Hike· Mangareva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Kirimiro, Taku and Ramapiko Trail Loop
23° 6.9′ S · 134° 58.3′ W · approximate
A 6-mile cross-island circuit over the ridge behind Rikitea: up the Chemin Kirimiro through forest to the 'Arc de Triomphe', down to the west-coast villages, and back over the Chemin Taku and Ramapiko trails.
Practical
approx: the pin is the Kirimiro trailhead opposite Magasin JoJo, placed from walking directions. Sugar Shack's loop (March 2021) is 5.9 miles. Climb Chemin Kirimiro (steep and steady) to the Arc de Triomphe de Kirimiro and pass under it down to Kirimiro village. Turn right on the coast road for 2.1 miles to Apeakava, a hamlet of three houses. Climb Chemin Taku, which joins Chemin Ramapiko and comes down to a road 1.2 miles from the dinghy dock. Pitufa's shorter Kirimiro loop takes 2-3 hours: over the ridge, left along the lagoon road, then left up to the 'Belle vue' saddle and back to Rikitea. Pitufa's Taku loop takes 4-5 hours: north on the coast road, over Chemin Taku, past the abandoned village of Taku and its church, out to two viewpoints on the northern cape, and back down the east coast. Ropes are fixed on steep pine-needle sections. Locals ask you to wait two days after rain. The 20 km road around the island is a full-morning walk past the pearl farms.
Best for
A long day on foot through villages, forest and pearl-farm coast