Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. Big Island vs Maui: Food. . Before you know it, you will have made it to the Pololu Valley floor. Spotted yesterday at #MaunaLoa a lava boat rides the waves! The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) 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. Lots of water and snacks. Island of Hawaii. Expect 1-1.5 miles of total hiking + beach exploring; more if you continue along Awini Trail, Hike down to beach is moderate to strenuous when hiking out, Big Island Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Big Island Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. By doing the hike, you . But, it's not a kid-friendly hike. PICTURED ROCKS MI Regarding treading on sacred ground is not a problem if you follow the following guidelines. 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. The views into Honokane Nui and the coast are simply stunning from the ridge. Located in the flourishing green pastures of North Kohala at the end of Highway 270, Pololu Valley is simply awe-inspiring, especially at sunrise. Be careful when it rains, very slick. 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. Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. The dirt and root trail can be steep in places, but the various views of the valley along the way make even part of the walk worth it. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Parking is I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. Island of Hawaii. Book your tickets online for Pololu Valley Lookout, Island of Hawaii: See 1,143 reviews, articles, and 1,562 photos of Pololu Valley Lookout, ranked No.18 on Tripadvisor among 501 attractions in Island of Hawaii. Suggested Time: 60-90 minutes. It then passes through 12 smaller gulches on a . Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Let me know in the comments! Waipi'o Valley Big Island Hikes Please try again. Most people do the hike down to the beach and come back up. The "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. Some of the cars in the morning may have been from people who were camping in the valley, but overall, it is best to mentally prepare for this popular spot to be busy. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING The ascent on both ends of this hike will test your cardiovascular system but are well worth it. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Never drink the water and do not swim with open cuts. For something a bit different, take a look at Kalopa State Park. 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. Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, its beautiful and drive there is as well. There was an error submitting your subscription. 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. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. Don't miss these. Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. The trail climbs the eastern ridge of Pololu through a series of muddy and often slippery switchbacks and leads to a wooden bench that overlooks the Honokane Nui Valley and part of the Honokane Iki Valley. 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. You can even camp in the Pololu Valley. Beyond the Lookout: Exploring the Big Island's Pololu Valley The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Date first visited: . Waipi'o Valley: How to visit and What to see - Love Big Island You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. 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. It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. 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. My husband did this hike a couple of weeks ago and loved it http://www.bigislandhikes.com/puu-waawaa/. However, they are not easy to walk along! Hike down the wide trail and stop at each switchback in the trail to take in the awesome views of the northern Kohala coast. Can these both be done on the same day? Lets get into the hike! visit on sunnier days when the trail is dry and easy to hike below, There are no All of the land upriver is privately owned. I have done both several times. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. Can you still hike into Waipio Valley? | Dependable For this reason it is both referred to at the Polol Trail and the wini trail. Unfortunately, as far as we know, you can no longer continue beyond this point. We spent the last day on the Big Island valley hopping and checking out a remote cabin on a private beach. Seeing so many people doing this, it can be seen as a form of disrespecting the land. Pololu Valley as seen from the trailhead. 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. Yay, it worked! I haven't yet hiked into the valley, only walked part of the way down the road. The trees break the wind on the valley floor, so I can see why this is a desirable camping destination. A guy at the entrance said the trail is closed to hikers and cars until further notice. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. If you're interested in Waipio Valley, you may also be interested in these great Big Island activities: Pololu Valley hike Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley 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. After you pass mile marker 28, youll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. If you love sightseeing, the shuttle tour is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon on the Big Island. I suppose it is easier to slip and slide your way downhill instead of uphill. 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. I hope you enjoy it as much as he did! See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. MAMMOTH CAVE KY Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapaau. There are some great views of picturesque bodies of water, including the ocean, a small lake, and a river. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. 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 is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. Intermediate. This is one of the most adventurous and beautiful hikes we have done. The expansive black sand beach is fantastic to walk through and check out the rock sculptures and enjoy the beach. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour w/ Rare Earth Adventures, Product Review Recreating Liz Robbins Outfit with Modern Royal Robbins Clothing, Product Review Gregory Maya 10 Hiking Backpack, Product Review Kuhl Travel Pants: FreeFlex Move & Kultivtr Crop, Purple leggings while I got these years ago, here are a few lilac tights I found as of August 2022: These on. With clouds swirling overhead for the duration of my hike, it was bound to happen. I had stopped by the trailhead the day before at about 3:00 pm, and it was only slightly more active at that time. Continue to cliffs, a bit inland you will find a trail. 