The first section is steep as you climb the hillside into lush jungle-like surroundings. Learn how to MAKE THE MOST OF A GUIDED TOUR. It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! (Please do not disturb anything in this ancient site it is untouched and still in wonderful condition). There people are often volunteering their time to give visitors information about visiting the valley and the make sure parking only happens in allowed spaces. 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. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. Pololu Valley Trail, from the lookout down to the valley takes . How long is pololu Valley hike? Lots of water and snacks. by kenji SAITO on June 21, 2021. Seeing so many people doing this, it can be seen as a form of disrespecting the land. EVERGLADES FL 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. Please share your thoughts and comments below. As we do for most places on the Big Island we recommend to visit Pololu Valley early in the day. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88624665', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui one week we'll go out there at least twice if not more). After that, there were a number of other people arrived. I ran out of water. The crossing might be dry. 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 . 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. Youll probably also notice some nice campsites, but camping here is illegal. Youre young and strong so youll probably finish in 2 hours. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Beautiful place. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Pololu Valley is home to one of the many black sand beaches on the Big Island. downhill on the trail is rocky and wide with some nice spots for views and Absolutely beautiful. It takes about 30 - 45 minutes, but the walk back up will take anywhere between 1 - 1.5 hours depending on your level of physical fitness. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. After one more switchback inland, you emerge from the trees to see the view at Honokane Nui Lookout. Did this the last visit before I had this app and were heading down again this visit but its closed till probably 2025. Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo , by ALOHA DEAN Japanese garden in Hilo's Lili'uokalani Gardens, named for the Hawaiian monarch Queen Lili'uokalani. See more state parks on the Big Island. Hike down the wide trail and stop at each switchback in the trail to take in the awesome views of the northern Kohala coast. 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. Most people do the hike down to the beach and come back up. If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. 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. Expect this hike to the top of the ridge to take an additional 45 minutes to an hour both ways. Before you know it, you will have made it to the Pololu Valley floor. Coming back I knew I wanted to visit the Kohala area again, but this time somewhere different. Walking back up the road at the end was a bit tough just due to the steep incline. SOUTH DAKOTA For decades, residents and visitors have traversed a steep, largely unpaved incline to the Big . By doing the hike, you . All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. Your email address will not be published. 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. The cliffs are also known to have landslides as the coast continues its process of erosion. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Let me know in the comments! The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. just at the end of road with most day trippers coming to take pictures and If youre Cool 2. The Polol Valley beach is mostly made up of moderately-sized polished lava rocks. Call 775-0958 for parking at Waipio Valley Artworks. . I had to press down my "mall parking anxiety" not flee the premises, lol. Check the TRAVEL WITH ME PAGE to see if you can join any upcoming group tours that I am planning to review. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. 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. Totally closed as of last Friday for all hikers and cars for an indefinite amount of time! Hiking Distance: 1/2-1 mile round trip. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. 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. Keep in mind though that the land further back is privately owned and that there are sacred burial sites deeper in the valley. Download your copy of our PEARL HARBOR HI 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. This short trail has beautiful coastal views. Approaching Storm at Pololu Valley; Due to Frequent Rain Squalls Off the Pacific Ocean, Rain Gear is Highly . Bummer! Check out the other things I did on the Island of Hawaii: Have you done the Pololu Valley Hike or the Waipio Valley Hike? The waves here are gnarly, and I wouldnt recommend swimming here, but it is beautiful to see. 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. Theres a bypass trail just a few feet away from the road around the muddiest areas at the bottom and before the beach. GRAND TETON WY 270 to the northern Kohala Coast, past the towns of Hawi and Kapaau. Pololu Valley hike: This is a 2.5 miles round trip and is pretty easy. UTAH Have fun. You should hike down with sturdy shoes or boots for the variable rocks, steps and slope factor. We would love to see things that are truly unique to big island; we have hiked (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Otherwise, you can park along the side of the road before that dead end parking lot too. 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. further out and then walk to the end where the trail begins. and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. During my recent trip to the Big Island, I opted to do the Pololu Valley Hike. Colleen is correct about Pololu Valley, it's beautiful and drive there is as well. