Black River Gorges National Park

Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP) is one of the few places in Mauritius that cannot be visited properly by using the country's extensive bus network. At my first attempt I got as far as Chamarel, from where it's technically possible to walk into the park (though not tempting). I choose to visit the "coloured earths" instead that day.

A couple of days later I hired a taxi, and we drove the main road through the park. Le Pétrin is the main access to the BRGNP coming from central Mauritius. This also is the starting point for several longer hikes that can be done in the park. A ranger guards the entrance here. He was a bit concerned about me walking all alone. But I convinced him (and my driver) that I wasn't going too far. I just hiked up to the first viewpoint, about 30 minutes from the road. It quickly became clear to me why there is so much emphasis on "viewpoints" in this park: 99% of the time you walk on paths that are surrounded by hedges and thick forest. A clearing in the bushes then gives away to amazing views over the surrounding mountains and a high variation of trees.

After Le Petrin we stopped at two other viewpoints: Alexandra Falls and Gorges Viewpoint. Both are located next to the main road, and see quite a number of visitors. At least enough to warrant souvenir stalls, an ice cream seller and toilets. The Gorges Viewpoint is …