National Park of American Samoa guide · 1 min read
World War II Heritage Trail and Breakers Point
The World War II Heritage Trail links Blunts Point with the old tramway site on Tutuila. Between those two ends, the path climbs through rainforest and passes a handful of wartime installations, though the footing is often slick and the scenery in the middle changes little.
The real highlights sit at either end, so you can skip the full route and visit each endpoint on its own.
Blunts Point Trail is the quicker way to reach the big guns. Look for the trailhead behind the Fresh Laundromat, where a wide path heads into the trees. Gradual switchbacks lead up to a viewpoint over Pago Pago Harbor, and one of the towering World War II guns is close enough to walk right up to. A short distance farther and slightly higher, the second gun waits. Bring insect repellent, since mosquitoes are common along the way.
An aerial tramway once carried passengers from the harbor to the summit of Mount 'Alava. Hurricane damage put it out of service, and it was never fixed. One of its cars still rests on a hillside above Pago Pago, and the harbor spreads out below the spot where it sits. You can drive there, which makes it an easy stop for harbor views even if you skip the hike.
Tutuila is one of three islands where the park holds land, along with Ta'ū and Ofu. Rainforest blankets nearly every part of these volcanic islands, reaching from the summits all the way to the shore. Park trails range from easy strolls to steep ridge climbs, and these routes give you a taste of that forest along with a look at the island's wartime past.
