You can get pictures of the ocean, or even the interior ridges of the valleys are stunning. Keokea Beach park a beautiful park with nice views of the coastline with picnic grounds and public services. Wai'po Valley Road is also part of the trail route, and it is also closed to pedestrian traffic. days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to . BRYCE CANYON UT Views The views from the ridge are stunning into Honokane Iki and the trail leading downhill is relatively easy but note that the property on the valley floor is entirely private property and access is not permited (unless you know the owner) on the valley floor unless you can find the trail beyond which is not feasible at the moment because of over grown conditions. If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. You can also make it a one day Big Island valley beach hike kind of day and make this day on the Big Island a "Waipio Valley + Pololu Valley" kind of day. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Waipio Valley Trail [CLOSED] | Map, Guide - Hawaii, Hawaii | AllTrails Hot lava cools to its surface to create that smooth exterior. This trip turned out to be my favorite experience on the Big Island so far. 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. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. 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. You can even camp in the Pololu Valley. Absolutely beautiful. Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. The trailhead begins at the end of the road. 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. STOP OVERPACKING for your trip and pack just the right amount! In the late 1800s, many Chinese immigrants settled in the valley. I did this once alone, probably took 4 hours. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) He said there is a rock fall risk and it wont be opened again until repairs are completed. Instead, locals would like you to know about Keokea Beach Park where there are bathrooms. Waipi'o valley Hike: A 6.5 mile round trip of medium difficulty. 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! Your email address will not be published. 6.12 km. If you start hiking later, the humidity will get you, and the crowds start at 9-10. However, they are not easy to walk along! Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. It was sprinkling and gusting when I first arrived at the lookout, but luckily the wind did calm down for me to be able to enjoy the view and grab some photos. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. There is a rugged, inaccessible coastline filled with lush scenic valleys on the northern coast of the Big Island. LANAI Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. ZION UT For something a bit different, take a look at Kalopa State Park. the Kamehameha statue in Kapaau at the Kohala civic center sits the original If you do, please be mindful that you are visiting sacred land. The huge sea cliffs paralleling a beautiful black sand beach were simply amazing to look at. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Next time with two others and we brought plenty of water and took about 3 hours. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. Try to respect nature and pack out all trash (as per usual). 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. It should be remembered that you have to return the same way. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. Pololu Valley Beach (Big Island) Pololu Valley Beach is considered a hidden gem on Hawaii Island. Camping is not allowed at Pololu since it is on private land and permits only issued for specific research studies. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. A visit to Pololu Valley in Hawaii - Travel Photo Discovery P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. What island is honokaa on? - vknao.hioctanefuel.com Interested? On either side of the valleyare cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls. The Pololu Valley and this coastline are particularly beautiful for the steep, greenery-covered valley walls and dramatic cliffs that fall into the ocean. The string of gulches on the Hamakua and Kohala side of the island starts at Polulu and ends up in Waipio valley on the other side of the island. (Although you will pass through the cute Hawi town.). Drive down the Akone Pule highway 270 and past the small town of Hawi. Its a rewarding view that allows you to get away from the crowds that do the Pololu Valley Hike. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . It's still worth coming here to enjoy the view from the lookout, which I believe is the most beautiful vantage on the island! But, it's not a kid-friendly hike. 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. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI 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. Take the time to explore. Continuing on to the Z trail provides more solitude, I'm sure. Theres a sense of magic here. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Especially with kids. The road eventually turns into a trail at Waipio Beach. All of the land upriver is privately owned. There is room for about 10 cars at the end . 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. Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. Pololu Valley was formed over 250,000 to 300,000 years ago when the Kohala Volcano experienced a huge collapse and landslide with a large part falling into the ocean and creating this massive gulch and valley that we see today. Recommended Posts. The water here is notoriously dangerous and should only be attempted by very experienced swimmers and surfers. stream inland ends and is mostly private lands that are off limits to explore. Pololu Valley is located in north Kohala on the eastern slope of the extinct Kohala volcano at the northernmost point of the Big Island. One of the most magical experiences Ive had in Hawaii. Bring a flashlight. He went on our last day, we were leaving on a red eye and I decided not to do it. Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. The road leading to the Pololu Valley Lookout has also been repaired - news release. Whatever the situation during your visit do NOT even think about taking the coastline to the valleys beyond Pololu. 1:00-2:00: Drive to Waimea. Here are some comparisons: The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). Although the lookout provides a fabulous view, nothing compares to making into down into the valley. The Top 10 Hikes on Hawaii Island - TripSavvy We revisited the Pololu Valley and hiked down to the bottom once more. Theres a small parking lot at the end of the road. 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. UTAH I'll make an argument for heading up to North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. If youre staying a bit further north in one of the Waikoloa resorts on the Kohala coast, its a bit closer and might take around an hour. Answer 1 of 11: What is the best way to see Polulu Valley and Waipio Valley? 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. I would choose Pololu - there are some nice beaches to stop at on the S. Kohala coast (although you could incorporate those into a Waipio drive as well) - but the drive up #270 and down #250 provides a lot of amazing scenery, which for me would be the deciding factor in favour of Pololu. We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. Longitude: -155.7274313. GRAND TETON WY After you pass mile marker 28, youll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. Bryan C. Sacramento, CA. 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. I was slipping and sliding my way to the Honokane Nui Lookout. 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapaau. You'll most likely have to park along the street and walk to the viewpoint/start of the trail. 