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. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! 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. Just dont expect a quiet reprieve into nature. 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. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. Views 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. 02:09. Useful 3. I have wondered if the Awini Trail connects the the . You'll end up in Waimea, perfect place to have a beer (or whatever) and savor your day. How long does the Waipio Valley hike take? Muliwai trail brochure 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern Kohala coastline from the Polol Overlook. Lots of wildlife near the trail. I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. Bryan C. Sacramento, CA. The vegetation is so thick that you do not get a view of the ocean. If you do, please be mindful that you are visiting sacred land. Quan forgot her jacket upon checking out of Waimea Country Lodge. 1:00-2:00: Drive to Waimea. Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. Only a few people continue to the Honokane Nui Lookout, so this part of the trail is less busy. --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. More information at the Keokea beach park website. It shocked me to make it back to the Pololu Valley floor without falling. Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. Honokane Nui was a victim of the October 2006 earthquake, and the trail into the valley was reportedly destroyed. 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. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. Pololu Valley hike: This is a 2.5 miles round trip and is pretty easy. The Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls were nice, but not really hikes. . You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. I recommend bringing along some slip on shoes to change into crossing, then back in hiking boots/shoes on other side. 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. Continuing on to the Z trail provides more solitude, I'm sure. Moderately Adventurous participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item linked on this site. So please, for everyones sake, locals and future Hawaii visitors alike, avoid those bushes! Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Waipi'o Valley hike elevation: The elevation gain is approximately 975 feet on the steepest road . Here are some comparisons: NEW YORK 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. The path washes away, so you have to do it on a dry day, and when you get down, its a bit anticlimactic. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. I recommend heading inland, and youll see a stone-lined walking path. Totally closed as of last Friday for all hikers and cars for an indefinite amount of time! Many visitors find Hawaii fascinating for its state parks and hidden sea caves. LANAI 2022 Closure Notice On February 25, 2022, the County of Hawaii issued an Emergency Rule announcing the closure of Waipio Valley Road to visitors as a precautionary safety measure and to further assess and mitigate . Exercise caution when crossing and be aware of weather conditions. 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. 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. Both lookouts are crowded, AmyNoelle, and finding a parking spot can be an initial annoyance. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. Did this the last visit before I had this app and were heading down again this visit but its closed till probably 2025. opportunity in the area. Check out the other things I did on the Island of Hawaii: Have you done the Pololu Valley Hike or the Waipio Valley Hike? Mahalo! If youre 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/. Unfortunately, you won't find a short walk to this black sand beach in Hawaii. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley - Hawaii - Cruise Critic Community Near the top of the ridge you'll reach a small plateau with a large rock. 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. Steep but beautiful! Waipio Valley Residents Still Seek A Deal Limiting Foot Traffic On Cool max - Light weight shorts and shirt/ hoodie. 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. Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. The trail is After that, there were a number of other people arrived. That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. the fertile Pololu . There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. One week on the Big Island : r/travel 6. Amazing is an understatement. Waipio Valley Beach & Muliwai Trail | Hawaii | Hikespeak.com Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the . 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. 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! One of the most magical experiences Ive had in Hawaii. It only takes about 30 minutes to hike down to the valley from the scenic lookout. POLOLU VALLEY TRAIL--BIG ISLAND - thehikinghi Look for the rope swings that are usually present. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. The black sand beach at the valley floor looks like a beach at the end of the world. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. POLOLU VALLEY Hike to Pololu Valley beach OR just see the lookout? All of the land upriver is privately owned. Copyright 2020, BigIslandHikes.com. Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Not sure how much you've read about each hike: http://www.bigislandhikes.com/pololu-valley/, http://www.bigislandhikes.com/waipio-valley/. 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. 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. Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. Waipio Valley Trail [CLOSED] | Map, Guide - Hawaii, Hawaii | AllTrails Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. The ornamental . Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. 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. My favorite spot on the island so majorly bummed. I found this area to be relatively flat and dry. