in New Caledonia!in New Caledonia!

www.newcaledonia.co.nz

Experience the unforgettable…

Go Hiking…Go Hiking…

Hienghène

Lifou

In the SouthGR® 1.

The “Grande Randonnée” N°1 track, enableshikers to approach New Caledonia from uniqueangles and to have access to areas which canonly be reached on foot. The first section of thetrack which was inaugurated in 2004, departsfrom Prony (in the far south of the mainland) andgoes as far as the “Parc de la Rivière Bleue” inthe Yaté district. The GR® 1 will continue far asthe Dumbéa dam and will enable the “Parc de laRivière Bleue” to be traversed by foot.

On the GR® 1, it seems natural to walk from thesouth to the north : from Prony to Ouénarou.However, you can also walk in the oppositedirection. The second stage will then boastamazing views of the ocean. In its current con-figuration, the GR® 1 is divided into three sec-tions. At the end of each section, a structureenables you to set up a bivouac. You can there-fore walk the GR® 1, during the day, as thedepartures are easily accessible.

• The first section : (1) Prony – (2) Refuge des Néocallitropsis

This first stage will take you on a wander aroundthe heart of the mining and forest history of theDeep South... Prony, the Tchaux mine, theAnna-Madeleine mine...

• The second section : (2) Refuge des Néocallitropsis – (3) Netcha

As you leave the “refuge des Néocallitropsis”behind you, you walk along the ridge which sep-arates the “Plaine des Lacs” from the creekPernod valley. This links the “Pic du Pin” with theAnna-Madeleine mine. From the balcony, whichis not very high but very separate from the sur-rounding countryside, you have a view over theDeep South and can see the shining mass ofthe Great Ocean in the distance. Suggestion :the “Réserve botanique de la Madeleine”* at theend of the walk.

• The third section : (3) Netcha – (4) Ouénarou Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue**By following in the footsteps of the mules whichtirelessly crossed the Deep South to replenishthe prospectors, miners and forestry workerswith supplies, you will cross the strange valley ofthe “Creek Pernod” which is criss-crossed bystreams which “meander” quietly under therushes. After a wander around the dark cuirassdotted with shining pools, you will climb the “Picdu Cintre” to get a panoramic view of the region.You will then descend into the half-light andsweltering heat of the “Bois du sud” (SouthernForests).

* The Madeleine Falls botanical reserveThis is situated in the heart of the "Plaine desLacs" and nearby the "Parc Provincial de laRivière Bleue". It contains 168 plant species. Thereserve’s flora is especially remarkable due to thepresence, along the river, of 7 primitive conifers,vestiges of the secondary era. There is also abotanical path which serves to educate the pub-lic on the variety and abundance of the NewCaledonian scrub flora.

** Parc Provincial de la Rivière BleueThe "Eden" of hiking, this natural forest reservewhich extends over 9045 hectares has a largenumber of plant and animal species endemic tothe territory. The park has been developed toinclude swimming areas, picnic sites and manywalking tracks. The giant Kauri, which stands 40 metres high and is almost a thousand yearsold, is one of the Park’s attractions. Visitors will also have the opportunity to admire cagous in the wild.

Traversed from the north to the south by along high mountain range (the ChaîneCentrale), New Caledonia's mainland whichis 450 km long and 50 km wide, is a para-dise for hikers. The highest point in NewCaledonia (1 628 m) the Mont Panié whichshelters a botanic reserve exceptionally richin endemic plants, is accessible viaHienghène on the east coast. To the south-west lies the second highest summit in NewCaledonia, Mont Humbolt, which rises to1 618 metres. For people who love adven-ture and being in the great outdoors, hikingis the best way to discover the secret treas-ures of the New Caledonian countryside.You will be able to admire the niaouli savan-nah of the great plains of the west coast,cross the Mountain Range and its primaryforest, experience the Bush where you willcome across the New Caledonian cowboysand visit welcoming tribes. The LoyaltyIslands to the east and the Isle of Pines tothe south are splendid for walks along pris-tine beaches or above sheer cliffs accom-panied by an experienced Kanak guide.

Prony – Mont-DoreCagou

New Caledonia on foot…

Discover…

…a beautiful main land !

