17°31′S 149°33′W / 17.52°S 149.55°W / -17.52; -149.55 Fautaua Valley is a river valley on the island of Tahiti, in French Polynesia. ^[1] It is located near the capital of Papeete. The Fautaua River flows through it, eventually cascading down the mountainside as the Fautaua Falls almost 300 metres (980 ft) into a shallow bathing pool called Loti Bain. ^[1] The pool is named for the French writer Pierre Loti, who lived in the area for some time. ^[2] It is the 28th-highest waterfall in the world. ^[3] The falls are also known as Fachoda Falls, after Fort Fachoda, a ruined fort found at the top of the falls. ^{[1] [4]}

The falls are accessible for tourists and hikers, although the purchase of an access permit is required. ^[5] The hike is estimated to take anywhere from 3–6 hours, depending on which route one takes. ^{[3] [4]}

Scientists have studied the flora and fauna of the Fautaua Valley. Examples of earwig species Hamaxas nigrorufus and Chelisoches morio were found in the valley in a survey in 1949. ^[6] Examples of mosses from genus Fissidens such as F. clarkii, F. mangarevensis, and newly described species F. fautauae were located in the valley during surveys in 1960. ^[7]

References

External links

• Fautaua Valley at GEOnet Names Server
• Fautaua River at GEOnet Names Server
• Fort Fachado at GEOnet Names Server

This French Polynesia-related geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e