We reckon we have found it – the best view in Rarotonga that you can get while wearing jandals!
I’d still class it as one of the hiking trails in Rarotonga (claiming it!). But the beauty about this track is that it’s short. It’s clear – and you don’t need to go all out with hiking boots or even sneakers.
If you are visiting Rarotonga on holiday and are short on time allocated to grand hiking adventures (or you are dedicating your tropical holiday to relaxing). Then I would recommend Hospital Hill as a perfectly proportioned energy-for-spectacular-views win.
About Rarotonga Hospital Hill Track
- Distance: 2km return
- Time Needed: 30 – 40 minutes
- Main Township: Nikao, Avarua
- Cost: Free
- Track Difficulty: Easy
- Pram or Wheelchair Access: No
- Toilets: There are no toilets on the track
- Mobile Coverage: There is mobile reception all the way up the track
- Location: The track starts at the hospital carpark up the top of Sanatorium Road.
Want to know more about Moving to and Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands? We’ve done it twice! Read all about it.
Hospital Hill
The Rarotonga Hospital is located on Sanatorium Road in Nikao, one of the main districts of the islands capital city of Avarua.
The hospital itself is the largest hospital in the country with 80 beds, and facilities comprising of a surgical ward, medical ward, and a small paediatric and maternity ward.
While the hospital grounds are situated up high on what is locally known as ‘Hospital Hill’ with a beautiful view looking out over the north west coast of Rarotonga.
There is an impressive view from the top of the narrow and winding Hospital Hill Road.
You can just park your car and find a spot on the grounds there to make the most of being up hill to take in views of Avarua and the Pacific.
But for an even higher glimpse of Rarotonga and the ocean beyond, park your vehicle and take a walk up the Hospital Hill Track.
About the Hospital Hill Track
From the carpark on the hospital grounds you will see a dirt track heading up the hill.
The beginning of the track at this point is wide enough for a vehicle to access.
- Note: Don’t drive up here. This is only 4WD access for vehicles checking the communications tower on the hilltop!
Take the track and walk for around 100m to a fork in the trail.
To the right you will see part of the comms tower building. Take the path veering to your left and continue walking uphill.
From this point it is only around 10 – 15 mins to the top of the hill for a spectacular view out over the northern and north-western side of the island between the shade of random eucalyptus canopy.
The track is not technically difficult at all. It is well worn, and the path is clear (even after a year without overseas tourists).
Take care walking on the trail after rain as the track can be slippery in parts.
Find the Hospital Hill Track
The view from the hospital grounds at the top of the hill is beautiful, looking out over the Pacific Ocean. But if you are driving around Rarotonga, by car or scooter, it’s easy to park at the hospital and walk the dirt track to the top of the hill.
From the main road, follow the signs in Nikao up to Rarotonga Hospital (Are Maki Rarotonga).
Look for a dirt track heading uphill behind the main hospital buildings and some of the outbuildings to the side.
- Tip: Park on the left hand side of the hospital building (make sure you are well clear of the emergency and maternity area).
What You Need
- Footwear: Technically, you can do this track in jandals (thongs/flip-flops – whatever you want to call them), but make sure you do have comfortable footwear as the track can be slippery in parts.
- Water: It’s always important to carry enough water for the hike, but especially here in Rarotonga where it is exceptionally humid!
- Snacks: There are no shops up Hospital Hill in Rarotonga. The track is only a short hike, but if you are travelling with kids… You know the drill!
- Sunblock and Hat: If you are walking up Hospital Hill during the heat of the day this is a must. The track is uncovered and exposed to direct sunlight.
- Insect Repellent: It’s always recommended to carry some kind of insect repellent on any of Rarotonga’s hikes.
- Mobile Phone: There is cell phone reception all the way up the Hospital Hill track.
- Backpack: It’s only a short walk but you might still need a backpack of some sort to carry all of this in. And to make sure you carry out any rubbish or trace of your walk up Hospital Hill.
There are no rubbish bins so be sure to look after this beautiful patch of Pacific Island treasure.
Have you done the Hospital Hill Track in Rarotonga? Let us know what you think of the balance of walking effort for output of island views!
Want to know more about Moving to and Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands? We’ve done it twice! Read all about it.
Accommodation Options in Rarotonga
There is a great range of accommodation options in Rarotonga with resorts, hotels and motels, holiday homes and self-catering AirBnB’s.
Resorts in Rarotonga
- The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Aro’a
- The Edgewater Resort & Spa, Arorangi
- Club Raro, Tupapa
- Nautilus Resort, Muri
- Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Muri
Hotels & Motels
- Magic Reef Bungalows, Arorangi
- Coral Sands Apartment, Arorangi
- Black Pearl at Puaikura, Aro’a
- Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel, Titikaveka
- Muri Garden Lodge, Muri
Holiday Homes & AirBnB
- Cooks Oasis Holiday Villas, Arorangi
- Lagoon Breeze Villas, Aro’a
- Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa, Muri
- Ariki Bungalows, Muri
There are loads of amazing options when choosing accommodation in Rarotonga. There is a fantastic range available and each option has different qualities that will make your trip suited just to you.
Read More About Rarotonga
That’s it for our guide to hiking The Needle in Rarotonga. But we have plenty of other guides to local activities, highlights and some of our favourite things to do in the Cook Islands!
- A Morning At Punanga Nui Markets On Saturday.
- The Best Rarotonga Beaches.
- How to Take the Bus In Rarotonga.
- A Reef Walk With Ariimoana Reef Tours.
- A Trip On Rarotonga Reef Sub.
- 20 AWESOME Things To Do In Rarotonga With Kids.
- Moving To Rarotonga From New Zealand.
Travel Planning for Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to the Cook Islands!
