5 Best Walks on Mangaia© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com
5 Best Walks on Mangaia

5 Best Walks on Mangaia

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Walking Trails and Hikes on Mangaia

As the oldest island in the Cook Islands, Mangaia has some of the most dramatic scenery. While much can be accessed on the roads circumventing the island, the inland roads (and some coastal roads) are much rougher, making better hiking trails than roads. Check out which roads we recommend to do as hikes in this list of the best walks on Mangaia.

For more Mangaia trip-planning, check out The Complete Travel Guide to Mangaia and Where to Stay on Mangaia.

1. Mt Rangimotia

Hike to the highest point on the island, Mt Rangimotia at 169m (554ft), on the rugged inland road leading to it. The road to the high plateau is not passable for 2WD cars and scooters but makes for an excellent hike from the diversion south of Ivirua village, lasting approximately 6km (3.7 miles). Alternatively, it is 2.5km (1.6 miles) to the summit from the intersection in the west for the central cross-island road. Either way, you’ll pass through a mixture of rainforest and pine forest and capture many views across the island’s peaceful taro plantations. You’ll need to walk on the summit for a while to reveal the coastal views, but you’ll know you’re in the right area when you reach the phone masts. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen for this half-day return walk.

Location: The easiest access to find is the cross-island road intersection just south of Ivirua Road to the east of the island. The shortest walk is the last cross-island road intersection just south of Akeke Trading to the west of the island (inland from Oneroa).

5 Best Walks on Mangaia© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism

2. Ivirua Coastal Road

Just south of the Ivirua village sign (less than 300m/328 yards), a rugged road leads to the coast and magnificent beaches in an area known as Anguna. Around 1km (0.6 miles) down this road is the abandoned Ara Moana Bungalows site then a ladder down to the breathtaking Anguna Beach.

Once you’ve finished exploring the beach, get back on the trail which ruggedly continues over a flattened coral field to a small roundabout. From the roundabout, its a few hundred metres toward the coast where you will find a rope leading down the cliff to another picturesque white sand beach with more beaches to discover if you continue down the coast this way. It’s a total of 2.9km (1.8 miles) between Anguna Beach and this small beach.

From the small beach, you can continue on the coastal road for another 500m (547 yards) until the path ends at yet another stunning secluded beach. That will be your last one. Return the same way!

Location: East side of Mangaia. Take the turnoff toward the coast, approximately 300m (328 yards) south of the Ivirua village sign.

5 Best Walks on Mangaia© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

3. Tamarua to the Saragossa Shipwreck

While the locals are happy to plough down this “makatea” (coral uplift) gorge road, we recommend walking it if you’re renting a vehicle or a scooter. From the eastern end of Tamarua village, take the 2km (1.2-mile) track down to the east coast. You’ll hike through a variety of terrain, cutting through the makatea, rainforest and over a coral plateau until you finally reach the coast. Your reward is the view of the Saragossa Shipwrekck that crashed here in 1904. At low tide, you can wander among the remains. Return the same way.

Location: South side of Mangaia. Take the coast track located at the far eastern side of Tamarua village.

5 Best Walks on Mangaia© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

4. Lake Tiriara (and Tuatini Cave)

A couple of walking trails to Lake Tiriara can be found on the roadside on the southern inland road between Tamarua and Oneroa, the longest of which links up to Tuatini Caves. You’ll see the main lookout of the lake clearly signposted (see image below) which has a sheltered picnic area. About 600m (656 yards) up the road is a five-minute trail to another lookout, then another 600m further up the road again is the longest walking trail circumventing the south side of Lake Tiriara and to Tuatini Caves (approximately 1.6km/1 mile one-way). The walk can also be accessed from the Tuatini Caves end, 240m (262 yards) south of the Lake Tiriara picnic area.

Exploring Tuatini Caves should only be done with a guide, a) because it’s easy to get lost and b) because the caves are on private land. See our 5 Best Caves on Mangaia for more information.

Location: South side of Mangaia, along the inland road between Tamarua and Oneroa, approximately 1km (0.6 miles) from Tamarua.

5 Best Walks on Mangaia© Cook Islands Tourism

5. “The Cutting” of the Ivirua Taro Swamp

There are some spectacular sections of road that cut deep into the makatea, leaving towering coral walls on either side of the narrow road. One of the best “cuttings” is behind Ivirua village on the Taumatini Marae – Ivirua Taro Swamp Road. The road takes you south and then north through the bottom of deep canyons draped in ferns and creepers. The route continues through plantations of taro and pineapple, as well as a wide coconut tree valley with rock walls and small cave entrances. The 4.6km (2.9-mile) track finally ends when you reach the northern cross-island road.

Location: East side of Mangaia, Taumatini Marae – Ivirua Taro Swamp Road, centre of Ivirua village.

5 Best Walks on Mangaia© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism

More Walks in Mangaia and the Cook Islands

That’s it for the best walks on Mangaia, but there are many shorter trails that we mention in the links below, as well as more walks across the Cook Islands:

Finally, add more to your bucket list using the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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