Glacis: Views and History on Mahé

Glacis lies on the north-west side of Mahé, about 20 kilometres from Victoria. This provides an initial sense of location when choosing a holiday apartment: you can choose a base on Mahé and consider whether views, nature or history should shape your trip. The “When She Comes” trail brings these themes together in a distinctive local setting.

Views and history along the “When She Comes” trail

The mountain “When She Comes” takes its name from a song that soldiers sang during the Second World War while building an observation post. The trail also offers a historical insight into Seychelles’ involvement in the Second World War. The story behind the name and the country’s history are thus linked to a named place in Glacis.

The “When She Comes” trail is a moderately challenging, shaded walk; it takes about an hour and a half to reach the summit. From there, the 360-degree view stretches from Beau Vallon Bay to the west coast of Pointe Larue. Along the way, the trail passes through lush vegetation and by endemic species. This gives you practical points to consider when planning your day: the approximate duration, the shaded route, the plant life and the expansive view from the summit.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Glacis, you can compare this profile with your plans for Mahé. The views, vegetation and historical background give the area a clear theme to consider when planning your trip, without requiring you to limit different interests to a single outing.

More nature and history across the Seychelles

The wider destination of the Seychelles offers other distinct nature and history themes. On Curieuse, a mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie. A raised boardwalk runs through the swamp and provides access to the mangrove habitat even at high tide. The island was used for almost a hundred years as a quarantine site for people with leprosy.

On Moyenne Island in Ste. Anne Marine National Park, you can find the remains of early settlers’ houses, pirates’ graves and a small thatched chapel. On La Digue, the Veuve Special Reserve covers 21 hectares and forms part of a 200-hectare plateau on the island’s western side. Staff answer questions and help visitors find the birds.

The natural areas on Praslin also have different features. Praslin National Park has several short paths; Glacis Noire is the only official trail. The park is home to endemic, native and indigenous plants, as well as various insects and other animals, including the Black Parrot, which is found only on Praslin and the surrounding islets. These examples add other themes of the Seychelles destination to the picture of Glacis without conflating them with Mahé’s local profile.

If you would like to broaden your destination search to the next level down, discover Machabee.

Discover more destinations: Mont Buxton, La Digue And Inner Islands, Takamaka, Port Glaud, Anse aux Pins, English River, Les Mamelles.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Seychelles.