Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. Great info Colleen and RJ. The Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls were nice, but not really hikes. By: Wasabi Tours. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. Glow, horses. Theres also a trail that starts from the Pololu Valley lookout that goes down to sea level and makes for a great coastal hike. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. So detoured then to the beach- amazingly beautiful- and what was beautiful was the people we met along this hike. WIND CAVE SD The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach (Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike. You will get the coastal views at the Pololu Valley lookout without even stepping foot on the Pololu Valley trail. The water that carved out these valleys is also the reason why these valleys were a popular place to live for the native Hawaiians: a constant supply of water is essential to grow culturally significant crops such as Taro. (Please do not disturb anything in this ancient site it is untouched and still in wonderful condition). The black sand beach at the valley floor looks like a beach at the end of the world. 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. Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would go again, Location: Trailhead is at the Pololu Lookout on the Big Island of Hawaii, Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip (including the Honokane Nui Lookout). Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Almost immediately upon climbing, it began to rain. Instead, you must walk down a rocky hiking trail for about 20 minutes. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Thanks for visiting today and checking out this post on this Big Island hike to Pololu Valley I hope you are inspired to plan a visit and enjoy these wonderful attractions. Its a shame that they dont realize that hiking one or two switch-backs down toward Polol Beach provides a much better photo vantage. 6. Pololu Valley was formed over 250,000 to 300,000 years ago when the Kohala Volcano experienced a huge collapse and landslide with a large part falling into the ocean and creating this massive gulch and valley that we see today. Want to report conditions for this trail? After you pass mile marker 28, youll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. the Kamehameha statue in Kapaau at the Kohala civic center sits the original How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? Beautiful place. Youll find hiking up the Maliwai uncrowded. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. Depending on recent rains and time of year it can be relatively low or quite high. We would love to see things that are truly unique to big island; we have hiked (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. Start early - like 730-8 in morning. The small town of Kapaau has By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. If you choose to hike down, the trail has been fixed is a challenging going through two sets of ropes for rappeling down a mostly dirt and rock area, a gorgeous walk through native fan palms and surprising a stunning natural bamboo grove. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Afterward, most people left the valley, and it has been sparsely . You can also make it a one day Big Island valley beach hike kind of day and make this day on the Big Island a "Waipio Valley + Pololu Valley" kind of day. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. Make sure you find parking even from a distant walk to the entrance of the trail since parking is limited right at the entrance. More information at the Keokea beach park website. Users of the website may print or download any content for personal use, but no one may reproduce this content (whether text or photographs) for any purpose in print or online without explicit permission from BigIslandHikes.com. March 3, 2023. Answer 1 of 8: We are planning to spend an entire day hiking down the trail in Waipo ValleyIs there a parking area at the top ?Do we need a permitI know that there is private property there and we will respect that by not trespassing, just. Youll finally get to a high ridge with magnificent views of Honokane and the other cliffs of the Kohala mountains. If you start hiking later, the humidity will get you, and the crowds start at 9-10. The Polol Valley beach is mostly made up of moderately-sized polished lava rocks. All of the land upriver is privately owned. visit on sunnier days when the trail is dry and easy to hike below, There are no Although I would have loved to explore more of this scenic valley, I decided to continue on to the Honokane Nui Lookout. MUD!! It shocked me to make it back to the Pololu Valley floor without falling. Take the coast highway one direction; the landscape there is unmatchable. 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. The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. The trailhead has no services at all no water, no restrooms, and no cell service. Noel Morata is the creator of This Hawaii Life along with a small team of contributors. See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. Date first visited: . Losing and forgetting things seemed to be the common theme for our trip. The beach at the bottom is fantastic, with the valley river flowing into the ocean resulting in a nice shallow play area. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. Pololu valley. The Pololu Valley floor is beautiful with a river, campgrounds, etc. I can't seem to remember now which of the longer hikes we did, maybe Akaka Falls? A lush tropical forest surrounded by almost 500 ft high cliffs and fronted by an ocean that more often than not has high surf and rough waves. In less than a mile hike, you'll be treated to some of the best views of sheer cliffs and lush rolling valley hills. From the valley floor it is a short and easy stretch to the beach. A gorgeous visit to Polulu Valley on the west side of Hawaii. 