A List of Long Walks in Niue
Niue is famous for its sea tracks but the two to five-minute walks, that most sea tracks are, might not satisfy your inner hiker. Because, yes, as much as people like to think Niue is a part of New Zealand, the tropical island is certainly not like New Zealand when it comes to hiking (and many other things)! Nevertheless, you can still find a few sea tracks that are longer than the average, as well as bike trails that you can use for hiking for a more complete outdoor experience. We go through some of our favourite hikes in Niue in the list below!
And don’t miss our complete guide to hiking in Niue, The Guide to Walks in Niue + 35 Walks to Try!
1. Togo Chasm Sea Track
One of the longest sea tracks in Niue, it can almost be considered a hike taking about 20-45 minutes to walk one way depending on how keen you are. The Togo Chasm Sea Track starts in the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area, taking you through a stunning example of the Niue rainforest as you head toward the coast. You’ll emerge at exposed clifftops with a formed trail taking you between weathered pinnacles. The Togo Chasm itself is reached via a long rung ladder. You can go as far as climbing on top of the boulders at the back of the chasm where the waves on the other side block your path. Return the same way. See more sea tracks on the same side of the island in the 8 Best Sea Tracks on the East Coast of Niue.
Location: Signposted along the main road in the Huvalu Forest, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Hakupu, east coast of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com2. Talava Arches Sea Track
Another track that involves a fair bit of hiking is the Talava Arches Sea Track. Starting in Hikutavake village, the track winds over rocky terrain and through the forest, eventually reaching some limestone caves to scramble through with ropes to guide you. After a 30-minute one-way walk, you’ll reach an opening in a cave overlooking a reef and a huge coastal arch. It’s possible to walk across the reef to the arch at low tide, as well as snorkel in the channel through the reef. For more tracks on this side of the coast, see the 10 Best Sea Tracks on the West Coast of Niue.
Location: Signposted at the back of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake village, northwest coast of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com3. Motu Access Road and Sea Track
Although not exactly a famous sea track in Niue, the Motu Sea Track is perfect for those wanting more of a journey to get to their destination. We recommend parking up at the beginning of the access road to the Motu Sea Track, which is 1.4 km (0.9 mi) taking about 20 minutes one way to walk along the pleasant bush road. You’ll reach the start of the Motu Sea Track where it takes a further 15 minutes to hike over rocky limestone terrain through the forest and onto the clifftops. The track ends overlooking a sweeping reef seen through a hole in the cliff face. You can climb down a ladder to the reef below, best explored at low tide. Check out more reef walks in the 10 Best Reef Walks in Niue.
Location: Signposted between Liku and Lakepa on the coastal side of the road, east coast of Niue. The Motu Sea Track is a little closer to Lakepa than to Liku.
(c) niuepocketguide.com4. Alofi Bike Trail (Bike Trails 2 and 3)
For those seeking longer hikes on the island, it’s best to use the bike trails, which consist of a mix of coastal roads and bush roads, the latter of which is only suitable for walkers, bikers and the rare four-wheel driver, providing a peaceful ramble.
One route we recommend is from Alofi starting from the Alofi-Liku Road (opposite Crazy Uga Cafe). Walk east past the high school and onward to Keleola Bush Road. Here, you’ll get to experience one of Niue’s bush roads for a truly tropical experience. The road leads onto the Makefu Bush Road, eventually taking you to Makefu where you’ll be able to check out coastal attractions like the Avaiki Cave. You’ll be on the main coastal road of Niue now, where you just need to walk south to get back to where you started in Alofi. Attractions like Peniamina’s Grave, the Vaila Cave and Togalupo Sea Track provide ultra-short detours along the way. This entire loop takes three to four hours to complete.
You can reduce the walk by 30 minutes by taking Namoui Bush Road instead of continuing on Makefu Bush Road to connect to the main coastal road back to Alofi. See more walks from town in the 10 Best Walks in Alofi.
Location: Start on Alofi-Liku Road (opposite the Crazy Uga Cafe), Alofi town centre, central west coast of Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com5. Falepipi Bike Trail (Bike Trail 4)
Another bike trail you could hike instead of cycling is the bike trail north of the island along the Falepipi Bush Road.
