Lots of great scenery but you can experience that on the drive. Unfortunately, only the beach in this valley is public. How long does the Waipio Valley hike take? So detoured then to the beach- amazingly beautiful- and what was beautiful was the people we met along this hike. Continue to cliffs, a bit inland you will find a trail. Large pebbles and stones cover the beach, making a satisfying rattling sound when the waves pick them up. Since this hike will likely take 3-4 hours, here is what I recommend you bring with you on the Pololu Valley Hike: The trailhead is at the end of a dead-end road and very easy to find! MAUI 1: Kauai Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: The Npali Coast 6: Kauai Itinerary 7: Kauai blog posts. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. Hiking Hawaii - Pololu Valley - Hawaii Real Estate Market & Trends After that, there were a number of other people arrived. to reach the bottom, On rainy At the end of Highway 270 in North Kohala, the black sand beach at the mouth of Pololu Valley is accessible to adventurous visitors via a steep, 25-minute hike. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley for hiking? - Tripadvisor Answer 1 of 11: What is the best way to see Polulu Valley and Waipio Valley? . Aloha and enjoy This Hawaii Life. There are heiaus and historical parks to explore along the way. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI The wind blowing in the shrubs and trees and helicopters buzzing close over your head enhance the expansive view. They get to share Polols great historical and cultural values, along with the and significance the area has for those living in and visiting Kohala. All of the land upriver is privately owned. 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. Whether you are on a guided tour exploring the otherworldly landscapes shaped by lava, stargazing atop Mauna Kea, or relaxing seaside in a luxury B&B, the Big Island is sure to impress! This trip turned out to be my favorite experience on the Big Island so far. to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with any of the social media buttons on the left side of the page. 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. Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. Let's Go Hawaii - Hiking the Pololu Valley 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. Walking back up the road at the end was a bit tough just due to the steep incline. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. I recommend stopping to take a look and photos at the switchbacks as the views are phenomenal. None of this is to say Waipio isn't fantastic. 7 . by Murph1 Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:36 am. 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! It's still worth coming here to enjoy the view from the lookout, which I believe is the most beautiful vantage on the island! Waipi'o Valley Lookout - Nanaue Falls Loop from Kukuihaele. 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. 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. If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. Hike down on broken paved road. Streams in the valley are susceptible to flash flooding. Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. However, it didnt last long, and I was almost completely dry by the time I reached the trailhead. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. The cliffs are also known to have landslides as the coast continues its process of erosion. The Pololu Ditch Trail into the valley leading to Kapoloa Falls was closed due to the Kona earthquake in October 2006. Waipi'o Valley Big Island Hikes 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Waipio Valley Trail [CLOSED] | Map, Guide - Hawaii, Hawaii | AllTrails The trail snakes inland and back toward the ocean as you make your way across the top of this hillside. The hike up was a bit strenuous, but it was only a mile long so we made it up the steep bits in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you may use, Island of Hawaii Hotels and Places to Stay, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho`omaluhia, http://www.bigislandhikes.com/puu-waawaa/. call before planning any hike. Also the water was too high for us to be able to cross without getting soaked above the knees so we missed the back half because we werent prepared. This river is fed by agricultural runoff, so carefully consider how you treat this water before drinking. Absolutely beautiful. 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. V: Pololu Valley - emilyberkson Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. 4. Try to respect nature and pack out all trash (as per usual). Very steep. (read more about the geological history of Kohala). Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley - Hawaii - Cruise Critic Community The 9-mile Muliwai Trail from Waipi'o Valley into Waimanu Valley is rough, hazardous and extremely steep in spots, so only experienced backcountry hikers should attempt it. The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see On Dec 7, a lava boat was spotted floating down channel. Hawaii - Pololu Valley Hike to the Remote Honokane Nui Lookout. I'm hoping to hike part of the Muliwai Trail in May. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. There are some switchbacks toward the bottom of the hill. Followers 1. The "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. 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. Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. Top 5 Hikes and Walks in the Kohala Mountains | Komoot The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Pololu Valley is a solid 1.5 hours from Kona, maybe more depending on where on the Kona coast youre staying. Once on the valley floor, the flora changes abruptly into large ironwood trees just behind the beach. There are rope swings, campsites, and trails that lead in every direction. done with your hiking adventure, check out all these other fun things to 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. He thought I would like it, so next trip for sure! Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. By: Wasabi Tours. Can you still hike into Waipio Valley? | Dependable 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. Big Island Earthquake Update. But in 1946, the most devastating tsunami in Hawaii's history swept great waves far back into the valley. Make sure you find parking even from a distant walk to the entrance of the trail since parking is limited right at the entrance. When you're ready, climb 300' back to the trailhead. Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. The Waipio Valley hike down to the beach (hiking back into the valley isn't allowed) is quite a bit steeper and longer, more like 45-60 minutes each way. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. Both lookouts are crowded, AmyNoelle, and finding a parking spot can be an initial annoyance. Waipio Valley Hike Guide: Directions, Length, and Trail Map Home And you are at the Pololu Valley lookout! Share More sharing options. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipio Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. 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. Thanks, rj, for the encouragement! Let me know in the comments! Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Someone generously placed a new bench which conveniently turns into a table and seating area with magnificent views down the Honokane Nui. 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. The Pololu Trail Steward program is a recent initiative in which one or more local stewards are present at the Pololu Valley trailhead to inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. 11:00-1:00: Take a Road Trip to Hip Hawi (#28) and explore Kapa'au. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. 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. 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. Waipi'o valley Hike: A 6.5 mile round trip of medium difficulty. Looking into Waimanu Valley, which was the next valley over from Waipi'o Valley. You We looked at info for both Waipio and Pololu Valley and can't decide which we would prefer. Pololu valley and waipio valley - Island of Hawaii Forum Polol valley is the most northern of the impressive valleys that are carved into the Kohala volcano at the lush green pastures of the Kohala region on the Big Island. Big Island Activities Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. Island of Hawaii. It is not considered a swimming beach and sometimes inundated with Portuguese man-o-wars, so do not try to swim this dangerous beach especially with no resources for helping in drowning conditions.