The Copolia Nature Trail - A Success Story

Two years after being designated a paying trail, the Copolia Nature Trail is regarded as a success story for the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA). Since 1st August 2020 when the first paying visitor explored the trail, over 117,000 paying non-residents have hiked the trail located at Sans Soucis in the Morne Seychellois National Park. Trail maintenance is costly and for many years it has been a small unit of around six staff from SPGA, managing the official trail network on Mahe. The popularity of hiking in the country has always been on the increase, enjoyed by both locals and foreigners alike. Complaints about upkeep of the trails were numerous. To ensure that the official nature trails are in a good state of repair the SPGA has deemed it necessary that patrons pay for their use.

About the Copolia Trail.

The famed nature trail is 1.4km long and is of medium intensity level. It takes the average person one hour to reach the top, which is ideally a flat inselberg (boulder) 418m wide. The view from there is simply spectacular, overlooking the east coast of the main island up to the country’s International Airport. One can also spot the many other islands located to the east of Mahe including the Ste Anne Marine National Park. The trail is covered underneath luxuriant growth of the forest, containing many endemic palms. Higher up along the trail, the area is covered in boulders on which grows the endemic carnivorous Pitcher Plant. Other attractions are the endemic fauna such as birds and amphibians, including one of the world’s smallest frog and the endemic Seychelles’ snake. The trail is opened seven days a week (except public holidays) from 8 am to 4.00 pm. The entrance fee is fixed at Rs100 for non-residents.

The success behind Seychelles’ first paying nature trail started in 2020 with support from GoS-GEF-UNDP Protected Area(PA) Finance Project. It cost the then Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) the now SPGA and the PA Finance Project around R457,500 to upgrade the infrastructure on the Copolia Trail. A small office and washroom facilities were constructed. Welcome and information boards; signage, steps, bridges, a kiosk and benches were also further installed. The official opening ceremony took place on 1st August 2020.

Since transitioning into the first SPGA paying trail, the number of incidents reported on tourists have decreased dramatically. Appreciation of the trail has also increased, with many visitors posting of their hikes on various social media platforms, showcasing the jaw-dropping view at the peak. The Copolia Trail has proven to be a good model for trail management in Seychelles. SPGA now looks to employ a similar model on official trails which will be deemed payable in the near future, ensuring that the Protected Areas and Gardens are managed for the benefit of all.