mount alava

Published by the NPS as "challenging" and 7mi roundtrip, we parked one truck at the trail head above Pago Pago and then drove to the end of the trail in Vatia in another truck. We would recommend you do the same, as that way you get the steep uphill climb out of the way first and have a more leisurely hike downhill from the summit on an old 4 wheel drive road. Nicely graded trail, lots of ladders with rope (secured with fairly new steel cables), saw many coconut crabs (up on the ridge line!) and an awesome view from the top. Took us nearly 4hrs to complete the trek. It was definitely challenging, but as it is the best hike on Tutuila, it is worth it!

I took my 15 year old son on this hike it's definitely worth the trip the greenery is beautiful and has amazing views. It totally looks like a scene outta Jurassic park! There wasn't a lot of wildlife and the hike was mild to moderate it took about an hour and half each way.

Its a fairly easy climb through rain forest along a 4 wheel drive track.The mountain is thick with lush rain forest all the way to the top with some great views along the way.When we got to the top we were surrounded by cloud and could not take advantage of ( what im told ) the magnificent view, however the atmosphere was fantastic.Just like Jurrasic Park.Well worth the climb if you dont mind a little mud and excercise.

We were in Samoa doing research and we had a free day. Deciding we were tiredof the water we decided to do the 6 mile hike from Vatia back to Pago Pago along the ridge of Mt. Alava.We started I'm Vatia. Be forewarned that if you start there and it's a Sunday you should probably all permission first since the villagers value their privacy on Sundays. I'd you come from the Pago side you'll reach a fork that'll tell you the old Vatia trail is closed on Sundays and to go a different route. Anyways, the hike itself was awesome. The views, the greenery, the "visitors' book" at the pavilion are all wonderful. The ladders and ropes make it even more interesting. I'd start by taking a cab over to Vatia and starting from there. I think that's easier than hiking up old logging roads. Happy hiking.

A beautiful hike along the ridge trail to the top of Mt. Alava. Lots of beautiful songbirds, wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and Pago Pago harbor on the other. Sweeping views from the top of the trail, and lots of tree cover and (welcome) shade on most of the hike. The trail is well-maintained, but be sure to take the longer hike that starts closer to town, rather than the steeper climb involving all the stairs.

Go on a fine day, probably not worth doing if there's rain. The walk isn't too hard but take plenty of water and the views are great from the top. Get a bus to the track start, it's a steep, hot walk up the road otherwise. The national park visitor centre in town was helpful too before the walk

The weather that whole week was not too great. But the view from the hotel was breathtaking.

the hike is about a good 2 hours up and two hours down. its very beautiful as long as you dont catched the smell from the cannery down below.

over here is too messy people been drinking and throwing trash all over the place.

It is a breath taking panoramic view of the villages down below. You can also continue your journey and take a hike into the National Park Mt. Alava Scenic View just adjacent to this point.

Leave early, if possible just as the sun is rising. I went with a group of Samoan and we went from Vatia to Pago Pago. This requires help from a shuttle which we had all pre arranged. This may be arranged through the NPS. Or you can just drive up and walk to the tower and back on your own. The views are tremendous. Take lots of water.

There are a lot of trails on Tutuila that you can hike and all of them are amazing, however not all of them are easy to find or well marked. The Mount Alava hike however is probably the most well marked hike on the island and is therefore the best hike for those travelers who do not have a local guide. There are 2 ways to do the trail: you can start at the service road and hike up turn around and come back down the same way. Or you if you're feeling adventurous and fit, you can keep going and come down the backside into Vatia. The first half (service road to the top) is fairly steep and about 2hrs up walking at a brisk pace. There is a small parking lot at the entrance to the service road. The second half down to Vatia is very steep, about 3 hrs (or more) down, and half of it is made up of steps that require the use of a rope hand hold to climb down. It is a lot of fun but definitely requires some physical fitness. Vatia is a far distance from the service road entrance so you will have to arrange a car to pick you up, catch a bus back, or hitch a ride. The view at the top of Mt Alava is breathtaking. You get a clear panoramic shot of Pago Pago Harbor and the surrounding villages. And the water is clear enough for you to see the coral all the way from up there.Mt Alava is a great way to get out of the city and see the natural beauty of American Samoa

Hiked the Mount Alava trail for some majestic views of Pago Pago Harbor!!! Was a heck of a hike, but it was well worth the effort!

Hiked the Mt. Alava trail in the National Park on Thursday, 3/17/2012, after a Friday of constant rain, so the trail was quite wet and slippery. Even with hiking boots the rocks were very slippery unless the soles gripped really well (mine did, my wife's did not). Views are impressive from the several clearings along the way but amazing from the top. At the top there is a metal stairway that leads to the site of several antennae and the remains of a tramway, however the trail continues for about 1/4 mile to a covered shelter or Samoan Fale at the actual summit. Views from both places are breath taking, from the area around the antennae of the Pago Pago bay and harbour and of the coastal areas from the Fale. There is a hiker's log at the Fale, so be sure to sign it. There are signs of the park service's efforts to remove invasive plant species and re-plant native flora along the trail. Trail goes through what used to be a banana and coconut plantation or farm. Also expect to see lots of beautiful Tropic Birds as well as Fruit Bats (flying foxes). Though we did not see any close up there were a good many flying about. The most bird activity was from the White Rumped Swift, birds that resemble bats zooming around and over the trail eating insects. We were not bothered too much by mosquitoes (we had applied insect repellant, but it soon was washed away by our perspiration) so the birds were doing a good job of controlling the flying insect population. All in all it was a very rewarding 7 mile round trip hike, highly recommended if you are in reasonably good shape.

We hiked the Mount Alava trail that begins at Fagasa Pass. This is a wide, easy to follow trail with peek-a-boo views of the water and a huge variety of flora and fauna. It is quite steep in places but well maintained. We even met NPS staff coming to do trail work as we were leaving. When wet be careful of your footing!Two days later we tried the Mount Alava Adventure trail beginning at the road TH. It is considerably harder to follow and in much need of maintenance. Due to our late start, we turned around about a mile in. Be sure to also hike the short but beautiful Lower Sauma Ridge Trail which begins nearby.