Tumu Mountain Trail

Tumu Mountain is the highest point on Tutuila Island accessible by trail, rising 1,621 feet above sea level through some of the most pristine tropical rainforest in the National Park of American Samoa. The trail climbs steeply from the outskirts of Pago Pago through dense jungle where the canopy closes overhead and the sound of the city quickly disappears behind a wall of vegetation. The forest transitions from lowland coconut and breadfruit cultivation to undisturbed primary rainforest of banyan, toa, and the endemic Pacific rosewood in the upper elevations.

The summit offers views across Pago Pago Harbor -- one of the finest natural deep-water harbors in the Pacific -- to the surrounding volcanic ridgeline and south toward the open ocean. On clear days, the islands of Aunu'u and the outline of Ta'u Island in the Manu'a group are visible to the east. Flying foxes roost in the summit trees and take flight at dusk in numbers that can exceed several hundred animals, creating one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles accessible in any US national park. The trail is challenging and requires careful footing on root-covered and sometimes slippery jungle paths; a local guide is recommended.