67 Direction of Sustainable Development of the South Province Territories I Strolling along the waterways 66 Strolling along the waterways The Japanese Bridge Between historical and recreational exploration The hiking trail runs along the Pirogues River with its crystal clear green water offering numerous swimming opportunities. A multitude of creeks flow into the river. Dry or not, they sink to the bottom of small canyons two to six meters deep. The railway once spanned them using rudimentary culverts. Today, they have disappeared or are in ruins. The walker will sometimes test his balance by playing tightrope walker. In the footsteps of an old railway This walk takes its name from the former Japanese logging railway used to transport wood using carts in the 1930s and 40s. Its operation was interrupted in 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbour, where all Japanese were arrested. The wooden remains are still present despite vegetation and forest fires. The Toboggan Trail Discreet traces Lost in the middle of the maquis, vestiges of rusty rails and rubber oak sleepers appear on the walking route. Opposite, there’s a schlittage track, used in the 1870s to launch kauri trunks into the river called the Toboggan or Tobogan. Witness to a past history Thesevestigesbearwitness tothepast, to the intense logging operations, the very first of colonization since it was a question of obtaining timber to build Port-de-France, the former name of Noumea. © JM Delefortrie The Gauzère Bridge water hole The remains of the Japanese Bridge
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