When the cat's away, the mice will play. On this peak, however, you get to be part of the game. The Le Chat et la Souris mountain, literally the Cat and Mouse mountain, is an incredible hike in the South East of Mauritius. Take a deep breath and awaken your adventurous soul because we are about to begin the ascent.
There are two access points to the mountain. The first is found in the village of Pointe aux Feuilles, located on the east coast of Mauritius. The hike begins in the sugarcane field and will quickly transition to a landscaped bath lined with trees. From here on, have your GPS file ready or follow the instructions of your guide carefully because the following is a complete immersion in the woods where you can easily lose your bearings. Keep your eyes peeled for trails marked by hikers that will guide you on the right path.
Le Chat et La Souris mountain is part of the Bambous mountain range near Grand-Sable. The other path is found in Olivia village. The hike starts on a path right next to the Sainte-Thérèse church and the Olivia RCA School. Five hundred meters down the road you will come across a few offices amidst the sugarcane fields. Just like in most hikes, the trail begins in the middle of sugar cane fields. A strong smell of insecticide hangs in the air but the walk is pleasant. You can get an eyeful of the sugar cane flowers, if you visit in the summer.
The ascent will take another turn with a steep drop that will put your legs to the test for 30 to 45 minutes. Do not lose sight of your objective and start the second part which takes place on the mountain ridge. You will then get to a virgin forest where it seems that time has stopped. You keep going in this mythical setting where plants, vines and mosquitoes rule. So arm yourself with mosquito repellant and keep your sense of balance because a fall could be fatal. Muster courage to then tackle the last ascent of the mountain with a drop that is also quite steep.
Once at the top, it is the cat that you see first. Indeed, you have to climb it to see the Mouse. Note to rock climbing enthusiasts, this is a perfect hike to practice your climbing. But be careful, the slightest mistake could be fatal.
You can be proud of yourself for getting to this level, however. Take the time to admire the sublime turquoise South-East lagoon. Let yourself be surprised by the beauty of the Bambou mountain, Lion mountain, and of the Ile aux Cerfs. It is quite literally breathtaking!
Seasoned climbers can complete the hike in 3 to 4 hours round trip. But do not forget that the descent can be very steep.
