Louran

Location: Nett

Difficulty: Difficult

Length: 3 hours

Cost: $3/person for the guide

Watch out for: Lots of loose rocks at the top, lots of sakau along the trail

Description: This is an uncommon hike up to some stunning rocks in Nett. The area features small waterfalls and WWII guns, as well as the rock face and cave outlook pictured. The path scrambles up through overgrown jungle before reaching an open rocky base of a tall but thin waterfall.

If desired, you can continue a small portion longer (through the waterfall and over treacherous footing - be careful) to find a bat cave. If you pass through the bat cave you'll find an amazing view of Kolonia and Sokeh's Rock.

Directions: Arrange for a guide with Rico Rico (922-1596), and meet up with him somewhere in Nett. Take the road out of Kolonia towards Awak, but turn right at the Nett government building - the road just before the bridge.

Pahn Sile

Location: Madolenihmw

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Length: 1 hour round trip, not including swimming

Cost: $50 total (1-11 people), $75 total (12-20 people)

Watch out for: Slick footing during and next to river crossings, rocks under the waterfall

Description: This is a nice, short hike to a beautiful waterfall. The trail is relatively simple, and only earns the moderate addition for one small stream crossing over a log, and a couple river crossings. Your feet will get wet, so choose shoes accordingly.

There is a large pool for swimming, and the chance to scramble a bit on the rocks to the right. There are sizable rocks under the fall, though, so use caution if jumping in.

Directions: You can arrange for a guide by calling Joseph Rosario (work: Parks and Tourism Office, home 320-6434). He will meet you across from the new Mormon church in Madolenihmw and drive the rest with you. You will turn to the right and follow a dirt road until the end before starting the hike. If possible, I suggest parking earlier on the road and walking a bit - the road can be very rough in patches, and a longer hike may be desirable.

Six Waterfalls

Location: Kitti

Difficulty: Strenuous

Length: 5-7 hours

Cost: $20/person if five or more, more for smaller groups

Watch out for: Too much rain can make parts of hike impossible. Be careful of flash floods.

Description: This is a long, beautiful hike through the waterfalls of Salapwuk, Kitti. The trail is like a teardrop in shape, so you'll start and end on the same path, but have a circular route in the middle. The path is often very muddy and rocky, and involves wading through rivers. You will get very wet, so choose shoes carefully and protect valuables in waterproof bags.

There are six waterfalls to see, each spectacular. You can swim and dive in most of them, and your guides will give you plenty of time to enjoy each. After reaching the first fall, you'll find that two and three are close by. A short hike will eventually bring you to four and five. Getting to the last waterfall requires a swim upstream. If you want your bag with you, your obliging guide will bring it for you along a more difficult, but dry route.

Heading back, you will likely climb up, up up, until returning to the path where you started.

Directions: You'll need to arrange for a guide. You can contact the Peace Corps volunteer in Salapwuk, or call the Peace Corps office at 320-2531 and speak to Kikulynn Hebel. To get to the start of the hike, take the Island Circle road towards Kitti. Just after the very terraced house and before you get to the turn for the Nahlap dock, turn left at the street pictured below. Follow this road until it turns to dirt, and park on the right side of the road. Continue along the dirt road until you reach the elementary school, and you will meet your guides there.