The huge sea cliffs paralleling a beautiful black sand beach were simply amazing to look at. I recommend stopping to take a look and photos at the switchbacks as the views are phenomenal. Trailhead: Take Hwy. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. The waves here are gnarly, and I wouldnt recommend swimming here, but it is beautiful to see. 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. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. When you're ready, climb 300' back to the trailhead. done with your hiking adventure, check out all these other fun things to 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. Useful 3. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. From the beach facing the ocean, looking right (SE) we could see Kaluahine Falls funneling water into the ocean. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. Once you reach the valley, you'll pass through a small picnic area and can either continue on the path above the beach or go down and wiggle your toes in some black sand. Waipi'o Valley hike time: The hike will take a total of 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the fitness level of the group and time spent exploring the valley floor. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. 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. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. 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. only come here for the lookout. Recommended Posts. You can get pictures of the ocean, or even the interior ridges of the valleys are stunning. Must cross water to go up the other side though. Dont venture too far inland to avoid trespassing and disturbing sites that shouldnt be disturbed. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipio Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. Tried to hike to waterfall but it crosses into private property and couldnt get to it. Quickly cross the Polol River where it meets the sea. . This is a popular spot, so go on off times! Youll finally get to a high ridge with magnificent views of Honokane and the other cliffs of the Kohala mountains. It is split by the sublime Waipi'o River. Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. The spectacular views of the valley and the steep cliffs that end in the ocean are worth a trip on their own, but the real thing to do here is hiking to the black sand beach at the valley floor! How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. In less than a mile hike, you'll be treated to some of the best views of sheer cliffs and lush rolling valley hills. Quan forgot her jacket upon checking out of Waimea Country Lodge. Almost immediately upon climbing, it began to rain. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . 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. 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. Fun stuff. Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley. The road leading to the Pololu Valley Lookout has also been repaired - news release. Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. GRAND CANYON AZ Should be great! 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. Lots of wildlife near the trail. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! I had stopped by the trailhead the day before at about 3:00 pm, and it was only slightly more active at that time. Beyond that, though, the drive to & from is part of the experience. With clouds swirling overhead for the duration of my hike, it was bound to happen. It should be remembered that you have to return the same way. Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. Also found a beautiful waterfall. It means its yet another quieter part of the Big Island, and it means its yet another nice scenic drive getting there! Honokane Nui was a victim of the October 2006 earthquake, and the trail into the valley was reportedly destroyed. 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. 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 first section is steep as you climb the hillside into lush jungle-like surroundings. More information at the Keokea beach park website. By doing the hike, you . Take the time to explore. Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. Glow, horses. Waipi'o valley is the most southern valley that carved into the Kohala volcano, where Pololu valley is at the north side of this cliff section. Have fun. The mounds of sand behind the beach are a fun place to spend some time. For decades, residents and visitors have traversed a steep, largely unpaved incline to the Big . So be careful. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Beach, Puukohol Heiau National Historical Site Trail, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Mauna Kea Beach to Hapuna Beach, Kalahuipua'a Historic Park and Fishponds Loop, Muliwai and Waimanu Valley Trail [CLOSED]. Bryan C. Sacramento, CA. 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. The trail is located about a hundred feet from the shoreline with a small trail located with low lying ferns and on the eastern ridge of Polulu. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Youll find hiking up the Maliwai uncrowded. On either side of the valleyare cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls. Trailhead: Take Hwy. There is often a possibility of rain at any moment. The Awini trailhead can be found on the trail that runs above the beach. 6.12 km. 6. Hiking Hawaii - Pololu Valley. Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. Although I've never hiked it, I can brag that I've driven down the road with the steepest grade in the entire USA! Download your copy of our However, they are not easy to walk along! further out and then walk to the end where the trail begins. Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Just dont expect a quiet reprieve into nature. I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. This is about a 5 minute drive from the Pololu Valley trailhead. But being in a more remote part of the island, you can see this as a good thing! I have read about the hike / walk to. You will find the trailhead near the parking lot. This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! Right Colleen, I have read about the further hike across Pololu but forgot. I can't seem to remember now which of the longer hikes we did, maybe Akaka Falls? by Murph1 Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:36 am. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. We saw wild horses at the base of Waipio! Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail . You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. Regarding treading on sacred ground is not a problem if you follow the following guidelines. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI Sturdy shoes I wore tennis shoes, but it would have been helpful to have more grip on the muddy sections on the way to Honokane Nui Lookout. How long does the Waipio Valley hike take? Definitely worth walking up the other side. Mahalo! 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. Try to respect nature and pack out all trash (as per usual). The hike We like to be doing actual hiking for about 2-3 hours plus the time to stop and take in the sights. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. Otherwise, you can park along the side of the road before that dead end parking lot too. Exercise caution when crossing and be aware of weather conditions. One of the benefits of living in Hawaii is the opportunity to be outside just about every day of the year. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. With more time and better weather, we would have attempted the longer hike to Waimanu. Bring a flashlight. Lots of great scenery but you can experience that on the drive. One of the most magical experiences Ive had in Hawaii. May 11, 2018 Alice Kao. PEARL HARBOR HI With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! The roundtrip hike goes down about 420 feet to the valley floor Views You continue through the village of Hawi (good spot for a bite & beverage), on narrow, winding roads with one-land bridges. I loved the dramatic and rugged landscape of the Pololu Valley Hike. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. If you head over to the stream, you will see a beautiful view of the Pololu Valley. Permanent signs are posted saying road closed and no pedestrians. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. Youll probably also notice some nice campsites, but camping here is illegal. 7 . So going to Pololu Valley requires a time commitment. It might take around 30 minutes to hike down to the beach from the lookout. There are no lifeguards on the beach and the surf breaks and the beach with undertow is treacherous so swimming is not encouraged on the beach. The valley was the permanent home for Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) until the time of King Umi-a-Lloa. Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. 3. Hawaii - Pololu Valley Hike to the Remote Honokane Nui Lookout. The road eventually turns into a trail at Waipio Beach. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. NEW YORK That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. I suppose it is easier to slip and slide your way downhill instead of uphill. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Waipi'o Valley hike elevation: The elevation gain is approximately 975 feet on the steepest road . 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. 31. I could not tell in person which way it went from the lookout, so if you are planning to go further, you will have to do additional research. Interested? Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. --Ernest Hemingway, Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley, Re: Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u46mHlI3pD0. I'm kind of leaning toward Pololu for that reason. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! 02:09. We're staying in Kolea area so the drive time is not too much different to either. 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). Really grateful for a kind couple from Seattle gave us a lift up from beach to parking lot! This is a great place to bring a picnic. There are some great views of picturesque bodies of water, including the ocean, a small lake, and a river. On the northern Hamakua Coast, you'll find the lush Waipio Valley. MICHIGAN The weather at Pololu Valley is variable from cloudy and windy to stormy clouds and rain and then to blue sky, and you can even get all three happening on the same day. Intermediate. Wild horses, stray dog that followed us at the hip and protected us, amazing views, a river crossing, wild fruit along the way (pomelo). Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. 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. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. By Tiphany Myers. I have wondered if the Awini Trail connects the the . The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. we didn't end up going all the way. #1. Lots of water and snacks. In the late 1800s, many Chinese immigrants settled in the valley. Once you pass the stream and campsites, the trail becomes increasingly wild. Bummer, this trail is closed. Please share your thoughts and comments below. 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. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Once at the bottom take the road to the right. In the event it reopens, it's likely not worth your trouble. 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapa'au. Suggested Time: 60-90 minutes. Look for the rope swings that are usually present. Stay organized while planning your own trip with a TRIP PLANNING DOCUMENT. days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to 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. A group of Chinese immigrants settled in the valley in the late 1800 and built churches . GRAND TETON WY Cool 2. It is very wide, comforting during the Pandemic to maintain some space between you and other hikers. More of the, many black sand beaches on the Big Island, Hawaii packing list: THE top things to pack for Hawaii. Waipio Valley. Steep but beautiful! It can be distressing for locals to see people coming out of the bushes near the Pololu Valley trailhead, presuming why people are coming out of the bushes. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Gear: Standard hiking gear. Waipi'o is a deep valley on the Hmkua Coast on the north side of the Big Island of Hawai'i. You 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. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. Let me know in the comments! Easy to moderate. Slick when wet. There is a trail that leads through the canyon gulch at a distance but visitors are not allowed to pass beyond a certain area since it is private lands. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the of the beach with the impressive 500 foot cliffs make for a fantastic photo