Maupiti Mountain (Polynesia)

The start, if approaching from the south (from the harbour), is located past the Tarona snack bar. It is no longer at the steps (50m from Tarona) (the path is marked on the map between the road and the WP1 mast), but a little further on (300m from Tarona). If necessary, you can leave your bikes there (there are very few cars on the island; see the practical information).

(S/E) Head west and follow a grassy track which, after 100m, becomes tarmac for about 50 metres where the gradient is steeper. The tarmac section is clearly visible from the road; the markings are yellow.

(1) The path, rejoining the old route, turns right at the mast. Go completely round the mast’s fence on the left to climb a rocky section on the path at this point. Do not follow the track that heads off through the vegetation opposite. After 100 metres, a new path branches off to the right, leaving the old route, which is no longer maintained.

(2) Four successive ropes with knots help you negotiate the rocky sections, which can be slippery. The section is well secured. This brings you to the promontory just before the island’s summit.

Climbing up the rocky outcrop on the left, you can admire the panoramic view (photo). On your way down from the outcrop, you can also follow the path which continues through the vegetation. 20 metres further on, and a little higher up, there are solar panels. From here, you look out slightly over the previous headland.

(3) The return journey follows the same route back to the road (S/E).

Maupiti is a small island with a few guesthouses offering accommodation, located on the island itself and on the motus. There are no hotels or campsites. The road that circles the island is only 9 km long. So even though there are vehicles on the island, visitors mainly get around by boat (between the motus and the main island) and on foot or by bike on the island itself. It takes just under an hour to cycle round the island.

If you’re staying at a guesthouse on a motu, a return boat service is often offered around 4.00–4.30 pm. It’s therefore a good idea to set off on the hike fairly early in the morning (when it’s cooler), then cycle round the island. To the west (Terei’a), the spot is ideal for relaxing.

The base map (OpenStreetMap) does not show contour lines with the correct altitudes, but there is indeed, as indicated, a path that crosses the island from east to west. The summit (Te Uru Fa’atu, 372m) is situated in an area covered in vegetation, so the view from there is not as impressive as from the headland. The headland, with its viewpoint at an altitude of 366m, lies to the east of the summit. This hike therefore naturally follows the eastern side of the island. In terms of elevation gain and loss, you can expect a total of 346m of ascent and descent.

There is little point in going to the summit (372m) but, from (3), you can continue along the path, pass over the summit and then descend via the western side to rejoin the cross-island road. A race is organised which follows this path, so it is passable from start to finish.