The old Dumbea dam

A walk focusing on the old dam with explanations; the scenery is mainly woodland, and a refreshing swim midway through the walk is a great way to cool off.

Details

48779
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 620 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 604 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 466 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 82 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the designated entrance to Dumbéale Provincial Park.
(S/E) Go past the barrier blocking access to cars and take the laterite track to the right of the eastern branch of the Dumbéa. This track crosses the river three times via culvert bridges.

(1) At the third bridge, continue up the laterite track to the plateau.

(2) Leave the yellow-marked path on your right (this will be the return route) and continue towards the viewpoint along the laterite track for 150 to 200m.
Leave theGR® on your left, which continues along the track, and take the yellow-marked path on your right, which climbs up to the ridge before descending along a steeper route until you reach a slightly wider track.

(3) Leave the two tracks on your right and take the track on your left to the ford, where you can have a swim.
Follow the path running to the right of the stream alongside the old water supply pipes until just past the ruined aqueduct that used to cross the river.

(4) Follow the path to the right, which climbs steeply up to the track; take this track to the left at point 3 until you reach point 2, where you rejoin the main track taken on the way out; turn left here to head back down towards the river and then the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 82 ft - At the end of the track
  2. 1 : mi 1.94 - alt. 220 ft - Turn left and cross the river
  3. 2 : mi 2.44 - alt. 377 ft - Continue straight on
  4. 3 : mi 3.06 - alt. 331 ft - Turn left and complete the circular route
  5. 4 : mi 3.88 - alt. 233 ft - Leave the river
  6. S/E : mi 7.07 - alt. 85 ft - At the end of the track

Notes

Little or no shade.
You can swim at the old dam.
(4) If the river is not in flood, it is possible to cross the river via a stone ford to reach the pontoon bridge at point 1, which can be seen a little further down.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Glafail
Glafail

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route in a magnificent park, easily accessible from Nouméa (less than 30 minutes by car). Be sure to protect yourself from the heat, as there is little shade. There are several spots suitable for swimming, which is very pleasant.

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User 16888226

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A stunning hike, very accessible with plenty of places to swim, just 20 minutes from Nouméa

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bibi
bibi ★

Thank you for all this information, which has enabled me to update the description. If you’d like, I can transfer the hike to your account so that you can take control of it and edit it if necessary.

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Alain de Gap
Alain de Gap

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Since 2017, the area has changed considerably. I am therefore writing a new description that refers to the old map.
S/E: Park at the designated entrance to Dumbéa Provincial Park (car park and barrier)
Follow the laterite track to the right of the eastern branch of the Dumbéa. This track crosses the river three times via culvert bridges.
At point 3, continue up the laterite track to the plateau.
At point 4, leave the yellow-marked path on the right and continue towards the viewpoint along the laterite track for 150 to 200m.
Leave the GR to your left, which continues along the track, and take the yellow-marked path to your right, which climbs up to the ridge before descending via a steeper route to point 5.
At point 5, leave the two tracks to the right and take the track to the left to the ford, where you can have a swim.
Resume the path running to the right of the stream alongside the old water supply pipes until just past the ruined aqueduct that once spanned the river.
If the river is not in flood, you can cross the river via a stone ford to reach the bridge at point 3, which can be seen a little further down.
Otherwise, follow the path to the right, which climbs steeply up to the track; take this track to the left at point 5 until you reach point 4, where you rejoin the main track taken on the way out; turn left here to head back down towards the river and then the S/E car park.

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bibi
bibi ★

The app should normally work in New Caledonia; that's strange...

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nanimoro
nanimoro

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

suitable for everyone.

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pai
pai

Hello, I was indeed referring to the tablet or mobile app. I subscribed to Sity Trail to get maps I can use offline, and the Visorando tracking site works very well. Keep it up – you’re doing a great job. Thank you

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bibi
bibi ★

Hello, how come Visorando isn’t available in New Caledonia? Are you referring to the app or the website?
Kind regards

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pai
pai

Hi, I've created this route, but Visorando isn't available in New Caledonia
or perhaps I haven’t found the right one
Thank you for your help

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