1. After that, there were a number of other people arrived. Or read my tips for PLANNING A BACKPACKING TRIP in a National Park. At Pololu, btw, you can go to the far end of the beach and hike up another mile or so for a view of the next valley over. Pololu valley and waipio valley - Island of Hawaii Forum Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. 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. I could not tell in person which way it went from the lookout, so if you are planning to go further, you will have to do additional research. Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapaau. The wind blowing in the shrubs and trees and helicopters buzzing close over your head enhance the expansive view. Once you get Don't miss these. 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 . I have done both several times. Lots of great scenery but you can experience that on the drive. " The hike down to Waipio valley is on a steep paved road, . to the bottom, head for the black sandy beach (the small trails that follow the People are starting the hike, ending the hike, and simply coming to admire the views. Getting There. The Waipio Valley - What You Need to Know | Big Island Guide Exercise caution when crossing and be aware of weather conditions. 2. The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see The passing clouds threaten rain but also provide dynamic skies in your photos. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The Pololu Ditch Trail into the valley leading to Kapoloa Falls was closed due to the Kona earthquake in October 2006. The beach at the bottom is fantastic, with the valley river flowing into the ocean resulting in a nice shallow play area. Never drink the water and do not swim with open cuts. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. In my very limited experience (twice at Waipio, three times at Pololu), I've actually found Waipio more crowded. Locals only. only come here for the lookout. Bring a windbreaker or rain jacket just in case. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. Not sure how much you've read about each hike: http://www.bigislandhikes.com/pololu-valley/, http://www.bigislandhikes.com/waipio-valley/. One week on the Big Island : r/travel Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley. And of course, hiking down to the valley floor and spending some time on the beach is very worthwhile. Big Island Hawaii VR Tour in 360 - VTHawaii.com You wont get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. 5. And then basically you will be driving to a dead end. Hiilawe Falls - Legendary Waterfall with Temporary Flow It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! MUD!! If you feel challenged, you can even go beyond to the other valleys beyond Pololu on a day trip or overnight stay. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipi'o Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. The trail down into the valley is a section of the old government road to wini. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD I took a couple of timelapse videos and could see the light move around on the valley walls with the clouds. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING Beautiful Big Island Waterfall Hikes - Hawaii Travel with Kids In this video, we'll take you on a journey to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. Big Island - Waipi'o Valley However, it didnt last long, and I was almost completely dry by the time I reached the trailhead. Date first visited: . It's about an hour and a half drive from Kona, and an hour and ten minutes from Hilo. 4 Things to Do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. 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. Sounds like Pololu is more about the journey and a shorter hike. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. Depending on recent rains and time of year it can be relatively low or quite high. 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. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Moderately Adventurous participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item linked on this site. This video and the associated comments explain all: "Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." 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. MAMMOTH CAVE KY The beach has no services, so plan accordingly. Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. 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. Be prepared for the parking area to be busy when you arrive! Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Waipio Valley - Waimea Message Board - Tripadvisor Theme by 17th Avenue. ATV tours in Kohala ATV outfitters take you on tours on private lands for 1.5 to 3-hour scenic tours and outdoor ATV experiences between Hawi and Polulu. All Rights Reserved. Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. WIND CAVE SD At the Pololu Valley floor, you will see a stream with large trees. one of my friends got a cut on their ankles and we asked a local for a ride up and not having to climb us was the highlight of the trip, INDEFINITE CLOSURE: as of February, 2022, the road leading to this trailhead, Wai'po Valley Road, is closed indefinitely. If it was dry I would have been fine driving it with our 4X4. There is only one way inby foot on the Muliwai Trail, a nine-mile backpacking trek ascending the north face of Waipio via a series of steep switchbacks (visible from the Waipio Valley Lookout) and winding through miles of plateau gulches and forests before descending treacherous switchbacks on Waimanu's south face to the valley floor. 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/. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. So going to Pololu Valley requires a time commitment. The vegetation is so thick that you do not get a view of the ocean. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. Afterward, most people left the valley, and it has been sparsely . Want to report conditions for this trail? Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. From there its s another 8 miles until you hit the end at the Pololu Valley Look out point. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Great hike. The earthquake from2006 is evidence of such. Lots of wildlife near the trail. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. All rights reserved. This series consists of the following valleys: Water has eroded 7 deep valleys into the windward side of the Kohala Volcano of the Big Island. It is unclear if the trail continues. That is why only a part of the hike is described here. As we do for most places on the Big Island we recommend to visit Pololu Valley early in the day. 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. Regarding treading on sacred ground is not a problem if you follow the following guidelines. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. There is a rugged, inaccessible coastline filled with lush scenic valleys on the northern coast of the Big Island. I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. 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. There are hikes of varying difficulties, and being at altitude gives it a completely different feel to anything on BI. Beyond the Lookout: Exploring the Big Island's Pololu Valley Steep but beautiful! Take that trail up until you reach edge across from Waipio lookout on other side. Both times, the parking area was packed. It shocked me to make it back to the Pololu Valley floor without falling. Quickly cross the Polol River where it meets the sea. Colleen you need to do this hike. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. For decades, residents and visitors have traversed a steep, largely unpaved incline to the Big . Steep on the way down but you really feel it on the way back. It might take around 30 minutes to hike down to the beach from the lookout. Beyond that, though, the drive to & from is part of the experience. Coming back I knew I wanted to visit the Kohala area again, but this time somewhere different.