Cross Highland Hike

4 days / 3 nights | Take in expansive views, swim in cooling rivers, relax in remote villages, and soak up the unique culture, as you trek through forests, along rivers, and over grassy hills with guides who’ve grown up on this land. It’s where they fish and farm, and played as kids. You’ll experience a side of Fiji a world away from its beaches and reefs.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cross-country drive into the heart of Viti Levu

11:00 | Pick-up Suva (or 14:30 Pick-up Suncoast)
16:30 | Arrive Naga, stretch legs on a short stroll
18:30 | Sevusevu, dinner, overnight

Day 2: Hike Naga to Nubutautau (11km)

Day 3: Hike Nubutautau to Bulou’s Lodge, Navala (21km)

Day 4: Guided stroll of Navala, depart

Please note that timings depend on the fitness of individuals and size of the group. Overnight treks are generally limited to a maximum of 8 hikers.

Packing

This is not an exhaustive list and is an aid to common sense! We do not expect you to go out and buy all these things new. They’re general items we recommend you either bring, pack an alternative to or consciously disregard.

Remember, you’re not carrying all your gear. Your main bags and any gear you don’t need during the day will be waiting for you at the end of each day’s hike. If you have any specific requirements, then you should also pack with these in mind.

For the hikes:

A day pack or small backpack to carry drinking water, sulu, snacks, camera, torch etc
Comfortable shoes – approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions (see FAQs for more info on footwear)
Up to 3L water carrying capacity – bottles or hydration pack (see FAQs for info about water)
Hat – a must bring, to keep the sun off
Lightweight, preferably quick-dry and collared t-shirts
Walking trousers or if preferred shorts (see FAQs for information on clothing)
Personal medical kit – one of the guides will be carrying a first aid kit, but it is good practice for you to carry a small one also
Torch/flashlight – to be packed in your day bag as a safety precaution
Dry bag or plastic bags for dry storage to keep valuables dry in case of downpour or a slip in the river!
Pac-a-mac or light waterproof – if we get caught in heavy rain, it’ll keep the wind out, even though it’s unlikely to keep you dry!
Walking poles – if you’re used to using them, bring them along as they’ll help with the downhill sections
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Snacks – trail mix, biscuits, muesli bars or sweets (guides also carry a supply to share)
Emergency toilet paper
Camera

For the villages/overnights:

Sulu (wrap-around/sarong) – we can provide this if you don’t have one
Flip-flops/thongs or a dry change of footwear for the evenings
Long-sleeved sweater or jumper as it can get cool in the evenings
Sleeping sheet or sleeping bag inner (blankets and where needed mattresses will be available to you, unless otherwise specified)
Towel
Book/pack of cards
Earplugs – just in case someone nearby snores or the village roosters get going too early!

Tips

Where should I stay before and after the trek?

The starting points for this itinerary are Suva or the Suncoast.

Coming to Suva will give you an opportunity to explore the hub of the South Pacific, a bustling place, with cafes, restaurants and a bit of culture (have a browse round the Fiji Museum and a beverage of your choice at the refurbished Grand Pacific Hotel). Alternatively, resorts tucked away on the Suncoast are laid back, great for diving, and will minimise your driving time.

The ending point is Nadi, where we’ll have a final lunch together.

We can drop you at a Nadi or Denarau hotel, or take you on to the Coral Coast. Heading out to the Yasawa or Mamanuca Islands for a bit of beach and reef time after your trek is highly recommended!

How fit do I need to be?

Our itineraries are designed for hikers. While they cover a variety of levels of difficulty, they are enjoyed most by people with a good level of fitness who hike regularly. The visit to Nabalesere and their waterfall is within most people’s ability. The track is 1.5km each way, with some up and down, but no time pressure. All the other walks are more strenuous. Longer days should leave you feeling satisfyingly tired after a good day’s hiking with a sense of achievement. The challenge of walking in Fiji comes from the heat, humidity, remoteness and the nature of the tracks, which are not constructed paths, are uneven, and can become muddy and slippery. If you don’t exercise regularly, we’d recommend getting out on the trail before you come to Fiji, as you’ll enjoy your trip with us all the more!

