Trou aux Cerfs: A Volcano in Mauritius

 Imagine standing on the edge of a vast crater, once filled with molten lava. Below you, a green oasis with a lake in the center unfolds. From the top of the volcano, you have a magnificent view of a large part of the island, its towns, and a green carpet of tropical vegetation. In the distance, you can see the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Welcome to Trou aux Cerfs, one of the most amazing places in Mauritius.

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano with a well-defined cone and crater, which is both a tourist attraction and a geological gem. In this article, you will learn more about its history, location, size, and volcanic activity. You will also find out why Trou aux Cerfs is a place you should not miss when visiting Mauritius.

Mauritius is an island full of natural beauty, and one of its most interesting places is the Trou aux Cerfs volcano, which offers a beautiful view of this tropical island.

Location and Dimensions of Trou aux Cerfs 

Trou aux Cerfs is located at an altitude of 605 meters in the city of Curepipe on the island of Mauritius. It is one of the highest points on the island and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The volcano's crater has a diameter of 300 to 350 meters and a depth of 80 meters. The crater is overgrown with trees and other vegetation and contains a small lake in the middle. A road, popular among runners and great for walks, runs around the crater. The road offers beautiful views of the crater and the surrounding area.

Volcanic History of Trou aux Cerfs 

The island of Mauritius was formed about 10 million years ago by volcanic activity. Trou aux Cerfs itself was formed less than 2 million years ago in the second phase of volcanic activity. According to experts, the volcano is currently dormant but could awaken anytime in the next millennium. Trou aux Cerfs is not the only volcano in Mauritius. There are a total of 49 volcanic craters and cones on the island. The volcanic activity in Mauritius is associated with the existence of the so-called Réunion hotspot, which is a source of magma under the oceanic plate.

Types of Volcanoes and Craters in Mauritius 

In addition to Trou aux Cerfs itself, there are other interesting volcanoes in Mauritius:

Trou Kanaka 

Trou Kanaka is another dormant volcano with a cone and crater. It is located at an altitude of 480 meters in the Mare aux Vacoas area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 250 meters and a depth of about 60 meters. The crater is also overgrown with trees and plants but does not contain any lake. Trou Kanaka is less known than Trou aux Cerfs but also offers nice views of the surroundings.

Bassin Blanc 

Bassin Blanc is also a dormant volcano with a cone and crater. It is located at an altitude of 550 meters in the Savanne area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 200 meters and a depth of about 50 meters. The crater contains a lake, which has a white color due to sulfur and limestone. Bassin Blanc is also less known than Trou aux Cerfs but is interesting for its geological structure.

Grand Bassin 

Another dormant volcano with a cone and crater is Grand Bassin. It is located at an altitude of 550 meters in the Savanne area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 500 meters and a depth of about 100 meters. The crater contains a lake, which is considered sacred by Hindus. Grand Bassin is the largest and oldest volcanic crater in Mauritius and is a place of religious pilgrimage.

In addition to these four main volcanoes and craters in Mauritius, there are others that are less known or visible. All of these volcanoes are also dormant and have a visible cone and crater. Some of them are:

  • Trou Raoul is located at an altitude of 450 meters in the Plaines Wilhems area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 150 meters and a depth of about 40 meters. The crater is overgrown with trees and plants. Trou Raoul also offers nice views of the surroundings. 
  • At an altitude of 550 meters in the Plaines Wilhems area lies Curepipe Point. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 200 meters and a depth of about 50 meters. The crater is overgrown with trees and plants. As with the previous craters, you can expect a nice view here. 
  • Bois Cheri is located at an altitude of 500 meters in the Savanne area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 250 meters and a depth of about 60 meters. The crater is overgrown with trees and plants. 
  • Bois Cheri is also known as a place for tea cultivation. Butte Chaumon, with an altitude of 450 meters, is located in the Moka area. The volcano's crater has a diameter of about 150 meters and a depth of about 40 meters. The crater is also overgrown with vegetation and offers a nice view.

These are some of the other volcanoes and craters in Mauritius that you could discover on your travels around the island.

Mauritius is an island full of natural beauty, and one of its most interesting places is the Trou aux Cerfs volcano, which offers a beautiful view of this tropical island.

Trou aux Cerfs as a Tourist Attraction 

Trou aux Cerfs is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius. Visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the island from the edge of the crater. In good weather, it is possible to see coastal towns such as Port Louis or Flic en Flac. Trou aux Cerfs is also an ideal place for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The crater is home to various species of birds, insects, and flowers. Near Trou aux Cerfs, there are other interesting attractions, such as the colonial villa La Maison Creole Eureka, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, the Fort Adelaide fortress, or the Mauritius Postal Museum.

Trou aux Cerfs is a volcano full of beauty and geological history that deserves the attention of every traveler. It is a place where you can admire the surprising diversity of Mauritius' nature.

Location: Trou aux Cerfs, Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauricius

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