Walking Vanuatu on Epi

Epi is a practically unknown destination for walking and trekking on Vanuatu. Most of the walks on Epi are dry (no river crossings) and over flat or gently sloping terrain with clean tracks. It's possible to walk completely around the island in four days. Along the way you can admire the scenery and access some of the best forests.

Round-island Walk
There have been no tourists walking around Epi in recent years but it's a good walk and guides can be found where needed. The sections are mostly long but not difficult and the east coast scenery is remarkable.

The west coast route from Valesdir to Lamen Bay and across to Nikaura follows the truck road. There are villages along the route where you can get drinking water and refreshments (no need to carry litres of water). There's not much to see so you may choose to save your energy and catch a passing truck or boat. At Lamen Bay you can stay at Epi Paradise Sunset Bungalows. Lamen Bay to Nikaura is a shorter walk. Nikaura Sunrise Bungalow is just past the village.

Walking south of Nikaura, the road soon ends and you follow the coast around to Mate village. This route is easy enough to follow or you can take a guide from Nikaura. At Mate you can find someone to guide you walking over Mount Yapeto to the village of Nul. There's a telephone at Mate and it's a good idea to let them know you're coming so someone can be ready to guide you. If you just turn up and the villagers are out in the gardens you'll waste precious time finding a guide. There are many garden tracks on the Mate side so you should use a guide. From Mate you climb up through forest to a mountain ridge. It's much cooler on top with excellent views. When there's rain this section is muddy and slippery and their are leeches about. On the Mate side there's one clean fresh water stream. You can also get drinking water at Mate and Nul villages.

From Nul one simply follows the truck road down to Lopalis where you can sleep at the Dorcas house (see Pastor Daniel). Dorcas is a charitable women's association of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Dorcas charges 500 Vatu per person, per night for accommodation and everyone in the village will offer you food. You should pay about 1000 Vatu per person, per day for the food (three meals). You might hear the name Port Quimie, the secondary school at Lopalis. Both Nul and Lopalis have telephones.

From Lopalis you follow the coast until you meet the truck road to Valesdir. This is a relatively uninteresting walk although there are some neat little bays and coves south of Valesdir. The track is straight-forward once you pass the rocky headlands near Lopalis. This walk bypasses most of the villages and there are no clean water sources so you should carry some drinking water.

Camping
A tent can be handy but it's an unnecessary weight on the route described above.

Guides
The walking tracks described above are well used but lightly trafficked. You may not find someone walking to where you're headed so plan on hiring a guide as required. About 1000 Vatu per day is reasonable payment for guiding (500 Vatu for half a day). You should pay more if you're guide helps carry your bag or if you are in any other way an extra burden.

Last updated: September 2004 by Stephen