Five walks on Tutuila, American Samoa
Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
A short walk (0.6km) which starts at a roadside layby on the way to Vatia village and descends a bush-clad ridge to a cliff edge with views of Pola Island, a skinny sliver of rock rising 120m from the sea. The island is Tutuila’s top seabird nesting site; bring binoculars to see everything from red-footed boobies (yes, that’s really what they’re called) to white-tailed tropicbirds.
World War II Heritage Trail
A 3km ridgetop trail passing ancient archaeological sites and World War II installations built to fend off a feared Japanese invasion. Two gun emplacements have been fully restored. This is Tutuila’s most popular hike and, because it starts and finishes on the main road around Pago Pago Harbour, it’s also the most accessible.
Vaitogi Lava Fields Walk
Not one of the island’s official trails but this walk offers great coastal views as it skirts a jagged stretch of shoreline where waves crash against jet-black lava flows. It starts near Pago Pago Airport and ends at the Vaitogi turtle-calling site.
Mt ‘Alava Trail
One of the most demanding trails on Tutuila, this 11km round trip starts at Fagasa Pass and climbs through lush bush to the top of Mt ‘Alava (490m) and the remains of a cable car station. Superb views over Pago Pago Harbour and most of the island.
Mt ‘Alava Adventure Trail
This trail was closed when I visited due to slips triggered by Cyclone Gita in February. A pity, because it sounds spectacular. Said to be the island’s toughest walk, its 56 ladders and stairways follow a route used by villagers on the north coast to reach Pago Pago Harbour before the road was built. Check at the national park office to see if it has re-opened.
While you’re there you could also ask about progress in re-opening the overgrown trail to the top of Matafao Peak, at 653m the highest point on the island. A Kiwi contracting firm has offered to build a ladder scaling the cliff at the start of the trail at Fagasa Pass; once that’s done national park staff will be able to start clearing the vegetation which has choked the trail.