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. It only takes about 30 minutes to hike down to the valley from the scenic lookout. Most people do the hike down to the beach and come back up. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. The cliffs of Pololu and valley are unspoiled and have been natural until the first arrival of humans into the valley around the 15th Century. 1: Maui Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Road to Hana (Maui) 6: Maui Itinerary 7: Maui blog posts, The second-biggest island in the chain, much of Mauis appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its two massive volcanoes, whale watching and marine ecosystems, 1: Oahu Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Oahu Beaches 6: Oahu Itinerary 7: Oahu blog posts. You can see this now as a series of 7 valleys (a valley has a flood plane at the valley floor) of which Polol Valley is the most northern one. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. This magnificent wild valley is at the head of the Kohala Coast, the oldest part of the island with deep valleys and picturesque beaches. Next time with two others and we brought plenty of water and took about 3 hours. You'll hear from me shortly. The first section is steep as you climb the hillside into lush jungle-like surroundings. This is a relatively short hike to the bottom and nice to explore the slowly rambling stream that ends at the ocean or just amble from one end of the black sand beach to the cliffs on the other side and maybe do a climb to another gorge beyond if you feel challenged to do more exploring. Waipio Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. Waipi'o is a deep valley on the Hmkua Coast on the north side of the Big Island of Hawai'i. UTAH Find climbing partners in Oceania and Pacific Islands. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS In terms of color, its not the blackest black sand beach on the Big Island, but the wet sand can make it appear especially black. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley. Or read my tips for PLANNING A BACKPACKING TRIP in a National Park. Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, it's beautiful and drive there is as well. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. BRYCE CANYON UT The cliffs of the Kohala coastline were formed during a catastrophic landslide between 250.000 and 300.000 years ago during which a large part of the volcano slipped into the ocean. Check out all the fun details of this Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. 31. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is amazing. Near the top of the ridge you'll reach a small plateau with a large rock. The mounds of sand behind the beach are a fun place to spend some time. Youll arrive down to the black sand beach! Hawi sounds like the kind of place I'd enjoy stopping along the way. May 11, 2018 Alice Kao. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. The path washes away, so you have to do it on a dry day, and when you get down, its a bit anticlimactic. 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. Unfortunately, only the beach in this valley is public. Interested? It is split by the sublime Waipi'o River. However, as it heads inland, you will get a peek at the Pololu Valley below. It is a very tempting prospect; however, this is extremely dangerous as one errant wave could easily knock you off the rocks and into the ocean. Turned out, all we needed was the water and chips. Although the lookout provides a fabulous view, nothing compares to making into down into the valley. During or after rains the trail can be slippery and because of the relatively steep average grade of the trail (13%) we rate the difficulty as moderate. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Since you can find similar views at Pololu Valley, I'd save Waipi'o Valley for a time when the road has re-opened and it's safe to hike down to the valley. It should be remembered that you have to return the same way. If you are going to Pololu Valley during whale season (between ~December and March) and want to include a whale-watching picnic to your visit you should start by checking out our DIY whale watching tips. Explore majestic Waipi'o Valley, the lush and tropical Hamakua Coast, and multiple stunning waterfalls on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii on this day full of fun and exciting adventure. IDAHO So, Have you been to Polulu and want to go back again? Unfortunately, you won't find a short walk to this black sand beach in Hawaii. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipi'o Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . HALEAKALA HI One of the benefits of living in Hawaii is the opportunity to be outside just about every day of the year. Seeing so many people doing this, it can be seen as a form of disrespecting the land. If there is no room, wait or come back another day. BE ADVISED: PARKING AT WAIPIO LOOKOUT COUNTY PARK IS LIMITED TO 24 HOURS. Waipio Valley Hike (ROAD CURRENTLY CLOSED) Mahalo! Drive down the Akone Pule highway 270 and past the small town of Hawi. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. Any suggestions to help us pick one over the other? Camping is not allowed at Pololu since it is on private land and permits only issued for specific research studies. The simplest is driving to the lookout for the views, but you can also make a small (but steep) hike to the valley floor to check out the beach. There was an error submitting your subscription. If youre looking for something to do somewhat in the area, you might have a look at Lapakahi State Historical Park for a top Big Island snorkeling spot and to walk through an ancient Hawaiian village, or Hapuna Beach state park which has been called one of the best beaches on the Big Island. Once on the valley floor, the flora changes abruptly into large ironwood trees just behind the beach. