Written by

Mauritius is quite popular among the people for its pristine blue waters, white sandy beaches and overall comfortable atmosphere. It is interesting to note that Mauritius is home to several reefs and beaches. The inferiors of the islands have Black River Gorges National Park with several hiking trails, waterfalls and rainforests. While that’s all there is in Mauritius, do you know that there’s one thing you can’t ever get over? It’s here in Mauritius that you will get to explore one of the volcanoes on Earth, the Trou aux Cerfs. Situated on an elevation of Trou aux Cerfs, there are a lot of things to see in and around this volcano. Let’s dive deeper to learn about the unique volcano of Mauritius- the Trou aux Cerfs.

Trou Aux Cerfs: One-Of-A-Kind Volcano On Earth

Trou aux Cerfs is surrounded by greenery on all sides.

Image Credit: mwanasimba for Wikimedia Commons

Mauritius is the favourite honeymoon destination for several couples owing to its fascinating landscapes, pristine beaches and historical places. This exotic island has too many wonders to explore, especially the ones you’ve never experienced or seen before. One of the most unique wonders on the island of Mauritius is the Trou aux Cerfs volcano. It is believed that when the volcano erupted years ago, it caused a crater and the ashes from the volcano eruption went on to form land in the Indian Ocean.

As a tourist, you will only be allowed to enter certain areas around the volcano, whereas the others are out of reach. The three major areas where you’ll be allowed entrance include Crater Lane, Edgar Hues Road and La Hausse de la Louvière Road. As it is one of the oldest dormant volcanoes, this area is often used to monitor various cyclonic activities.

Must Read: Hiking In Mauritius

Nearby Attractions Of Trou Aux Cerfs

Once you plan on visiting Trou aux Cerfs, you must not miss out on visiting the nearby attractions. Some of the major places that you can explore around Trou aux Cerfs are as follows:

1. Adventure Park

 There’s a wide range of activities to try at Adventure Park in Mauritius.

Image Credit: MKFI for Wikipedia

The Adventure Park has a wide range of activities to try such as zip lining and accrobranche. The park authorities have also introduced water sports for adults and kids alike to indulge in exclusive activities and have a fun time around the adventure park.

Known as Ile aux Cerfs, this leisure island has a chic and wild setting that offers breathtaking natural views. For relaxation, there are also 18-hole golf courses complemented by a variety of tranquil and unexplored beaches.

Timing: 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Explore timing: Around 3 hours

Suggested Read: Scuba Diving In Mauritius

2. Visit Casino De Maurice

You must visit one of the casinos when in Mauritius near Trou Aux Cerfs.

Image Credit: Tangopaso for Wikipedia

One of the oldest casinos of Mauritius, Casino de Maurice is home to some of the exclusive games. This casino game area on the island was built around 1970 and is hailed as one of the oldest casinos to have ever existed on the island. This casino has 21 slot machines and 5 live tables.

This is the perfect place to visit, especially if you’re looking forward to some added advantage and fun. Apart from the outdoor adventures, you can indulge in a variety of indoor adventures like American Roulette, blackjacks, poker, video games and more. Honestly, this is one of the best places especially if you’re looking for maximum entertainment.

Timing: 8:00 PM- 5:00 AM (Saturday to Thursday); 8:00 PM- 12:00 AM (Friday)
Explore timing: Depends on how long you want to keep playing the games.

3. Seven Colored Earths Geopark

Seven Colored Earth Geopark is one of the surreal views in Mauritius.

Image Source: Shutterstock

With the volcanic island being surrounded by white sand beaches, there are a lot of things to see. However, if you wish to see the colourful beauties, you won’t have to travel too far to the island. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or are a repeat visitor, the Seven Colored Earths Geopark is going to be a sight you won’t ever forget.

In fact, a lot of repeat visitors have stated that this impressive phenomenon has left them spellbound. The Seven Colored Earths Geopark is a composition of rocks and multi-colour dunes around this area prove to be an extremely beautiful backdrop. Whether you want to click pictures with your friends and family for social media or just casually, this place is the perfect one to be at.

