Black Cat Track, Mountain hiking trail in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
The Black Cat Track is a hiking trail in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, linking the coastal village of Salamaua with the inland town of Wau. The route passes through dense rainforest, crosses several rivers and streams, and gains significant elevation as it moves through hilly terrain.
The route was first used in the early 1900s by gold prospectors pushing inland from the coast toward the Wau goldfields. During World War II, it became the site of fierce fighting between Australian and Japanese forces, and remnants of that period can still be found along the path.
Along the route, walkers pass through villages where daily life follows patterns tied to the surrounding forest and land. Gardens, simple shelters, and the sounds of village activity give a direct sense of how people live in this part of Papua New Guinea.
The trail is physically demanding and remote, so walkers should have solid experience with mountain routes before attempting it. There is little infrastructure along the way, and conditions can change fast, so thorough preparation and appropriate gear are necessary.
The name comes from a former gold mine near Wau known as the Black Cat Mine, which gave the whole route its identity. The mine has been closed for decades, but its name lives on in local stories and the names of places along the trail.
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