4. So Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. statue of Kamehameha 1st who united all of the Hawaiian Islands. ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. A gorgeous visit to Polulu Valley on the west side of Hawaii. Located in the flourishing green pastures of North Kohala at the end of Highway 270, Pololu Valley is simply awe-inspiring, especially at sunrise. Pololu Valley as seen from the trailhead. Instead, you must walk down a rocky hiking trail for about 20 minutes. Let's Go Hawaii - Hiking the Pololu Valley 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. Waipi'o Valley is a special place for an extra Hawaiian hike. The beach is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. After hiking Waipio Valley, it was about an hour and 20 minute drive to the parking lot here. The cliffs are also known to have landslides as the coast continues its process of erosion. 2. Yay, it worked! The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. Lots of great scenery but you can experience that on the drive. Saw wild horses at the bottom of the trail. Bummer! The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. Most people do the hike down to the beach and come back up. Theres a bypass trail just a few feet away from the road around the muddiest areas at the bottom and before the beach. Share More sharing options. Waipi'o is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. But the hike up is quite steep. Sign up today on the latest for your slice of paradise! This Stunning Big Island Valley Is Drawing Bigger Crowds And 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. Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. The Waipio Valley hike is one of the most beautiful and magical hiking spots on the Big Island. We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. 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. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. Waipio Valley Lookout attraction reviews - Waipio Valley Lookout Did not make it to the top; Ill be back! Sharing road/trail with trucks and hikers would be irritating. Located along the North Kohala Coast, home to the island's most picturesque sandy beaches and incredible weather, the Pololu Valley was formed by the Kohala volcano hundreds of thousands of years ago. Waipio Valley Information, Photos & More - Hawaii Guide . Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Its steeep. There was a bit of muddy spots on the flat part of the road/trail, but easily navigable. 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. Can you still hike into Waipio Valley? | Dependable Your email address will not be published. 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. Later in 1780, the great King Kamehameha received the war god . You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipi'o Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. Almost immediately upon climbing, it began to rain. Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapaau. 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. Totally closed as of last Friday for all hikers and cars for an indefinite amount of time! The "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. Sounds like Pololu is more about the journey and a shorter hike. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). 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. 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. There is no lifeguard. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. 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. There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. . 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. I settled on Pololu Valley, a similar hike to Waipi'o, but with a few less people. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. The expansive black sand beach is fantastic to walk through and check out the rock sculptures and enjoy the beach. Waipi'o Valley - Valley of the Kings , by ALOHA DEAN The Seven Sacred Pools is part of Haleakala National Park and located on the eastern part of Maui, about 40 minutes beyond Hana. 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. Here are some comparisons: Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. The cliffs of Pololu and valley are unspoiled and have been natural until the first arrival of humans into the valley around the 15th Century. 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/. Getting There. Polulu Valley/Waipio Valley - Island of Hawaii Message Board - Tripadvisor From the valley floor it is a short and easy stretch to the beach. V: Pololu Valley - emilyberkson Waipi'o Valley: How to visit and What to see - Love Big Island There is limited parking space available at the lookout point with minimal space to turn around so it is possible you need to turn around and park your car on the shoulder of the road and then walk back a few minutes to the valley entrance. Black Sand Beaches in Hawaii, Everything You Need to Know Youll need to relax bc youll be on edge driving - esp if its your first time. Recommend bringing an extra pair of socks and a towel if you plan on crossing the River. Our current itinerary gives us one day to devote to hiking aside from what we will do in one day at VNP. How long is pololu Valley hike? WYOMING The weather at Pololu Valley is variable from cloudy and windy to stormy clouds and rain and then to blue sky, and you can even get all three happening on the same day. Theres a small parking lot at the end of the road. The closest restrooms are at the Keokea Beach Park (10 minutes from the overlook) and just behind the King Kameha Statue which you will pass in Kapaau en-route to the overlook from Hawi. