Sentier des Crêtes in the Rivière Bleue Provincial Park

Starting from the Pérignon Bridge, in the heart of the Rivière Bleue Provincial Park (PPRB), this circular route follows the Sentier des Crêtes and its succession of spectacular panoramic views for around 8 km, before offering a leisurely return via the Rivière Blanche valley, descending via the Sentier de la Mine du Mois de Mai and then following an easy, flat track for the final five kilometres.

Details

99466064
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.33 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,552 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,552 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,834 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 509 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts from the Pont Pérignon car park. Throughout the route, the path is very well maintained and clearly signposted, with signs at every junction.

(S/E) Take the footbridge and follow the mountain bike track.

(1) At the first junction, take the track on the right. On the first part of the route, follow the red and white GR® markings if in doubt.

(2) Take the track that winds sharply uphill to the left and heads towards a junction.

(3) Head left again to reach the ridges. From here, the panoramic views come one after another, each more spectacular than the last: this is the most magnificent section of the route. Continue to a junction.

(4) Turn left: no particular difficulties to report. Most of the ascent has already been completed at this point. You’ll reach another junction.

(5) Turn left again. There are still about thirty metres of ascent left before you begin the descent.

(6) Leave the GR® by taking the ‘Sentier de la mine du mois de mai’ on the left. The signposts indicate the direction of Pont Pérignon anyway, so if in doubt, you can follow them. After a fairly steep descent, you’ll reach the junction with a mountain bike track.

(7) Turn left to follow this gentle, flat track

(8) Carry on straight ahead; do not take the road on the right, which no longer exists when the lake level is high anyway. You’ll return to the junction where you started.

(1) Turn right, cross the footbridge again to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 509 ft - Pont Pérignon car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.37 - alt. 538 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.72 - alt. 538 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.6 - alt. 846 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.84 - alt. 1,214 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 4.36 - alt. 1,680 ft - Junction
  7. 6 : mi 5.68 - alt. 1,299 ft - GR® abandoned
  8. 7 : mi 6.89 - alt. 571 ft - Mountain bike trail junction
  9. 8 : mi 9.33 - alt. 522 ft - Junction
  10. S/E : mi 10.33 - alt. 509 ft - Pont Pérignon car park

Notes

This walk takes place within the Rivière Bleue Provincial Park (PPRB)

There is an entry fee for the PPRB: 600 CFP per person; season tickets are available. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The walk starts from the Pont Pérignon car park. This is accessible by car, following a 30-minute track from the entrance to the Rivière Bleue Provincial Park. You can hire bikes and kayaks, or take a shuttle bus to travel further into the park.

https://www.province-sud.nc/decouvrir-et-visiter/pprb

The Sentier des Crêtes is a section of the GR® Sud trail in New Caledonia.

Worth a visit

There are numerous spectacular panoramic views over the valleys of the Rivière Bleue and its ‘Noyée’ forest, as well as over the Rivière Blanche.

There are numerous endemic plant species, found in both the mining scrub and rainforest areas.

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.

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.