Pirae: Viewpoint, Hiking Trail and Marae Tupuhaea

Views and outdoor activities at the Belvédère

Pirae can be explored through a wide range of experiences. At the Belvédère de Pirae, a long, shady walking path runs along Tahiti’s east coast; the well-known hiking trail to Mount Aorai also starts there. A wildlife and leisure park and a sacred place of worship round out the picture. Views and outdoor activities thus sit alongside leisure and cultural significance. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the places according to the kind of experience you are looking for.

From the Belvédère de Pirae, you can see Papeete and Pirae in the foreground, with the lagoon and ocean beyond. The view is clearly layered: the two towns are followed by the waters. The Belvédère is also a long, shady promenade. The path itself can therefore be part of the experience, not just a place to take in the view. If you would like to combine a walk with a specific view of Papeete, Pirae, the lagoon and the ocean, this place offers both.

The Belvédère is also the starting point for the well-known hiking trail to Mount Aorai. The same named place thus connects two different activities: the long, shady walking path and a hike with Mount Aorai as its destination. This distinction can help with your planning when deciding whether a walk or a mountain hike should shape your stay.

A park visit in Pirae

A tourism description updated in 2023 presents Rainbow Park Tahiti as a three-hectare wildlife and leisure park in the highlands of Pirae, on the Route du Belvédère, welcoming children and adults. This adds a different kind of visit to the walk and hike. Its combination of a park, animals and leisure activities sets it apart from the views at the Belvédère and the hike to Mount Aorai. Check the latest opening details before your visit. The locations also differ: the park is in Pirae’s highlands, while the walking path is on Tahiti’s east coast.

Marae Tupuhaea: a sacred place of worship

Marae Tupuhaea, a sacred place of worship, lies at the end of the Hamuta Valley in Pirae. The Te Hivarereata association restored the marae, and it was reconsecrated on December 26, 2000. The restoration and reconsecration give the site a specific historical context, while its designation as a sacred place of worship conveys its religious significance. Marae Tupuhaea thus adds a cultural focus to the picture of Pirae, alongside its views and leisure activities.

Prioritizing experiences when looking for accommodation

These different interests give your search for hotels in Pirae a clear direction. This lets you connect your choice of destination with the experiences that matter most during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Papara, Paopao, Maharepa, Vai'anae, Hauru, Tema'e, To'ahotu, Punaauia

For the broader travel overview: Windward Islands.