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Cook Islands Hiking Guide
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South Pacific Hiking Trails:
our rankings - select destination for more info
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There are several excellent hikes around the main island of Rarotonga - most follow valley roads, a few scale mountain peaks, one track crosses the island and if that all seems too adventurous for you, simply strolling along the coastal road and beaches makes a great day out - you can actually walk right around Rarotonga in one full day - sunrise to sunset! The mos6t popular inland hiking trails include Papua Waterfall, Avana Valley and Raemaru Lookout which take around 2 hours each and offer close encounters with the tropical rainforest.
Pa's mountain treks offer quite strenuous 3-hour hikes across Rarotonga, passing Te Rua Manga at 413 metres with great views towards the coast. For those with less energy, Pa also offers nature walks through local plantations and low lying forest where he explains about local herbal medicines and points out ancient marae (historical meeting places).
The takitumu Conservation Area is a non-profit organisation on the south-east side of Rarotonga. The reserve covers 155 hectares of protected rainforest and is home to the endangered kakerori bird as well as several other unique birds and rare orchids. Guided tours only and bookings are essential.
There is only one reasonable hike on Aitutaki - climbing the summit of Mt. Maugnapu. The steep but well used trail leads to a communication mast and there are great views of the lagoon from the summit. Otherwise, a local guide can take you on a guided walk around the bush.
Atiu is a good island to explore, either using the island roads which traverse the interior as well as circumnavigating the coast - otherwise, bush trails to family plantations make good walking tracks.
Cook Islands Hiking Resort Listings
Cook Islands Tour Companies
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