GR NC1 complet

A traverse from the Grand Sud to Dumbéa

The route starts at Baie de la Somme in Prony and gradually reaches the Plaine des Lacs highlands, former mining landscapes, ridges and humid forests of southern New Caledonia. It then enters the Rivière Bleue area before finishing in Dumbéa Valley.

Province Sud lists 126.7 km, 1,500 m ascent, 1,500 m descent and 34 h 41 for the whole route. These are the official figures displayed on the page; Trailboard does not replace them with a calculation from a GPX containing variants and separate segments.

Published stages and variants

1. Prony to Refuge des Néocallitropsis: an introduction to the Grand Sud’s mining and forest history, via Petite Rivière Bleue de Prony and the CR 7 road.

2. Néocallitropsis to Netcha: the Alain Grouazel ridge trail follows the divide between Plaine des Lacs and the creek Pernod valley, with Pic du Pin and the ocean as landscape references.

3. Netcha to Ouénarou: the route crosses creek Pernod and Bois du Sud before reaching Refuge de Ouénarou.

4. From Ouénarou, Province Sud publishes three options: 4A via Aire de Bon Secours and Refuge des Muletiers; 4B via the ridges and Pont Germain to Tristaniopsis; 4C via Rivière Bleue to Tristaniopsis. A bivouac at Pont Germain is indicated as possible on the ridge option.

5. Muletiers to Tristaniopsis: the track goes around the Rivière Blanche marsh and through the Forêt du Mois de Mai.

6. Tristaniopsis to Mine Soleil: a Haute Rivière Bleue stage via Corne du Diable and Camp des Fougères.

7. Mine Soleil to Dumbéa Valley: the route reaches Creek du Campement des Mineurs, then Mont Poudéhoume, before descending to Dumbéa.

Reading the map without inventing a route

The GPX downloaded from the Province Sud page is kept exactly as published. It includes numerous segments and the options around Rivière Bleue; Trailboard displays them without drawing fictional links between distinct endpoints.

The file does not provide usable elevation data. Trailboard automatically derives an indicative profile for the sections from the Copernicus DEM GLO-30 terrain model; it is not a continuous traverse. The distance and elevation figures on the page remain Province Sud’s official data.

Preparing a self-supported journey

The source recommends allowing one walking day per stage. The route refuges have no electrical supply and cannot be reserved: accommodation is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Entry and overnight stays in Rivière Bleue Provincial Park are charged. For the stage towards Dumbéa, the page mentions a free, mandatory summer shuttle to reach Parc Fayard. These arrangements can change: confirm ground conditions and access before leaving.