What shoes and clothes are best?

Footwear

Approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions. But trainers/runners with a good grip or other walking shoes will do. Avoid stylish trainers with no grip! Paths can be slippery and muddy – especially after rain. We will also be crossing small creeks and some larger rivers, and you will get your feet and up to your knees wet! We recommend keeping your shoes on at all times, whether you’re crossing a river or even swimming.

Other clothing

Most people wear a lightweight t-shirt (quick-dry, collared t-shirts are ideal) and a pair of shorts for walking, but if you want to protect your shins from grass cuts, then trousers, long socks (stylish!) or exercise leggings are highly recommended. If you have a lightweight raincoat/pac-a-mac, it’s worth carrying it in case we get caught in a shower… it won’t keep you dry, but it’ll keep the wind out. We also strongly recommend you bring a hat to keep the sun off your head.

What about water?

Although the piped water in the villages is drunk by the locals, to reduce the chance of any problems we strongly recommend you only use only filtered, treated, or boiled water. We carry a supply of filtered water in our vehicles and we have installed Lifestraw Community filter systems at each overnight for refilling bottles. Lemon-leaf and lemongrass tea, using boiled water, is in plentiful supply in the villages, and with a bit of sugar added makes for a good energy drink!

In Fiji, you need to carry and be drinking a lot of water. How much will depend on the length of the walk, the heat, humidity, your own personal fitness, and how much you naturally sweat. However, you should be prepared to carry up to 3 litres of water, in your day pack and ensure you have enough carrying capacity. In case of urgent need there are opportunities to replenish water bottles on some of the walks from side streams, using our filter or purifying tablets. We recommend a 3-litre capacity water reservoir/bladder, so you can sip away during hikes, or lightweight refillable bottles, plus an additional smaller bottle to mix electrolytes or for the car journeys. Taking on board electrolytes on a hot day can make a big difference.

Please note: drinking alcohol is not allowed in Fijian villages. If your trip includes a stay at Bulou’s Lodge, beers are sometimes available to buy or you can keep a bottle in your bag for your night there.

Do I need to bring food?

Meals are provided by the villages and lodges. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements before your trip. The guides carry some snacks to share on each hike, but if you have any favourite snacks, you should buy them in advance. There are no shops or stores once we leave the coast.

Etiquette

When you’re visiting or staying in a Fijian village there are some important rules for you to remember so that you are being respectful of Fiji’s history and culture.

The most important ones are:

Always wear a sulu (sarong/wrap around material) that covers your legs down to just above your ankles while you’re within the village boundaries
Never wear a hat or anything on your head while you’re in the village
Always take your shoes off before going inside (you can keep your socks on)
Sit down as quickly as possible when you go inside and don’t stand up indoors
If you need to move around indoors when others are sitting, it’s polite to stoop or crawl
If you’re presented with a bowl of kava it’s polite to drink the first one… clap once, take the bowl and drink it all, and after returning the bowl clap three times

Guides mixing kava in Naga – Photo: Elliot Wright

Check our scheduled dates through the Book Now button above or check out our Trek Schedule for a list of dates. If you form part of a group and would like to do the this hike, please contact us for tailored group options.

The Cross Highland Hike itinerary sometimes overlaps with the Full Monty, so if you’re looking for a more strenuous adventure, check this trip out too!

Trek Rating

Steepness : 4

Track Roughness : 4

Difficulty : 4

Please note

If the weather is very bad, we may need to change the itinerary for your safety.

FJD 1,200 per person

Head off the beaten track into Fiji’s interior. Experience its dramatic peaks, sparkling rivers, unique history and rich culture.

Overview