Click here to read my full disclosure policy. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Colleen you need to do this hike. Must cross water to go up the other side though. Honokane Nui was a victim of the October 2006 earthquake, and the trail into the valley was reportedly destroyed. 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. downhill on the trail is rocky and wide with some nice spots for views and to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the You can take a short stroll along the river bank before it stops with warning signs of private property beyond the trail areas. The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see 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. Before you know it, you will have made it to the Pololu Valley floor. BIG ISLAND It also helped that I knew what to expect. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. This is probably one of the best angles to photograph the coast and the mouth of the valley. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley for hiking? - Tripadvisor Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, its beautiful and drive there is as well. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. 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! and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is amazing. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. 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. Trailhead: Take Hwy. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail . From here, you first follow a very steep road into the Waipio Valley (be careful and watch out for cars). Big Island vs Maui - Which is the Better Vacation? You have to turn around. On either side of the valleyare cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls. The hike itself is fairly steep, but it's not a super hard hike. Streams in the valley are susceptible to flash flooding. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. Great for first-time visitors. Maybe its best to think of this as a half day activity. 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). Great hike. Big Island hike to Pololu Valley - This Hawaii Life Best bet is to check the daily weather patterns for the day and see if it works with your plans to visit for the area. Waipio Valley. Sign up today on the latest for your slice of paradise! 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. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. Both times, the parking area was packed. The wind blowing in the shrubs and trees and helicopters buzzing close over your head enhance the expansive view. It is very wide, comforting during the Pandemic to maintain some space between you and other hikers. Here are some comparisons: In this video, we'll take you on a journey to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. The trail down to the valley floor offers great views into Pololu Valley. 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. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . The Pololu Valley and this coastline are particularly beautiful for the steep, greenery-covered valley walls and dramatic cliffs that fall into the ocean. From there its s another 8 miles until you hit the end at the Pololu Valley Look out point. 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. By doing the hike, you . Consider the Salomon Trail Sense trail running shoes, which have amazing grip and flexibility while still looking like a regular shoe. Once on the valley floor, the flora changes abruptly into large ironwood trees just behind the beach. YELLOWSTONE WY These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. I had to press down my "mall parking anxiety" not flee the premises, lol. Or read my tips for PLANNING A BACKPACKING TRIP in a National Park. WYOMING 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! 5. The Top 10 Hikes on Hawaii Island - TripSavvy If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. The hike down is mostly gravel and soil and relatively easy to climb down depending on temperature and wetness factor. Take your time at the lookout, and I bet you will have some time alone. All Rights Reserved. Continuing on to the Z trail provides more solitude, I'm sure. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. Nearly all streams in Hawaii pose the threat of bacteria. You continue through the village of Hawi (good spot for a bite & beverage), on narrow, winding roads with one-land bridges. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. Top 5 Hikes and Walks in the Kohala Mountains | Komoot 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 "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. How long is pololu Valley hike? Beyond the Lookout: Exploring the Big Island's Pololu Valley (Please do not disturb anything in this ancient site it is untouched and still in wonderful condition). 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. Because the valley is at the end of the road you will pass a few cool places and things to do that make it easy to make visiting Pololu valley part of a half or whole day road trip. Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. But being in a more remote part of the island, you can see this as a good thing! 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. If have a 4x4, do like the locals- back up your truck and park towards the ocean- lay in back of truck -and relax. There are rope swings, campsites, and trails that lead in every direction. Wild horses, stray dog that followed us at the hip and protected us, amazing views, a river crossing, wild fruit along the way (pomelo). We were devastated to hear that this access road may remain closed until 2025! March 3, 2023. This landslide is responsible for the now famous sea cliffs on the windward Kohala shoreline but also triggered a giant tsunami that left marine deposits multiple 100 ft high on the other islands (read more). We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. Hawaii's Awini Trail Is The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of - OnlyInYourState Near the top of the ridge you'll reach a small plateau with a large rock. The Waipio Valley hike is one of the most beautiful and magical hiking spots on the Big Island. There are also horses on the trail. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. CARDIO!! Should be great! The road was wet while we were there so I'm glad I didn't try to drive it. MAMMOTH CAVE KY Yay, it worked! (driving directions using google maps). Waipio Valley Lookout attraction reviews - Waipio Valley Lookout Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. Walking back up the road at the end was a bit tough just due to the steep incline. But if you prepare for the crowds and mud, then I know you will enjoy the hike as much as I did. Let's Go Hawaii - Hiking the Pololu Valley Find climbing partners in Oceania and Pacific Islands. The Polol Valley beach is mostly made up of moderately-sized polished lava rocks. 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 . syr101 . by Murph1 Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:36 am. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Thanks for visiting today and checking out this post on this Big Island hike to Pololu Valley I hope you are inspired to plan a visit and enjoy these wonderful attractions. I ran out of water. only come here for the lookout. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. By syr101, October 30, 2014 in Hawaii. There is room for about 10 cars at the end of the road in a parking area that fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. The expansive black sand beach is fantastic to walk through and check out the rock sculptures and enjoy the beach. None of this is to say Waipio isn't fantastic. The roundtrip hike goes down about 420 feet to the valley floor Pololu Trail | Map, Guide - Hawaii, Hawaii | AllTrails Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! Noel Morata is the creator of This Hawaii Life along with a small team of contributors. Most people visit just day camp on the valley floor into the late hours. 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! We are on the big island for 6 days (I know that's not much but only time everybody was able to get off work). Waipi'o Valley Big Island Hikes V: Pololu Valley - emilyberkson HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii, as seen from the overlook. We like to be doing actual hiking for about 2-3 hours plus the time to stop and take in the sights. The Pololu Valley floor is beautiful with a river, campgrounds, etc. Somewhere between .75 and 1 mile. 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. The trailhead begins at the end of the road. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. MUD!! I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. Crossing the river had water a bit above our knees, but again, it was well worth it to get to the rocks at the far end of the beach. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND . However, as it heads inland, you will get a peek at the Pololu Valley below. Have fun. The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. 1:00-2:00: Drive to Waimea. Hike Pololu Valley Big Island, Hawaii Waipi'o Valley hike distance: The round trip hike from the lookout parking lot to the black sand beach and back is just over 3 miles. Its a shame that they dont realize that hiking one or two switch-backs down toward Polol Beach provides a much better photo vantage. Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. If youre challenged to extend your hike, consider going beyond to the next valley on the Honokane Nui trail to reach the Honokane gulch. You will get the coastal views at the Pololu Valley lookout without even stepping foot on the Pololu Valley trail. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. Island of Hawaii. 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. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Couple that with the recent closure of the access road to the similarly popular Waipio Valley, and the crowds are growing. NATIONAL LAKESHORES The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. If you are going to Pololu Valley during whale season (between ~December and March) and want to include a whale-watching picnic to your visit you should start by checking out our DIY whale watching tips. . Cool 2. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. 11:00-1:00: Take a Road Trip to Hip Hawi (#28) and explore Kapa'au. Hike down the wide trail and stop at each switchback in the trail to take in the awesome views of the northern Kohala coast. From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. 1. NORTH DAKOTA Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. Wai'po Valley Road is also part of the trail route, and it is also closed to pedestrian traffic. Cool max - Light weight shorts and shirt/ hoodie. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI He went on our last day, we were leaving on a red eye and I decided not to do it. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier.