Le PouceLe Pouce at a Glance
About Le Pouce
Le Pouce is a prominent mountain on Mauritius known for its profile that resembles a thumb. It is one of the island’s highest peaks, with a summit at 812 metres above sea level.
Trails lead to the saddle and the small, rocky summit where hikers are rewarded with wide views over Port Louis, surrounding plains and parts of the island’s northwest coast. The route is popular with day hikers and is often combined with nearby peaks and viewpoints.
Le Pouce is volcanic in origin, part of the island’s basaltic highland formations, and has long been used for local navigation and recreation.
The mountain sits near the northwest part of Mauritius, close to Port Louis and the coastal plain that runs to the island’s north-western shoreline.
- Elevation and shape: Standing at 812 metres, it is the third-highest peak on Mauritius and is noted for its distinctive thumb-shaped summit silhouette.
- Hiking and views: Trails to the summit are well used by hikers and offer panoramic views over Port Louis, the northwest plains and surrounding sugarcane landscapes; waterproof footwear is useful on some sections.
Nearby Attractions to Le Pouce
Best Time to Visit Le Pouce
Best visited May-September for drier, cooler hiking conditions.
Weather & Climate near Le Pouce
Le Pouce's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1736 mm/year), wettest in February.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 251 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 13.1h |
| February | Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 274 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.7 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.7h |
| March | Very Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 226 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 20° - 26° | 23° | 200 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| May | Very Good | 18° - 24° | 21° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| June | Excellent | 17° - 23° | 20° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| July | Good | 16° - 22° | 19° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.9h |
| August | Very Good | 15° - 21° | 18° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.3h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 22° | 19° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 17° - 24° | 20° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Excellent | 18° - 25° | 22° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.0h |
| December | Very Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 174 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.2 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 13.2h |
How to Get to Le Pouce
From Port Louis, take a taxi or drive along the main road toward the central plateau; trailheads are signposted near the Black River Gorges and surrounding villages. Local minibuses serve nearby villages but may require a short walk to the start.
Tips for Visiting Le Pouce
- Start the Le Pouce hike from the Black River Gorges entrance used by locals - it's the shortest, less-crowded approach.
- Bring a windbreaker: the summit ridgeline is exposed and can be several degrees cooler than the coast.
- Look for the giant pandanus and unusual hawkweed on the summit slopes; hikers prize the endemic flora.