Any suggestions to help us pick one over the other? Gear: Standard hiking gear. Instead, you must walk down a rocky hiking trail for about 20 minutes. 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. So please, for everyones sake, locals and future Hawaii visitors alike, avoid those bushes! Jump-start your day on the Big Island by making your way to any of these four spots to witness a stellar sunrise. Noel Morata is the creator of This Hawaii Life along with a small team of contributors. Useful 3. Both the Big Island and Maui have a diverse culinary scene with plenty of delicious food options to choose from. If you love sightseeing, the shuttle tour is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon on the Big Island. I recommend bringing along some slip on shoes to change into crossing, then back in hiking boots/shoes on other side. NATIONAL LAKESHORES We're staying in Kolea area so the drive time is not too much different to either. Both times, the parking area was packed. Absolutely beautiful. If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with any of the social media buttons on the left side of the page. See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. With steady warm temps year round (depending on where you are in Hawaii) it'd be a crime to not get outside! There are some switchbacks toward the bottom of the hill. This is one of the most adventurous and beautiful hikes we have done. (driving directions using google maps). There are hikes of varying difficulties, and being at altitude gives it a completely different feel to anything on BI. Intermediate. I hope you enjoy it as much as he did! The roundtrip hike goes down about 420 feet to the valley floor From there you can look back into the valley seeing waterfalls unseen from other side. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hiking stick for balance is very helpful as well. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. It is considered one of the steepest roads in the world down to an . It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! There are no trails heading out to the rocky beach areas but you can walk down through an old Hawaiian village and area of rock walls and pond enclosures that were probably made for growing taro, keeping animals and shelter which is truly amazing to visit. 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. WYOMING The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) Pololu Valley Beach (Big Island) Pololu Valley Beach is considered a hidden gem on Hawaii Island. 2. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley. This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Followers 1. How long is pololu Valley hike? Tagged with: waipio, waipi'o . Take Kohala Mountain Road on your way back ~ another stunning drive. The "beach" is nothing but boulders usually, and the view isn't worth the extra work. 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. After one more switchback inland, you emerge from the trees to see the view at Honokane Nui Lookout. Waipio Valley Hike (ROAD CURRENTLY CLOSED) Easy to moderate. Unfortunately, as far as we know, you can no longer continue beyond this point. However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach for swimming. Check the TRAVEL WITH ME PAGE to see if you can join any upcoming group tours that I am planning to review. Be careful when it rains, very slick. Maybe I'm incorrect in my assumptions. All of the land upriver is privately owned. 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. Many visitors find Hawaii fascinating for its state parks and hidden sea caves. We're staying in Kolea area so the drive. 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. 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. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING 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 6. If you choose to hike down, the trail has been fixed is a challenging going through two sets of ropes for rappeling down a mostly dirt and rock area, a gorgeous walk through native fan palms and surprising a stunning natural bamboo grove. The Pololu Valley and this coastline are particularly beautiful for the steep, greenery-covered valley walls and dramatic cliffs that fall into the ocean. Continue to cliffs, a bit inland you will find a trail. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI 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. By Tiphany Myers. only come here for the lookout. Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. So going to Pololu Valley requires a time commitment. OAHU --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. It might take around 30 minutes to hike down to the beach from the lookout. One of the most magical experiences Ive had in Hawaii. Want to report conditions for this trail? The vegetation is so thick that you do not get a view of the ocean. Hiking Distance: 1/2-1 mile round trip. 1/22/2023. The strenuous Z Trail can access this wild valley, otherwise, it was required a chopper tour to see Somewhere between .75 and 1 mile. The road eventually turns into a trail at Waipio Beach. Funny 1. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. Over all its 25% grade. The trail to Pololu Beach is a steep, dirt path. The beach at the bottom is fantastic, with the valley river flowing into the ocean resulting in a nice shallow play area. He went on our last day, we were leaving on a red eye and I decided not to do it. Crossing the river was about knee deep and definitely had some force behind it. Views MAHALO! Leave before 12, or youll be stopping a lot to share the road. After you pass mile marker 28, you'll get some peak a boo views to the cliffs of Pololu. This trailhead isnt a place to hang out and should only be used by those hiking into Polol Valley. Required fields are marked *. leave, so there is a lot of turnover for the parking spots. I'd suggest taking the Waipio Valley Shuttle if you have young kids in tow. If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Image adapted from source (by Eric Tessmer). There are heiaus and historical parks to explore along the way. Lots of wildlife near the trail. 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. PEARL HARBOR HI The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Remnants from this landslide can still be found under water 81 miles (130 km) from the current coastline. 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. If you feel challenged, you can even go beyond to the other valleys beyond Pololu on a day trip or overnight stay. The trail is located about a hundred feet from the shoreline with a small trail located with low lying ferns and on the eastern ridge of Polulu. If you feel like having a very good workout this is the hike for you! I have read about the hike / walk to. Take the coast highway one direction; the landscape there is unmatchable. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). 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). The hike up was a bit strenuous, but it was only a mile long so we made it up the steep bits in about 30 minutes. By: Wasabi Tours. Very steep. Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, it's beautiful and drive there is as well. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). HALEAKALA HI Hike Pololu Valley Big Island, Hawaii. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. Its a shame that they dont realize that hiking one or two switch-backs down toward Polol Beach provides a much better photo vantage. Whatever the situation during your visit do NOT even think about taking the coastline to the valleys beyond Pololu. by kenji SAITO on June 21, 2021. For this reason it is both referred to at the Polol Trail and the wini trail. Hike down the wide trail and stop at each switchback in the trail to take in the awesome views of the northern Kohala coast. 