Anna-Madeleine mine

Hiking in New Caledonia

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Refuge de Ouénarou

Refuge de Prony

Refuge des Néocallitropsis

Netcha

Réserve Botanique des Chutes de la Madeleine

Site des Bois du Sud

Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue

Port BoiséBaie de Prony

Kwa Neba

Lac de Yaté

Chakéké

Pic du Pin La Madeleine

Mont Mau l'Aiguillon

Goro

Mont Kouré

Pic Ia

Monta

gne de

s Sour

ces

MONTS COUVELÉ

LES MONTS DZUMAC

Mont Dore

Mou

Roumenk

éré

Rivière Blanche

Rivière Bleue

la Capture

Mont-Dore

Picnic

Information

Camping

Tramping hut

Swimming

NOUMÉA

Refuge de OuénarouRefuge de OuénarouRefuge des Muletiers

Refuge des Tristaniopsis

Païta

Telephone

Toilets

Water source

PronyRefuge de Prony

Refuge des NéocalytropsisRefuge des NéocallitropsisRefuge des Néocallitropsis

NetchaNetchaNetcha

Refuge de Prony

Dumbéa

1

2

3

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Réserve Botanique serve Botanique des Chutes de la Madeleinedes Chutes de la Madeleine

Réserve Botanique des Chutes de la Madeleine

Site Site des Bois du Suddes Bois du SudSite des Bois du Sud

Yaté

Refuge de La Mine Soleil

Parc Provincial de la RiviParc Provincial de la Rivière Bleuere BleueParc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue

GR® 1 Open section

Park, reserves or provincial sites

GR® 1 Section to be signeposted

North Dumbéa

Bourail

NOUMÉA AND SOUTHERN PROVINCETOURISM OFFICESquare Olry – Place des Cocotiers14, rue Jean Jaurès centre-ville – NouméaPh: 28 75 80 – 05 75 80 (Free call) – Fax : 28 75 85office-tourisme@canl.nc

Short hiking tracks.

The Southern province has developed a dozenshort hiking circuits which are comfortable andsafe. These signposted tracks have been rati-fied by the FFRP as well as the GR®1.Brochures giving a description of these walksare available from the Direction des ressourcesnaturelles and the Nouméa and SouthernProvince Tourism Office.• Pic d'Ouitchambo (587 m) track

in Boulouparis• The cycas forest in Bourail• “Le sentier des trois baies” in Bourail

(The three bays track) • The “Plateau de Dogny” (1019 m) inSarraméa• The Farino waterfall track• The convict trail in Port Boisé• The Ouen Toro path in Nouméa• The timetabled road in Yaté• The vestiges of the penitentiary in Prony• The Signal Island trail• The Casy Island trails• The Mont-Dore crossing

The undeveloped tracks.Near Nouméa, the Dumbéa gorges are popularin summer for walks and swimming. The MontKoghi (1 061 m) has a spectacular view ofNouméa and the Dumbéa plain. The Mont-Doreand the Prony region to the south as well as fur-ther north towards Païta, Mont Humboldt (1618 m) and Mont Mou (1 220 m). In the area ofSarraméa, La Foa and Farino, the “Vallée desB” with its old coffee trees and vestiges ofcolonisation is worth noting for good walkers.Also of interest are the promenade de La Fo-Ouïa along the river and the Col d'Amieu and its

Canala

www.randonnee-gr-sud-nc.com

(1) Prony – (2) Refuge (2) Refuge des (3) Netcha –des Néocallitropsis Néocallitropsis – (3) Netcha (4) Ouénarou

Difficulty : B+ C CApprox. time of walk: 6h30 5h30 7h45Distance: 14,0 km 19,6 km 18,9 kmGradient: 460 m 510 m 490 mMinimum altitude: 365 m 600 m 495 mMinimum altitude: 0 m 235 m 169 mWater source: Many creeks of varying water No water source The Creek Pernod,

levels depending on season and Bois du Sud siteSpecial features: The remains of The aerial nature The Creek Pernod,

the mining activity. of the walk. the Hidden Forest andThe Carénage river The forested pass. the Pic du Cintre.

water holes.

Direction des ressources naturelles de la Province Sud – Service de l’environnementPh: (687) 24 32 60 – Fax : (687) 24 32 56 – env@province-sud.nc – www.province-sud.nc/services/publication

The guides published on the PR and the GR® 1 can be downloaded free of charge (pdf format) as well as the GPS “traces et points”:

Madeleine falls – Yaté

LOYALTYISLANDS

PROVINCE

NORTHERN PROVINCE

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

KONÉ

NOUMÉA

WÉ

Belep Archipelago

Lifou

Maré

Ouvéa

Isle ofPines

Hiking in New Caledonia

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magnificent orchards, the Oua Tom tribe with itsbotanical tour, and experiencing the customarytrails and the chief hut.

