Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. Head out to the rocky beach for a view of the ocean and rugged coastline. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. 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. Longitude: -155.7274313. In Hawaii, respecting the land is a big thing in Hawaiian culture. Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. We have been adventuring around the island for over 10 years and love living here. This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! I think the admin of this web page is genuinely working hard in support of his website, for the reason that here every material is quality based material. Unfortunately, you won't find a short walk to this black sand beach in Hawaii. Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. 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. We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. picture taking. . By doing the hike, youll get better views of the black sand beach as youre going down, and its a nice scenic coastal hike! Once I turned around, the journey back to the trailhead went surprisingly quick. Afterward, most people left the valley, and it has been sparsely . 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. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. The uphill is good and strenuous, but the first mile of the hike (the steep part) is paved and rough on your knees. There are some switchbacks toward the bottom of the hill. Can these both be done on the same day? only come here for the lookout. 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. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. just at the end of road with most day trippers coming to take pictures and The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. There are parking spots directly next to the trailhead, but I recommend parking a bit further up the street because the pedestrian flow around this area is almost constant. . 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. Also, if you want an adventure, check out Kaumana Caves. Re crowding at over look, much more at Waipio as area of over look is much bigger, not so much at Polulu. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Parking is During my recent trip to the Big Island, I opted to do the Pololu Valley Hike. The trail down to the valley floor offers great views into Pololu Valley. It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. 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. Kaloko-Honokhau National Historical Park, Puuhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park, Ka Desert - Mauna Iki Trail from Hilina Pali Road. But the hike up is quite steep. Did not make it to the top; Ill be back! 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. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. In my very limited experience (twice at Waipio, three times at Pololu), I've actually found Waipio more crowded. (Although you will pass through the cute Hawi town.). 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 drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. 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. NEW YORK 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! 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. Have fun. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. White top I was wearing a lightweight top from Free People. Be careful when it rains, very slick. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Duration: 10 to 11 hours. 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 . 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. 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. 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. of the beach with the impressive 500 foot cliffs make for a fantastic photo Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. 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. Please share your thoughts and comments below. days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the A little off the beaten path, this hike was our favorite on the Big Island. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. 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. Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. He thought I would like it, so next trip for sure! Pololu Valley is the northernmost of the Seven Valleys of the Kohala Mountains, accessible from the Pololu Valley Trail. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. The passing clouds threaten rain but also provide dynamic skies in your photos. 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. Easy to moderate. 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. to reach the bottom, On rainy 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. 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. Bummer, this trail is closed. If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. I have done both several times. The mounds of sand behind the beach are a fun place to spend some time. This river is fed by agricultural runoff, so carefully consider how you treat this water before drinking. Sign up today on the latest for your slice of paradise! I did this once alone, probably took 4 hours. 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? BE ADVISED: PARKING AT WAIPIO LOOKOUT COUNTY PARK IS LIMITED TO 24 HOURS. CARDIO!! With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! 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. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88589471', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala and the Pololu Valley. Nearly all streams in Hawaii pose the threat of bacteria. My favorite spot on the island so majorly bummed. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Consider the Salomon Trail Sense trail running shoes, which have amazing grip and flexibility while still looking like a regular shoe. Theme by 17th Avenue. Its steeep. Never drink the water and do not swim with open cuts. There is room for about 10 cars at the end . One of the most magical experiences Ive had in Hawaii. Somewhere between .75 and 1 mile. This is about a 5 minute drive from the Pololu Valley trailhead. The Pololu Valley Lookout; The hike into Pololu Valley; The black sand beach; Continue hiking to the next valley: the Honokane Nui trail; How to get to Pololu Valley; Things to do close to Pololu Valley; Pololu Valley history. In the late 1800s, many Chinese immigrants settled in the valley. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) 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. This hike starts at the parking lot near the Waipio Lookout. How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? The trail to Pololu Beach is a steep, dirt path. . You can hike to two of the valleys at Polulu provided that you stay on the trails and not wander through the mostly land that is private . Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. Many visitors find Hawaii fascinating for its state parks and hidden sea caves. 84. 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. Youll finally get to a high ridge with magnificent views of Honokane and the other cliffs of the Kohala mountains. Honokane Nui was a victim of the October 2006 earthquake, and the trail into the valley was reportedly destroyed. The small town of Kapaau has It might take around 30 minutes to hike down to the beach from the lookout. We just share the best of Hawaii travel, food, adventure and lifestyle to you in our updated posts and newsletters. I'd suggest taking the Waipio Valley Shuttle if you have young kids in tow. Once at the bottom take the road to the right. Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. A gorgeous visit to Polulu Valley on the west side of Hawaii. 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. There people are often volunteering their time to give visitors information about visiting the valley and the make sure parking only happens in allowed spaces. That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, it's beautiful and drive there is as well. It means its yet another quieter part of the Big Island, and it means its yet another nice scenic drive getting there! 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. It is wide enough for both uphill and downhill traffic to the bottom but give some clearance to people struggling uphill. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Youll save yourself the tight corners and the wait by parking up the street. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. further out and then walk to the end where the trail begins. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. 3. Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. Yay, it worked! Moderately Adventurous participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item linked on this site. Lots of water and snacks. 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapa'au. Turned out, all we needed was the water and chips. 1. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. You wont get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Or read my tips for PLANNING A BACKPACKING TRIP in a National Park. GRAND CANYON AZ
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