Copolia Trail: a popular route in the Seychelles

If you are holidaying in the Seychelles and feel that it is time to swap your beach lounger for trainers, the Copolia Trail in Morne Seychellois National Park promises an adventure worth making a little effort for.

About the route:

• Length: 1.2 kilometres.
• Elevation gain: 180 metres.
• Walking time: about 1.5-2 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate, closer to difficult.
• When to go: daily from 08:00 to 16:00.
• Entrance: free for residents, paid for tourists over 12 years old (100 Seychellois rupees).

From the capital, Victoria, it is only about 6 kilometres by car along Sans Soucis Road to the beginning of the trail, marked by information signs and a ticket office. You can leave your car by the roadside, but make sure not to block the passage. Then the immersion begins: takamaka forests, the gentle murmur of a stream beneath the stones and the first drops of sweat from the climb.

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Natural riches

For exploring the tropical beauty of the Seychelles, Copolia is not the easiest option, but it is very picturesque. At first glance, a 1.2-kilometre route may seem like nothing. But do not rush to underestimate this trail. A 180-metre ascent and rocky sections will add some adrenaline and require effort, especially in the heat. However, during an hour and a half of walking, you will experience such a concentration of nature that it feels as though you have travelled many kilometres through the jungle.

It is worth walking slowly: you pass through an area affected by fire, where nature is restoring itself with remarkable strength. This is where the first view of the eastern coast appears and, if you look closely, the summit of Copolia.

On the way to the top, the forest becomes denser, and you find yourself in a real living museum of endemic species. Some of the rarest plants dominate here, many of which are found only in the Seychelles, including:

• Bois Rouge (Dillenia ferruginea)
• Bois Cassant (Timonius sechellensis)
• Cafe Marron Petite Feuille (Erythroxylum sechellarum)
• Bois de Natte (Mimusops sechellarum)

Under the tree canopies are tropical sedges, ferns and the rare six-petalled Petit Coco Marron flower (Hypoxidia rhizophylla), considered the largest flower in the Seychelles. One of the most striking representatives of the flora is the pitcher plant, an exotic carnivorous plant that traps insects in its pitchers.

The soil here is poor in places, and many nutrients are concentrated in the vegetation itself, in fallen leaves and humus, which form the fragile but living foundation of this ecosystem masterpiece.

Seychellois palms and other plants grow here. They do more than simply decorate the route, because they help provide the island with water, as these highlands are key catchment areas for Mahé Island.

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Forest fauna

Do not be surprised if you hear a hoarse call from the treetops during the climb. It is a curious Seychelles bulbul watching you. You may also encounter the Seychelles sunbird and the Seychelles blue pigeon. And, of course, if something suddenly squeaks near your feet, do not be alarmed: it is most likely one of the smallest frogs in the world, perfectly camouflaged but incredibly noisy. Interestingly, its eggs develop directly into tiny frogs, without a tadpole stage!

The final point is a wide platform. Here you will understand why you came. Before you lies a panorama of the eastern coast, the islands of St. Anne Marine Park, the turquoise surface of the ocean and the inner islands on the horizon. It is an ideal place to stop, take beautiful photos and simply feel the wind carry all unnecessary thoughts away.

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Practical tips for walking the Copolia Trail

• Footwear: comfortable trainers or trekking sandals.
• Time: it is better to start in the morning to avoid the heat.
• Water and sunscreen: essential.
• Guide: not required, as the trail is well marked, but with a guide you will learn more about the unique ecosystem.
• Safe, but stay attentive: slippery rocks and roots underfoot are part of the adventure.

If you are used to mountain hikes, this will be an active walk with a pleasant bonus in the form of tropical flora and fauna, as well as picturesque views. If you do not hike often, be patient and bring water, but do not miss the opportunity. The Copolia Trail is the "Seychelles without filters" in all its pristine beauty and an ideal place to discover Mahé Island from a new perspective.

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