Once you get If there is no room, wait or come back another day. The total length of this hike is . steep with 13 percent grade going down to the valley floor and is only .6 miles There are rope swings, campsites, and trails that lead in every direction. There is a rugged, inaccessible coastline filled with lush scenic valleys on the northern coast of the Big Island. This hike starts at the parking lot near the Waipio Lookout. Located in the flourishing green pastures of North Kohala at the end of Highway 270, Pololu Valley is simply awe-inspiring, especially at sunrise. How to get to Pololu Valley. I'm kind of leaning toward Pololu for that reason. Thats because its kind of in the far north of the Big Island, and a spot where not many other things are located. We looked at info for both Waipio and Pololu Valley and can't decide which we would prefer. By doing the hike, you . The trailhead begins at the end of the road. Thanks for visiting This Hawaii life and checking out this post on a Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. This magnificent wild valley is at the head of the Kohala Coast, the oldest part of the island with deep valleys and picturesque beaches. You climb over 750 feet with many switch backs for about one mile uphill. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. 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. With a population of less than 75,000, Kauai is truly a small-town island, littered with open space, protected preserves, and old plantation history. 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. Kaloko-Honokhau National Historical Park, Puuhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park, Ka Desert - Mauna Iki Trail from Hilina Pali Road. After you pass mile marker 28, youll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. 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. This trailhead isnt a place to hang out and should only be used by those hiking into Polol Valley. From there you can look back into the valley seeing waterfalls unseen from other side. Quan forgot her jacket upon checking out of Waimea Country Lodge. 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. Its steeep. Hike: Start at the Polol Valley overlook and find the trailhead for the Awini Trail marked by an extensive array of danger signs. Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. Your email address will not be published. There are no lifeguards on the beach and the surf breaks and the beach with undertow is treacherous so swimming is not encouraged on the beach. A guy at the entrance said the trail is closed to hikers and cars until further notice. None of this is to say Waipio isn't fantastic. Theres a small parking lot at the end of the road. You'll end up in Waimea, perfect place to have a beer (or whatever) and savor your day. 02:09. In Hawaii, respecting the land is a big thing in Hawaiian culture. Near the top of the ridge you'll reach a small plateau with a large rock. #1. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. YELLOWSTONE WY 4. 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. Big Island Activities Its a shame that they dont realize that hiking one or two switch-backs down toward Polol Beach provides a much better photo vantage. 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. Youll save yourself the tight corners and the wait by parking up the street. 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 . Great for first-time visitors. The views into Honokane Nui and the coast are simply stunning from the ridge. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Waipi'o is a deep valley on the Hmkua Coast on the north side of the Big Island of Hawai'i. . Please share your thoughts and comments below. The Waipio Valley hike is one of the most beautiful and magical hiking spots on the Big Island. Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. done with your hiking adventure, check out all these other fun things to Head to the end of Akoni Pule Hwy (270) to come to Pololu Valley. Locals only. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. 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. Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. One switchback is a particularly good spot for a photo. Youll need to relax bc youll be on edge driving - esp if its your first time. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . You can see this now as a series of 7 valleys (a valley has a flood plane at the valley floor) of which Polol Valley is the most northern one. We have been adventuring around the island for over 10 years and love living here. Be careful when it rains, very slick. 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 rest of the gulches follow in order from: Parking is P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. 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. Duration: 10 to 11 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 ? If you enjoyed the images and post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons located around the post. From the beach facing the ocean, looking right (SE) we could see Kaluahine Falls funneling water into the ocean. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. 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. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. 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. Did this the last visit before I had this app and were heading down again this visit but its closed till probably 2025. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. The trailhead has no services at all no water, no restrooms, and no cell service. Beyond that, though, the drive to & from is part of the experience. There was an error submitting your subscription. 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. . The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) I found this area to be relatively flat and dry. 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. During its long lifetime, erosion by rainwater has cut multiple deep gulches, gorges and valley in the flanks of the windward side of the Kohala volcano. 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapa'au. Aloha and enjoy This Hawaii Life. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! The uphill is good and strenuous, but the first mile of the hike (the steep part) is paved and rough on your knees. Its not a smooth trail, at least to the Z. Big Island vs Maui: Food. Although the lookout provides a fabulous view, nothing compares to making into down into the valley. Expect this hike to the top of the ridge to take an additional 45 minutes to an hour both ways. 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. 2. Even now, the natural beauty of Pololu looks untouched in the ages with the rugged cliffs, black sand beach and huge ocean waves crashing on the beach. 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. stream inland ends and is mostly private lands that are off limits to explore. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. Pololu Valley Lookout. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. . The majority of people at Pololu don't walk down, and each time I was at the beach it wasn't remotely crowded. This is probably one of the best angles to photograph the coast and the mouth of the valley. Later in 1780, the great King Kamehameha received the war god . BIG ISLAND " The hike down to Waipio valley is on a steep paved road, . Although I've never hiked it, I can brag that I've driven down the road with the steepest grade in the entire USA! You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipio Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. ZION UT --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. I recommend heading inland, and youll see a stone-lined walking path. Pololu Valley Beach (Big Island) Pololu Valley Beach is considered a hidden gem on Hawaii Island. Required fields are marked *. You Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley. Glow, horses. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. So I guess I do believe in miracles. If you want to drive instead of hiking down, you'll need to . We saw wild horses at the base of Waipio! Saw one fisherman on the beach, and four vehicles passed us while hiking the paved section. The beach at the bottom is fantastic, with the valley river flowing into the ocean resulting in a nice shallow play area. Mahalo! . The black sand beach at the valley floor looks like a beach at the end of the world. It only takes about 30 minutes to hike down to the valley from the scenic lookout. But in 1946, the most devastating tsunami in Hawaii's history swept great waves far back into the valley. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. 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. This video and the associated comments explain all: "Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." It is split by the sublime Waipi'o River. Bummer! Some of the most popular scenery on the big island includes the Pololu Valley, Haleakala Volcano, Maui's Road to Hana, Waipio Valley Isle, Lanai's Kaunolu, Oahu's North Shore, and some stunning beaches that depict the true Hawaiian culture. Cool 2. With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. If you must park along the road, ensure that you respect the private homes and heed "No Parking" signs. There are some great views of picturesque bodies of water, including the ocean, a small lake, and a river. Intermediate. CARDIO!! Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. NEW YORK 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. During or after rains the trail can be slippery and because of the relatively steep average grade of the trail (13%) we rate the difficulty as moderate. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Especially with kids. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? Your email address will not be published. You continue through the village of Hawi (good spot for a bite & beverage), on narrow, winding roads with one-land bridges. Very steep. Saw wild horses at the bottom of the trail. The crossing might be dry. Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. No . 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 the northernmost of the Seven Valleys of the Kohala Mountains, accessible from the Pololu Valley Trail. A gorgeous hike from the top to the gorgeous black sandy beaches of Pololu Valley, the drive alone and panoramic views of the cliffs and coastlines impresses the moment you park on the end of road. Gear: Standard hiking gear. 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 . You will find the trailhead near the parking lot. Pololu valley. But the hike up is quite steep. Theres also a trail that starts from the Pololu Valley lookout that goes down to sea level and makes for a great coastal hike. It shocked me to make it back to the Pololu Valley floor without falling. Be prepared for the parking area to be busy when you arrive! and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. Colleen you need to do this hike. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Waipio Valley. Yes, it is a busy trail, which is why I recommend continuing to the Honokane Nui Lookout if you have the fitness to do so. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. Want to report conditions for this trail? However, as it heads inland, you will get a peek at the Pololu Valley below. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88589471', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala and the Pololu Valley. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. (Although you will pass through the cute Hawi town.). We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. by Murph1 Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:36 am. Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. There are several levels of visiting Pololu valley. 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. You will find the trailhead near the parking lot. of water with you on the short hike and sun screen for hot days, Trail and rocky and rough so hiking shoes or tennis shoes are necessary. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. Ultra grateful to the couple from Tennessee who gave us a lift back up in their Toyota Tacoma- even though we left a pricey hiking pole in their car by accident- grateful to have not done the hike up- my body/feet wouldve just gotten too torn up!
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