Preparation and conditions
There are surely few tropical destinations where you can go for a beach holiday and still find it worthwhile to pack your hiking boots as well. The granite islands of the Seychelles, with their huge mountain massifs, are one of the exceptions. Only a short distance from hotels and villages you find yourself in the middle of untamed jungle, and you can feel safe there too, because there are no poisonous or dangerous animals or plants.
You should, however, be prepared for conditions that may be unfamiliar. To avoid the highest daytime temperatures, it is best to set off early. The mountains are often still wrapped in mist then, and the forest gives shade, so it is noticeably cooler than on the beach. Humidity in the Seychelles is high all year round, though slightly lower from May to September. Whenever you hike in the Seychelles, take plenty of drinking water as well as food.
June to August are considered particularly pleasant for walking. Showers are possible in any season, though, and wet rock and roots get slippery quickly. You will find more about the seasons under best time to visit and climate and weather.
Hiking alone or with a guide
You can explore the best trails in the Seychelles on your own, but if you want to be sure of not getting lost, you should put yourself in the hands of an experienced local guide. A guided hike also has the advantage that you get explanations about animals and plants that you might not have noticed at all on your own.
I can warmly recommend a tour with the hiking guide from Island Tour Seychelles. She knows every trail, knows the way, and is very good at judging whether the weather allows a hike. She is of course certified and licensed by the government. Another advantage is that a guide sees and knows even the smallest things that you could easily overlook when walking alone.
A guide is compulsory only on the Morne Seychellois Trail, the route to the highest mountain in the Seychelles. The Fond Ferdinand nature reserve on Praslin can also only be visited with a guide. The shorter trails on Mahé such as Copolia, Anse Major or Morne Blanc are considered well marked and many visitors walk them alone.
The best hikes
Mahé
Rewarding hikes on Mahé include the climbs starting from Sans Souci Road to the Trois Frères (699 m) or to the summit plateau of the Copolia trail (497 m), which takes less than two hours there and back. On the Copolia Trail, pitcher plants grow on the granite if you are lucky. On the Trois Frères Trail the official path ends at a viewpoint below the summit, and the top section is considered dangerous.
You can also hike up the highest mountain in southern Mahé, Montagne Brûlée, starting from Montagne Posée Road. This hike takes a little longer, but it is easy overall and shortcuts are possible.
The Anse Major Trail begins in Danzil near Bel Ombre and follows the north-west coast over granite rocks and through coastal forest to a small bay that can only be reached on foot or by boat. Allow about 30 to 60 minutes each way. There are no facilities at the end, and the waves can be strong. The Morne Blanc Trail leads steeply up from the tea factory through cloud forest to a viewpoint over the west coast, and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours there and back. If you want to climb Morne Seychellois (905 m), plan for a whole morning, as the path is steep and slippery after rain. You can reach the starting points by bus or hire car.
Praslin
On Praslin you can hike across the island from coast to coast on the “Salazie Track”. For the roughly 9 km route, allow about four hours there and back.
Two shorter trails lead through palm forest. In the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai grow the famous coco de mer palms, and you should allow about two hours for the circuit. The Fond Ferdinand nature reserve only opened in 2013, and the entry fee includes a guided tour. The climb to the viewpoint takes about two to three hours, and from there you can see Curieuse, La Digue and other islands. You will find more about the plants and animals under flora and fauna.
La Digue and Silhouette
On La Digue, besides the walk around the island, you can climb the 333 m island peak Nid d’Aigle. The Belle Vue restaurant lies roughly halfway up. If you want to shorten the route, take a taxi up to it and continue on foot from there. The ascent from La Passe is longer and more strenuous.
On Silhouette, trails lead to Mont Dauban and Mont Pot à Eau, through dense forest and with views of the sea.
Entry fees and rules on the official trails
The official nature trails on Mahé are managed by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), formerly the Seychelles National Parks Authority. Several trails charge an entry fee for visitors aged 12 and over, while children under 12 and residents pay nothing. If you book through a tour operator, the fee is usually already included in the package price.
| Trail (Mahé) | Entrance fee, as of November 2026 | Opening hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copolia | SCR 100 | daily 8am-4pm | approx. 1.4 km, moderate |
| Trois Frères | SCR 150 | daily 8am-4pm | up to the viewpoint |
| Anse Major | SCR 150 | daily 8am-4pm | starts in Danzil, bay only on foot or by boat |
| Morne Seychellois | SCR 250 | daily 8am-12pm | only with licensed guide |
| Morne Blanc | not listed in the SPGA price list | according to SPGA 8am-4pm | steep, often shrouded in mist |
Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand on Praslin have their own entry fees, which you can ask about on site or at the Seychelles Islands Foundation. You will find further advice on behaviour and conservation under Do’s and Don’ts and nature and environmental protection. For emergencies, read hospitals, clinics and emergency numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any dangerous animals or plants?
No, there are no poisonous or dangerous animals or plants in the forests of the Seychelles. The risks are rather slipping, sun and mist.
Do I need a guide?
Only for the Morne Seychellois Trail and the Fond Ferdinand reserve. Otherwise a guide helps with finding your way and recognising animals and plants.
Can I pay the entry fee in cash?
Not at the trails, where only cards are accepted. If you have cash, you can buy the ticket online in advance with a card.
What is the easiest hike?
For a first walk, Copolia is a good choice, taking less than two hours in total, as is the path to Anse Major, which ends with a swim. Both are quite manageable if you start early and carry enough water.
