FAUTAUA VALLEY

The Fautaua valley offers a number of excursion possibilities: a lookout point, the Fachoda fort, the governor's garden, or the magnificent Fautaua waterfall. Also known as Loti's waterfall, the latter is 135 metres high - not 300 as Pierre Loti claimed! A relatively easy hike will take you there in a dozen kilometers: allow 4 hours for the walk, including about 1 hour's ascent after the small bridge, without hurrying too much. Note that you can reach the waterfall from below by walking along the river, or from above (the fachoda): we prefer the latter, as it leads to a water basin with a natural slide, a very pleasant way to cool off.

To get there from Papeete by car, take the eastern exit onto Avenue de Fautaua, then follow the road for 3 km. You'll pass by the former Loti bath (now an esplanade), and less than a kilometer later, you'll be able to park in the lot above the waterworks. Take the well-maintained footpath and follow the river (left bank) to the Tearape or Fachoda bridge. Don't forget your mosquito repellent. The ascent then begins towards the waterfall viewpoint. Make sure you're properly equipped: it often rains and mosquitoes are bloodthirsty barbarians! Bathing in the basins carved out of the basalt organs is highly recommended.

You can then continue for around 30 minutes to the Col Teovere: superb view of the Col du Diadème.