New Caledonia walks

The climb up Mont Dore offers a bird’s-eye view of Nouméa and the bay. The colours are magnificent: the turquoise blue of the sea, the green of the vegetation and the red of the earth… A superb blend.

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.

White sandy beach, turquoise waters, then a track with sea views and a gentle climb to the panorama over the northern and south-eastern bays of Nouméa. The neighbourhood was a hotspot during the 2024 riots, and several burnt-out cars are still visible when crossing the neighbourhood along Avenue James Cook and also on the way back down.

A 30-minute drive from Nouméa, this is a lovely circular route through the mining scrubland with beautiful, unobstructed views, and a section through very dense rainforest that requires a fair amount of attention. As always in the Southern Province, be careful on the red earth sections, which are very slippery in wet weather. A GPS is essential.

A magnificent ridge path, very steep at the start, offering sublime 360° panoramic views of the Ninndo Mountains and the Coral Sea, which surrounds this strip of land, just ten kilometres wide to the east and west. One of the most beautiful views in all of New Caledonia.

A steadily ascending track leading to the Tia Plateau, where red and black sandy soils alternate. Panoramic views across the entire valley, with the sea to the west and south, the Kopéto Massif to the east and Koné to the north.

You can kill two birds with one stone by linking up two short, easy trails in the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue (PPRB), as the road connecting them is magnificent. Why miss out? There’s a bit of rainforest, but you’ll mainly be walking on tracks.

In the heart of the Rivière Blanche valley (southern section of the Rivière Bleue Provincial Park or PPRB), this trail takes you through a beautiful stretch of rainforest and, in its final third, offers magnificent panoramic views across the entire southern part of the park. Several fords: please ensure you are properly equipped.

A discovery trail through the Bois du Sud nature reserve, which passes by the campsite. A very accessible trail, easily suitable for families (it climbs just a little). You start in the dry forest, enjoy a panoramic view over a branch of Lake Yaté, and finish in the wet forest.

We follow the GR® Sud trail, which winds through a stretch of rainforest, then leads into the mining scrub halfway along, and ends with the ascent of Pic du Cintre for a 360° view of Lake Yaté to the north and the Netcha valleys to the south.Make sure you bring plenty of sun protection (and water, of course).

Ascent of Mont-Dore from the east, following old mining tracks. Enjoy the magnificent views that unfold before you throughout the hike. The red earth stretches out before you as far as the eye can see across slopes scarred by mining activity.

A trail through the rainforest of the Grandes Fougères Provincial Park (PPGF), which follows part of the Pic Monnier Trail before joining the Cascade Trail to explore numerous points of interest: Pic Monnier, Cœur de Farino, the bread oven, the arboretum, etc.This route is entirely shaded by tall trees, which is very pleasant in hot weather. Many sections are very muddy and others slippery depending on the weather; check at the park entrance.Please note: there are several river crossings where you will need to get your feet wet (5 to 6 depending on the water level), so please wear suitable footwear.Note: the official trail markings for the park’s various paths can be found on the official website.

A route that takes you along three magnificent marked trails within the rainforest of the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue (PPRB). The Sentier des Méliphages (birdwatching trail), the Sentier des Trois Forêts (magnificent views) and finally the Sentier du Grand Kaori, featuring a magnificent tree that towers over the forest: you may spot some cagous.

A complete traverse of the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue (PPRB) starting from Pont Pérignon, allowing you to discover many points of interest located in the immediate vicinity of the route: starting points for the Circuits des Cagous and Grand Kaori trails (and many others), multiple viewpoints over the flooded forest, and swimming areas along the final three kilometres.

A fairly accessible city route, plenty of sea views, a very pretty park and beautiful panoramas (Mont Coffyn and Mont Vénus). You can extend the walk slightly by heading to the Rocher à la Voile and continuing along the coast afterwards (6), at the western end of Anse Vata.

A short, easy circular loop starting from Baie de l’Orphelinat, which can also be done starting from Baie de Moselle. It offers views of Mont Vénus and Mont Coffyn, as well as the seaside along Port Moselle.

A city route that allows you to discover the four magnificent bays in the southern part of Nouméa, the Tuband and Motor Pool neighbourhoods, as well as panoramic views from the top of Ouen Toro Nature Reserve and Mont Vénus. This walk allows you to explore the two dry forests located at these vantage points.

Route through the residential neighbourhood of Ouemo, taking in Sainte-Marie Urban Park (very well laid out, with sports areas and children's playgrounds), the Ouemo Mangrove with its rich biodiversity, and finally multiple viewpoints overlooking the sea.

A short but intense hike starting from Dumbéa. The Koumoingoué Mountains offer superb panoramic views of Greater Nouméa to the south and the mountains to the north. Please note that the trail is technical in places: sturdy footwear is essential.

This route starts at the foot of the iconic Bonhomme de Bourail statue, then follows two trails marked by the South Province Tourist Office: the Sentier des Trois Baies and the Sentier Botanique de la Forêt des Cycas. These two short trails are very accessible for families and well signposted. The trail runs alongside Plage de la Roche Percée, known as one of the largest sea turtle nesting sites in New Caledonia.

A short hike in the heart of a magnificent botanical reserve that runs alongside the Rivière des Lacs. Madeleine waterfalls, endemic trees, red earth... all in all, a very beautiful hike. The route follows the marked paths of the botanical trail and the Sentier des Agathis. Swimming is possible at the Netcha site.

A round trip hike in the Yaté botanical reserve, with a magnificent panorama of Lake Yaté on the west side and the mouth of the Yaté River on the east side. This route follows the markings of the Yaté Route trail but is the most accessible part, with much less elevation gain (227 m instead of 1000 m) and distance (6.5 km instead of 15 km), while passing through what is probably the most beautiful viewpoint in the park.

A fairly easy hike with a very gentle and gradual climb all the way there. The trail runs along the north face, offering magnificent 360° views of Nouméa Bay to the east, the sea to the south and west, and the mountains north of Païta.

Short, easy walk along the seafront. On the west side, Maa Beach is very beautiful and peaceful. On the east side, there is a large shipwreck: the Melanesia.

Walk along the sea in the southern district of Nouméa, after Anse Vata. Return via the lower part of Ouen Toro Natural Park in the dry forest to avoid too much elevation gain. A very easy hike.

From Nouméa city centre, walk through the Latin Quarter and Faubourg Blanchot before reaching the seaside (Sainte-Marie Bay) and finally the magnificent Ouemo Mangrove. Return via a path that allows you to walk along the bay a little longer.

A pleasant circular route starting from Nouméa market (easily accessible by car or bus), passing through the city centre districts and offering a beautiful view of the Vallée des Colons. This circular route takes you past Nouméa's various museums and other historical and architectural points of interest.

Attractive trail where areas of wet forest and dry forest alternate in a very pleasant way. At the summit, there is a beautiful panorama with unobstructed views to the south over the bay to Nouméa, and to the north-east towards the mountains. The descent is a little steep in places, so take care, especially on wet ground.

A hike in the hills, between Nouméa and Dumbea, to a peak known to all New Caledonians for its shape – and its nickname – the ‘gendarme’s hat’. Located in the Mont Koghi area and owned by the tribe of the same name, a fee of 500 Pacific Francs (just over 4 euros) will be charged for access.