Time 5 to 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Total ascent/descent: 270 m (886ft.)
On the Victoria road from Beau Vallon, turn right in the direction of Le Niol and park near the last bus stop.

VALLÉE DE MAI (A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)
The legendary Vallée de Mai is one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles, and was once believed to be the original Garden of Eden. It is home to the world’s most famous tropical forests.

This hauntingly beautiful primeval forest is home to some 6,000 Coco de Mer trees.

Length: 3 routes between 1 and 2 km
Time 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
The entrance to Vallée de Mai is located about halfway along the main road that connects Grand Anse to Baie Sainte Anne.