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Mare Longue is an easy forest walk past the reservoir, ending at a six-metre waterfall that drops into a deep pool in Black River Gorges above Vacoas-Phoenix. Families and first-time hikers manage the approach, and you often hear the fall before you see it. Confident swimmers sometimes jump from the rocks; others swim or watch from the side with the guide nearby.
The gentle four-kilometre trail sets a relaxed tone with birds, shade and glimpses of the Mare Longue reservoir before the sound of rushing water announces the main cascade. Your guide keeps the group together on roots and stream crossings, and there is no need to rush the flat sections when younger walkers are in the party.
At the pool your guide explains the depth, where to get in, and where to stand if other people in the group want to jump from the rocks. Swimming is optional, there is time for photos, and the walk back follows the same easy path so you can dry off in the shade before you reach the trailhead.
The hike sits inside Black River Gorges National Park above Vacoas-Phoenix, where forest humidity and birdlife make the walk feel cooler than the coast even on warm days. The reservoir section is a calm contrast to the louder finale at the falls.
Weekends can be busy at the pool when local families escape the heat, while weekday mornings often feel quieter if you want more space in the water. After rain, mud on the easy path is the main change, not the grade itself.
Open to guests from five years with a paying adult on this easy-grade route. Basic walking fitness is enough, and non-swimmers are welcome to enjoy the view from rock ledges with the guide close by.
Bring swimwear, towel, water, sunscreen and insect repellent for a humid forest day. If anyone plans to jump, listen carefully to the guide’s depth check and only enter where they point.
Small groups keep the pace human on narrow paths, which matters when the trail pinches beside a drop or a busy pool. Your guide checks in regularly, leaves time for photos where the rock is stable, and makes sure slower walkers are never left guessing where the party went.
Years of guiding on Mauritius trails means clear briefings, realistic timing between waterfalls, and a bit of background on the plants, birds and rock you pass. Swim stops and viewpoint pauses are part of the day, so it does not turn into a rush back to the car park.
Meet your guide, check kit and hear how the route will run on the day. Your guide checks kit, pace and weather before you move on from this stop. Photo pauses stay on stable ground so the group does not block narrow paths for others.
Follow forest and river paths with photo stops and guide support on wet rock. Photo pauses stay on stable ground so the group does not block narrow paths for others.
Walk back to the start with time for final questions. Expect a quick safety reminder whenever the trail gets steeper, wetter or more exposed. There is time to ask questions, drink water and adjust layers before the next section.
Meet at Mare Longue. Aim to arrive a few minutes before your start time so the guide can run through safety points, check footwear and answer questions while everyone is still fresh.
Drivers from coastal hotels often know the trailhead by name; if you are ordering a taxi, share the meeting point pin rather than only a resort lobby so you are dropped at the forest or coast access, not the wrong side of the village.
Most guests spend around 2 hours on foot for this route, plus a few minutes for the safety briefing at Mare Longue.
Timing shifts slightly with group pace, photo stops and how long you linger at pools when the water is calm.
You need comfortable walking fitness for forest paths and river rock. Tell your guide if anyone in the party prefers a slower pace on uphill sections.
Steep or technical moments are briefed before you reach them so you can decide whether to follow or wait at a safe spot.
Closed-toe shoes with grip are essential on wet basalt and roots. Quick-dry clothes work well when spray or pool stops are part of the day.
Pack sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for humid forest sections, and keep electronics in a waterproof pouch in your bag.
Natural pools appear on several routes when conditions are safe. Your guide calls each stop and shows where entry is sensible.
Bring swimwear and a towel even for a short dip, and follow guide signals when currents or depth change after rain.
We start at Mare Longue in Mauritius. Arrive a few minutes early with shoes ready to walk. Your guide keeps the group together on narrow sections and builds in time for water, photos and questions without rushing the trail.
Parking is usually at the trail base; confirm the pin with your driver if you are arriving by taxi from the coast.
This route is open to guests from 5 years when accompanied by a responsible adult who can help on narrow sections.
Guides may suggest an easier pace on the day if footwear or energy levels are not suited to wet rock.
Your professional guide leads the full route for the day, with safety briefing and on-trail support on forest, river and waterfall sections where they apply.
Equipment hire beyond personal clothing is not part of a standard hike unless arranged in advance with the team.
Light rain can still allow a safe walk, while heavy downpours may raise rivers and make stone slick. Your guide may shorten the route or skip a swim stop when the water is high.
If the rock is still wet from overnight rain, expect a slower pace and extra care at crossings and pool edges.
Yes, bring a phone or camera for cascades and viewpoints. Keep gear in a dry bag near water and pause on stable ground rather than mid crossing.
Your guide can suggest the best angles without blocking narrow paths for other hikers. Your guide keeps the group together on narrow sections and builds in time for water, photos and questions without rushing the trail.
Forest sections often bring tropical birds, lizards and butterflies along the path. Pools may hold small fish in the shallows on waterfall routes.
Watch where you step, stay on the marked line through vegetation, and avoid feeding animals you meet.
About the centre
Vacoas
You'll join guided hikes and waterfall adventures across Mauritius with a team that knows the island's ridges, gorges, and south-coast trails firsthand. From UNESCO Le Morne Brabant to the Seven Waterfalls and hidden cascades inland, we focus on safe pacing, clear briefing, and routes that show you the landscapes locals love without rushing the day.
Our guides combine years on the ground with professional safety training and links to local rescue networks in the Seven Waterfalls and Black River Gorges areas. Whether you're after a half-day waterfall loop or a full summit push, we keep groups manageable so you can enjoy the views, the stories, and the swim stops when the trail allows.
Operated by Thomson Discovery, a partner of adventuro.
