This nearly 9 km ‘runseeing’ tour of Mauritius’ capital city hits the highlights: waterfront, gardens, Citadelle, and a loop around Champ de Mars. It’s one of the more ‘runnable’ longer runs on Mauritius.
Creative Commons: Martin Falbisoner
The route has four ‘sections’. Start on the waterfront at the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site, with a 1 km run along the Port Louis Waterfront, passing the Postal Museum and the Blue Penny Museum. Cross the main Trunk Road and run east along Queen St. for 0.8 km, through the Central Market and passing the 1850s-era Jummah Masjid mosque. Turn RIGHT at the Jardin Plaine Verte, and run on the paths for 1.3 km through this linear garden park. At the end, RETRACE your steps for 0.5 km, LEFT on Nyon St., to the Citadelle, the 19th-century fort. It’s a 1 km, 50m climb on the road/path, with good views of the walls and surrounding city and mountains. Adjacent to the Citadelle is the Champ de Mars, the former Hippodrome that’s now a public field and perimeter track — popular for running! It’s a 1.3 km loop. Exit the north side, using Rue Eglise/Sir William Newton St. to run back toward the water, through the heart of Port Louis, passing the St. Louis Cathedral.
Add-Ons: Signal Mountain, Canal Anglais.
This nearly 9 km ‘runseeing’ tour of Mauritius’ capital city hits the highlights: waterfront, gardens, Citadelle, and a loop around Champ de Mars. It’s one of the more ‘runnable’ longer runs on Mauritius.
Creative Commons: Martin Falbisoner
The route has four ‘sections’. Start on the waterfront at the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site, with a 1 km run along the Port Louis Waterfront, passing the Postal Museum and the Blue Penny Museum. Cross the main Trunk Road and run east along Queen St. for 0.8 km, through the Central Market and passing the 1850s-era Jummah Masjid mosque. Turn RIGHT at the Jardin Plaine Verte, and run on the paths for 1.3 km through this linear garden park. At the end, RETRACE your steps for 0.5 km, LEFT on Nyon St., to the Citadelle, the 19th-century fort. It’s a 1 km, 50m climb on the road/path, with good views of the walls and surrounding city and mountains. Adjacent to the Citadelle is the Champ de Mars, the former Hippodrome that’s now a public field and perimeter track — popular for running! It’s a 1.3 km loop. Exit the north side, using Rue Eglise/Sir William Newton St. to run back toward the water, through the heart of Port Louis, passing the St. Louis Cathedral.
Some excellent hill and trail running options in and near Port Louis. More 'runnable' are Marie Reine/Signal Mountain, and the trail along Canal Anglais to the Plateau. Hiking/challenging trail options in the La Dauguet area.
Le Morne is a scenic peninsula at the southwestern tip of Mauritius. Run the flat Le Morne trail along the water, or for a challenge, run/hike the trail to Le Morne Cross.
At the southwestern end of Mauritius, there some decent running on the 6 km coastal road between Blue Bay and Mahebourg. It's a quieter road and less trafficked. Flat, with some nice water views. The 0.6 km Esplanade in Mahebourg is the highlight.
A unique running experience! La Vallée de Ferney is a 'tropical agrihood' consisting of lush, green farm valleys and endemic forests. There's a network of scenic trails, ranging from easy to challenging. One of our favorite spots on Mauritius for running.
The Palmar area is a popular visitor spot on Mauritius, for its beach and beautiful water views. Running options include ~1.5 km of firm sand road alongside the beach, or some quiet farm roads Inland from Belle Mar.
There are some decent running options in this popular area at the northern end of Mauritius. Grand Baie Beach and Mont Choisy Beach are 'runnable'. The Coastal Road leading to Mont Choisy Beach is quieter, and there are sections of the B13 Road that have a sidewalk.
Bras d’Eau National Park, located in the northeast of Mauritius, is a good spot for a fairly easy trail run through a forest consisting of mangroves and other endemic trees. The Coq des Bois Trail is a 5 km out and back from the Bras D’eau Visitor’s Centre.
Black River Gorges National Park is a must-see on Mauritius, with rare plants, animals, and birds. It's mainly a hiking and trail running destination, with 60 km of trails. One good, easier option is the Macchabée Trail, which leads to the Macchabée Viewpoint.
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