And, KamaainaK, yeah maybe we'll skip these. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Well worth the walk. Beautiful hike!!! 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. We list below a few things to do / places to see close to Pololu: Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower, restrooms, and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley (2.5 miles, about 10 minutes by car). The vista that greeted me when I arrived to the valley outlook was breathtaking. We would like to visit one of the lookouts - Polol Valley Lookout or Waipio Valley Lookout. 3. Waipi'o Valley: How to visit and What to see - Love Big Island Honopue. Where do I stay to visit the east side of the Big Island and/or to see volcano? Waipio Valley lookout parking + What's the parking like? here's an even better photo (a 360 degree panorama) of the trail at Pololu beach. Limited parking at the top but it doesnt seem like many people go there. Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho`omaluhia. Take the time to explore. I think Pololu Valley sounds like the better option. more, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, Get answers to your questions about Island of Hawaii. Beyond the Lookout: Exploring the Big Island's Pololu Valley Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. This wild part of the Big Island is home to a series of seven deep valleys, the first of which is Pololu Valley - the next stop. What to do the day of a red eye flight out. You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. north to south or vice versa. Right around 400 feet. What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93725113', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hilo and Akaka Falls during our road trip day. Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. 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 road shared with vehicles. Privacy Policy. If you want a different perspective on your way back, instead of going back along the coast, go up over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93728737', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala loop very much, but it would need its own half day to do it right. At the end of Pololu valley lies a picturesque black sand beach. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Waipi'o Valley If you feel like stretching your legs you can try either of the following two hikes: You can see these waterfalls already from the access road down into the valley but the best view can be gotten from the Muliwai trail described above as hike #2. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. Once down at the bottom, it's a nice walk parallel to the beach at Pololu (we haven't hiked down Waipio, but I think it's the same there however, there's a creek at the bottom of Waipio that could be difficult to cross if the water is high.). Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! Worth it to get to the black sand beach at the bottom though. The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. If you are only going to the Lookout, I think the WOW factor of Waipi'o is off the charts. 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. No matter what else you do, go to the valley!. 110% worth it!! The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. Beautiful short hike to the shore, great views on the way down. While it may seem crowded with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With four days, I wouldnt devote a day to the east side. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! On your drive up Highway 270, be sure to stop for a look-see in the quaint town of Hawi. Wai'pio Valley vs. Pololu Valley - Island of Hawaii Forum 4. After visiting the lookout, stop at Fresh Off The Grid food truck for a yummy snack or meal. I would highly recommend making time to see them both if possible. Image adapted from source (by Eric Tessmer). Itnwoukd be curious to know how many times she was there. Just be sure not to poach any of the loungers that are there for hotel guests, When I visit the Big Island, I always have to make the drive all the way up to the Pololu Lookout. Between the two, I'd go with Pololu. 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. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. To get to the beach, turn right as soon as you reach the valley floor. Waipio Valley Sunrise. If you're staying a bit further north in one of the Waikoloa resorts on the Kohala coast, it's a bit closer and might take around an hour. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. The views from the lookout are better at Waipio are better; but if youre willing to walk a bit of the trail into Pololu Valley, views become just as spectacular. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. You can extend the hike by going up to the next overlook, too. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. What is good reef etiquette? We did both last week. The town of Hawi (on the way to Pololu) is good for a lunch or ice cream stop. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. You will lose sight of the waterfalls but fear not and persist, for standing next to Kaluahine Falls is an experience somewhere between calm ecstasy and utter relaxation. Keep in mind though that the land further back is privately owned and that there are sacred burial sites deeper in the valley. Thanks all the advice. . Cookie Notice More information at the Keokea beach park website. I think you'll really enjoy having rental cars very easy to drive in Hawaii (except for Honolulu which is more of a challenge) and it's so nice to just go at your own pace. Why not to use nicknames or English translations, Trip Reports! Waipi'o Valley Road is a county road that used to be treated mostly just like any other road, despite being the steepest road in the USA. 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! Towards the back the valley splits into many 'fingers', each one with its own waterfall. Don't wear sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, etc. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112270925', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Big Island for 4 nights in April on our way to Maui. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! If you do swim, pay attention the the currents as they will pull you down the beach. Views are Dont post pictures please! Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. On your way through Hawi if it's lunch time or close try Bamboo- i love the ambience,, and their fish is good. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112271019', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Big Island tourist site (e.g. I think we will visit Pololu Valley we stopped at those two historical markers that Chi_Dave mentioned. What are the issues about swimming with dolphins? Great trail! Agree that it's probably best to go to Pololu first, and beaches on the way back - except if you get an early start, I'd try to do a quick stop at the beach at the Mauna Kea resort. I would recommend it. Great for first-time visitors. These hikes, however, are not easy. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. She didn't seem to work for any authority. I was looking at directions on google maps and was thinking of driving back to hotel area via Waimea. 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. Not everyone brings a 4WD car that is allowed to drive down to the valley floor or is up to the challenge of walking down themselves. 1: Kauai Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: The Npali Coast 6: Kauai Itinerary 7: Kauai blog posts. I got the feeling that she gave the same recommendation for one reason or another just to stop people from hiking down. At the top you can look down on Pololu valley and a beautiful black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach ). Polol means long spear, and carves a long cleave on the northern side of Kohala Mountain. We like to hike so we plan on hiking Pololu, and were going to take a horse tour into Wai'pio. The shoreline along Waipio Valley and Pololu Valley can make for dangerous swimming conditions, including a dangerous shorebreak and strong current. - Links to TR's from 2010 to present. Hilo to Waipio Valley is about a 1 hour drive, maybe just a little bit more. 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. I also like the North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The views are amazing as you take the steep access road into the valley. With only four days, you could skip both of them, especially as the swimming is so dangerous. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui.