Towards Mount Maa via the north face

Parking at the Le Rivland hotel-restaurant, accessible by car in twenty minutes from Nouméa city centre.

(S/E) Take the concrete road that descends southwards for a few dozen metres, then cross the small embankment on the left to reach a track. Turn right and follow this track, which initially runs alongside the road before separating from it further on.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the almost flat track, which then rises as it approaches the northern slope of Mount Maa. Reach the first viewpoint over the southern part of the peninsula.

(2) Leave the track and follow the path that climbs up to your right, following the eastern ridge of Mount Maa. You will come to a fork in the path.

(3) Take the path on the right to reach the second viewpoint, overlooking Nouméa Bay and the Païta mountains.

(4) Turn back and follow the uphill route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

There is no water along the route, so protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, a hat and sun cream.

(4) Theoretically, it is possible to push on to the summit of Mount Maa about 600 m further on, but the path is no longer maintained and is far too overgrown as of January 2026: machete enthusiasts take note.