The view from the summit of Mt. Alava is an absolute must see when traveling through American Samoa. The trail steadily climbs through lush tropical rainforest before finally following the ridgeline close to the summit. Once at the top, the views down into Pago Pago harbor are breathtaking. On a clear day not only is all of the island visible, but glimpses of the other islands in the Samoan Archipelago as well.
The Mount Alava Trail is part of the National Park of American Samoa, on Tutuila Island. Tutuila is the main and largest island of American Samoa, where you will find the capital Pago Pago and the International Airport (PPG).
Mount Alava Trail
- Round trip Distance: Approximately 7 miles (our GPS watches record it differently each trip)
- Approximate time (for a family of able bodied hikers): 3-3.5 hours
- Total Elevation Gain:
- Directions: From Pago Pago, turn towards the mountain and up Fagasa Pass (turn at the old Napa, with a NPS sign). Travel almost 1.5 miles to the top of the pass, and see a small parking area to the right of the road. While there is currently no sign, it is a clear trail just above the parking area.
A little preparation is best for safe, and full enjoyment of the Mt. Alava Trail. Be aware of weather conditions, as the trail footing will be slick if it has been raining. In periods of high rain, small landslides can even occur along the edges of the trail. The views from the summit are best on cloud free days, so plan in advance for safety and beauty.
For experienced hikers, the Mount Alava Trail’s 7 miles round trip may not sound like a lot, but the combination of high heat and humidity contributes to the difficulty. Keep in mind there are no sources of fresh water (or facilities!) along the trail, so pack in/pack out everything you need. Shade is abundant at the beginning of the trail, but transitions to a more exposed trail near the summit. Remember that you are in the tropics, and pack sun protection.
Packing List
- Water: Minimum 2 liters per person if you plan to hike the entire trail
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunblock, and sun shirt.
- Snacks: Summit views are best enjoyed while replenishing your fuel for the trip down!
- Bug Spray: Best for any day, but on low wind days be sure to spray before you hike as the mosquitoes will be abundant.
- Sturdy Shoes: The footing along the trail is generally loose and slick.
- Camera: those views from the summit make for gorgeous pictures!
Experiencing the Mt. Alava Trail
If the entire trail seems daunting for your abilities, try and hike the first mile and back. Just at the end of the first mile, hikers get their first glimpse at the views down to the ocean from the Mt. Alava Trail.
Overall, the trail to the summit of Mt. Alava is well maintained by the National Park. There are periods of time when the park is not able to clear the quick growing grasses, but generally the trail is still passable just slightly slower to hike.
Once you’ve sweated your way to the summit, the views will be worth it. At the top, you can see parts of the old Tramway that ran over Mt. Alava and down to Utulei.
Climb the stairs to the summit and find yourself panoramic views of Tutuila Island. On the clearest days, you can see Western Samoa off in the distance (there is even a sign at the summit telling you which direction to look!).
Other Trails in the National Park of American Samoa
There are four other trails maintained by the National Park of American Samoa on Tutuila Island, with the Mt. Alava Trail being the longest.
Take a look at our post outlining all the hikes of the National Park of American Samoa (on Tutuila), with trail maps and elevation gain maps.
American Samoa Vacation
Wanting to check the National Park of American Samoa off your NPS checklist? Despite being a US Territory, it is not an easy or inexpensive feat traveling to the island for an American Samoan vacation.
Without daily flights and multiple major airlines, itineraries are far from flexible. For an overview and how to help with your planning, we’ve outlined the different flight options and itineraries to American Samoa for your planning.
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