Fautaua Valley

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]