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley. This is probably one of the best angles to photograph the coast and the mouth of the valley. 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 . Wild horses, stray dog that followed us at the hip and protected us, amazing views, a river crossing, wild fruit along the way (pomelo). 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 also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. 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. The trailhead has no services at all no water, no restrooms, and no cell service. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the . Views Be careful when it rains, very slick. The only ones that can be hiked are Waipio Valley near Waimea, Waimanu Valley (from Waipio) and Pololu Valley, which must be approached from the west side. The beach has no services, so plan accordingly. Big Island Hikes has another hike that proceeds over to an overlook for the next valley, Honokne Nui. Slick when wet. These packs would be a more comfortable experience. (You can reach it from the beach, but it involves walking over lots of rocks.) LANAI 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. , especially if you plan to hike to Honokane Nui Lookout there is no cell reception once you enter the Pololu Valley. 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. By: Wasabi Tours. How to get to Pololu Valley. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. We were devastated to hear that this access road may remain closed until 2025! Exercise caution when crossing and be aware of weather conditions. Never drink the water and do not swim with open cuts. It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach for swimming. A lush tropical forest surrounded by almost 500 ft high cliffs and fronted by an ocean that more often than not has high surf and rough waves. 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. If you take the time to drive all the way toPololu Valleyat the end of Highway 270, don't settle for the view from the overlook! 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. The river has to be crossed, which is best done at low tide and . So please, for everyones sake, locals and future Hawaii visitors alike, avoid those bushes! Thanks for visiting This Hawaii life and checking out this post on a Big Island hike to Pololu Valley. Waipi'o Valley hike elevation: The elevation gain is approximately 975 feet on the steepest road . Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. The huge sea cliffs paralleling a beautiful black sand beach were simply amazing to look at. Try not to get blown away by the incredible views and crazy wind at the Honokane Nui Lookout. But being in a more remote part of the island, you can see this as a good thing! 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. 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. How long does it take to hike down to Waipio Valley? It is smooth sailing going down, but getting back up can be a real workout. On either side of the valleyare cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with numerous cascading waterfalls. 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. 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. Paula Dobbyn/Civil Beat/2022 . (read more about the geological history of Kohala). Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. And then basically you will be driving to a dead end. Sturdy shoes I wore tennis shoes, but it would have been helpful to have more grip on the muddy sections on the way to Honokane Nui Lookout. 1:00-2:00: Drive to Waimea. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. statue of Kamehameha 1st who united all of the Hawaiian Islands. The drive between these two valley lookouts is around 1.5 hours. Hawaii - Pololu Valley Hike to the Remote Honokane Nui Lookout. If you love sightseeing, the shuttle tour is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon on the Big Island. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. More of the, many black sand beaches on the Big Island, Hawaii packing list: THE top things to pack for Hawaii. 4 Things to Do in Stowe Vermont in the Fall. The simplest is driving to the lookout for the views, but you can also make a small (but steep) hike to the valley floor to check out the beach. 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. Hiking east of Polol Valley is prohibited due to private property. The trail snakes inland and back toward the ocean as you make your way across the top of this hillside. 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 Check out Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! The passing clouds threaten rain but also provide dynamic skies in your photos. The hike While the "hike" down to the beach isn't extensive, it's so rewarding. BRYCE CANYON UT 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. 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. I suppose it is easier to slip and slide your way downhill instead of uphill. The Pololu Valley floor is beautiful with a river, campgrounds, etc. The trailhead begins at the end of the road. Drive down the Akone Pule highway 270 and past the small town of Hawi. 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/. Quickly cross the Polol River where it meets the sea. Once you pass the stream and campsites, the trail becomes increasingly wild. 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 wont get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. Update 11/21/06 - State officials have reopened the Pololu Trail in North Kohala. OAHU Getting There. 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.