Tamarin loop via Chamouny, Black River Gorges National Park, Vacoas and Casella

Highlights

• Riding along the west coast of Mauritius.
• Riding in Black River Gorges National Park means experiencing big temperature changes. In the lowlands, expect warm, humid weather with temperatures around 25–30°C. As you climb to 600 metres, it becomes cooler and fresher, often between 15–20°C, and sometimes lower in wind or cloud. Sudden fog and drizzle are common. It is worth carrying arm warmers and a sleeveless vest, just in case. Short gloves can also help if you feel the cold!

Ride Log

Tamarin to Rivière des Galets: 0 km to 33 km

From Tamarin, you will ride on road B9 all the way to Rivière des Galets. This stretch is one of the most scenic coastal roads in Mauritius.

The route hugs the shoreline, offering stunning ocean views, rolling terrain and traditional fishing villages. Around the 25-kilometre mark, you will spot Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Further along is the Macondé viewpoint, the island’s most famous lookout, a perfect place for a photo stop!

From here, the road continues towards Rivière des Galets, passing luxury resorts, sugarcane plantations and peaceful countryside. The terrain is gently rolling, making for an enjoyable ride through a mix of landscapes.

Rivière des Galets to Chamouny: 32 km to 37 km

At Rivière des Galets, you turn left on road B10 to Chemin Grenier, which is the name of a village. This is the start of the big climb!

The short stretch from Rivière des Galets to Chemin Grenier blends coastal views, rural scenery and local life. You will pass through sugarcane plantations, a key part of the Mauritian economy. The terrain is gently rolling with low traffic.

Top tip! It’s a good idea to refill your water bottles at Chemin Grenier, as there is no place to get water between Chamouny and Vacoas.

After taking in the everyday local way of life in Chemin Grenier, continue to Chamouny, a village about three kilometres further inland.

Chamouny to Black River Gorges National Park: 37 km to 48 km

From Chamouny, you turn right on road B102 and ride 11 kilometres to the southwest Le Pétrin Entrance of Black River Gorges National Park.

Cyclists use this route to enjoy the lush forests, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints found throughout the park.

Black River Gorges National Park to Tamarin: 48 km to 81 km

Be aware! From the Le Pétrin entrance of Black River Gorges National Park, the route leads into a more built-up area with dense housing, busy roads and higher population. The Vacoas–Phoenix area, including Glen Park and nearby Quatre Bornes, lies in the Plaines Wilhems District, the most densely populated district in Mauritius.

Although this 22-kilometre stretch through an urban area is not the highlight of the ride, it isn’t too bad!  It is also the only link to reach the west coast and continue towards Tamarin.

There are a number of traffic lights, but I found that the cars were not driving fast.

On road A3, you ride about 11 kilometres to reach Tamarin.

Café stops

In Baie du Cap, Brand Restaurant is a nice choice.

In Chemin Grenier, you can stop at a convenience store on the left of the road; look out for Souvenir Store.

There are a number of restaurants, convenience stores and gas stations in the Glen Park-Vacoas-Phoenix area. You’ll just need to be alert in order to spot them. There are also some small convenience stores adjacent to gas stations.

Accommodation

In Tamarin, you can rent guest houses through your preferred platform.

Alternatively, for hotel options in the southwest of Mauritius, take a look at our Mauritius guide for more information.

Tips

I found the road surface on this route was very good.

The best time to ride in Mauritius is early in the morning, leaving at around 6:30 – 7:00 am (or earlier if you can!). For example, I found that on a Sunday morning at 7:00 am, the traffic was pretty non-existent.

I would strongly suggest you refill your water bottles at the village of Chemin Grenier, as after Chemin Grenier and Chamouny, there are no places to refill your bottles until you reach Glen Park-Vacoas-Phoenix urbanised zone.

Discover more useful tips in this guide to cycling in Mauritius.

Found this guide useful?

We hope you enjoyed Claude’s ride suggestion and are feeling inspired to give it a go if you ever visit Mauritius. We’d love to hear from you if you do – comment below or drop us a line.

Check out Claude’s other Mauritius rides for more inspiration:

• Black River loop via Case Noyale, Chamarel and Baie du Cap
• Black River loop via Gris-Gris, Souillac and Chamarel
• Mahébourg to Pointe aux Piments

Claude is an avid cross-country skier and cyclist who is passionate about inspiring others to embrace a healthier lifestyle through sports. As a world traveller, he has enriched his experiences by participating in international skiing and cycling races across diverse cultures. Notably, he completed the Canadian Ski Marathon and several Worldloppet events between 1990 and 2000.

After a career with the UN and Canadian government, Claude shifted focus to the cycling industry. He has consulted for companies like Blade Carbon Wheels and Beet It, promoting their products in Canada and abroad. A pivotal moment came in 2006 when he completed l’Étape du Tour de France, igniting his passion for international road cycling.

Currently, Claude is an ambassador for Pactimo and is a contributor to Epic Road Rides. He is dedicated to discovering new cycling destinations and sharing his journey on social media, encouraging others to pursue their cycling passion.