Magic Mountain Moorea: The Easy and The Hard Way
From our two-week adventure in French Polynesia, one thing is certain—Magic Mountain Moorea offers the best views on the island. Hiking to the summit became one of our favorite experiences in Moorea, and while there are two ways up (an easy route and a more challenging one), my husband and I couldn’t resist taking on the harder path. Sure, it was more effort, but the feeling of accomplishment at the top made it so worth it. Here’s what we learned from our hike and what you need to know before you go.
* Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are from first-hand experience that I feel will deliver value to you! Thank you for your continued support.
FOLLOW & SHARE WITH A FRIEND!
Magic Mountain Moorea Map
Map of Magic Mountain in Moorea
The shape of Moorea looks like an octopus.
The head is in the middle with two long arms stretching out on either side.
Magic Mountain is located on the left arm, which is the western side of the island.
Easy: Magic Mountain Tour
Magic Mountain summit in Moorea
There are two ways to access Magic Mountain: easy and hard.
The easy option is to join a highly-rated tour that takes you straight up the windy mountain. You cannot drive your rental car up the mountain.
If you do not have a car or are short on time and want to hit the highlights, these two Magic Mountain tours are a great option:
This company is highly rated (5.0 on Google reviews and 5.0 on Tripadvisor)! These kind of ratings are almost unheard of.
In addition to Magic Mountain, they also take you to another viewpoint called Belvedere Lookout, a vanilla plantation, and a liquor and juice tasting.
All your sightseeing is conducted in an open-air 4WD truck.
Another unique tour is run by Moorea Activities Center. They are also super highly rated! 5.0 on Tripadvisor and 4.9 on Google reviews.
You can ride up Magic Mountain in an ATV to soak in those views. You also get to drive by scenic pineapple fields, taste tropical juices, and check out Belvedere Lookout. A lot of bang for your buck.
Hi, I’m Nichole—the discerning traveler, wine lover, and adventure seeker behind Enriching Pursuits.
On this website, you'll find expert insights, honest reviews, and carefully curated experiences worth your time.
I specialize in uncovering the best outdoor adventures (especially snorkeling!), incredible foodie experiences, and boutique stays for travelers who appreciate the details as much as I do.
Want more?
Stick around, explore more, and the next time you plan a trip, just Google Enriching Pursuits!
Is this your travel style?
Then subscribe below to receive my latest updates on:
→ Boutique Stays — Hotels loaded with charm & warm service
→ Sip & Savor — Wine getaways with must-visit wineries and eats
→ Outdoor Adventures — Epic snorkeling, hikes, and bike trails
→ Foodie Finds — From hidden gems to Michelin-star dining
→ Smart Travel Gear — Product reviews that make travel better
→ Nichole Pro Tips — Save smart, splurge wisely!
Hard: Magic Mountain Hike
Hiking the trail to Magic Mountain
We could have done it the easy way, but we had our own car and we love hiking.
So we chose the hard way and hiked up Magic Mountain! Much more rewarding!
Here are the things you need to know about the hike:
Parking & Trailhead
Map of Magic Mountain parking in Moorea
Put in “Fare Tutava” in GoogleMaps. Fare Tutava is a casual restaurant known for its delicious smoothies and juices.
Park in their parking lot and pay 200 xpf cash per person (~$1.80 USD).
I inadvertently parked in the parking lot across the street from Fare Tutava because I saw a big Magic Mountain Parking Sign. I’m not sure if that lot is owned by the same people, but we still paid the same 200 xpf.
After parking, walk straight down the road until the next right turn. See the photo below.
Start of the Magic Mountain hike
You can’t miss it. There’s an orange sign labeled “Montagne” meaning mountain.
Orange “Montagne” sign
Hiking Experience
Well paved Magic Mountain hike
The trail is paved but it’s all uphill with short flat sections on the switchbacks. You will come across a split about 5 minutes into the hike.
Magic Mountain hiking path options
According to my research, the right path is steep and short.
The left path is less steep and longer.
Some travelers advise hiking the right (steeper) section going up and the less steep/longer path going down to make it easier on the knees. Another hiker stated they felt the longer path was more beautiful.
We didn’t have an option. The steeper/shorter path was blocked off with a rope. The left path it is!
Along the way, you’ll see little peaks of Opunohu Bay with the Hilton overwater bungalows dotted in the background.
Views of Opunohu Bay and the Hilton overwater bungalows
One of my favorite parts of the hike (besides the summit) was the shaded section padded with pine needles about 20 minutes into the hike.
Shaded section with a bench on the Magic Mountain Moorea hike
There are three benches to sit on and enjoy unobstructed views of Opunohu Bay and the valley below.
Alright, almost there!! You will pass by some beautiful foliage until you reach a “Welcome to Moorea” greeting etched into the pavement right before the summit.
Walking past beautiful foliage on the Magic Mountain hike
Walk a short one-lane paved path, and you’ve arrived at the summit!
Almost to the viewpoint on Magic Mountain
The wide viewing deck beckons you to soak in those panoramic island views. Love feeling those mountain breezes at the top!
Viewing platform of Magic Mountain
The reward at the top was definitely worth the sweaty effort!
Gorgeous views from Magic Mountain
Panoramic views from Magic Mountain
Hiking Difficulty
If you are moderately fit, you will have no problem with this hike.
On a difficulty scale labeled easy, moderate, or hard, I would rate the difficulty of this hike on the low end of moderate.
To put this in perspective, we snorkeled with sharks and rays all morning with Alex Lagoon Tours and then still hiked Magic Mountain in the afternoon without any problem.
My husband was a little grouchy at first because I packed a lot in during this one day. After we completed the hike though, he admitted he was happy we did it.
Hiking Time
According to my iPhone time stamps, it took us 75 minutes roundtrip to complete the hike. That time included a few breaks and lots of photo time at the top.
What Time to Hike
I was advised to do the hike early in the morning to avoid the strong sun.
However, the best snorkeling is typically in the morning, and we planned to snorkel every morning. Instead, we decided to hike in the late afternoon, which worked out well.
We started the hike at 4:15 pm and were back down the mountain by 5:30 pm.
It was slightly overcast and surprisingly the bugs were almost nonexistent, which is shocking. We did this hike at the end of May, so maybe there’s a “less buggy” season.
Final Thoughts
Please do not miss Magic Mountain. It bears that name for a reason. Take a tour or hike depending on your preference, but the hike is extremely rewarding. Treat yourself to a delicious smoothie at the end!
If you’re looking for more inspiration on what to do in Moorea or the surrounding islands, be sure to check out my ultimate 2-week French Polynesia island-hopping itinerary. It’s packed with my favorite experiences and tips!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Related Content
2 Week French Polynesia Itinerary: Moorea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Rangiroa
My husband and I love French Polynesia! We rarely visit a...
REACH OUT, FOLLOW, OR SHARE THIS POST WITH A FRIEND!
Questions about Magic Mountain hike?
Let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for your post! With your help, my family and I found the hike and knew what to expect. It was great!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m so glad to hear that my hiking guide helped you and your family find the hike and feel prepared. That truly means a lot. It’s always wonderful to hear when others have a great experience. Hope you had an amazing time in Moorea 😊
Planning to do this hike when I’m in Moorea in Feb (crossing my fingers for good weather). Appreciate the detailed info! Thank you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Magic Mountain is such a fun hike! Consider an early start for cooler temps especially on a really sunny day. Enjoy! We LOVE Moorea.