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.
| Epi
Walks |
Distance
(km) |
Time
(hours) |
Valesdir
to Lamen Bay |
25+ |
6+ |
Lamen
Bay to Nikaura |
10+ |
2.5 |
Nikaura
to Lopalis |
25+ |
7+ |
Lopalis
to Valesdir |
25+ |
6+ |
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
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