I had stopped by the trailhead the day before at about 3:00 pm, and it was only slightly more active at that time. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! The trees break the wind on the valley floor, so I can see why this is a desirable camping destination. Hiking Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley kenjiSAITO Your hike down to the beach was mostly facing the ocean, and your hike back to the parking lot will be more of facing the valley! (Although you will pass through the cute Hawi town.). . Consider making a stop there before you go to Pololu Valley, just in case! It seems like the path is not maintained regularly, so be prepared for it all steep sections, muddy sections, areas with debris, confusing side trails, etc. If you would like to learn more about living here, be sure to check out my Moving To Hawaii Resources for Hawaii Island. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. 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. Hike down on broken paved road. " The hike down to Waipio valley is on a steep paved road, . The Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls were nice, but not really hikes. 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'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 is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. 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! Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. 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. NEW YORK The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. If youre interested in Pololu Valley, you may also be interested in these great Big Island activities: ROAD TRIP AMERICA Polulu Valley/Waipio Valley - Island of Hawaii Message Board - Tripadvisor 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 . Thats because its kind of in the far north of the Big Island, and a spot where not many other things are located. BADLANDS SD Coming back I knew I wanted to visit the Kohala area again, but this time somewhere different. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. Check out the other things I did on the Island of Hawaii: Have you done the Pololu Valley Hike or the Waipio Valley Hike? 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. Beyond the Lookout: Exploring the Big Island's Pololu Valley With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! Pololu Valley Trail, from the lookout down to the valley takes . To get there you have to follow the Akoni Pule Highway (highway 270) until it ends ends 8 miles east of the town of Hawi at the Pololu Valley lookout. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . The Muliwai Trail begins by making a challenging ascent of 1,200 feet in less than a mile on switch-backs cut into the wall of Waipio Valley. There are hikes of varying difficulties, and being at altitude gives it a completely different feel to anything on BI. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. Hiking Hawaii - Pololu Valley. The hike down is mostly gravel and soil and relatively easy to climb down depending on temperature and wetness factor. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. 2. Polol Valley Big Island Hikes Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. The uphill is good and strenuous, but the first mile of the hike (the steep part) is paved and rough on your knees. It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. Thanks, rj, for the encouragement! Try to respect nature and pack out all trash (as per usual). 1/22/2023. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Pololu Valley is the northernmost of the Seven Valleys of the Kohala Mountains, accessible from the Pololu Valley Trail. Black Sand Beaches in Hawaii, Everything You Need to Know Large pebbles and stones cover the beach, making a satisfying rattling sound when the waves pick them up. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. 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. A visit to Pololu Valley in Hawaii - Travel Photo Discovery Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. 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. A guy at the entrance said the trail is closed to hikers and cars until further notice. The vegetation is so thick that you do not get a view of the ocean. 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. This hike starts at the parking lot near the Waipio Lookout. 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. My posts got a little jumb, My Rogue River fashion: layers of sunscreen, wide-, Tools to Plan a Sensational Trip for Yourself. NATIONAL LAKESHORES You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. Download your copy of our Followers 1. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. And so, on a January morning earlier this year, trail shoes, blister cream, extra bandages, water bottles and emergency One-Ton Chips from Hilo's Maebo Noodle Factory in tow, we set out from the Pololu Valley lookout ready for anything nature chose to send our way on the hike to the valley floor. One of the best places to hike on the Big Island is the Pololu Valley. And then basically you will be driving to a dead end. 31. The Pololu Valley floor is beautiful with a river, campgrounds, etc. If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with any of the social media buttons on the left side of the page. 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. 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. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley. Not sure how much you've read about each hike: http://www.bigislandhikes.com/pololu-valley/, http://www.bigislandhikes.com/waipio-valley/. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley for hiking? - Tripadvisor So I guess I do believe in miracles. Colleen you need to do this hike. 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. SOUTH DAKOTA For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. We looked at info for both Waipio and Pololu Valley and can't decide which we would prefer. CARDIO!! If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. All rights reserved. Polol Valley Hike, Big Island Hawaii 2023 - Hawaii vacation.com ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88624665', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui one week we'll go out there at least twice if not more). Waipi'o Valley hike elevation: The elevation gain is approximately 975 feet on the steepest road . 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. syr101 . He went on our last day, we were leaving on a red eye and I decided not to do it. Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. On Dec 7, a lava boat was spotted floating down channel. People are starting the hike, ending the hike, and simply coming to admire the views. 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. Waipio Valley Hike Guide: Directions, Length, and Trail Map Home Make sure you find parking even from a distant walk to the entrance of the trail since parking is limited right at the entrance. 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. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley for hiking? - Island of Hawaii Forum of the beach with the impressive 500 foot cliffs make for a fantastic photo Pololu Valley and Waipio valley were spectacular hikes. From here, you first follow a very steep road into the Waipio Valley (be careful and watch out for cars). You can take a short stroll along the river bank before it stops with warning signs of private property beyond the trail areas. After you pass mile marker 28, youll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. With clouds swirling overhead for the duration of my hike, it was bound to happen. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . The hike felt remote and accessed some incredible jungle-like flora that I was craving while in Hawaii. 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. Going Beyond Polulu Valley-Hard Hike On Hawaii Island You can stick around for 10 minutes to snap a few pictures of the breathtaking coastline and take in the scenery but the real attraction at Pololu is the short but steep hike down into the valley and the black sand beach at the valley floor. BE ADVISED: PARKING AT WAIPIO LOOKOUT COUNTY PARK IS LIMITED TO 24 HOURS. Longitude: -155.7274313. How long is pololu Valley hike? Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. 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 ? Permanent signs are posted saying road closed and no pedestrians. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. Hiilawe Falls - Legendary Waterfall with Temporary Flow Instead, you must walk down a rocky hiking trail for about 20 minutes. The road eventually turns into a trail at Waipio Beach.