7 finest hikes in Bora Bora

Throughout WWII, the USA selected Bora Bora as a strategic navy provide base – and, as on many South Pacific islands, determined to not take the massive stuff house^{. At 4 places in Bora Bora, eight large cannons have been put in excessive on the hills, and so they stay there at present. Some are troublesome to seek out, however they're ready to be found. In case you are keen to discover a bit, that’s.}

Anybody who finds the Faanui Cannons will get pleasure from spectacular views of Bora Bora's iconic lagoon as a reward. As soon as you allow the sealed circle island street, it is going to take round 10 minutes of uphill strolling; views of the motu (little islands) within the lagoon function a welcome distraction out of your burning calves. As would be the satisfaction of truly discovering the cannons (even when one of many barrels has gone lacking).

Trailheads are notoriously onerous to seek out in Bora Bora attributable to an absence of signage. But the Faanui Cannons could be discovered on Google Maps, close to Tereia Level within the northwest of the primary island. Heading clockwise on the circle island street, make your approach to the Pearl Seaside Resort ferry departure (lagoon facet of the street) just a few kilometers previous Faanui. As soon as you notice the signal to the ferry, the monitor to the cannon website is about 30m (98ft) additional up the street on the fitting.

2. Level Fitiuu Cannons

Finest hike for picnicking with a view
Round 1.2km (¾ mile) spherical journey, straightforward

Hikers in search of the nicely preserved Level Fitiuu Cannons – in Anau, on the jap facet of the primary island – shall be handled to gorgeous views of each Mt Otemanu and that magnificent lagoon (once more!). Partway alongside this stroll, an curiously formed geological characteristic juts dramatically out of the bottom: it's generally referred to as Hiro's Finger. (Some describe it utilizing one other a part of the male anatomy.)

Take a picnic and make a morning or afternoon out of it, making use of the straightforward benches on the cannons. Whereas snacking, you'll discover that one of many weapons faces the 4 Seasons Resort and the opposite faces Mt Otemanu.

The trailhead could be a little difficult to seek out. The best manner is to move in the direction of Level Fitiuu on the primary circle island street, the place you'll quickly end up heading up a small hill as you close to it on Google Maps. On the sharp bend within the street, views of Mt Otemanu will become visible, and also you'll see a monitor main out onto the peninsula. The path begins behind a cement constructing on personal land. If the homeowners are about, you'll have to ask their permission to cross their land.

3. Valley of the Kings

Finest hike for Polynesian historical past
Round 3 hours, straightforward to reasonable

It's stated that the enormous banyan tree you'll spot on this hike was the inspiration for the “Tree of Souls” within the blockbuster Avatar film. Whether or not or not that's true, there's little doubt the tree has nice cultural significance, because it's stated to function the ultimate resting place of Bora Bora's historic kings.

The Valley of the Kings hike is finest taken with a information – not simply because hikes on Bora Bora are not often signed, however as a result of this explicit path passes by relics of the island's early historical past. Hikers can discover remnants of historic villages and marae (Polynesian temples), which solely knowledgeable guides will have the ability to level out.

You too can get pleasure from alternatives to eat the island's bounty straight from the tree – and, after all, soak up these iconic views of the turquoise-blue lagoon.

4. Mt Otemanu

Finest hike for bragging rights
Round 6 hours spherical journey, troublesome

Are you able to hike Mt Otemanu? As quickly as hikers eye this craggy peak, the query instantly happens. As the very best characteristic on Bora Bora, Otemanu dominates the panorama – and given its prominence on each journey brochures and the feeds of almost each social media influencer who visits, it's probably one of the crucial acknowledged geological options in all of French Polynesia. Who wouldn't wish to brag about conquering it?

Hikers can't bodily get to the very prime of the mountain's 727m (2385ft) summit, because the towering twin peaks are each crumbly and vertical. But it's nonetheless a tough slog simply to get to the “shoulders” of the mountain, with just a few sections requiring the flexibility to heave your self up through strategically positioned ropes.

The cave on Mt Otemanu's northeastern facet is to not be missed. Mentioned to be a remaining resting place for royalty within the distant previous, the cave gives views which can be nothing in need of breathtaking. Hikers can see throughout the sensible blue lake all the best way to the islands of Tahaʻa and Raʻiatea.

Though it's attainable to do that hike with no information, I don't advocate this, since impartial trekkers can (and do) get misplaced and even injured as a result of troublesome terrain and lack of signage.

5. Farepiti Cannons

Finest hike for an intense begin and easy end
Roughly 2.4km (1.5 miles) spherical journey, 20min a method, straightforward to reasonable

Perched on the mountainside above Level Pahua on the western level of the island, these cannons additionally boast very good views. One cannon is positioned in the direction of the primary city of Vaitape and Teavanui Move, whereas the opposite appears out over the expanse of the lagoon in the direction of Pearl Seaside Resort.

The preliminary part will give your calves a exercise and make you sweat within the tropical humidity – however issues ease up about 450m (1476ft) in, whenever you attain a plateau with good views over to Motu Ahuna within the lagoon. From right here, its a better hike to the cannons.

The monitor could be discovered by heading clockwise across the island on the primary street. Round 350m (1148ft) previous the cargo-vessel quay in Farepiti, you'll see a dust street to the cannons snaking up the hill to your proper. Alongside the best way, you'll hear the drone of 4x4s and quad bikes, which rumble up a slender monitor behind you. Whereas this may be noisy, the sound of those autos makes it onerous to get misplaced.

6. Mt Pahia

Finest hike for fabulous views
Round 6–8 hours spherical journey, troublesome

Mt Pahia is Mt Otemanu's shorter sibling, topping out at 658m (2159ft). On the ascent, fabulous panoramic views will open up not solely throughout Bora Bora, however nicely out to the Pacific Ocean, too. Like Otemanu, Pahia is a problem – but on this mountain, you may truly attain the height. Because of the harmful mountain climbing situations, which contain climbing, ropes and forging via an unmaintained monitor, I wouldn't deal with this hike with no information.

The monitor could be discovered close to Hine Pearls, simply south of the beautiful Protestant church with the pink spire in Vaitape. As ever, it's finest to ask round whenever you get there as nothing is signed.

7. Bora Bora Loop

Finest hike for multiday discovery
20 miles (32km), straightforward to reasonable

For individuals who have just a few days to spare and are comfy with the idea of multiday mountain climbing, this 32km (20-mile) loop is solely dreamy. Following the coastal street across the entirety of the primary island, the Bora Bora Loop is the one hike that's all-weather accessible, because the street is paved and never too mountainous.

The spotlight of this hike is, nicely…the whole lot: each single gorgeous stretch of shoreline, view of the lagoon, village and fabulous restaurant. The very best half? You get to decide on the place you keep every night time and the way far you stroll every day.

Prime ideas for mountain climbing in Bora Bora

• Rent a information when tackling Bora Bora's inside tracks. That is as a result of lack of signage, overgrown trails and the mountainous terrain.

• By no means hike the off-road tracks throughout or after rain. The path shall be too slippery and downright harmful.

• Many excursions solely function throughout the dry season, from Could to October.

• The hikes to Mts Otemanu and Pahia usually are not for the faint-hearted. You will want to have an inexpensive stage of health and know your physique's limits. Don't try the hikes for those who can't take care of heights or endure from vertigo.