31. Pololu Valley Lookout (Island of Hawaii): All You Need to Know Although I've never hiked it, I can brag that I've driven down the road with the steepest grade in the entire USA! 18. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. I had to press down my "mall parking anxiety" not flee the premises, lol. There was an error submitting your subscription. Youll need to relax bc youll be on edge driving - esp if its your first time. Beautiful place. The photos he took were spectacular. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! 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. This is a popular spot, so go on off times! Walking back up the road at the end was a bit tough just due to the steep incline. 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. Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. Previously, earthquake damage had closed the Pololu Valley trail, but it is once again open - and it is a hike that you must do! Keokea Beach park a beautiful park with nice views of the coastline with picnic grounds and public services. Try to respect nature and pack out all trash (as per usual). WHAT TO WEAR HIKING, 2023 Flashpacking America | US outdoor travel blog, Are you headed to another island in Hawaii from the Big Island? These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. There is limited parking space available at the lookout point with minimal space to turn around so it is possible you need to turn around and park your car on the shoulder of the road and then walk back a few minutes to the valley entrance. Hiking on the Big Island Maluhia Hale at Hualalai If you are trying to decide where to hike, Waipio Valley or here, this hike is MUCH easier. Followers 1. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. The trail can be quite muddy if it has been raining. You will find the trailhead near the parking lot. Shop around on. Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach Living on the Big Island and traveling regularly to the neighbor islands, Noel and team actively search and share the latest information and updates to Hawaii travel, food, adventure and various lifestyle activities on the islands for your planning and vacation. Really grateful for a kind couple from Seattle gave us a lift up from beach to parking lot! and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. POLOLU VALLEY - 278 Photos & 80 Reviews - Yelp How long does the Waipio Valley hike take? 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. If you're interested in Waipio Valley, you may also be interested in these great Big Island activities: Pololu Valley hike 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. GRAND TETON WY Three Days in Waimanu Valley on Hawaii Island - Hawaii Magazine 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. No . ZION UT The trailhead begins at the end of the road. Saturday February 26th - sign on road at Honokaa town - sign on road 7 miles before the hike starts saying Road CLOSEDNo hikers!!! We would love to see things that are truly unique to big island; we have hiked (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Especially with kids. 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). I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). If you feel challenged, you can even go beyond to the other valleys beyond Pololu on a day trip or overnight stay. None of this is to say Waipio isn't fantastic. Your email address will not be published. The path washes away, so you have to do it on a dry day, and when you get down, its a bit anticlimactic. Hikes on the Big Island - This Hawaii Life, Isaac Art Center Waimea - This Hawaii Life, Waimea Farmers Markets - This Hawaii Life, Black sand beaches of Hawaii - This Hawaii Life, Kapoho black sand beach - This Hawaii Life, Big Island hike to Ha'ena Beach - This Hawaii Life, Green sand beach on the Big Island - This Hawaii Life, Free or cheap things to do on the Big Island - This Hawaii Life, Big Island hike to Narnia - This Hawaii Life, Big Island hike at Puuwaawaa - This Hawaii Life. Longitude: -155.7274313. So, Have you been to Polulu and want to go back again? It only takes about 30 minutes to hike down to the valley from the scenic lookout. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. One day of hiking to the Big Island valley beaches, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach for swimming. Leave before 12, or youll be stopping a lot to share the road. 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. Come prepared! After hiking Waipio Valley, it was about an hour and 20 minute drive to the parking lot here. Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. 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. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the one at Waipio, but it's on a hiking trail, vs. Waipio where you'll be hiking on a poorly maintained, very steep . After taking more photos with the reflection of the still water, I began the climb up to the trailhead. Don't miss these. Should be great! Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . Be careful when it rains, very slick. I suppose it is easier to slip and slide your way downhill instead of uphill. 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). I ran out of water. Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. Cool 2. The view of the valley from the top, surrounded by cliffs up to 2,000 feet high, is already awe-inspiring. Hiking Hawaii - Pololu Valley. Theres a bypass trail just a few feet away from the road around the muddiest areas at the bottom and before the beach. WAIPIO VALLEY ROAD Hike OR drive to Waipio Valley beach OR just see 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 "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. More of the, many black sand beaches on the Big Island, Hawaii packing list: THE top things to pack for Hawaii. The cliffs are also known to have landslides as the coast continues its process of erosion. Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. Pololu valley. 4 Things to Do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall. Beyond that, though, the drive to & from is part of the experience. 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. Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. The trail snakes inland and back toward the ocean as you make your way across the top of this hillside. You'll end up in Waimea, perfect place to have a beer (or whatever) and savor your day. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. If you feel like having a very good workout this is the hike for you! You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. we didn't end up going all the way. 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. 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. We walked the opposite direction along the beach, crossed the river inflow and went to the large rocks before turning around. There are several levels of visiting Pololu valley. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. For decades, residents and visitors have traversed a steep, largely unpaved incline to the Big . Waipi'o is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. Michele Falzone/Getty Images. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Funny 1. The beach at the bottom is fantastic, with the valley river flowing into the ocean resulting in a nice shallow play area. It is located on the west side of the island. and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. Duration: 10 to 11 hours. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3094/720. And you are at the Pololu Valley lookout! A History of the Waipio Valley on Hawaii's Big Island - TripSavvy Take Kohala Mountain Road on your way back ~ another stunning drive. Waiulili Falls - Ocean-Bound Waterfall by Waipi'o Valley Did this the last visit before I had this app and were heading down again this visit but its closed till probably 2025. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. SOUTH DAKOTA only come here for the lookout. According to oral history, as many as 10,000 people lived in Waipio Valley before Captain Cook's landing in 1778. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. Youll finally get to a high ridge with magnificent views of Honokane and the other cliffs of the Kohala mountains. We're staying in Kolea area so the drive time is not too much different to either. What island is honokaa on? - vknao.hioctanefuel.com Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. Big Island - Waipi'o Valley If you start hiking later, the humidity will get you, and the crowds start at 9-10. Going Beyond Polulu Valley-Hard Hike On Hawaii Island 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). There is a rugged, inaccessible coastline filled with lush scenic valleys on the northern coast of the Big Island. I did this once alone, probably took 4 hours. Easy to moderate. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. 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. After you pass mile marker 28, you'll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. Lots of water and snacks. The Big Island has several great hikes, such as the Pololu Valley hike and the Waipio Valley hike, which offer stunning views of the coastline and valleys. After hiking Waipio Valley, it was about an hour and 20 minute drive to the . Mahalo! If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with any of the social media buttons on the left side of the page. Trailhead: Take Hwy. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. Try not to get blown away by the incredible views and crazy wind at the Honokane Nui Lookout. MAMMOTH CAVE KY Waipi'o Valley - Valley of the Kings , by ALOHA DEAN The Seven Sacred Pools is part of Haleakala National Park and located on the eastern part of Maui, about 40 minutes beyond Hana. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. 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. GRAND CANYON AZ The road was wet while we were there so I'm glad I didn't try to drive it. Check out the details here for more images and inspiration to doing this tour. One of the benefits of living in Hawaii is the opportunity to be outside just about every day of the year. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Continue to cliffs, a bit inland you will find a trail. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Subscribe to our Newsletter, Phantom 4 Drone footage of Pololu Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii, Pro tip (for the early birds): The Pololu Lookout is a, This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our. Let me know in the comments! Big Island Earthquake Update. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. The trail down to the beach drops 400 feet in 20 minutes of hikingbe warned, the hike up is difficult for those not in good physical shape and the hike down should not be attempted if you have doubts about being able to hike back up. 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. STOP OVERPACKING for your trip and pack just the right amount! 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. ARIZONA All of the land upriver is privately owned. Theres a sense of magic here. You will get the coastal views at the Pololu Valley lookout without even stepping foot on the Pololu Valley trail. How to get to Pololu Valley. The hike down is mostly gravel and soil and relatively easy to climb down depending on temperature and wetness factor. The hike . You wont get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Its a rewarding view that allows you to get away from the crowds that do the Pololu Valley Hike. Somewhere between .75 and 1 mile. I'm kind of leaning toward Pololu for that reason. Someone generously placed a new bench which conveniently turns into a table and seating area with magnificent views down the Honokane Nui. See Wild Horses In Hawaii Roam Free In The Waipio Valley to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the Suggested Time: 60-90 minutes. 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. May 11, 2018 Alice Kao. Located along the North Kohala Coast, home to the island's most picturesque sandy beaches and incredible weather, the Pololu Valley was formed by the Kohala volcano hundreds of thousands of years ago. UTAH Theme by 17th Avenue. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. 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. Pololu Valley is located in north Kohala on the eastern slope of the extinct Kohala volcano at the northernmost point of the Big Island. Although this is lovely, I recommend further exploring the Pololu Valley and continuing to hike to the Honokane Nui Lookout. 6. 4. In Hawaii, respecting the land is a big thing in Hawaiian culture. With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. HALEAKALA HI Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Consider the Salomon Trail Sense trail running shoes, which have amazing grip and flexibility while still looking like a regular shoe. MAHALO! The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. 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. I had the Honokane Nui Lookout to myself for a good 15 minutes before another couple arrived. By doing the hike, youll get better views of the black sand beach as youre going down, and its a nice scenic coastal hike! The hike felt remote and accessed some incredible jungle-like flora that I was craving while in Hawaii. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. Although the lookout provides a fabulous view, nothing compares to making into down into the valley. Its also down a steep road as opposed to a natural hike. If you can find the river area on the far right, there is a small pond area that is relatively safe for swimming in depending on the water levels and weather. I recommend bringing along some slip on shoes to change into crossing, then back in hiking boots/shoes on other side. I haven't yet hiked into the valley, only walked part of the way down the road. Your email address will not be published. You can even camp in the Pololu Valley. 11:00-1:00: Take a Road Trip to Hip Hawi (#28) and explore Kapa'au. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Arriving at 8:30 am, I was a bit bummed at how busy it was already. Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. Youll arrive down to the black sand beach! This is one of the most adventurous and beautiful hikes we have done. Waipi'o Valley Lookout - Nanaue Falls Loop from Kukuihaele. Hike down on broken paved road. Island of Hawaii. Check out all the fun details of this Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. Continuing on to the Z trail provides more solitude, I'm sure. Take the coast highway one direction; the landscape there is unmatchable. Recommend bringing an extra pair of socks and a towel if you plan on crossing the River. The trailhead has no services at all no water, no restrooms, and no cell service. Between 250.000 and 300.000 years ago the Kohala volcano experienced a truly massive landslide in which a part of the volcano fell into the ocean. 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. One thing my hubby and I really enjoy on vacation is a scenic drive with some character (we are obsessed with Road to Hana--if we're in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. It's a short but steep hike, and parking is . 3. When you're ready, climb 300' back to the trailhead. There was a bit of muddy spots on the flat part of the road/trail, but easily navigable. The valley floor is 1/4 mile from the trailhead. So Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. Waipi'o valley Hike: A 6.5 mile round trip of medium difficulty. You can get some great scenic views from the Pololu Valley lookout right near the parking area. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. 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. It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. This series consists of the following valleys: Water has eroded 7 deep valleys into the windward side of the Kohala Volcano of the Big Island.