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. Paula Dobbyn/Civil Beat/2022 . public services or lifeguards at the beach, Bring plenty Youll need to relax bc youll be on edge driving - esp if its your first time. Youll probably also notice some nice campsites, but camping here is illegal. I have wondered if the Awini Trail connects the the Northeast Coast together or is it a jungle bushwack beyond the above mentioned valleys making a connection between the roads at either end a near impossibility? Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. You'll most likely have to park along the street and walk to the viewpoint/start of the trail. Quickly cross the Polol River where it meets the sea. of the beach with the impressive 500 foot cliffs make for a fantastic photo Here are some comparisons: The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see For more information, please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. As you get to the beach areas there is a variety of camp sites and abandoned sites with refused from ocean findings that probably washed onshore. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. Large pebbles and stones cover the beach, making a satisfying rattling sound when the waves pick them up. A little off the beaten path, this hike was our favorite on the Big Island. Especially with kids. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. See more state parks on the Big Island. 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. Longitude: -155.7274313. Cool max - Light weight shorts and shirt/ hoodie. Head east on the Akoni Pule Highway and drive to the end of the road before parking at the Pololu Valley Overlook where the trail begins. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. After one more switchback inland, you emerge from the trees to see the view at Honokane Nui Lookout. If you're heading there from one of the main towns, the drive is still about an hour and a half from Hilo, and two hours from Kona. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. The "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. leave, so there is a lot of turnover for the parking spots. Although the ground is rocky . The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. This is a great place to bring a picnic. where Julie and I were fortunate enough to see flowing lava While Waipi'o Valley was the easternmost of the valleys in the Kohala Mountains in northeast Big Island, Pololu Valley was the westernmost of these valleys. PICTURED ROCKS MI In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. The reviews here for both places suggest Pololu is also more crowded with tourists but I'm guessing they are just referring to the lookout as many of the reviews implied there are less people on the actual hiking trails past the scenic lookout. This breathtaking view will leave you wanting more!If you're loo. Kaloko-Honokhau National Historical Park, Puuhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park, Ka Desert - Mauna Iki Trail from Hilina Pali Road. There are some trails parallel to the beach that make it easy to get to the other side of the valley (and continue the hike to other valleys) that are worth exploring if you have 20 minutes and a bit of energy to spare. I started walking down in order to get away from the people, but was surprised it really was a road, not a trail, and the vans driving down were a bit of a turn-off. The Volcano Van - Big Island Volcano Tours, Holualoa Inn-Big Island Bed and Breakfast, Latitude: 20.20033933 The Waipio Valley hike is one of the most beautiful and magical hiking spots on the Big Island. At Pololu, btw, you can go to the far end of the beach and hike up another mile or so for a view of the next valley over. One switchback is a particularly good spot for a photo. You can stick around for 10 minutes to snap a few pictures of the breathtaking coastline and take in the scenery but the real attraction at Pololu is the short but steep hike down into the valley and the black sand beach at the valley floor. Mahalo! Look mauka and you should see a brown sign guiding you to the trail. Both lookouts are crowded, AmyNoelle, and finding a parking spot can be an initial annoyance. Approaching Storm at Pololu Valley; Due to Frequent Rain Squalls Off the Pacific Ocean, Rain Gear is Highly . REI Co-op tights are calling them buttery-soft, 23 Unmissable Things to Do on the Big Island, Hawaii, Camping, Permits, and Gear for the Enchantments, GETTING A WALK-UP PERMIT OR FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE CAMPGROUND, Product Review Testing the Adventure Wagon Interior Modular System, Oregon Mt. Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo , by ALOHA DEAN Japanese garden in Hilo's Lili'uokalani Gardens, named for the Hawaiian monarch Queen Lili'uokalani. Once you get closer, youll start to see signs for Pololu Valley. Various sections of the trail, which runs in a steep zigzag down the vegetated cliff face, have been rebuilt - read article.. NATIONAL LAKESHORES Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Definitely worth walking up the other side. 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. downhill on the trail is rocky and wide with some nice spots for views and Lots of wildlife near the trail. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. Sign indicated trail was closed until 2025, but we parked and immediately hiked down the steep, paved path to the black sand beach without any issues. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. This is about a 5 minute drive from the Pololu Valley trailhead. It means its yet another quieter part of the Big Island, and it means its yet another nice scenic drive getting there! Bummer, this trail is closed. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. OR if youre headed to a National Park at the last minute, check out my tips for GETTING A WALK-UP PERMIT OR FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE CAMPGROUND. But I think it'd be a shame to miss North Kohala, and an added bonus is the "loop" drive whereas with Waipio, you have to drive the same way there and back ~ and deal twice with Waimea traffic, which can be tedious at times. Saw one fisherman on the beach, and four vehicles passed us while hiking the paved section. Good workout. Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. In the event it reopens, it's likely not worth your trouble. Your email address will not be published. With a population of less than 75,000, Kauai is truly a small-town island, littered with open space, protected preserves, and old plantation history. Permanent signs are posted saying road closed and no pedestrians. I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. You will find the trailhead near the parking lot. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) The trail snakes inland and back toward the ocean as you make your way across the top of this hillside. (Although you will pass through the cute Hawi town.). The hike itself is fairly steep, but it's not a super hard hike. statue of Kamehameha 1st who united all of the Hawaiian Islands. The wind blowing in the shrubs and trees and helicopters buzzing close over your head enhance the expansive view. Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. Take your time at the lookout, and I bet you will have some time alone. From there its s another 8 miles until you hit the end at the Pololu Valley Look out point. The uphill is good and strenuous, but the first mile of the hike (the steep part) is paved and rough on your knees. According to oral history, as many as 10,000 people lived in Waipio Valley before Captain Cook's landing in 1778. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) Answer 1 of 11: Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. Bryan C. Sacramento, CA. There are no bathrooms near the Pololu Valley trailhead. If youre staying a bit further north in one of the Waikoloa resorts on the Kohala coast, its a bit closer and might take around an hour. Sign up today on the latest for your slice of paradise! The trail to Pololu Beach is a steep, dirt path. Waipio Valley Lookout discounts - what to see at The Big Island (Hawaii island) - check out reviews and 4 photos for Waipio Valley Lookout - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Waipio Valley Lookout During my recent trip to the Big Island, I opted to do the Pololu Valley Hike. Take the time to explore. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. You can get pictures of the ocean, or even the interior ridges of the valleys are stunning. Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapaau. This trip turned out to be my favorite experience on the Big Island so far. Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. I had to press down my "mall parking anxiety" not flee the premises, lol. 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. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. This river is fed by agricultural runoff, so carefully consider how you treat this water before drinking. It takes about 30 - 45 minutes, but the walk back up will take anywhere between 1 - 1.5 hours depending on your level of physical fitness. It's a short but steep hike, and parking is . On Dec 7, a lava boat was spotted floating down channel. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. The third guich is higher in elevation and some of the trail is very tricky with barely any trail walking the sides of loose slope but with some helpful ropes to keep you from sliding down hill. Right Colleen, I have read about the further hike across Pololu but forgot. We list below a few things to do / places to see close to Pololu: Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower, restrooms, and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley (2.5 miles, about 10 minutes by car). So be careful. There are no trails heading out to the rocky beach areas but you can walk down through an old Hawaiian village and area of rock walls and pond enclosures that were probably made for growing taro, keeping animals and shelter which is truly amazing to visit. The Pololu Valley and this coastline are particularly beautiful for the steep, greenery-covered valley walls and dramatic cliffs that fall into the ocean. I hope you enjoy it as much as he did! of water with you on the short hike and sun screen for hot days, Trail and rocky and rough so hiking shoes or tennis shoes are necessary. Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii, as seen from the overlook. Very steep. This 22 mile network of flumes and ditches is essential for the water supply of a part of the island but also made sure that there are no permanent residents anymore in Pololu Valley. It then passes through 12 smaller gulches on a . Instead, locals would like you to know about Keokea Beach Park where there are bathrooms. He said there is a rock fall risk and it wont be opened again until repairs are completed. There are some great views of picturesque bodies of water, including the ocean, a small lake, and a river. You can get some great scenic views from the Pololu Valley lookout right near the parking area.
