The Roches and the Poule de Hienghène lie in the lagoon off Hienghene. You can discover the landscape from several viewpoints: from the road, up close on the water, and from the heights above the bay. There is also a local name with its own legend, as well as a water taxi ride to Hiengabat. These topics give you different starting points for planning a stay in Hienghene.
Lagoon Rocks from Different Perspectives
You can admire the Roches and the Poule from the road, or get a closer look by boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. This gives you one land-based perspective and three options on the water. To choose, first consider how close you want to get: the view from the road focuses on the rocks in the lagoon, while the water routes mentioned allow you to approach them. If you want to focus on the shapes of the rocks, you can decide which of these perspectives best suits your outing.
The Poule in Language and Legend
In a local language, the Poule is called “puxa,” meaning “brooding hen.” According to legend, the rock helped remote tribal communities; the Poule is also said to have laid giant eggs and pointed the way to fish-rich waters. The name refers to its hen-like shape, while the legend adds themes of help and fish-rich waters to this image. The rock’s appearance and the local story thus come together in a single motif.
Hiking Trail with Panoramic Views
The hiking trail at col de Ga Wivaek runs through the heights above Hienghène Bay. From there, you can see the rocks of Lindéralique, the Poule couveuse, the Sphinx, the village of Hienghène and, on the horizon, the great reef. The trail brings several landmarks together in one panorama: rocks, village and reef. This view is especially relevant if you want to include the village and the horizon in your view, along with the formations. This distinguishes the highland trail from the view of the rocks from the road and from approaching them on the water.
The Summit at col de Ga Wivaek
The summit of col de Ga Wivaek can be reached by car or on foot and offers a view of the bay and the rocks of Hienghène. You can consider the summit as a viewpoint in its own right and choose between two ways of getting there. Compared with the hiking trail, the focus here is on the bay and the rocks; the route through the heights also includes the village, the Sphinx, the Poule couveuse and the great reef in its described panorama. Your choice therefore depends both on how you want to get there and on which landscape features you want to see.
Take a Water Taxi to Hiengabat
Hiengabat can be reached from Hienghène Marina by water taxi in 15 minutes. If you plan this outing, the marina is your starting point, and the travel time gives you a specific duration for the journey. Check locally for the current water taxi service before making plans based on it.
Discover more destinations: Koné, Malabou, Poindimie, Voh, Goro.
For the broader travel overview: North Province.