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) If you enjoyed the images and post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons located around the post. 1. If it was dry I would have been fine driving it with our 4X4. The Pololu Valley floor is beautiful with a river, campgrounds, etc. Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach The valley floor is 1/4 mile from the trailhead. All Rights Reserved. I have done both several times. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . Your email address will not be published. March 3, 2023. A visit to Pololu Valley in Hawaii - Travel Photo Discovery After taking more photos with the reflection of the still water, I began the climb up to the trailhead. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. It's a short but steep hike, and parking is . There is often a possibility of rain at any moment. We looked at info for both Waipio and Pololu Valley and can't decide which we would prefer. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. All rights reserved. We don't shy away from more aggressive hiking but can also enjoy something more laid back as well. Head to the end of Akoni Pule Hwy (270) to come to Pololu Valley. Pololu is amazingly breathtaking, but the hike is almost straight down. 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. The total length of this hike is . Big Island vs Maui - Which is the Better Vacation? Thats because its kind of in the far north of the Big Island, and a spot where not many other things are located. Trailhead: Take Hwy. 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapaau. Want to report conditions for this trail? Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. 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. Waipio Valley Information, Photos & More - Hawaii Guide Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. Fun stuff. The only ones that can be hiked are Waipio Valley near Waimea, Waimanu Valley (from Waipio) and Pololu Valley, which must be approached from the west side. 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. Shop around on. The view of these lush valleys and cliffs into the ocean is stunning. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Please share your thoughts and comments below. It is located on the west side of the island. In less than a mile hike, you'll be treated to some of the best views of sheer cliffs and lush rolling valley hills. Its a rewarding view that allows you to get away from the crowds that do the Pololu Valley Hike. There are no roads that cross this area south to north of the island. Coming back I knew I wanted to visit the Kohala area again, but this time somewhere different. Start early - like 730-8 in morning. This video and the associated comments explain all: "Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. These packs would be a more comfortable experience. 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. Waipio Valley Hike (ROAD CURRENTLY CLOSED) The trail to Pololu Beach is a steep, dirt path. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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? You can take a short stroll along the river bank before it stops with warning signs of private property beyond the trail areas. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. If have a 4x4, do like the locals- back up your truck and park towards the ocean- lay in back of truck -and relax. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. By: Wasabi Tours. steep with 13 percent grade going down to the valley floor and is only .6 miles The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see I'm hoping to hike part of the Muliwai Trail in May. The following 2.5 minute video shows aerial footage of the cliffs, the beach and the upper valley: The Pololu lookout gives you a magnificent view over Pololu Valley and the impressive sea cliffs that slowly crumble into the ocean. Hawi sounds like the kind of place I'd enjoy stopping along the way. And if it becomes a big problem, thats when there may even start to be more serious talks about limiting visitors to visit such places like Pololu Valley. Regarding treading on sacred ground is not a problem if you follow the following guidelines. Hike the Pololu Valley - letsgo-hawaii.com He went on our last day, we were leaving on a red eye and I decided not to do it. He said there is a rock fall risk and it wont be opened again until repairs are completed. Losing and forgetting things seemed to be the common theme for our trip. 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. Hard on the way up, but totally worth it., starts with a decline up to the beach. 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! Very steep. So, Have you been to Polulu and want to go back again? A History of the Waipio Valley on Hawaii's Big Island - TripSavvy If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. (Please do not disturb anything in this ancient site it is untouched and still in wonderful condition). And of course, hiking down to the valley floor and spending some time on the beach is very worthwhile. Unfortunately, only the beach in this valley is public. Pololu Valley Trail, from the lookout down to the valley takes . That is why only a part of the hike is described here. For decades, residents and visitors have traversed a steep, largely unpaved incline to the Big . To see which of our walks in the Kohala Mountains is the right one for you, browse real tips and photos uploaded by other hikersand see what they had to say about each walk. Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. The Polol Valley beach is mostly made up of moderately-sized polished lava rocks. How to get to Pololu Valley. A short way across you will come to a stream. This is a great place to bring a picnic. There is room for about 10 cars at the end of the road in a parking area that fills up quickly, especially on weekends. syr101 . I ran out of water. With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! . Your email address will not be published. If you are trying to decide where to hike, Waipio Valley or here, this hike is MUCH easier. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. The beach is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. I took a couple of timelapse videos and could see the light move around on the valley walls with the clouds. From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. Looking into Waimanu Valley, which was the next valley over from Waipi'o Valley. 3. Polol Valley Big Island Hikes And then basically you will be driving to a dead end.
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