Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. All Rights Reserved. By doing the hike, you . The hike down to the bottom of the valley and to the beach is the same paved road the cars use. Its a relatively easy 30 minute hike down to the floor and then to the black sand beach which you can hike from end to end. The hike down the side of the cliff to the valley floor is short but steep: ~420 ft in 0.6 miles (126 meters in 1.0 kilometers) and takes about 20 to 25 minutes for the average hiker. Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. GULF ISLANDS FL It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. CARDIO!! The earthquake from2006 is evidence of such. Sign up today on the latest for your slice of paradise! This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! The view from the third switchback of Z-Trail offers the most amazing view of Waipio Valley and is well worth the effort to reach. Island of Hawaii. we didn't end up going all the way. Maybe its best to think of this as a half day activity. The beach has no services, so plan accordingly. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. The mounds of sand behind the beach are a fun place to spend some time. All of the land upriver is privately owned. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. The trail itself offers breathtaking views of the cliffs, the valley and the black sand beach on the valley floor. The ascent on both ends of this hike will test your cardiovascular system but are well worth it. Both lookouts are crowded, AmyNoelle, and finding a parking spot can be an initial annoyance. Great for first-time visitors. WIND CAVE SD During its long lifetime, erosion by rainwater has cut multiple deep gulches, gorges and valley in the flanks of the windward side of the Kohala volcano. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. Spotted yesterday at #MaunaLoa a lava boat rides the waves! You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Its also down a steep road as opposed to a natural hike. However, it didnt last long, and I was almost completely dry by the time I reached the trailhead. If you want to drive instead of hiking down, you'll need to . " The hike down to Waipio valley is on a steep paved road, . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88584435', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai and Maui pretty extensively and will be heading to Maui after BI this trip. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Before you know it, you will have made it to the Pololu Valley floor. The hike Also, home to some unique art galleries, boutiques and restaurants located in old plantation style buildings, you can easily spend a few hours exploring and eating your way through town. How to get there? If you desire dramatic views of Hawaii Island's northeastern coastline, including impressive cliffs, verdant valleys, and lush landscapes, head to Pololu Valley, Waipio Valley's lesser-known but still just as gorgeous cousin at the end of Hawaii Island's seven major valleys carved into the Kohala Coast. If youre challenged to extend your hike, consider going beyond to the next valley on the Honokane Nui trail to reach the Honokane gulch. WYOMING See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. GRAND CANYON AZ This hike starts at the parking lot near the Waipio Lookout. The hike felt remote and accessed some incredible jungle-like flora that I was craving while in Hawaii. Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. There are some switchbacks toward the bottom of the hill. We have been adventuring around the island for over 10 years and love living here. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 4. It is split by the sublime Waipi'o River. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. Head to the end of Akoni Pule Hwy (270) to come to Pololu Valley. If you are trying to decide where to hike, Waipio Valley or here, this hike is MUCH easier. Pololu Valley is a solid 1.5 hours from Kona, maybe more depending on where on the Kona coast youre staying. Alternatively, the Waipio Valley Shuttle is the original 4-wheel drive tour of "the land of curving water" and is a mesmerizing and intimate look at the valley. In less than a mile hike, you'll be treated to some of the best views of sheer cliffs and lush rolling valley hills. Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. IDAHO Locals only. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. Come prepared! It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The scenery is breath-taking with the rough ocean waves crashing against the sea cliffs and black sand beach on one side, and the densely forrested valley on the other. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Lots of great scenery but you can experience that on the drive. This is about a 5 minute drive from the Pololu Valley trailhead. SOUTH DAKOTA Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. There are some great views of picturesque bodies of water, including the ocean, a small lake, and a river. Look for the rope swings that are usually present. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern Kohala coastline from the Polol Overlook. Take Kohala Mountain Road on your way back ~ another stunning drive. