Asking Permission

When I pulled up, there were four guys in a truck getting ready to leave the gravel lot. I waved, walked over, and asked if it was okay to hike up to the cannons. The two guys in the front seat didn’t speak much English, so the driver turned around asked someone in the back seat to respond.

They confirmed it’s private property but said hikers are welcome to walk up. What they told me next is worth paying attention to: do not go left at the junction. A lot of people get lost going that direction, and they wanted me to know before I headed up. They also asked if I had a map, which I did, AllTrails and Strava both pulled up, phone at 100%.

The business is the Bora Bora Activity Center, which runs jet ski and ATV rentals out of that spot. If someone is around when you show up, just take 30 seconds to check in with them. They’re friendly about it.

The Hike Up

The hike starts immediately with a steep climb up a gravel road. Within about 20 feet, the road briefly becomes paved as you pass two homes terraced into the hillside. After a short climb, you’ll hit a switchback. Past the homes, the pavement ends and the road transitions back to gravel and volcanic rock.

From here it feels more like a Forest Service road or ATV track than a hiking trail. You’ll be pushing through thick jungle vegetation with jagged volcanic rock underfoot. The incline is steady but manageable, sitting somewhere around a 6–8% grade.

About 200–300 feet past the switchback, another road branches off to the right. It likely leads to homes further up the ridge. A silver truck came down from that direction while I was heading up. Just stay on the main uphill road and ignore it.

From there the road levels out slightly, dips down, and then climbs again. Along the way you might run into ATVs running tours, workers clearing back the vegetation with machetes (rainy season means fast growth out here), and wild chickens wandering around like they own the place. They pretty much do.

Junctions and Navigation

At roughly half a mile to three-quarters of a mile in, you’ll hit the most confusing part of the hike. The road opens up into what looks like three possible directions: left, middle, and right. There’s also a smaller branch to the right that appears just before the main junction, which makes it feel even more complicated than it is.

Take the middle road. It’s usually the most worn-looking option and will keep you on track toward the Bora Bora WWII cannons.

The left road is the one that trips people up. It climbs higher toward the mountain and is where hikers sometimes end up lost trying to find viewpoints or attempting the Mount Pahia summit on their own. I’ve heard this from the property owner and from our Airbnb host independently. If you want to go that direction, its best to hire a guide.

After doing the Mount Mata Pupu summit separately, I’d agree, some of these upper routes can get genuinely dangerous, and there’s no search and rescue infrastructure here on Bora Bora beyond the standard fire station and police station.

The Final Stretch to the Cannons

Past the junction, the trail meanders along the hillside with a few small side paths branching off. Those are likely ATV bypass routes so tour groups coming from opposite directions don’t block each other, the trail is only about as wide as an ATV, so it makes sense.

The trail dips down through a section carpeted in ironwood pine needles, gets a little muddy, and then climbs back up. More chickens. Then a small concrete structure comes into view around a corner, and right behind it, the back end of the first cannon.

It’s closer than you expect. The whole thing is about a mile in, maybe a 20–30 minute walk if you’re moving at a steady pace.

The WWII Guns at Faanui

There are two cannons up there, both sitting under ironwood trees with workers clearing the vegetation around them when I visited. They’ve been up here since World War II, almost 80 years, and the jungle has done its best to take them back.

The first cannon faces roughly south to southeast, positioned to cover the entrance to Bora Bora’s inner lagoon. From up there you can see straight down to the shark and stingray encounter area. It’s easy to picture why this position mattered, anyone trying to enter the lagoon would have been in direct line of fire.

The second cannon faces north toward the west side of the island, with views out toward Le Bora Bora resort, the overwater bungalows, the blue lagoon, and the mountain peaks rising behind everything. The cruise ship dock is visible from up here. The cargo pier disappears behind the foliage.

Near the cannons there’s also a small WWII-era concrete bunker worth poking around before you head back. A road makes a small loop near the cannons that connects back to the same trail, so you can do a little circle rather than just standing in one spot.

This is a legitimately good content spot if you’re shooting photos or flying a drone. The views are wide and the history gives you something real to work with.

The Hike Down

Same route in reverse, nothing complicated. About halfway down the sun broke through and the whole island opened up with blue skies, green jungle and the lagoon below. One of the workers was out near the road on the way out and I waved goodbye. That was about it.

Trail Stats

If you’re already renting a car and circling the island, there’s no reason to skip it.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

∙ Do not go left at the main junction. Seriously. People get lost up there.
∙ Bring a map. AllTrails and Strava both work, keep your phone charged.
∙ Ask permission if anyone from the Bora Bora Activity Center is around when you arrive.
∙ Pack out whatever you bring in. Don’t pick fruit or take anything from the property.
∙ The trail gets muddy in rainy season. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
∙ It’s ATV-width the whole way, not a manicured hiking trail. Adjust expectations accordingly.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​