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. There is room for about 10 cars at the end . All Rights Reserved. At one time the valley had churches, restaurants, and schools as well as a hotel, post office, and jail. Youll find hiking up the Maliwai uncrowded. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) just at the end of road with most day trippers coming to take pictures and 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. Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo , by ALOHA DEAN Japanese garden in Hilo's Lili'uokalani Gardens, named for the Hawaiian monarch Queen Lili'uokalani. Pololu Valley is located in north Kohala on the eastern slope of the extinct Kohala volcano at the northernmost point of the Big Island. Call 775-0958 for parking at Waipio Valley Artworks. The Big Island of Hawaii is simply a treasure trove of beauty. Although the ground is rocky . I ran out of water. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Drive down the Akone Pule highway 270 and past the small town of Hawi. 1 Year, 2 Kids, 800 Sq Ft [PDF Download] $ 20.00. Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. Depending on recent rains and time of year it can be relatively low or quite high. BE ADVISED: PARKING AT WAIPIO LOOKOUT COUNTY PARK IS LIMITED TO 24 HOURS. The Kohala coast of the Big Island stunned me yet again. There are no bathrooms near the Pololu Valley trailhead. 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. At the Pololu Valley floor, you will see a stream with large trees. NEW YORK I'll make an argument for heading up to North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is located on the west side of the island. This river is fed by agricultural runoff, so carefully consider how you treat this water before drinking. But I think it'd be a shame to miss North Kohala, and an added bonus is the "loop" drive whereas with Waipio, you have to drive the same way there and back ~ and deal twice with Waimea traffic, which can be tedious at times. See more ideas for planning out your days on the Big Island. click here to go to our instagram account, Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach. The trail is * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. The earthquake from2006 is evidence of such. Spotted yesterday at #MaunaLoa a lava boat rides the waves! Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! What locals living near Pololu Valley would like you to know! Mahalo! Cool max - Light weight shorts and shirt/ hoodie. Thanks for visiting This Hawaii life and checking out this post on a Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. BIG ISLAND If you just didn't get enough of the Big Island's gorgeous valleys at Pololu, there is a hike that will take you over the next ridge and into Honokane Nui "big" Valley. Polol means long spear, and carves a long cleave on the northern side of Kohala Mountain. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. While the "hike" down to the beach isn't extensive, it's so rewarding. The views into Honokane Nui and the coast are simply stunning from the ridge. The trail itself offers breathtaking views of the cliffs, the valley and the black sand beach on the valley floor. WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. 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. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. 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 . On either side of the valleyare cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls. Bring a flashlight. If have a 4x4, do like the locals- back up your truck and park towards the ocean- lay in back of truck -and relax. The valley floor is 1/4 mile from the trailhead. 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. P.O Box 4849 TRAIL CONDITIONS. ZION UT Its one of those hikes where you start with a downhill, so you will need to climb out at the end. Bryan C. Sacramento, CA. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. There are are group tours that lead visitors directly to see the waterfall at Pololu called Kapoloa Falls, this is managed by Hawaii Forest and Trail. Saw one fisherman on the beach, and four vehicles passed us while hiking the paved section. Waipio Valley. Tried to hike to waterfall but it crosses into private property and couldnt get to it. Be prepared for the parking area to be busy when you arrive! Encouraging women to try adventurous travel. Also it can be more of a last minute hike, as well as being much easier. You'll end up in Waimea, perfect place to have a beer (or whatever) and savor your day. I suppose it is easier to slip and slide your way downhill instead of uphill. Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapa'au. Regarding treading on sacred ground is not a problem if you follow the following guidelines. Or else you can take a 4x4 down and up the same road. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipi'o Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. So Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. This is a popular spot, so go on off times! Copyright 2020, BigIslandHikes.com. Glum, cement and cars. The view from the third switchback of Z-Trail offers the most amazing view of Waipio Valley and is well worth the effort to reach. A group of Chinese immigrants settled in the valley in the late 1800 and built churches . 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. The crossing might be dry. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Parking is Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley. This 22 mile network of flumes and ditches is essential for the water supply of a part of the island but also made sure that there are no permanent residents anymore in Pololu Valley. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI Take the steep hike down the tropical cliff and towards the black sandy beach below. GULF ISLANDS FL One switchback is a particularly good spot for a photo. Theres a bypass trail just a few feet away from the road around the muddiest areas at the bottom and before the beach. 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. Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. 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. In my very limited experience (twice at Waipio, three times at Pololu), I've actually found Waipio more crowded. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. Re crowding at over look, much more at Waipio as area of over look is much bigger, not so much at Polulu. From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Definitely worth walking up the other side. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. The road was wet while we were there so I'm glad I didn't try to drive it. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the . Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. Aloha and enjoy This Hawaii Life. Beyond that, though, the drive to & from is part of the experience. 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. Date first visited: . If you can find the river area on the far right, there is a small pond area that is relatively safe for swimming in depending on the water levels and weather. Update 11/21/06 - State officials have reopened the Pololu Trail in North Kohala. However, it didnt last long, and I was almost completely dry by the time I reached the trailhead. Recommended Posts. There is often a possibility of rain at any moment. MICHIGAN It can be distressing for locals to see people coming out of the bushes near the Pololu Valley trailhead, presuming why people are coming out of the bushes.
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