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Togo
Chasm
Togo
Chasm can make you
feel part of an Indiana Jones movie. Of course it is
nothing like that but the landscape around is something
very different than other landscapes around the globe or
even in Niue. It is a long walk and requires a little bit
of fitness because you'll have to go down from the
terrace to sea level and come back in a steep and irregular
terrain. It looks much more difficult in photos than it is in reality. Togo Chasm is located on
the South East Part of Niue. To get there just follow the
road passing the Village of Hakupu. The road will became
gravel and about 8 minutes passing the village you will
see at your right a parking area beside tall coconut palms
and the sign post to the entrance of the track.
From
the car park
all you have to do is follow the well marked track. It
takes about 30 minutes to get out of the forest and have a
clear view of the Ocean. This part in the forest is very
easy, and beautiful without any obstacles to trespass
or any degree of difficulty. Wearing tennis shoes or similar
foot wear is an advantage and don't forget to take water, sun block,a hat,
and your camera. There is no place to swim or snorkel over
there, so you don't need to bring those things. Also, we
didn't feel the need for walking sticks, but if your knees
aren't very strong, they will be handy to help you to return to the car park (up hill).
The
fist thing you will see
after you come out of the forest is the sea down below at
some distance, and another sea of corals sculpted by the
elements. It is like someone put a million razor blades
with sharp slabs and pinnacles of coral pointing up to the sky. No
photo can show how amazing this really is because each of these
points you see on this photo is a pinnacle of about 5 to 8
metres high. Yes, you will have to make your way between
them on a coral track, but the government did a great
thing by putting a layer of concrete on the track, so it is
easy despite the inclination.
There
are some natural stairs
to deal with and again, the Gov did a great job putting a
rope to hold on to which helps alot during the descent.
As we said before, it is not a tough track, but some
degree of fitness is needed. Just take things at your own
pace and you'll get there (and back). Negotiating
the track around the coral pinnacles takes another 30
minutes and the panorama around is simply breathtaking and
surreal.
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The
track ends up at a
huge ladder with 32 steps going down to a small sandy
beach. This is where the Indiana Jones style starts,
because the ladder is very high and steep but solid
as a rock. This is the only way down or you will have to
end your exploration there and start thinking about going
back. Once down on the small beach there are huge coconuts
palms that is a mystery how they did grow in such of difficult
environment, but they seem healthy and happy
there. There is no water on this beach but there is a cave
at your left which gives nice views to a sea arch with
waves breaking over it. All you can do now is start
walking the
long way back. |
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