Lata Mountain

Lata Mountain on Taʻu Island stands at 963 meters, making it the highest point across all of American Samoa. The summit offers expansive views across the island group and surrounding waters.

For generations, the mountain has served as a navigation landmark for seafarers crossing the Pacific near the Manuʻa region. Its distinctive profile helped both local and distant navigators orient themselves in these waters.

Local communities weave the mountain into their songs and stories, reflecting its role in daily Samoan life. You can sense this connection in conversations with people from the surrounding villages.

A trail of about 4 kilometers leads to the summit and is maintained by the National Park Service. The route is strenuous, so bring adequate time, water, and proper footwear for the hike.

The mountain's isolated location in the South Pacific creates a distinctive weather pattern where clouds gather around the peak at dawn. This visual display makes the summit appear almost floating above the island in early light.

Location: Manuʻa District

Elevation above the sea: 963 m

GPS coordinates: -14.23304,-169.45243

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:48