Magic Mountain
The basics
The islands of French Polynesia are renowned for their interesting volcanic peaks, and the island of Moorea is no exception. Moorea’s Magic Mountain is shaped rather like a wedge, and is a popular destination for hikers. While you can see Magic Mountain from many parts of Moorea, to enjoy the views from the top it’s necessary to take a guided four-wheel-drive or ATV tour up the dirt paths, or to embark on the trek to the top. Such tours typically include visits to plantations growing vanilla and fruit, and might also include jet skiing off Moorea’s coast.
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Things to know before you go
Self-driving on Moorea? Don’t try to drive up Magic Mountain. You can only access it by four-wheel-drive or ATV.
The 2-mile (3.3 kilometer) round-trip hiking trail up Magic Mountain is paved and not too challenging, but take water, sunscreen, and hats to protect against the hot sun.
You’ll need to pay a small entry fee to access the trail, unless you’re booked onto a guided tour that goes up Magic Mountain.
How to get there
Magic Mountain is on Moorea, an island just north-west of Tahiti and reachable by ferry from Papeete. If you’re wanting to hike up to the lookout, start at Papetoai, near the Tipaniers ITI resort. The trail is well signposted.
When to get there
Peak season for travel to French Polynesia is the dry season, from June to September. While you can visit Magic Mountain during any season, the skies are likely to be clearer in the dry season, thus offering better views from the top.
Hiking on Moorea
While many travelers come to Moorea for a relaxing beach getaway, active travelers won’t be short of beautiful hiking options. As well as the easy trail up Magic Mountain, you could challenge yourself to the strenuous Mount Rotui hike, offering what are arguably the most beautiful views from the top, but be prepared to scramble through challenging terrain. A more moderate option is the Col Des Trois Pinus (Three Pines Pass) trail, which starts from the popular Belvedere Lookout.