Abstract
Total duration (RT): 2h (loop) / 2h (crossing trail)
Total distance (RT): 3.3km (loop) / 3.4km (crossing trail)
Positive elevation: 330m
Difficulty: intermediate
Guide: no
The Mangareva Pearl Trail team
does a remarkable job of marking out, maintaining and even opening new trails,
for hikers to enjoy discovering the magnificent island of Mangareva.
Rather steep final climb to the top.
Track
Open track with OpenRunner (loop)
Open track with OpenRunner (crossing trail)
Open tracks with uMap
Open tracks with Google Maps
Download GPS tracks
Hike description
Mount Mokoto (423m) is Mangareva's second peak, behind Mount Duff (441m), also called Auorotini in Mangarevan.
On the cross road between Rikitea and Gatavake, in the bend after the Piiti belvedere going towards Gatavake,
you will find a sign indicating "Mont Duff, Mokoto, Auorotini", which indicates the beginning of the trail.
On the shaded path, follow the pipe to arrive on a small marae.
Continue to follow the pipe and after 200m the trail begins to climb to the left in the pines.
After about 400m of ascent, you arrive at a fork. The left path leads to Mount Duff.
Take the right path to access Mount Mokoto, as indicated by a sign.
After crossing a small stream, go up for about 100m.
The trail in the pines descends to a second small stream, then climbs quite steeply.
Follow the path until you reach a small clearing, then continue slightly to the left.
About 200m further on, you find a fork. Take the right path to access
to Mount Mokoto by the north face.
After a fairly steep climb over 100m, you come out of the forest and discover the north face of Mokoto.
Go straight up through the big rocks. Do not take the small path that starts on your right.
You can admire Mount Duff on your left, and Gatavake Bay on your right.
After about 500m of climb on the North face, you reach the top and discover the magnificent view over Taravai island.
Descend via the ridge trail towards Mount Duff.
A bifurcation appears after 400m next to a large rock.
The loop:
At the bifurcation, take the path that descends to the left into the forest to complete the loop. You quickly find the path previously walked on, which will bring you back to the Gatavake crossing road.
The crossing trail:
At the bifurcation, if you want to follow the crossing trail, continue on the ridge path.
Soon, the trail goes down slightly to the right into the forest.
After 200m, a new bifurcation appears. The left trail was created in 2020 and leads to Mount Duff.
Take the path that goes down to the right.
Continue on this wide path shaded in the pines, for about 1.2km.
Enjoy eating some raspberries if relavant season.
After following the botanical trail, you finally get to the road.
The return to Rikitea is then possible by the road, passing in front of the convent of Rouru and the cemetery.
Plan to be brought back by car if you do not want to walk back!
