On the Champ de Bataille plain in the far south of New Caledonia

Park at the GPS point; there’s no proper car park, but there’s plenty of space amongst the rows of pine trees at this spot.

(S/E) Take a narrow path heading due east, where a small concrete slab allows you to cross a very shallow ford. From there, the path is quite wide; you can’t go wrong – just keep going straight on. At the end of this path, turn left, then immediately right. After about 200 m, at the junction, turn left, stay on the main path until you reach the river, then head towards a ford.

(1) Cross the ford – it’s not deep but it is wide – and always be careful; do not cross if the water is high. After the ford, stay on the main track which heads off to the left. On this section, there are a huge number of unmarked paths and tracks; it’s difficult to describe every single fork in the road, so the simplest thing is to follow the GPS track until you reach a junction with a path that veers to the left.

(2) Keep to the right. Continue to follow the main track; there are fewer side tracks on this section (though you will come across a few), so follow the GPS track closely. The track gradually turns northwards and maintains a general northerly direction as it approaches the River La Ngo until you reach a ford on the left.

(3) Stay alert; do not cross if the river is in flood. On the other side, turn left along the riverbank for about 200 m, then at the next junction, take a hairpin bend to the right uphill. This is the steepest section of the route, but nothing insurmountable. The slope levels off and you reach a junction.

(4) Keep to the left, following a gentle slope at first which gradually becomes steeper until you reach a summit, then descend to a T-junction. See Practical Information.

(5) Turn left to head back down into the valley. Take care on the descent; if the ground is damp, it can be very slippery. Once back on the track running alongside the river, follow it; where it veers away from the river, it joins a high-voltage power line, which it follows for over 500 m before turning left to reach a junction facing three paths.

(6) Take the middle path, directly opposite. Continue south-east, then – after a 90° bend – south-west.

(7) Please note: on this section, the road is used by the mine, so heavy machinery may be travelling along it – remain very vigilant. Pass under a high-voltage power line and continue until you reach the main road.

(8) Turn left. Watch out for cars, which may be travelling at speed in this area. Cross the bridge over La Ngo, then follow the road’s curve to the left until you’ve come out of the bend.

(9) Leave the road via the path on the left. Then stay on the main path. This turns right, then continue almost straight on until you return to the starting point (S/E).

Please note that the southern road is in very poor condition and involves crossing several small fords; a 4x4 is advisable. It is possible to manage in a city car, but should be avoided in wet weather. The final few metres through the forest can be tricky if your car is low-slung; don’t hesitate to park a little further up (though there is less space around the track).

There is no water and little shade along the route, so make sure you take adequate protection against the heat.

(5) In theory, it is possible to continue along the ultra-trail path to a higher vantage point, but you will need to return to the point (5) to head back down to the plain, as the paths further on belong to the mine and are therefore off-limits (even though there are no signs to indicate this).

The Champ de Bataille plain and its coniferous forest. The River N’go.

Then, at the top, a panoramic view of the sea and the entire valley, and a view of the active mine.