Lion Mountain is a prominent mountain in the Bambous Range, visible from Mahebourg and notable for have an abundance of native vegetation and stunning views of the southeast. There are a few different ways to skin this cat as there are two trails that lead to the summit – north and south. The two are best connected to create a loop back to Virieux Grand Port. The hike starts in sugarcane and then ascends on a good quality trail through the shaded woods that flank the Lion. Following the trail does require paying attention though as it is unmarked and has a few forks. There are a few places that require using your hands to ascend rocky sections, but it is not physically a challenging hike.
If you need a guide or more information, stop in at Otentic.
Route:
- Type of trail: Loop
- Start point: Virieux Grand Port Police Station
- End Point: Summit
- Length: 3 miles round trip
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Lowest point: 20ft
- Highest point: 1608ft
- Total elevation gain: 1800ft
The trail can be difficult to follow in places as it is not well marked and ascends a few rocky sections where its path is not perfectly clear. There are also a few trails that branch of from the main trail and then reunite with it further on. So it is important to keep your ultimate goal in mind, which is to reach the ridgeline of the Lion where you will find a clear trail headed towards the summit. The photos for this hike include diagrams for a most of sections.
It is best to start on the west trail as it is easier to find and follow. From the police station you will reach a fork in the road. The west trail goes to the left/northwest and the north trail goes to the right/northeast. Turn left/northwest. Continue on this road for a ~320ft until there is a turn on your right called Adrien Street. Follow Adrien Street into the sugarcane. Follow the main sugarcane road towards the middle part of the lion, just east of the west cliffs. The road curves right and the trail continues straight towards your goal – keep an eye out.
Once you find the trail continue following it towards the mountain. You will reach a few rocky sections where it is possible that the trail is not immediately clear, just ascend them and you will find it on the other side. It will lead you through the woods to a large boulder/cliff that is not difficult to pass over. The path continues just above this cliff. You can ascend on the rocks to your left, using the roots to your right, or slog through the brush around the cliff and come back to its top.
The next section is up a steep drainage with many roots. Keep heading up – your goal is the ridge. The trail will become faint as the drainage opens up. There will be quite a few exposed roots and loose dirt where people have taken many different routes towards the ridge. Just keep heading upwards along the easiest/most well-worn path you can find.
Once you reach the ridge the trail will be quite clear. You can turn left/west and continue out towards a viewpoint above the west cliffs. It is a steep, slippery descent, but the views are quite good. The path to the right goes to the summit. The trail will eventually come to a significant intersection, this is the east trail.
Turn left/north and continue ascending. The climb is rocky and requires the use of your hands here and there, but nothing too difficult. This section is quite fun – your goal is to stay on the spine of the ridge here, or as high as seems sensible. There is a trail, but it fades in and out due to the rocks.
A superb hike. In the beginning we had a little difficulty finding the way through the sugarcane. In the end it was best to walk rather to the left hand side and head to the saddle. In October it was necessary to carry insect repellent.