Fatifati Auala Trail

Embark on the Journey

The Fatifati Auala Trail offers hikers a journey along an ancient Samoan path. With rope-assisted sections, the trail leads to a historic village site and a sacred star mound. Hikers can enjoy views at the Fagaloa Viewpoint or continue two more miles to reach the summit area of Mt. Alava. This loop hike offers stunning views, cultural sites, and a challenging rainforest trek.

Trail Classification

Western Section: Class 4
Eastern Section: Class 3

Getting Started

The trail begins near the Mt. Alava area on Tutuila Island. Hikers can access the historic village site and star mound by following this path or by taking the Mt. Alava Trail to connect at the Fati/Alava Junction for an alternative route that avoids the rope section.

Directions and Access
Location: Mt. Alava area, Tutuila Island, American Samoa

Practical Information

• Trail Length: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) round-trip to Fagaloa Viewpoint, 5.8 miles (9.3 km) to Mt. Alava summit
• Trail Surface: Dirt and rock, with a typical cross slope of 15% and maximum slope of 20%
• Trail Grade: 5° on average, reaching up to 45° in steeper sections
• Trail Width: Typically 2.5 ft., with a minimum width of 1.5 ft.
• Rope Sections: Rope-assisted areas on steeper, slippery parts
• Difficulty: Challenging, with steep, narrow, and potentially slippery areas

Tips for Hikers

• Watch for trail markers: Green indicates safe footing, while black marks slippery areas.
• Bring food and water, and plan for sudden weather changes.
• Wear proper footwear, especially after rain.
• Hike responsibly and avoid littering.

Scenic Views and Cultural Highlights

Highlights include the Fagaloa Viewpoint, star mound, and remnants of an ancient Samoan village. The route offers panoramic views of the rainforest and ocean, blending natural beauty with significant cultural heritage.

Flora and Fauna

As you traverse the Fatifati Auala Trail, you’ll encounter diverse plant and animal life, reflective of American Samoa’s unique ecosystem.

• Plants: The trail is rich with tropical ferns, pandanus trees with their distinctive aerial roots, and breadfruit trees. Wild orchids may be spotted along the trail, adding bright splashes of color to the rainforest.
• Wildlife: Look for fruit bats gliding through the treetops, Samoan starlings, and Pacific pigeons. This trail is also popular for birdwatchers, with sightings of rare and native species such as the White-rumped Swiftlet.

Environmental Conditions

Tropical weather in American Samoa is unpredictable, with sudden rain showers and intense sun. Conditions can be slippery after rainfall, particularly on the rocky and steep sections, making hiking poles and sturdy shoes essential.

The Fatifati Auala Trail is a rewarding journey for those seeking nature, culture, and adventure in American Samoa’s lush rainforest. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply curious, this trail offers an intimate experience with the island’s rich ecological and cultural landscapes.

Ta’iala Mo Oe i le Malaga i le Auala

Vaaiga Aoao o le Auala

O le Fatifati Auala Trail e ofoina atu i tagata savalivali se malaga i se auala tuai a Samoa. E iai vaega e fesoasoani ai nai maea, ma e tau atu le auala i se nofoaga o se nu’u mai anamua ma se tia seu lupe pa’ia. E mafai ona fiafia le tagata savalivali i le maimoaga i le Fagaloa Viewpoint, pe fa’aauau le savaliga i maila e lua e o’o atu i le tumutumu o le mauga o Alava. O lenei savaliga o se taamilosaga fa’alevaiaso e fa’aalia ai vaaiga matagofie, nofoaga tau aganu’u, ma se savaliga fa’afiafiaga i le togavao.

Faavasegaga o le Auala

• Itu i Sisifo: Vasega 4
• Itu i Sasa’e: Vasega 3

Amataga o le Savali

O le amataga o le auala e lata ane i le eria o le Mt. Alava i le motu o Tutuila. E mafai e tagata savalivali ona o’o atu i le nofoaga o le nu’u ma le tia seu lupe pa’ia e ala i le mulimuli i lenei ala, pe ave le Mt. Alava Trail e alu atu i le Fati/Alava Junction o se isi auala e aloese ai mai vaega e iai maea.

Fa'atonuga ma le Ulufale

• Nofoaga: Eria o le Mt. Alava, Motu o Tutuila, Amerika Samoa

Fa’amatalaga Aoga

• Umi o le Auala: 2.8 maila (4.5 km) i le Fagaloa Viewpoint ma toe fo’i, 5.8 maila (9.3 km) i le tumutumu o le Mt. Alava
• Mata o le Auala: ‘Ele‘ele ma maa, fa’atasi ai ma se ta’amilosaga masani o le 15% ma maualuga aupito i luga o le 20%
• Pa‘u o le Auala: 5° masani, o’o atu i le 45° i vaega sili ona tifa
• Lautele o le Auala: E masani lava o le 2.5 futu, ma le lautele maualalo o le 1.5 futu
• Vaega o le Maea: Vaega e fesoasoani ai maea i vaega tifa, mase’ese’e
• Faigata: Luitau, fa’atasi ai ma vaega tifa, lauiti, ma e mafai ona mase’ese’e

Fautuaga mo Tagata Savalivali

• Silasila i fa’ailoga o le ala: O le lanu lanumeamata e lelei e la’a ai, ae o le lanu uliuli e fa’ailoa ai le mase’ese’e.
• Ave ni mea’ai ma vai, ma fuafua mo suiga fa’afuase’i o le tau.
• Fa’aaoga seevae sa’o, aemaise lava pe a uma ona timu.
• Savalivali ma le fa’aeteete, ma aua le fa’alapisi.

Va’aiga ma Fa’ailoga Tau Aganu’u

O vaaiga taua e aofia ai le Fagaloa Viewpoint, le tia seu lupe, ma vaega o se nu’u mai anamua a Samoa. O le auala e fa’aalia ai va’aiga lautele o le togavao ma le vasa, o se tu’ufa’atasiga o le matagofie fa’alenatura ma le taua o aganu’u.

La’au ma Manu o le Auala

A e savali i le Fatifati Auala Trail, o le a e feiloa’i ai ma le tele o la’au ma manu, o se fa’ailoga lea o le tulaga ese o le siosiomaga o Amerika Samoa.

• La’au: O le ala e mauoa i le papa’au, la’au pandanus ma o latou a’a tautau, ma la’au ulu. E mafai ona e va’aia ni orikiti i le ala e fa’aopoopo ai ni lanu susulu i le togavao.
• Manu Fa’asao: Matamata i le tele o le ‘ava o le vao o lo’o felelei i le va o la’au, o le lanu Samoa ma le lupe mai le Pasefika. E lauiloa foi lenei auala mo tagata e fia matamata i manu, ma ni meaola e seasea ma fa’apitoa e pei o le White-rumped Swiftlet.

Tulaga o le Siosiomaga

O le tau fa’aTropika i Amerika Samoa e lē mautinoa, fa’atasi ai ma timuga fa’afuase’i ma le la malolosi. E masani ona mase’ese’e vaega o le ala pe a uma timuga, aemaise lava i vaega maa ma vaega tifa, o lea e lelei ai le fa’aaogaina o tootoo fa’apea ma seevae maumaua’i.

O le Fatifati Auala Trail o se malaga tauia mo i latou o lo’o sa’ili e uiga i le natura, aganu’u, ma fa’afiafiaga i le togavao laugatasi o Amerika Samoa. Pe o oe o se tagata savalivali masani po’o se tagata e fia iloa, e ofoina atu e lenei auala se mafutaga vavalalata ma le tamaoaiga o le siosiomaga ma le aganu’u o le motu.