Are you traveling to Moorea French Polynesia and want to get some hikes in Moorea accomplished? There are many hikes in Tahiti and Moorea that range from easy to difficult with a heavy recommendation to have a local guide for the difficult options. A lot of the hikes will take you through flora, fauna, historical sites as well as waterfalls.
Easy Hikes in Moorea
Belvedere is the most popular viewpoint on the island. There is a paved road all the way to a picturesque lookout with impressive views of both bays and many mountain peaks. On the drive or hike up here is a spot to stop and view the Marae, sacred temples.
Once you get to the viewpoint, there is a small parking lot and you will usually find a local Tahitian selling cold, fresh coconuts. From the parking lot you can hike a couple of different trails.
My favorite easy to moderate hikes are trois cocotiers, trois pinus and magic mountain. All easy hikes with stunning views.
Waterfall Hike
‘Āfareaitu
‘Āfareaitu waterfall is the most accessible waterfall on the island. Just past the hospital head down the road with the middle school until it ends. From there, it is about a 30 minute (light walk) hike to reach.
If you are traveling with a drone, I highly recommend flying up as high as you legally can to see how far this waterfall goes. It will blow your mind. This is a very short hike you can do on your own at anytime. On your first day in Moorea, I highly recommend to book a full day tour with Enjoy Moorea. The tour in total is about 7 hours and will take you to Belvedere, Magic Mountain, a vanilla farm, ‘Āfareaitu waterfall plus you will learn how to make poisson cru from a Tahitian on a private beach. And, of course, enjoy the meal.
Difficult Moorea Hikes
Maybe you have heard about the pierced mountain? There is a legendary story that explains why there is hole in the mountain. Mou’a Puta is the ultimate hike. It is for advanced experienced hikers only. The end of the hike is extremely steep with only ropes to assist you to the summit. Do not attempt any of the difficult hikes within three days of rain.
Reach out to Mana Moorea Tours for a professional guide
Safety Tips for Moorea Hiking
Heat. Taking the equator into consideration, it is best to start hiking as early as possible. Feet on soil by 7 am is ideal, especially if you’re hiking a trail that is fully exposed to the sun. Water. Take more than you think you will need, the ground heats up fast and again, most hikes are exposed to the sun.
Rain. With French Polynesia being paradise almost 24/7 it can be easy to forget to check the forecast. When the rain comes down hikes can quickly be life threatening, even on easy trails. Stay alert and informed before hitting the trails.
If you are already on one of the eight mountain peaks and it starts to rain. If you can find a local, stick with them. With the smallest amount of the rain the trails can quickly wash away. If you have not been tracking your hike it is easy to get turned around.
Extra Tips for Hiking in French Polynesia
Pack a hat, a light weight long sleeve top, and sunscreen.
Depending on the trail, long socks can save your ankles and lower legs from small cuts. The mountains are volcanic and jungle. Meaning there is no lack of flora.
Many trails are on private land. If you are looking to accomplish many hikes in Moorea, a local guide will be a great help. Another great option is renting accommodations on the mountainside and asking for permission to hike the property.
All the places mentioned in this post (and more) are all saved on a free google map: Ultimate Moorea Map.
Adventure Seekers
Did you know that you can swim with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia? French Polynesia is one of the few places in the world where you can legally enter the water to swim with these gentle giants.
A once in a lifetime experience.
If you are traveling all the way to Polynesia, this must be on your list. Read about when to go, how to see the humpback whales, and the best companies to book with here in this post.
Where to Stay in Moorea
If you are planning a trip to Moorea make sure you check out all the resources I have shared for you here on my website. Highly suggest starting with my Ultimate Travel Guide to Moorea.
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When I left corporate health care to travel full time, French Polynesia was my first destination. The Tahitian way of life restored my faith in humanity. Most importantly, it reset my heart and soul back to what really matters in life.
Every year, I return for a few months to explore new islands and see friends. In total, I have spent one year living on the islands. With each trip back to Polynesia, I will continue to update and share more information here for you.
Enjoy your trip!