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo , by ALOHA DEAN Japanese garden in Hilo's Lili'uokalani Gardens, named for the Hawaiian monarch Queen Lili'uokalani. MICHIGAN I have wondered if the Awini Trail connects the the . inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. Here are some comparisons: Expect this hike to the top of the ridge to take an additional 45 minutes to an hour both ways. . THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND 6.12 km. The total length of this hike is . The Volcano Van - Big Island Volcano Tours, Holualoa Inn-Big Island Bed and Breakfast, Latitude: 20.20033933 Steep on the way down but you really feel it on the way back. You'll end up in Waimea, perfect place to have a beer (or whatever) and savor your day. to reach the bottom, On rainy Starting at the Waipio Valley overlook (photo above), the hike down to the black sand beach on the valley floor is about 1.5 miles or 2.4 kilometers. You can also make it a valley beach hike kind of day and make this day on the Big Island a Pololu Valley + Waipio Valley kind of day. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. Re crowding at over look, much more at Waipio as area of over look is much bigger, not so much at Polulu. Mahalo! days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to Slick when wet. We are on the big island for 6 days (I know that's not much but only time everybody was able to get off work). Intermediate. Ultra grateful to the couple from Tennessee who gave us a lift back up in their Toyota Tacoma- even though we left a pricey hiking pole in their car by accident- grateful to have not done the hike up- my body/feet wouldve just gotten too torn up! The string of gulches on the Hamakua and Kohala side of the island starts at Polulu and ends up in Waipio valley on the other side of the island. Island of Hawaii. Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. Cool 2. The wind blowing in the shrubs and trees and helicopters buzzing close over your head enhance the expansive view. Waipi'o Valley hike elevation: The elevation gain is approximately 975 feet on the steepest road . A gorgeous hike from the top to the gorgeous black sandy beaches of Pololu Valley, the drive alone and panoramic views of the cliffs and coastlines impresses the moment you park on the end of road. If you take the time to drive all the way toPololu Valleyat the end of Highway 270, don't settle for the view from the overlook! Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. MUD!! Trailhead: Take Hwy. NORTH DAKOTA The huge sea cliffs paralleling a beautiful black sand beach were simply amazing to look at. Both times, the parking area was packed. Gear: Standard hiking gear. So Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. Mahalo! From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. It was sprinkling and gusting when I first arrived at the lookout, but luckily the wind did calm down for me to be able to enjoy the view and grab some photos. It is very wide, comforting during the Pandemic to maintain some space between you and other hikers. Almost immediately upon climbing, it began to rain. There is only one way inby foot on the Muliwai Trail, a nine-mile backpacking trek ascending the north face of Waipio via a series of steep switchbacks (visible from the Waipio Valley Lookout) and winding through miles of plateau gulches and forests before descending treacherous switchbacks on Waimanu's south face to the valley floor. The early settlers grew taro farms in the area and is still grown to process poi a staple root plant eaten by locals on the island. I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. The passing clouds threaten rain but also provide dynamic skies in your photos. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. On my trips to the Big Island of Hawaii I have had the opportunity to hike down into both Pololu and Waipio Valleys and up the trails on the far rims towards Honopue and Waimanu Valleys respectively. I haven't yet hiked into the valley, only walked part of the way down the road. I stopped by twice once because we were in the area around 3:00 pm and the other to start the hike at 8:30 am. Steep but beautiful! . This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Consider making a stop there before you go to Pololu Valley, just in case! If you're visiting the Big Island of Hawaii soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Big Island Visitor Guides. 84. so sad! Tried to hike to waterfall but it crosses into private property and couldnt get to it. For something a bit different, take a look at Kalopa State Park. So detoured then to the beach- amazingly beautiful- and what was beautiful was the people we met along this hike. Hawaii Police said a 2000 Toyota 4Runner was traveling downhill on Waipio Access Road, when it experienced a brake failure and collided with a 2004 Ford Econoline, a tour van, traveling uphill. We don't shy away from more aggressive hiking but can also enjoy something more laid back as well. There is a phenomenal view from the parking area, which is lovely for those who are not interested in the hike. Most people do the hike down to the beach and come back up. 2. Theres a sense of magic here. Absolutely beautiful. There are are group tours that lead visitors directly to see the waterfall at Pololu called Kapoloa Falls, this is managed by Hawaii Forest and Trail.

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