No results
No results
Mount Popokia is a 776 m peak in the Santa Cruz Islands of Solomon Islands, in Temotu region on Vanikoro. It is also known as Mount Kapogo and Mount Popogia. The mountain rises in the eastern part of the country, in the Melanesia island chain of Oceania.
Among the named peaks of the Santa Cruz Islands, Mount Popokia ranks second by elevation. It sits close to the range high point, Mount Banie, which is the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Islands and lies just to the southwest.
Pick a date to see who is going
No users yet
No routes yet.
No ascent logs yet. Be the first to log your climb!
Mount Popokia belongs to the Melanesia > Solomon Islands > Santa Cruz Islands mountain chain. It is in Solomon Islands, within Temotu region and the district/county of Vanikoro. By elevation it is the 71st highest of 222 named peaks in Solomon Islands, and the 2nd highest of 2 named peaks in the Santa Cruz Islands.
The mountain rises in hilly country that is almost completely forested. The coast is nearby to the northeast, and the surrounding area is lightly populated. This is a tropical island landscape where steep slopes, dense vegetation and humid weather are the main features of the terrain.
Mount Popokia is lower than Mount Banie but still one of the main named summits in its island group. The nearest higher summit is very close, so the mountain sits on the flank of a higher ridge rather than as an isolated high point.
The only higher summit within the immediate area is Mount Banie, about 1.4 km to the southwest. From the top of Mount Popokia, that is the main high point to look for in the local skyline. Beyond that, the surrounding island terrain drops into forested hills and coastal country, so the broader view is shaped more by ridges, sea and vegetation than by a long chain of high mountains.
Mount Popokia is part of the Santa Cruz Islands, a subrange within Solomon Islands and the wider Melanesia region. The range high point is Mount Banie at 923 m, about 1 km southwest of Mount Popokia. FACTS list the Santa Cruz Islands as having 2 named peaks, and Mount Popokia ranks 2nd among them by elevation.
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is warm year-round: about 24 °C in the warmest month, January, and about 23 °C in the coldest month, July. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 2,550 mm, with the wettest month around January at about 300 mm and the driest around August at about 145 mm.
Expect humid tropical weather, fast-changing showers and slippery ground after rain. In this part of the Solomon Islands, heavy rain, saturated trails and poor visibility are the main weather hazards.
Because temperatures stay above freezing all year, timing is mainly about rainfall. The drier part of the year is around August, while January is the wettest month. For walking, the more practical window is usually the relatively drier months, when tracks are less waterlogged and streams are easier to cross. Even then, tropical showers can arrive at any time, so plans should stay flexible.
The slopes around Mount Popokia are described as almost entirely forested, which fits the humid island setting of the Santa Cruz Islands. At this elevation, expect tropical forest, thick undergrowth, wet gullies and a mix of birds, insects and small forest animals typical of Melanesian islands. The combination of steep ground and frequent rain means vegetation can be dense and footing uneven.
For a mountain like Mount Popokia, a local guide is sensible if you are not familiar with the island, the terrain or customary land access. In Solomon Islands, there is no mountain rescue service, and landowners may charge a customary kastom fee on hiking trails. Visitors usually arrange help through local contacts, tourist offices or operators based in the country rather than through a formal alpine infrastructure.
As a general rule, a guided ascent in the tropics usually includes route finding, local access arrangements and help with timing around weather and tides. Costs depend on trip length, group size and whether transport or overnight stays are needed.
Mount Popokia is a short, steep tropical peak where rain, mud, dense vegetation and limited infrastructure matter more than altitude. Good footwear, rain protection and navigation skills are important, and you should carry enough water for the day because humid forest slopes can be tiring. The emergency number is 999 for police, with ambulance 111 and fire 988. There is no dedicated mountain rescue service.
The mountain is known by several names: Mount Popokia, Mount Kapogo and Mount Popogia. These alternate forms reflect local and map naming traditions in the Santa Cruz Islands. The peak is part of the eastern Solomon Islands landscape that has long been shaped by island settlement, forest use and customary land ownership.
Mount Popokia is the 2nd highest named peak in the Santa Cruz Islands and the 71st highest named peak in Solomon Islands. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Banie, only 1.4 km away to the southwest. The summit is also close to the highest point of its island group, so a short traverse can connect two of the area’s main high points.
How high is Mount Popokia? It rises to 776 m above sea level.
Where is Mount Popokia located? It is in Vanikoro, Temotu region, in the Santa Cruz Islands of Solomon Islands.
What is the nearest higher peak? Mount Banie, at 923 m, lies about 1.4 km southwest.
What range does Mount Popokia belong to? It is part of the Santa Cruz Islands, within the wider Solomon Islands and Melanesia.
Is there water on the way to Mount Popokia? The slopes are humid and forested, but you should still carry your own supply. For a day outing, plan on about 1.5–3 litres depending on heat and effort.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable? Coverage in the hills is usually patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground a signal may be possible, but it often fails in valleys and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you set out.
No posts yet.