The only summit hike near Suva, Mt Korobaba offers great views (on a clear day) from the summit, and vibrant rainforest on the way up and down. It isn’t particularly easy though, especially in the rain (which is common), being steep at times and almost always slippery. The 7.2km hike has ~450m of ascent and descent, and takes 3-4 hours return.
The hike starts from the Pacific Cement factory in Lami, about 20 mins drive from Suva.
Without a map of the route, it really isn’t obvious where to go. Enter the Pacific Cement site and follow the internal road that runs north-west toward a number of large siloes (NOT the ones marked with Pacific Cement Limited). The track starts to the right of the dirt road, opposite the 4 siloes in a row (the second set of siloes), before you reach the blue shed.
On my first visit I went too far, missing the track, and got a rather muddy shoe!
Once on the right route it climbs a short way in the open, before the rainforest envelopes you until the summit.
The red clay is slippery even when it has been dry for days, and extremely slippery after rain, as I learnt from experience.
There is a steady climb before it eases off a bit and drops down to a small stream.
From here the summit is close, but it is the steepest part of the track, with tree roots providing essential support.
The first time I did this hike it began to rain soon after starting and continued for most of the hike, so there weren’t any views from the summit.
Thankfully on my second attempt it was blue skies and dry, and the views from the summit were spectacular.
There were great views of Suva, Fiji’s capital below.
Along with views along the coast and inland to some interesting looking mountains.
Some views from the air of Mt Korobaba from my drone.
The descent is more difficult in some ways, and care is needed toward the end when tired and on some of the slipperiest sections before returning to the cement works. It briefly opens up for good views of the cement works below and Suva beyond. It is easy to catch a blue and red Shore bus back into Suva from the Queens Road in Lami.
