The Dodo Trail TROOPER starts in the Black River Gorges. It merges with the Dodo Trail XTREME 50 km track about 800 m from the starting line, until the Riverland Sports Centre in Tamarin.

Trailers will run straight to the Radier, 1,200 m ahead (PK 3 on the trail map). They will then follow a 4×4 track that climbs continuously over 5 km to an elevation of 650 m, through Plateau Remousse and Camphrier. Once they reach a flat section of trail at Macchabée, trailers will keep their left towards the Macchabée Kiosk and onwards to the 7.2 km mark and the first water station at PK 4. During this segment of the race, participants will have an opportunity to admire panoramic views over Mauritius’ western region.

Runners should stay focused when negotiating the track at Zepol, as the trail reaches an incline of over 30%.

The trail then follows a short section of 4×4 track before continuing downhill on a steep gradient. An even 4×4 track will lead trailers back to the Black River Gorges parking area.

After 200 m, trailers will Filwil track, then will follow a rocky and technical path down to a river where runners will climb a stile and enter the Matala hunting ground.

Next, the participants will follow a 4×4 track over 4 km. This section is dry, with the yellowish grass and stocky, drought-resistant trees typical of the Tamarin region. The track leads to a stream, then to a fence where a property known as Matala awaits, alongside the second water station.

The trail then climbs for 1,000 m and turns left through a third private property

known as St. Martin. Thereafter, it will take the runners onto the race’s final peak, la Tourelle de Tamarin, at 548 m of altitude, via a steep, rocky and wild single track. A water station will be available at the 20 km mark (PK 6).

The track back down to the finish line is highly technical. It involves a descent of the entire mountain face, through a number of steep, dusty and rocky sections.

After almost 400 m of downhill, the trail merges with a 4×4 track that runners will follow back down to the foot of the mountain. The trail remains relatively flat then makes its way through the forest towards the banks of the Tamarin River.

The final section of the race is shady and cool. It follows a path between the Paul & Virginie School and the river bank, straight down to the Riverland Sports Centre and the finish line.