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Lets get into the hike! In this video, we'll take you on a journey to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pololu Valley Beach (Big Island) Pololu Valley Beach is considered a hidden gem on Hawaii Island. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. Stunning View of the Waipio Valley #shorts - YouTube Waipio Valley Lookout discounts - what to see at The Big Island (Hawaii island) - check out reviews and 4 photos for Waipio Valley Lookout - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Waipio Valley Lookout At the end of Highway 270 in North Kohala, the black sand beach at the mouth of Pololu Valley is accessible to adventurous visitors via a steep, 25-minute hike. . Great hike. Beautiful place. days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. It's a short but steep hike, and parking is . Mahalo! You climb over 750 feet with many switch backs for about one mile uphill. One of the benefits of living in Hawaii is the opportunity to be outside just about every day of the year. Enjoy the views, the walk, the beach. I recommend stopping to take a look and photos at the switchbacks as the views are phenomenal. After taking more photos with the reflection of the still water, I began the climb up to the trailhead. 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. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. 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. I have read about the hike / walk to. It is smooth sailing going down, but getting back up can be a real workout. Waipio Valley Hike (ROAD CURRENTLY CLOSED) 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. (read more about the geological history of Kohala). 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 . Both lookouts are crowded, AmyNoelle, and finding a parking spot can be an initial annoyance. opportunity in the area. Not only is Pololu valley scenic as an overlook at the end of road, but the hike and views going downhill, the walk across the gorgeous black sand beach is a wonderful experience. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. It is split by the sublime Waipi'o River. This is a popular spot, so go on off times! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. All Rights Reserved. The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. 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. The trail down to the valley floor offers great views into Pololu Valley. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipio Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! 4 Things to Do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall. 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. 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. 1 Year, 2 Kids, 800 Sq Ft [PDF Download] $ 20.00. And if it becomes a big problem, thats when there may even start to be more serious talks about limiting visitors to visit such places like Pololu Valley. Hawaii - Pololu Valley Hike to the Remote Honokane Nui Lookout call before planning any hike. Turned out, all we needed was the water and chips. The view of the valley from the top, surrounded by cliffs up to 2,000 feet high, is already awe-inspiring. Pololu Valley Lookout (Island of Hawaii): All You Need to Know How to get there? 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. The vegetation is so thick that you do not get a view of the ocean. Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. 4 Incredible Spots to Watch a Sunrise on the Big Island The Pololu Valley and this coastline are particularly beautiful for the steep, greenery-covered valley walls and dramatic cliffs that fall into the ocean. Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would go again, Location: Trailhead is at the Pololu Lookout on the Big Island of Hawaii, Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip (including the Honokane Nui Lookout). Cool 2. These packs would be a more comfortable experience. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. Although I would have loved to explore more of this scenic valley, I decided to continue on to the Honokane Nui Lookout. 3. Somewhere between .75 and 1 mile. Big Island Hawaii VR Tour in 360 - VTHawaii.com Head east on the Akoni Pule Highway and drive to the end of the road before parking at the Pololu Valley Overlook where the trail begins. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . Tried to hike to waterfall but it crosses into private property and couldnt get to it. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. I had the Honokane Nui Lookout to myself for a good 15 minutes before another couple arrived. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. After you pass mile marker 28, you'll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. I loved the dramatic and rugged landscape of the Pololu Valley Hike. Island of Hawaii. 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. Many visitors find Hawaii fascinating for its state parks and hidden sea caves. 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. Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. If you feel like having a very good workout this is the hike for you! The Pololu Valley Lookout gives a spectacular view over the cliffs of the Kohala volcano. It is unclear if the trail continues. The roundtrip hike goes down about 420 feet to the valley floor It is located on the west side of the island. Approaching Storm at Pololu Valley; Due to Frequent Rain Squalls Off the Pacific Ocean, Rain Gear is Highly . Hawi sounds like the kind of place I'd enjoy stopping along the way. It's about an hour and a half drive from Kona, and an hour and ten minutes from Hilo. " The hike down to Waipio valley is on a steep paved road, . By doing the hike, you . And you are at the Pololu Valley lookout! It might take around 30 minutes to hike down to the beach from the lookout. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. Couple that with the recent closure of the access road to the similarly popular Waipio Valley, and the crowds are growing. EVERGLADES FL YELLOWSTONE WY Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. One of the best places to hike on the Big Island is the Pololu Valley. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern Kohala coastline from the Polol Overlook. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88589471', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala and the Pololu Valley. Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. A History of the Waipio Valley on Hawaii's Big Island - TripSavvy Pololu Valley Awini Trail Information & More - Hawaii Guide Followers 1. I have done both several times. You can also park My posts got a little jumb, My Rogue River fashion: layers of sunscreen, wide-, Tools to Plan a Sensational Trip for Yourself. Tagged with: waipio, waipi'o . All of the land upriver is privately owned. Although this is lovely, I recommend further exploring the Pololu Valley and continuing to hike to the Honokane Nui Lookout. Remnants from this landslide can still be found under water 81 miles (130 km) from the current coastline. Hiking Distance: 1/2-1 mile round trip. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES 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. Paula Dobbyn/Civil Beat/2022 . Hot lava cools to its surface to create that smooth exterior. 1:00-2:00: Drive to Waimea. One day of hiking to the Big Island valley beaches, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. Bring a flashlight. Find climbing partners in Oceania and Pacific Islands. Over all its 25% grade. The path washes away, so you have to do it on a dry day, and when you get down, its a bit anticlimactic. That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. Going Beyond Polulu Valley-Hard Hike On Hawaii Island There is often a possibility of rain at any moment. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. The passing clouds threaten rain but also provide dynamic skies in your photos. (You can reach it from the beach, but it involves walking over lots of rocks.) Big Island - Waipi'o Valley How long does the Waipio Valley hike take? Check out all the fun details of this Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. Only local residents are permitted to go farther along the road. If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. Hiking Down Into Pololu Valley, Big Island of Hawaii These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. The beach has no services, so plan accordingly. Explore the western town of Hawi and try some local food and snacks. Both times, the parking area was packed. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. Moderately Adventurous participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item linked on this site. In my very limited experience (twice at Waipio, three times at Pololu), I've actually found Waipio more crowded. Thanks for the suggestion PlanetR. 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. How to get to Pololu Valley. Pololu Valley is home to one of the many black sand beaches on the Big Island. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. Once at the bottom take the road to the right. WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. There are no roads that cross this area south to north of the island. If you start hiking later, the humidity will get you, and the crowds start at 9-10. The hike If you want to drive instead of hiking down, you'll need to . All Rights Reserved. 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. So please, for everyones sake, locals and future Hawaii visitors alike, avoid those bushes! Once you pass the stream and campsites, the trail becomes increasingly wild. I'm hoping to hike part of the Muliwai Trail in May. I'd suggest taking the Waipio Valley Shuttle if you have young kids in tow. So detoured then to the beach- amazingly beautiful- and what was beautiful was the people we met along this hike. Mahalo! Muliwai trail brochure 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 ? For something a bit different, take a look at Kalopa State Park. So, I'd like to feature different trails that are fun . Waipi'o Valley Lookout - Nanaue Falls Loop from Kukuihaele. done with your hiking adventure, check out all these other fun things to Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. This is one of the most adventurous and beautiful hikes we have done. Waipio Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. Easy to moderate. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. Trailhead: Take Hwy. Bring a windbreaker or rain jacket just in case. 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. 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. A visit to Pololu Valley in Hawaii - Travel Photo Discovery There is a phenomenal view from the parking area, which is lovely for those who are not interested in the hike. Most people visit just day camp on the valley floor into the late hours. The road eventually turns into a trail at Waipio Beach.
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