Nid d’Aigle

Up Above La Digue

In order to properly explore La Digue, walking is the best means of transportation. Despite the minimal development on the island, diverse tours can usually be requested immediately, taking you though the unique beauty of the island. The sensational sights mainly include the jaw-dropping beaches, but other options include cultural, botanical, and geographical sights.

A real classic is the mountain tour of the Nid D'Aigle. A four-kilometre trek, ascending to the island's highest point (333 metres), you are rewarded with a sensational view of La Digue and its neighbouring islands. That said, the climb is not to be underestimated, and there is minimal shade along the route. Therefore, we recommend setting off early in the day.

If you want to save the first stage of the hike, you can take a taxi halfway up to the top. This journey can, for example, leave La Passe and take you to the settlement of Belle Vue, where you can stop for a while in the café and restaurant. If you book in advance, you can also be picked up by the Snack Bellvue pickup service right from your hotel. Here, you can enjoy not just snacks and fresh huice, but also a wonderful location with a view of La Passe and Réunion, as well as across to Praslin, Curieuse, and Aride.

The trail starts nearby, and offers up a variety of different surfaces, including soft forest floor, granite, and reddish earth. You can sometimes spot creatures up to 30 cm long, including the giant millipede, snails, bugs, and spiders, all of which can be seen on both sides of the path. Gradually, the jungle-like terrain parts, and a final ridge appears, taking you up the last few metres. From the highest point, you can see Praslin, Felicité, and Marianne, while on clear days you may even be able to spot Frégate Island. For the descent, you can either come back the way you came or travel in a northerly direction. This then leads to a number of small footpaths back down to the main path and the valley below.