Mount Silisili

Silisili - the name means highest - rises to 1,858 metres in the middle of Savai'i, the largest shield volcano island in the South Pacific, and is the highest point in Samoa, and the climb is a two-day trek through plantation, then rainforest, then stunted montane scrub on old lava, with an overnight camp in the forest. There is no marked trail and guides from the villages are required. The summit is often in cloud, and the ground underfoot is broken lava and root the whole way.

What you'll find

• The summit - 1,858 metres, the highest point in the country.
• The forest zones - plantation giving way to rainforest and then montane scrub.
• The lava ground - broken volcanic rock underfoot for much of the route.
• The forest camp - the overnight stop partway up the mountain.

When to go

May to October is the drier season and the only sensible window. The wet season makes the route dangerous. Cloud sits on the summit most days.

Practical notes

There is no marked trail and a village guide is mandatory. The going is genuinely hard over broken lava and roots, and the summit is usually in cloud with no view. Camping gear and food must be carried.

Nearby

Aopo is on the north coast, and Matavanu is northeast.

Key facts