Starting from Tuapa, take the Falepipi Bush Road through Niue’s inland forest and plantations for about 10.5 km (6.5 mil). You’ll come out on the main ring road of Niue, which you can use to loop back to where you started. This walk is approximately 20 km (12.4 mi) in total taking about four hours to hike.
Highlights on the coastal road on the way back to Tuapa include the Matapa Chasm, Limu Pools and Hio Beach where you can stop for a congratulatory beer at the Hio Cafe & Bar. Find out more about the latter in the 20 Best Restaurants in Niue.
Location: Start from Falepipi Bush Road in Tuapa, northwest coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com6. Vinivini Bike Trail (Bike Trail 5)
A bush trail taking you through the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area, the Vinivini Bike Trail is one of the best trails also for hikers.
Starting from Liku, take the Alofi-Liku Road for approximately 3.6 km (2.2 mi) and turn left onto the Vinivini Bush Road. The Vinivini Bush Road is about 7.8 km (4.8 mi) through the forest on an old 4WD trail. You’ll come out on the main ring road of Niue where you’ll need to walk north for about 2 km (1.2 mi) to get back to Liku where you started. The total walk is approximately 13.5 km (8.4 mi) taking around two to three hours to complete the loop.
A quick detour worth taking is from where Vinivini Bush Road meets the main ring road. Instead of heading north straight away, walk 250 m (273 yards) south to the Hikulagi Sculpture Park, then continue north after you have checked out the park.
Location: Start from the Alofi-Liku Road in Liku, east coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com7. Fuata Bike Trail (Bike Trail 1)
The final bike trail that you can turn into your very own hiking trail is on the Fuata Road near Tamakautoga and Avatele.
Starting in Tamakautoga, take Tapeu-Porritt Road north for about 2.3 km (1.4 mi). Turn right onto Fuata Road where you’ll hike down the bike trail road for about 6 km (3.7 mi). Keep on Fuata Road all the way until you reach the main ring road, which you will follow through Avatele, past the Scenic Matavai Resort and back to Tamakautoga.
The whole loop is about 11.5 km (7.1 mi) taking about two hours to 2 hrs 30 mins to complete. If you want to know more about cycling the trail instead, check out the 5 Best Bike Trails in Niue.
Location: Start from Tapeu-Porritt Road in Tamakautoga, southwest coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com8. Anapala Chasm Sea Track
Moving back to some shorter walks, one that will still get the blood pumping is the Anapala Chasm Sea Track – a 15-minute walk one way including 146 steps. The well-maintained track accessed from Hakupu goes through coastal forest and down some steep steps to the depths of the narrow Anapala Chasm. It is possible to swim in the freshwater pool at the bottom. Return the same way.
Location: Signposted toward the coast from Hakupu village. Cross the dirt road on the green to a narrow access road which continues to the coast for about 1 km (0.6 mi). Anapala Chasm is on the right-hand side with a small parking area. If you reach the coast, you’ve gone a tad too far.
(c) niuepocketguide.com9. Tautu Reef Access Road and Sea Track
Due to the steep unsealed road leading to the Tautu Reef in Liku, it tends to be more pleasant to hike to this attraction rather than drive. Find the access road at the northeast corner on the village green where a steep unsealed road takes you approximately 500 m (500 yards) down to a grassy clearing then the coast. The final section of this walk is through a large arch onto the reef below, best explored at low tide. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes one way. Tautu Reef is also considered one of the best places on the island to watch the sunrise, along with the 10 Most Beautiful Sunrise & Sunset Spots in Niue.
Location: Signposted along the main road and across Liku village green, Liku, central east coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com10. Puluhiki Access Road and Sea Track
Instead of driving down the relatively steep and narrow unsealed road to the Puluhiki Sea Track, enjoy a pleasant bush walk along it, taking approximately 10-15 minutes. The sea track officially starts past a small car park and heads down a set of concrete steps through low coastal foliage to a concrete platform to access a reef. The reef is fun to explore at low tide and provides stunning vistas of the coast. This is another amazing spot to catch the sunrise. Allow 20 minutes one-way to walk to the end of the Puluhiki Sea Track from Lakepa village green.
Location: Signposted from the left (northern) side of Lakepa village green, Lakepa, east coast of Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.comMore Hikes in Niue
That’s it for the best hikes in Niue. For more walk talk, check out the following guides:
Finally, remember to bookmark the 101 Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List for more amazing experiences.
