Mt. Alava Trail – Aualasopo i Alava

A yellow line tracing the mountain ridge marks the Mt. Alava Trail on the map, showcasing its winding route through the verdant rainforest and promising hikers an adventurous trek with breathtaking views of Pago Pago Harbor and the surrounding scenery.

NPS photo.

Journey Through the Rainforest

This trail takes you through a tropical Samoan rainforest teeming with fruit bats and various bird species. Along the way, you’ll witness the park’s conservation efforts, including the removal of invasive plants and the cultivation of native plants in nurseries. At the trail’s end, you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of Pago Pago Harbor.

O le Aualasopo i le Vaomatua

O lenei aualasopo e te malaga i totonu o le vaomatua o Samoa, ma le tele o ituaiga o manulele ma tafa‘ala. E mafai ona e va‘aia taumafaiga a le paka fa‘asao e ave‘ese ai la‘au fa‘afefe ma fa‘atupula‘ia la‘au fa‘aleaganu‘u i le nofoaga o toto‘aga. I le i‘uga o le ala, o le a fa‘afeiloa‘i oe i se va‘aiga matagofie o le ava i Pago Pago.

Trail Classifications

• Cross Slope: Typical 15%, Max 25%
• Trail Width: Typical 4.5 ft, Min 4 ft
• Trail Surface: Dirt, rock, and mud
• Trail Grade: Typical 5°, Max 45°
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Distance: 7 miles / 11.3 km round trip

Fa‘avasegaga o le Auala

• Fa‘ase‘e o le Slope: Masani 15%, Aupito maualuga 25%
• Lautele o le Auala: Masani 4.5 ft, Aupito la‘iti 4 ft
• Papa o le Auala: Ele‘ele, ma‘a, ma palapala
• Tulimanu o le Auala: Masani 5°, Aupito maualuga 45°
• Taugata: Fa‘amalosi
• Umi o le Auala: 7 maila / 11.3 km fa‘ata‘amilo

Getting Started

The trail begins at the summit of Mount Fatifati Ridge. Originally constructed by villagers from Fagasa and Vatia, it was an essential route to access the market and harbor in Pago Pago before government roads were built. Later, the government renovated the trail for vehicle use and added a tramway at the summit, allowing Vatia villagers to easily transport their crops to the market.

Amata le Malaga

E amata le auala i le tumutumu o le Mauga o Fatifati. Na muamua fausia e tagatanu‘u mai Fagasa ma Vatia, ma sa avea o se auala taua i le maketi ma le ava i Pago Pago a‘o le‘i fausia auala a le malo. Mulimuli ane, na fa‘afou e le malo le auala mo ta‘avale ma fausia ai fo‘i se ato e fesoasoani i le la‘uina o oloa i le maketi.

 

From the summit of Mt. Alava, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Pago Pago Harbor and the verdant landscape of American Samoa—a reward for your rainforest trek.

NPS photo.

Practical Information

• Trail Length: 7 miles / 11.3 km round trip
• Trail Width: Typical 4.5 ft, Min 4 ft
• Trail Surface: Dirt, rock, and mud
• Trail Grade: Typical 5°, Max 45°
• Difficulty: Challenging, with steep and slippery sections

Fa‘amatalaga Aoga

• Umi o le Auala: 7 maila / 11.3 km fa‘ata‘amilo
• Lautele o le Auala: Masani 4.5 ft, Aupito la‘iti 4 ft
• Papa o le Auala: Ele‘ele, ma‘a, ma palapala
• Tulimanu o le Auala: Masani 5°, Aupito maualuga 45°
• Taugata: Fa‘amalosi, ma vaega tetele ma se‘e‘e

Tips for Hikers

• Wear sturdy footwear to handle the rocky and muddy terrain.
• Bring enough water and snacks for the journey.
• Be prepared for sudden weather changes, including rain showers.
• Stay on marked trails and follow all posted signs.
• Respect the environment by avoiding littering.

Fautuaga mo Tagata Savavali

• Fa‘aaoga seevae lelei mo nofoaga ma‘a‘a ma palapala.
• Ave‘ese vai ma mea‘ai mo le malaga.
• Sauni mo suiga fa‘afuase‘i o le tau, e aofia ai timuga.
• Tumau i ala fa‘ailoga ma mulimuli i fa‘atonuga uma.
• Fa‘aaloalo i le si‘osi‘omaga e ala i le lē lafoa‘i o lapisi.

Scenic Views and Cultural Highlights

The trail offers a unique combination of stunning views and cultural history:

• Panoramic Views: On clear days, you can see the Manu‘a Islands to the east, the village of Aoloau to the west, and Pago Pago Harbor from the summit.
• Cultural Significance: This historic route once served as a critical connection for local communities.
• Conservation Efforts: In 1988, the National Park of American Samoa leased the land to protect its ecological and cultural importance.

Va‘aiga Matagofie ma Taula‘iga Aganu‘u

O le ala e ofoina mai se tu‘ufa‘atasiga tulaga ese o va‘aiga matagofie ma tala‘aga aganu‘u:

• Va‘aiga Mamao: I aso lelei, e mafai ona e va‘aia Manu‘a i sasa‘e, Aoloau i sisifo, ma Pago Pago mai le tumutumu.
• Taua Aganu‘u: O lenei ala tala‘aga sa avea ma feso‘ota‘iga taua mo nu‘u ma afio‘aga.
• Taumafaiga Fa‘asao: I le 1988, na lisiina ai e le Paka Fa‘asao o Amerika Samoa le laueleele e puipuia ai lona taua fa‘anatura ma aganu‘u.

 

The entrance to the Mt. Alava Trail offers a serene start to an unforgettable journey through the tropical rainforest of American Samoa.

NPS photo.

Flora and Fauna

The trail is a haven for native plant and animal species:

• Flora: Tropical ferns, breadfruit trees, pandanus trees with aerial roots, and colorful wild orchids.
• Fauna: Fruit bats soaring overhead, Samoan starlings, Pacific pigeons, and the rare White-rumped Swiftlet.

La‘au ma Manu Fe‘e
O le ala o se nofoaga e puipuia ai le tele o ituaiga la‘au ma manu fa‘aleaganu‘u:

• La‘au: Fetu‘una‘iga o vao tropika, la‘au ‘ulu, pandanus ma a‘a‘a ea, ma orikiti felanulanua‘i.
• Manu Fe‘e: Tafa‘ala, lupe, ma manulele fa‘aleaganu‘u e aofia ai le White-rumped Swiftlet.

Environmental Conditions

The weather in American Samoa can change quickly. Hikers should prepare for:

• Rainfall: Sudden showers that make the trail muddy and slippery.
• Heat: Bring sun protection and stay hydrated.
• Trail Conditions: Steep, rocky, and slippery sections require caution.

Tulaga Fa‘anatura
E mafai ona suia fa‘afuase‘i le tau i Amerika Samoa. O le au malaga e tatau ona sauni mo:

• Timuga: Timuga fa‘afuase‘i e mafua ai le palapala ma se‘e‘e.
• Vevela: Ave‘ese le puipuiga o le la ma ia fa‘atumau pea le sua.
• Tulaga o le Auala: Vaega ma‘a‘a, ma‘a, ma se‘e‘e e mana‘omia le faʻaeteete.

O lenei aualasopo e ofoina mai se aafiaga matagofie mo i latou e sailia le malaga, malamalama i aganu‘u, ma le matagofie fa‘anatura o Amerika Samoa.