Les Trois Mamelles – Mountain range

🎧 1 history

An iconic mountain range in south-west Mauritius, located between the districts of Rivière Noire and Plaines Wilhems, not far from Vacoas-Phoenix and Quatre Bornes. The range takes its name from the shape of its three distinct peaks, which resemble breasts (“mamelles”) — East Peak (571 m), Central Peak (629-670 m depending on the source, the highest), and West Peak (560 m). Of volcanic origin, these are basalt domes shaped by erosion over millions of years. The hike to the col is accessible to reasonably fit walkers (2h to 2h30 for the central peak, around 220 m of elevation gain), but the full ascent to the summit is reserved for experienced hikers: steep slopes, slippery sections and guaranteed vertigo. Once at the top, a 360° panorama takes in the west coast, the Yemen valley, and other Mauritian peaks such as Montagne du Rempart, Corps de Garde and, in the distance, Le Morne Brabant.

Practical hiking information — Les Trois Mamelles

🧭 Guide: not compulsory but strongly recommended, especially for less experienced hikers — the starting trail crosses cane fields (access from the B2 / Quinze Cantons junction, on the Palma side), then climbs to the Col de la Fenêtre before the final technical section

👶 Children: not recommended — the last few metres before the central summit are steep, rocky and require the use of hands; sheer drops with a strong sense of exposure, strongly discouraged for those prone to vertigo and best avoided in wet weather (the rock becomes very slippery and dangerous when wet)

⏱️ Round-trip duration: 2h30 to 4h depending on the route — allow around 2h30 to reach just the col and enjoy the view over the Yemen plain, and up to 4h for the full ascent of the central summit (629 m) with photo stops

📊 Difficulty: moderate to difficult — a pleasant, accessible start through cane fields and sheltered vegetation, but a steep final climb over volcanic rock, technical and rugged terrain requiring good shoes, agility and, crucially, dry weather

Did you know?

Driving from Flic en Flac towards Quatre Bornes, it’s impossible to miss the distinctive silhouette of Les Trois Mamelles standing out to the right. This range, formed by the island’s ancient volcanic activity, is a genuine visual landmark for local residents, a witness to the agricultural and sugar-growing past that shaped the whole surrounding landscape. And while many hikers are content to reach the col between the peaks, only seasoned climbers have managed to scale all three summits.

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