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). 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 ? You Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo , by ALOHA DEAN Japanese garden in Hilo's Lili'uokalani Gardens, named for the Hawaiian monarch Queen Lili'uokalani. High surf, undertow, and rip tides are frequently present so only go in the water if you are a good swimmer and dont get in too deep. Try not to get blown away by the incredible views and crazy wind at the Honokane Nui Lookout. The valley was the permanent home for Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) until the time of King Umi-a-Lloa. Take Kohala Mountain Road on your way back ~ another stunning drive. 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. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. How to get to Pololu Valley. Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. That one's so close to the resort that we could do that in addition to either of the two I asked about. 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. According to oral history, as many as 10,000 people lived in Waipio Valley before Captain Cook's landing in 1778. We saw wild horses at the base of Waipio! Easy to moderate. Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? A guy at the entrance said the trail is closed to hikers and cars until further notice. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Waipio Valley is on the northern peninsula of the Big Island. Once you get closer, youll start to see signs for Pololu Valley. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. 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's still worth coming here to enjoy the view from the lookout, which I believe is the most beautiful vantage on the island! 4 Things to Do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. The earthquake from2006 is evidence of such. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. 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. Over all its 25% grade. Theres a small parking lot at the end of the road. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. 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. ARIZONA 4. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. 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. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. 7 . Thanks for visiting This Hawaii life and checking out this post on a Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Paula Dobbyn/Civil Beat/2022 . If you head over to the stream, you will see a beautiful view of the Pololu Valley. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. The roundtrip hike goes down about 420 feet to the valley floor Views FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . The trail is There are heiaus and historical parks to explore along the way. If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. Waipi'o Valley - 3 miles roundtrip with longer options. Be careful when it rains, very slick. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. I ran out of water. 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. Its steep, muddy, rocky and slippery. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. It's also the northernmost valley of the same chain that includes Waipi'o Valley, which was shown on the first trip. It also helped that I knew what to expect. 18. I loved the dramatic and rugged landscape of the Pololu Valley Hike. Turned out, all we needed was the water and chips. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) My husband did this hike a couple of weeks ago and loved it http://www.bigislandhikes.com/puu-waawaa/. There is a phenomenal view from the parking area, which is lovely for those who are not interested in the hike. Bring a flashlight. Hike down the wide trail and stop at each switchback in the trail to take in the awesome views of the northern Kohala coast. You can get pictures of the ocean, or even the interior ridges of the valleys are stunning. Check out (read more about the geological history of Kohala). Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. I had to press down my "mall parking anxiety" not flee the premises, lol. leave, so there is a lot of turnover for the parking spots. 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. And then basically you will be driving to a dead end. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern Kohala coastline from the Polol Overlook. Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. ZION UT If you desire dramatic views of Hawaii Island's northeastern coastline, including impressive cliffs, verdant valleys, and lush landscapes, head to Pololu Valley, Waipio Valley's lesser-known but still just as gorgeous cousin at the end of Hawaii Island's seven major valleys carved into the Kohala Coast. The view of these lush valleys and cliffs into the ocean is stunning. Looking into Waimanu Valley, which was the next valley over from Waipi'o Valley. 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. Big Island-Hiking from Pololu Valley to Waipio Valley. The Pololu Valley Lookout gives a spectacular view over the cliffs of the Kohala volcano. Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. The total length of this hike is . 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. Continue to cliffs, a bit inland you will find a trail. I haven't yet hiked into the valley, only walked part of the way down the road. statue of Kamehameha 1st who united all of the Hawaiian Islands. Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii, as seen from the overlook. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. Check the TRAVEL WITH ME PAGE to see if you can join any upcoming group tours that I am planning to review. 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. See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. Check out the details here for more images and inspiration to doing this tour. It's about an hour and a half drive from Kona, and an hour and ten minutes from Hilo. Duration: 10 to 11 hours. Consider the Salomon Trail Sense trail running shoes, which have amazing grip and flexibility while still looking like a regular shoe. Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. Depending on recent rains and time of year it can be relatively low or quite high. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. Pololu Valley Lookout. Nearly all streams in Hawaii pose the threat of bacteria. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. . Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. All of the land upriver is privately owned. A short way across you will come to a stream. Very steep. 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! This short trail has beautiful coastal views. 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Saturday February 26th - sign on road at Honokaa town - sign on road 7 miles before the hike starts saying Road CLOSEDNo hikers!!! Maybe its best to think of this as a half day activity. 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. The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. 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. IDAHO 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. 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! On the day we hiked, it was pretty crowded and there were lots of cars driving throughout the trail (maybe one ever minute or two). At one time the valley had churches, restaurants, and schools as well as a hotel, post office, and jail. YELLOWSTONE WY I had the Honokane Nui Lookout to myself for a good 15 minutes before another couple arrived. It should be remembered that you have to return the same way. Unfortunately, rain washed out the trail, and it no longer connects! Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Hike down on broken paved road. The hike After hiking Waipio Valley, it was about an hour and 20 minute drive to the . 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. 1: Maui Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Road to Hana (Maui) 6: Maui Itinerary 7: Maui blog posts, The second-biggest island in the chain, much of Mauis appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its two massive volcanoes, whale watching and marine ecosystems, 1: Oahu Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Oahu Beaches 6: Oahu Itinerary 7: Oahu blog posts. Pololu Valley and Waipio valley were spectacular hikes. You can get some great scenic views from the Pololu Valley lookout right near the parking area. #1. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. only come here for the lookout. After you pass mile marker 28, you'll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. The trail can be quite muddy if it has been raining. Sign indicated trail was closed until 2025, but we parked and immediately hiked down the steep, paved path to the black sand beach without any issues. 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. How long is pololu Valley hike? 11:00-1:00: Take a Road Trip to Hip Hawi (#28) and explore Kapa'au. Lets get into the hike! Getting There. This trailhead isnt a place to hang out and should only be used by those hiking into Polol Valley. 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. 3. From here, you first follow a very steep road into the Waipio Valley (be careful and watch out for cars). 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). Did this the last visit before I had this app and were heading down again this visit but its closed till probably 2025. The trail down into the valley is a section of the old government road to wini. The beach is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. You continue through the village of Hawi (good spot for a bite & beverage), on narrow, winding roads with one-land bridges. Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. You can also park Click here to read my full disclosure policy. 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. Pololu Valley Trail, from the lookout down to the valley takes . Slick when wet. . We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with any of the social media buttons on the left side of the page. 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. As you get to the beach areas there is a variety of camp sites and abandoned sites with refused from ocean findings that probably washed onshore. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. just at the end of road with most day trippers coming to take pictures and Unfortunately, only the beach in this valley is public. Insanely popular trail the parking area was already busy by 8:30 am. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. Permanent signs are posted saying road closed and no pedestrians. I have read about the hike / walk to. Locals only. the fertile Pololu . The uphill is good and strenuous, but the first mile of the hike (the steep part) is paved and rough on your knees. You can take a short stroll along the river bank before it stops with warning signs of private property beyond the trail areas.