On the Isle of Pines after only one hour's walk-ing, the “Pic Ngâ” (262 m), the highest point onthe island, rewards you with an amazing viewover the lagoon.

In the NorthHiking in the North is a unique experience, bothfrom the point of view of experiencing nature andmeeting the peoples of the North, both Kanakand Caldoche.

With their knowledge of the paths walked bytheir ancestors and of their sacred places, theKanaks will take you into areas which only theyknow. They will tell you about the legends fromthe past and will show you their plants (morethan 2 500 endemic species). Often botanists,sometimes storytellers or historians, sometimeslinguists, the guides will enrich your walk withcommentaries you cannot find in books.

Walking in the Northern Province also meansexperiencing isolation, silence and getting backto nature in the true sense of the word, whereyou are assured of really feeling somewhere else.You will forget the trappings of city life as youwatch the mist lifting from the valleys or witnessthe sun setting on the arborescent ferns andcolumn pines.

Hienghène.• “Sentier du col de Panok” (col de Panoktrack): food-producing gardens and old coffeeplantation, natural forest and niaouli savannah,swimming and lookout to the Bas Coulna tribe.Possibility to camp and eat with a tribe.• “Sentier de Wevia” (Wevia track) and the ves-tiges of the old tribe.• “Sentier de Garalé” (Garalé track) with itsamazing view of mount Panié, mount Colnettand the western lagoon.Koné.

• “Grand sentier de Néami” (great Néamitrack): exploring the flora and endemic species;presence of a fruit bat (roussette) nest near thecircuit with many panoramic lookouts. Creek andwaterholes to get cool in. Possibility to eat with atribe following prior booking.• “Sentier de la croix Pwicate” (Pwicate crosstrack) : ferns, palms, hop, kauri, “tamanou”… ;panoramic views of Mount Panié (the highestpoint in NC), the Koniambo massif, theCantaloupaï summit... swimming at the waterfalland possibility to eat with a tribe following a priorbooking.

Kouaoua.• The two waterfalls (Toéré and Bameciara)Koumac.

• “Sentier de la Vierge” (Vierge track) : manyviewpoints and karstic relief which present spec-tacular landscapes, dry forest, niaouli savannah,natural forest.Poindimié.

• “Sentier de Koyaboa” (Koyaboa track) : food-producing gardens and very beautiful views ofthe lagoon, Tibarama island and the Ina andNapoémien valleys.• “Sentier du pont Tamanou” (Tamanou bridgetrack) with the refreshing atmosphere of a prettymountain range creek.• “Sentier Palorfou” (Palorfou track) in the heartof the Napoémien forest.• Sentier Naköba (Naköba track) in theNapoémien tribe area.

Ponérihouen.• “Sentier de Pô” (Pô track) with a view of theMonéo valley, the Sphinx, the Mé Kanin (987 m)and the Aoupinié (1 006 m).• “Sentier Persévérance” (Persévérance track)the vestiges of the mine and the endemic flora.• “Sentier des chutes de Nato” (Nato fallstrack), the Népia forest, the mysterious gardenand the petroglyphs.Pouembout.

• “Sentier de Görö-Pörö” (Göro-Pörö track) :experiencing the Ouaté tribe and nature, apanoramic view of the Ponérihouen valley andthe Boulinda massif.Poum.

• The Baaba dry forest : crossing in a tradition-al canoe to reach an ancient tribe. Exploring thesurrounding dry forest with a nature guide.Poya.

• Visiting the Gohapin tribe• “Sentier des chutes jumelles d’Inérami etArawa” (Inérami and Arawa twin falls track) : creekand waterfalls, traditional cultures, ferns,“épaulettes”, orchids, banians, blue cherries,Kanak stories and legends.• “Sentier de l’Aoupinié” (Aoupinié track) :Gohapin tribe, niaouli forest and tropical forest,viewpoints.Touho.

• Historical track to a viewpoint, the remainsof a traditional canoe and an American plane.• Le captage d’Hacinène and the four valleys.• La Pointe de Maïna, its views of the lagoon andits natural forest.Voh.

