GRNC1 Stage n°3: from Netcha to Ouénarou refuge

From Netcha site to Pernod creek (5.8 km – 1 hr. 30 mins.)

D Netcha site (GPS: 690 340 – 7 541 321; alt. 241m): follow the access track for about fifty meters towards the south-west. At the level of the tomb, turn right into the marshy plain. Reach the RM 12.

1 P a t h (GPS : 689 804 – 7 541 389): cross and take a path which enters the pine plantations to the west to reach the start of the climb.

2 Beginning of the mule track (GPS: 689 273 – 7 541 554; alt. 257m): reach the pass (gradual and pleasant climb).

3 Junction with the Netcha trail (GPS: 688 445 – 7 541 340; alt. 374m): the path swings towards the plain of Pernod creek along the southern flank of a large thalweg (> slippery ground in wet weather). In the plain, it bends its trajectory towards the west. Rejoin the track.

4 Intersection (GPS: 686 921 – 7 542 367; alt. 201m): cross the track and continue to find the path that crosses the vast marshy expanse of the Pernod creek (> crossing the creek and its tributaries is impossible in the event of heavy rain).
> Escape route: it is possible to join the Madeleine Road (RM 10) by taking the track to the right (north-east) on
about unmarked 5 km.
Then walk on the cuirass among the Gymnostoma (ironwood; this genus, also distributed in the Malay and Western Pacific regions, has 8 species in New Caledonia, all endemic) (> carefully follow the markings in the wetlands invaded by rushes). Reach an old, unmapped track.

5 Intersection (GPS: 686 767 – 7 542 973; alt. 195m): turn left. Cross a first creek with a small bridge, then a trickle of water and, finally, a new area of Gymnostoma. Reach the Pernod Creek.

From Pernod Creek to Bois du Sud (8.4 km – 2 hrs. 15 mins.)

6 Pernod Creek (GPS: 686 664 – 7 543 212; alt. 196m): cross the old apron and continue towards the north/north-west. Rejoin a track. > Escape route: it is possible to join the Madeleine Road (RM 12) by taking this unmarked track. It follows the base of the ridge north-east for about 5 km.

7 Fork (GPS: 686 508 – 7 543 911; alt. 211m): turn left on the good mining track, accessible by all-terrain vehicle. Reach another intersection. Turn left and, a few meters further on, at the next intersection, turn right. Reach a creek. The track then goes around the long rising ridge of the Hidden Forest from the south [> botanical reserve]. You reach a bowl of red earth.

8 Platform (GPS: 684 808 – 7 544 428; alt. 234m): continue to an old bivouac site (GPS: 684 557 – 7 544 577; alt. 231m) [> remains of an old logging camp buried in the vegetation, on the left bank of the creek. Entrance to the Hidden Forest Botanical Special Reserve]. The track gradually turns into a forest path and crosses a creek with a stony bed (> last water point, sometimes dry). Beginning of a long climb.

9 Agathis Pass (GPS: 683 322 – 7 545 851; alt. 505m): the path then plunges into the thalweg, bypassing a summit on the left and joins the Bois du Sud camping site.

From the Bois du Sud to the Ouénarou Hut (5.3 km – 1 hr. 15 mins.)

10 Bois du Sud (GPS: 681 742 – 7546958; alt. 189m): past the facilities [> formerly occupied by a sawmill, this landscaped area is set in a beautiful rainforest centred around a small stream]. Go to the entrance gate and follow the access road towards the north-west. At the end of the straight line, the course curves to the left. Shortly after the curve, leave the track to take the path on the left. It progresses, towards the west, on the right bank of the creek from the Bois du Sud. Then it crosses the power line and joins the wide access track to the Bois du Sud. Cross it and follow, in a north-westerly direction, the rectilinear canal which cuts into the cuirass, up to the R.P.3. Reach the road to Yaté (RP 3).

11 Bridge (GPS: 680 114 – 7 547 689; alt. 164m): turn left. Cross the road and continue straight ahead towards the Ouénarou dike which closes the south-west end of the lake. Follow it west to the access road to Blue River Provincial Park. Progress on the side of the road for about 520 m and take the mining track that begins on the left side. At the first intersection, turn right. Also at the second. Arrive in an open area. Avoid the track that goes left, and continue straight ahead then go left (north-west) to enter the plantations. The trail then returns to the paved road. Cross it and follow the kaori plantations north-east. A little further on, turn left following the edge of the wood (north-north-west).

12 Branch (GPS: 679 099 – 7 549 330; alt. 166m): turn right, then left to walk through the Arboretum. Cross the wooden bridge and join the main road of the Blue River Provincial Park. Follow it for 120m and turn left on the red dirt track which enters the plantations to reach the refuge located near the Kaoris camp.

13 Hut (GPS: 678 561 – 7  549 260; alt. 182m) : access to the hut is free [>eight beds, faré and barbecue], but entrance to the Park is paid. For security reasons, it is mandatory to report to the reception desk of the Blue River Provincial Park.

© Text by Jean Francis Clair

FFrandonnée® grading
* Effort: IBP 66 slightly difficult (orange)
* Technical difficulty: slightly difficult (orange)
* Risk: slightly high (orange)
* Overall grading: slightly difficult (orange)

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