How to Hike Colo-i-Suva Forest Park

Trade Suva’s hustle and heat for a few hours of swimming and exploration at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park just a short 20-min drive from the city.  

Overview

	Details
Type:	Out & Back
Length:	6.5km of walking trails (Estimated hours to walk)
Difficulty:	Moderate (though some steep sections and slippery when rainy)
Entry Fee:	Adult (FJD$5), Child (FJD$2)
Opening Hours:	8am – 4pm daily (including weekends and public holidays)

Description 

Since its setup in 1963, the 4.97km2 Colo-I-Suva Forest Park has transformed from a degraded site into a thriving sanctuary.  This green gem - one of 15 forest reserves in Fiji - boasts waterways and waterfalls and hosts 16 endemic birds and animals hiding in the native foliage. The Park is also registered under the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC). 

How to Get There 

The Park is located on the outskirts of Suva City in an area known as Colo-i-Suva. To get there, follow Princess Road out of the city for about 20mins, past Tamavua and Tacirua villages.  Keep an eye out for the Park entry on your right (marked with a signboard) and nearby landmarks like Colo-i-Suva Police Post and Forestry Department.  

	Travelling from Suva City
By Taxi	A taxi from Suva City will take approx 20 minutes and cost less than FJD$20 for a one-way trip. Ensure you have Fiji dollars and that the taxi meter is turned on before you start your journey. Alternatively agree with your taxi driver on a set price for a planned pickup time and return trip to your hotel.
By Bus	At the main bus terminal near the Suva food market, take the 'Sawani' bus (Tacirua Bus Company) and let the driver know that you will disembark at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park.  The bus runs hourly between 6:00am-7:00pm.  Bus fare costs around FJD$2-2.50 and you will need to buy an e-ticket to board.

Alternatively, book an overnight stay at the Rainforest-Eco-Lodge located just 500m across the road from the entry to the Park. You’ll have early and easy access to the Park as well as comfortable lodgings and fantastic food to fuel up on after your adventure. 

Trailhead: Park Ranger Station 

Your first stop should be the ranger station across the road from the Park entrance to purchase your entry tickets or arrange a guided tour.   You can also arrange a tour ahead of time on coloisuva.forestpark@govnet.gov.fj. 

Rangers offer informative 2-hour tours ask more details from the information center which is managed by the Forestry station and pay attention to any security warnings. 

To secure your personal belongings you are advised to leave it at home or leave them at the forestry station and be sure to pick it up by 4pm.  

The recommended route is for you to follow Kalabu road, as it leads directly to the car park, you can then take the nature trail, before that take a picture of the map and use it as a guide, although it is one trail, it is a long trail.  

What to Expect 

The park was recently renovated by the Fiji government, the park invites exploration with a challenging 6.5km trail. Prepare for uphill hikes and enjoy the freshwater pools along the way.  

Trails  

Lower Pools

The main pool with its swimgs and close to car park and the two upper pools. You will find different pools some shallow enough for the children to swim in, and it remains in its natural states.  

The upper pools are colder and deeper, while the lower ones are shallower, offering a range of swimming experiences. Dive from waterfalls or swing on ropes into pristine, unspoiled water. 

Facilities

The carpark is located  
There are ‘bure’(huts) with toilet and change facilities scattered around the man swimming areas.  Picnic tables for you to rest and enjoy your lunch, before diving back into the pool and enjoy the cascading waterfall. While the picninc tables are near the main pool and both areas offer toilets, most facilities have been built in the upper pools where its possible to provide adequate parking.  

All the Picnic tables have Bure Shelters and Fire Grates.  

The site has designated picnic sites, there are tables, Bures (sheds), barbecue stand provided in the area which you can use for free, but it is a 1st come 1st serve basis for all visitors and no advanced booking is needed.

The pools are surrounded by tropical rainforest, you will find information about these native trees and birds in the area on the information board, that are displayed along the tracks to the park.

To get to the forest park from Suva, you can board the local Sawani bus (via princess road) which cost around $2FJD to get to Colo I Suva and you will need to walk another 30 min from the main gate to get to the forest park pool area.

If you want to travel by taxi then it is around $15FJD from Suva to Colo I Suva, that's approximately around 20-30min taxi ride, depending on the traffic.

There is a parking space available in the area, bathrooms, and privies available for the visitors to use. Keep in mind that there is no secure place available in the park for the safekeeping of your valuables such as wallets, phones, bags, and other valuables to avoid any risk of theft.

Forest rangers and the police department do make site visits or rounds around the park but they are not there fulltime, so make sure you make prior arrangements within your group if you are traveling in groups for the safekeeping of your valuables.

Keep in mind that there are no shops nor any restaurant available on the site, so you have to do your shopping and dining beforehand if you are thinking of indulging on something before or after your hiking or pool sesh. 

What to Bring 

• Sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes are necessary for the mossy and sometimes slippery trail. 

• A daypack with essentials like water, lunch, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, a towel and a spare change of clothes.  

• Comfortable quick-dry attire in case you get hot or caught in a rain shower. 

Safety Tips 

• Take a picture on your phone of the Park map at the trailhead as there are no good maps online. 

• As with any travel, we recommend that visitors prioritize safety and minimize risk as it is an Isolated area, pathways not defined so always good to join a tour or go with a park ranger as a guide. Leave your valuables at home or at the Park information desk. However, they must be collected before 4pm. 

• Trail railings and paths are not well-maintained and can become slippery when wet. 

Contact Information: 

Email coloisuva.forestpark@govnet.gov.fj to get more information or arrange a ranger, or just call in at their office on the opposite side of the road to the main park entrance. 

Colo-I-Suva Tel: (+679)

• 3320211
• 3322311
• 3320323