Mauritius carries within its mountains, valleys, and forests a hidden geography of resistance. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, enslaved men, women, and children fled from the sugar estates in search of freedom. Known as marrons (runaways), they followed secret trails through the wild interior of the island. These trails were not simply routes of escape but lifelines of survival, courage, and hope.
The island’s landscape played a vital role in protecting them. The south-west region, with its steep basalt cliffs, dense forests, and deep gorges, acted as a natural fortress. Le Morne Brabant, a mountain rising above the lagoon, became one of the most well-known refuges. Its summit and caves provided shelter to groups of runaways who lived hidden from the colonial authorities. The Black River Gorges, with their ridges and ravines, offered more secret spaces where escapees could move, hide, and survive. In recognition of this history, Le Morne has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its symbolic link with the struggle for freedom.
The routes of escape often followed the highlands and forests rather than the roads, which were controlled by patrols. From the plateau of Plaine Champagne, runaways could descend into the gorges or move towards the coast where food and information could sometimes be found. Modern hiking trails, such as those at Macchabée or Bel Ombre, still echo the logic of those old paths: elevation, cover, and secrecy.
Life in maroon settlements was harsh and uncertain. Groups built small camps in caves, forests, or on mountain slopes. Water sources, wild plants, and lookout points guided their choice of location. Some settlements lasted only a short time before they had to move. Oral traditions and colonial records speak of groups living in the caves of Le Morne or along inaccessible ridges where they could see approaching soldiers.
Colonial authorities tried to prevent escape by organising hunts and imposing severe punishments, yet maroonage continued until the abolition of slavery in 1835. For the enslaved, the risk of capture or death was less powerful than the desire for freedom. Their determination shows the resilience of those who refused to accept bondage.
Today, Mauritius remembers this past with monuments and heritage sites. The International Slave Route Monument at Le Morne and the protected landscapes of the Black River Gorges remind Mauritians and visitors alike that these natural spaces are also places of memory. Walking these paths is not only a way to enjoy the island’s beauty but also an act of remembrance, honouring the courage of those who turned the wilderness into a sanctuary.
The runaways’ trails were more than hidden paths through rocks and forests. They were maps of resistance and survival, traced by those who risked everything for liberty. By remembering them, Mauritius keeps alive the story of struggle, dignity, and the unbreakable human desire for freedom.
