Mount Tohivea


Mount Tohivea is a volcanic peak and the highest point on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia at. On its slopes are many streams and fertile soils. There are hiking trails along the summit close to Belvedere Point where people can view Mont Routui and the two bays and three peninsulas of Moorea. Mount Tohivea is a dormant volcano that is easily visible from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. The surrounding peaks are almost as tall as Mount Tohivea.

Hiking trails

There about of dirt hiking trails along the Mount Tohivea's slopes. The trails are about wide. There are some points with views of Cook's Bay, Opunohu Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Pao Pao, the largest commune of Moorea. The animals that people can see are mainly geckos. The hiking trails end close to Mont Mouaroa which is only a couple of miles west of Mont Tohivea. People can also see Mont Mouaroa from both the main road and the two bays. People can mainly see Mont Mouaroa from Opuhunu bay. Some of the hiking trails go to the bottom of Moorea from the south point. People can also see Mont Tohivea from the south point and get on the trails from there.

Location

Mount Tohivea is located at the center of Moorea. As seen from Tahiti, Mount Tohivea appears to be in the southern part of Moorea. The mountain is about from Pao Pao, from the town center of Papeete, south of Honolulu, Hawaii, east of Sydney, Australia, and southwest of Los Angeles, California. It is at about 20 degrees south of the equator and at the same longitude as Anchorage, Alaska.

Belvedere Point

Belvedere Point is on the northern slope of Mount Tohivea at an elevation of 240 m. It starts the hiking trails that go around the slopes. Roosters and Chickens walk around the Belvedere Point parking lot. The parking lot also ends the small two-lane road that goes from the bottom of the Opunohu Bay to Belvedere Point. There is an agriculture high school just north of, and below, the point. There are many visitors to the point each year, as it is easily accessible from Pao Pao.

Farms

There are farms at the bottom of Mount Tohivea. The farmers mainly farm pineapples and potatoes. The farmers give the pineapples to the Moorea Juice Factory. People can see the farms as they drive the small road up the valley. The farms are mainly located at where the small road starts at the bottom of Opuhunu Bay. There is also a shrimp farm.

History

consists of at least 16 flows of shield-stage basalt and post-shield lavas from 2.15 to 1.36 Ma.
The area was first settled by early Polynesians during the early 4th century. Then Charles Darwin explored the area. After many years the area became very populated. Then people made trails and then it became a park. Today, the park is a tourist attraction.

Tourism

Mount Tohivea is visited a lot since it has easy access from Papeete, and has scenic walking trails. People from Tahiti use the Moorea Temae Airport or the Aremeti Ferry to get to Moorea. Mount Tohivea is visible behind Mount Rotui from the two bays.

Surrounding peaks

Mt. Tohivea has many peaks surrounding it. These include Mount Rotui, and Mou'a Roa, both of which can be seen from Belvedere Point. Other peaks include Mou'a Puta and Mou'a Tamaru To'ofa.