Hike· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Toovii Ridge Trail (Balade des Cretes to Mahakatu'ua)
8° 52.2′ S · 140° 8.3′ W
A 13 km marked trail from the cool Toovii plateau along the ridges with viewpoints over the north coast and the fortified site of Mahakatu'ua.
Practical
Coordinate is the OpenStreetMap trail entrance 'Entree balade des cretes (Tauamaka)'; OSM maps the Mahakatu'ua fortified site at -8.82816, -140.11621 and a Hatiheu-Haatuatua viewpoint on the route. The brief (2023) lists it as one of three marked hikes from Taiohae (red sail-shaped sign at the start), shown on the boaters' welcome map from the Tourism Committee. Get there by taxi or rental car from Taiohae; carry water.
Best for
A full day of ridge-top views across the island
Season
Drier months; trail muddy after rain
Nearby
- Toovii Plateau Drive (Nuku Hiva)0.9 NM away
- Taiohae Waterfall Walk2.5 NM away
- Tohua Koueva (Taiohae)2.7 NM away
- Hakaui Valley and Vaipo Waterfall Hike (Nuku Hiva)2.8 NM away
- Magasin Hoata (Taiohae)2.9 NM away
- Hardware Store Bigot (Taiohae)3.1 NM away
- Banque Socredo Taiohae (ATM)3.2 NM away
- Cathedral Notre-Dame des Iles Marquises (Taiohae)3.2 NM away