• “Sentier de Ouango” (Ouango track): view-points, remains of an ancient tribe and swimming.

TOURISM NORTHERN PROVINCECentre commercial Le Village35, avenue du Maréchal-Fochcentre-ville – NouméaPh: 27 78 05 – Fax : 27 48 87info@tourismeprovincenord.nc

Bibliography• Guide du GR 1 – La Transprovinciale Sud –

Editions La Korrigane (J.F. Clair)• Nouvelle-Calédonie Sauvage – Un guide

de la Randonnée et Randonnées à PortBoisé – Editions Savannah (J.F. Clair)

• Randonnées en Nouvelle-Calédonie(Aventure Pulsion)

• Guide Mwakaa – Les sentiers de la coutume kanak – Florence Klein ADCK

IGN Maps• La Nouvelle-Calédonie touristique

au 1/500 000 Réf. : 400614• Série orange au 1/50 000 – www.ign.fr

Hiking in New Caledonia

Heart of Voh

Mont Panié – Hienghène

Koné

4

In the LoyaltyIslandsThere are still beautiful secrets to discover onour planet… three jewels of the Pacific, Lifou,Maré and Ouvéa are some of them. Far beyondthe traditional tropical postcards, of prisine white

sand beaches and the cristal clear waters of thelagoon which they are known for, each of theLoyalty Islands reveals its own personality asyou discover its secret creeks, the sheer cliffsmajestically dotted with column pines, the leg-endary rocks which rise like medieval fortresses,the forgotten grottos which go down far into thedepths of the island, and the forests, so densethat you feel like you are the first person to treadthere… Lands of legends and traditions, of orig-inal beauty, the Loyalty Islands have walkingtracks where legend and traditions will guideyour steps. Enter into the mystery of anunknown world and a secret nature where eachtree, each rock will tell you its own story… go ona voyage of discovery in the Loyalty Islands.

Lifou.

Xodre Tribe• The "Inegoj" grotto and its great under-ground lake.• “La Bouche des vents Qenyeny“, story andlegends of the sea with a demonstration of tra-ditional fishing.

Hmelek Tribe• “Le chemin du Bernard L’ermite” (hermitcrab track), grotto, natural aquarium, cliff withmagnificent view of the island, historical site ofjetro.Easo Tribe• “Sentier d’Antoine Geihaze” (AntoineGeihaze track) to discover the plants, birds, thegrottos and traditional hunting techniques in theWetr district north of Lifou.Tingeting Tribe• “Grotte du Diable“ (Diable grotto) and view of thecliffs.Hunëte Tribe• Over 2 days, forest walk to the camping site"la cocoteraie de Zimetrötr" near the superbHnajoisisi waterfront where the first Catholicmissionaries disembarked. Fishing, gathering,evening on Ngönij beach and return to theHunëte tribe.• Botanical experience in the primary forestand the grottos. Swimming.• Myths and legends surrounding the grottos.Hnathalo tribe• Mythical path across the Ejengen cliffs anddiscovery of the vestiges of the old “grandechefferie”.Luengoni Tribe• The underground grottos also known as the“joyaux de Luengoni” (Luengoni jewels).

Maré.

Kurine Tribe• In the south of Maré, in the Kurine tribe, headout for Shabadran. This is an energetic walk oftwo and a half hours along the coral plateau

taking you through spectacular scenery. At theend of this hike, you will discover a magicalplace, nestled under a coconut palm grove, atthe edge of a white sand creek. Your guide willintroduce you to fishing for crayfish, hunting forcoconut crabs or gathering green coconuts.This will be an unforgettable experience in com-munion with the magic of a site which was pre-viously closed to tourists.La Roche tribe• The Titi rock with the first ramparts of the fortress (Guhnere Tare), the Catholicchurch’s jubiliee monument, and theTawabeniruo grotto.