Timing: 8:300 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Explore timing: Around 4 hours

Suggested Read: Heritage Places In Mauritius

How To Get To Trou Aux Cerfs?

 Trou aux Cerfs is one of the most prominent destinations to visit in Mauritius.

Image Credit: sharri @ flickr for Wikimedia Commons

The crater of Trou aux Cerfs is just a half-hour from the town of Curepipe. However, if you’re not in Curepipe, you may prefer taking a bus from the nearby towns and places. For example, if you are in Port Louis, you may take bus number 91 to reach Curepipe. It would take around 45 minutes to reach Curepipe from Port Louis via bus.

If you are not taking a bus, you might as well take a private or rented car. Do not worry about parking because the authorities have installed a parking lot right next to the crater. However, there might be too many vehicles during rush hour, which is why it can be difficult for you to find a slot among the local coaches and cars. There are local cars as well that offer round-trip transportation to help individuals save time. So, if you’re planning to save time, it is advisable that you get help from these local cars.

Things To Know Before Visiting Trou Aux Cerfs

You may prefer visiting Trou aux Cerfs early in the morning for a pretty view.

Image Credit: mwanasimba for Wikimedia Commons

  • Here are some of the major things you must know before you plan to visit Trou aux Cerfs:
  • Although it is a dormant volcano, you need to be very mindful about the route you take.
  • The weather can be slightly cooler around the coast, so make sure to carry some warm clothes with you.
  • The paved ring road will be flat and wide, which is an ideal destination for people travelling via strollers or wheelchairs. Moreover, the viewpoints will be natural.
  • On your way, you will come across a few stalls and shops selling refreshments.
  • Opt for a multi-attraction tour, because there isn’t much to see around the crater and the volcano.

Suggested Read: Citadel Fort

Best Time To Visit Trou aux Cerfs

The dead crater is a centre for walking for many people.

Image Credit: S Molteno for Wikipedia

If you’re planning your trip to Mauritius, you need to dedicate a day to exploring the beauty of Trou aux Cerfs. As one of the ancient destinations, you’ll get to experience a lot of stories from the older times. If you want to know more about the history, you may consider interacting with the locals. If you’re visiting during October, make sure that you’re planning your trip carefully. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on booking accommodation and travel in advance to avoid any last-minute delays.

Now, the time of the day you visit the volcano also has an important role in determining whether you’ll be able to witness it in all its glory. Usually, joggers prefer visiting during the early hours of the day because the place is filled with tourists after early morning. So, if you’re someone who wishes to witness the true beauty of the place and witness a beautiful early morning view, try visiting the place before 9:00 AM. If you want to avoid heavy crowding due to tourists you must plan your visit to the place after 4 PM in the evening. You should try visiting the crater during brighter days so that you can get a clearer view of and beyond the crater.

Further Read: Water Sports In Mauritius

Planning your trip to Trou aux Cerfs? Mauritius can surely be one of the best destinations to go to. Being a little mindful about the destination you’re visiting can surely be helpful in the long run, especially if you’re planning a special tour of the location. Plan your trip to Mauritius today and experience the beauty of all these tourist attractions.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.

Cover Image credit : By I rishki for Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trou aux Cerfs

When was the last time that Trou aux Cerfs erupted?

The Trou aux Cerfs erupted around 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest dormant volcanoes of Mauritius.

What does Trou aux Cerf mean?

There's no proper meaning of Trou aux Cerf volcano. However, it is also referred to as Murr’s Volcano and is one of the most important dormant volcanoes in Mauritius.

Where is Trou aux Cerf located?

Trou aux Cerf is located in Curepipe, Mauritius. It is situated at an elevation of 605 metres.

How deep is Trou aux Cerf?

The Trou aux Cerf is said to be around 80 metres deep. It is one of the well-defined craters.

Can I visit Trou aux Cerf?

Yes, you can visit the Trou aux Cerf via buses and cabs from the main town of Curepipe. You can also hire a vehicle and drive to the place by yourself.

People Also Read:

Category: Mauritius, Places To Visit

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best Places To Visit Outside India By Month