DESTINATION LOYALTY ISLANDSImmeuble Le Central27, rue de Sébastopol – centre-ville – NouméaPh: 27 66 27 – Fax : 27 48 27dil@iles-loyaute.com

Practical information– Dry and sunny season. 23° to 25°.– Food: it is essential to take this with youwhen hiking independently. In the bush, thefood is both authentic and simple. Food pre-pared by the women of the tribe is based onlocal produce. – Accommodation/Camping: avoid campingoutside places designated for this purpose.Huts are fairly basic in terms of comfort.Sleeping is always communal and hikers arestrongly advised to take their own sleepingbag. From 600 to 1 000 metres in altitude, thenights are cool.– Clothing: bring some protection from thecold in the evening or on certain windy ridges.– First-aid: there are few dangers in NewCaledonian nature. Protect yourself from thesun and mosquitoes in the warm season. Treatthe water.– Safety: inform your friends, the gîte or theclosest tribe of your route. Don’t hike alone. Onyour arrival "do the custom", this moment ofexchange and emotion, a window onto anoth-er way of life, and an exceptional opportunity ofmeeting between Europeans and Kanaks. Thekindness of the Kanaks is legendary. Theirassistance will be vital on any unsignpostedtracks. Adventure is the key word when hikingin New Caledonia, but maps are available tohelp you. – Authorisation: Lots of tracks go along orcross private or customary property. You arerecommended to request permission beforeentering and closing the gate behind you. – Fires: are forbidden from mid-November tomid-April.

Shabadran – Maré

Lifou

“Saut du guerrier” (warrior jump) – Maré

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LondonAmsterdam

Helsinki

Seoul

Hong KongDubaï

Auckland

Papeete

Los AngelesTokyo

0 2 000 km

Vienna

Singapore

BrisbaneSydney

Nouméa

Osaka

Paris

Auckland – Tel : (64) 9 - 307 5257 – Fax : (64) 9 - 307 0167 – info-akl@nctps.com – www.newcaledonia.co.nz

www.visitnewcaledonia.com

May

200

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Luengoni – LifouMont Koghi – Dumbéa Mont Panié – Hienghène

Amazing long distance treks !

0 2 000 km

Following the Raid Gauloises organised inNew Caledonia in 1991, by Aventure Pulsion(Challenge Organisation), long-distancetreks or nature trails have become morecommon in the archipelago. Mountainbikingin New Caledonia is very popular and incitesa real passion. Ones to look out for are theGigawatt (9 April) which departs each year

from the Yaté dam, the Raid du Plateau deDogny (4 June) to the heart of the Sarraméaprimary forest, the Transcalédonienne (1 & 2July) a crossing of the Mainland from oneside to another in two days, the La Piste inFarino, Sarraméa and Moindou (6 & 7 May),the Raid de l'Ile des Pins (the Isle of Pinestrek) (2 September), and last the Dream Raid(2007) for the most competitive.

• Alyzéa.com – Michel QuintinGSM : (687) 78 38 37 – michelq@lagoon.ncOrganised by Alyzéa.com since 2002, the DreamRaid, which is a multidiscipline trek, has become aninternational reference. 350 km, 4 to 5 days of effortfrom the South to the North of the Mainland,between land and sea, on foot, including horse-riding, kayak, mountain bike, abseiling, twenty five

international teams will experience an amazingadventure in New Caledonia.• Aventure Pulsion – Patrick VenturaTél.: (687) 26 27 48 – Fax : (687) 25 35 11aventure@canl.ncOrganiser of 16 outback competitions including 7 trails such as the Gigawatt (1,600 participants competing in 10, 20 or 30 km races with departurefrom Yaté dam), 8 multidiscipline treks in the BCI Grand prix (2 person teams) and local represen-tative of the X-Adventure Trek Series.• Syndicat d’Initiative de SarraméaTél. /Fax : (687) 44 39 55sarrameadecouverte@lagoon.ncOrganiser of the Raid de Dogny.

• Christian RocheGSM : (687) 78 30 01 – Tél./Fax : (687) 41 78 12sport@mairie-bourail.ncOrganiser of La Piste.

ProfessionalsGuides

for “A la carte” Hikes• Alain Fort – Hiking guidePh/Fax : (687) 26 48 13fortdomi@lagoon.nc

• Koghi Découverte – Gilles LecamGuide and organiser of nature staysGSM : (687) 77 81 43 – Fax : (687) 27 51 52koghidecouverte@hotmail.com

• Aventure Pulsion – Patrick VenturaGuided hikesPh: (687) 26 27 48 – Fax : (687) 25 35 11aventure@canl.nc

• Koghi Parc Aventure – Patrick TatonState registered instructorAccro branch - A journey into the trees Tél./Fax : (687) 43 02 52 – GSM : (687) 82 14 85taton@mls.nc – www.multimania.com/rocetcascade Ph

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Hienghène

Isle of Pines

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