Should I camp? Some of my teen/young adult sons did mess around in the water at Pololu, but it isn't advisable. I don't think the difference is time are much. For Waipio Valley, you walk on a two land road so do have to dodge traffic, plus I think it's a much steeper and longer walk). 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. 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. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. If you do swim, pay attention the the currents as they will pull you down the beach. Swimming at either beach is dangerous (rip currents & undertow), so you'd want to limit your swimming to beaches on the S. Kohala coast on the way there or back. This Stunning Big Island Valley Is Drawing Bigger Crowds And We are experienced and had shoes with good grip and had no problems. 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. lovebigisland.com, gohawaii.com, bigislandguide.com, and so on). I hear Waipio may be closed to non-residents, so a moot point. (read more about the geological history of Kohala). You wouldnt have time to hike down. If you're up for a real adventure then find the trail near the far side of the beach and hike up to the top of the ridge between Pololu and the next valley, Honokane Nui. Syr101 - Just a note that there aren't any food concessions at the beaches so bring some food or pick up some along the way if you're planning to eat at the beach. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Steep and short but worth it! 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. Where can I find good live Hawaiian or local music and/or hula? Is going into Waipi'o Valley "bad tourism"? - Reddit - You want to see some great photos? Polol Valley is another one of the seven valleys along Kohala volcano that's been sculpted by thousands of years of erosion. If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. And once at the beach below, it's anything but crowded. Need info on backpacking and wilderness camping, Resort Fees on Big Island & Other Islands, Browse all 30,517 Island of Hawaii topics . 5. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Subscribe to our Newsletter, click here to go to our instagram account, Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach, ATV Tours on the Big Island (BIG list of all tour operators), BIG LIST of Kona Coffee Tours on the Big Island, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding: Rentals, Classes and Tours, You always can get majestic views of Waipio Valley is from the, If you want to get down to the valley floor you must now do so as part of a. Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. Absolutely stunning scenery, gorgeous the whole way down. How can I visit Mauna Kea summit and/or the Visitor Information Station? That is an option not available at Pololu. The stretch between the Pololu valley lookout and the black sand beach is only the first part of a more extended trail. It was raining the day we hiked. My husband and I will be staying on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. Pololu Valley is a solid 1.5 hours from Kona, maybe more depending on where on the Kona coast you're staying. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern . I will check out those historical markers that you mentioned. Also consider visiting lovely Waialea Bay (small admission charge for Hapuna State Park). I think those days are past me now, though the last time I did it I was 70. The wave-pounded, offshore Paoakalani islets and, beyond them, the Hamakua Coast's most remote sea cliffs. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! 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. The beach looks beautiful and is a very good place to relax after coming down into the valley, but take care with going into the water. Locals and tourists alike were free to drive or walk the road (although it was marked as a 4x4 only road). Level Contributor 1,672 posts Which one would be better to do and why. Now that we have answered some FAQs, lets talk about the best places to watch the sunrise on the Big Island. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Pololu Valley Lookout | Go Hawaii At the bottom of the steep road turn left to explore inlands, where banana and avocado trees line the road leading into the valley. 83 reviews of Pololu Valley Lookout "PLEASE READ! Its an incredibly sacred place so you always want to be sure that youre respectful of what theyre asking (dont cross the lake at the bottom, leave certain plants alone, etc). Dont let AllTrails fool you, its actually closer to a 900 foot elevation gain! 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Altitude sickness, taking kids, risks when visiting Mauna Kea summit. more, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, Get answers to your questions about Island of Hawaii. And trip up was much easier than this grandma expected. I've read that the best way into Wai'pio Valley is a wagon or horse tour, but that it is ok to hike into. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. kam hotel and want to go to Pololu, the farthest point than work our way back stopping at places that interest us, hopefully beach. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. Waipio Valley is a part of the Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast. I would recommend it. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. The parking is just along the road because the parking lot is 10 minute parking only. Waipio Valley or Pololu Valley for hiking? - Tripadvisor Snorkeling & diving on the Big Island - Kona Coast & Kohala Coast options. There are stunning views of the coast. Oh, so th ehike into Waipio is a serious grade and then to the beach, not sure exactly how long to allow, but its kind of a big deal hike. 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. This is not the actual address of the spot, but it wouldn't let me enter the correct spot since there really isn't an address. I checked the map, packed my backpack, and off I went early in the morning. 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. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. 10/10 would do again. We got a lecture from the lady at the top telling us that she was advising people not to hike down. Respecting Hawaiian place names. Glad to hear that that route offers nice views. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. The Hapuna Prince handled it well - safety was absolutely their first thing. I've read that the best way into Wai'pio Valley is a wagon or horse tour, but that it is ok to hike into Pololu Valley. Hi'ilawe Falls Hi'ilawe Falls You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. The views are amazing as you take the steep access road into the valley. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 4 days on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I have a car rented at King. The Mauna Kea had some major damage, so they brought over some guests from there for the rest of their stays. In Pololu Valley, a lush tropical forest surrounds 500-foot-high cliffs and fronts, an ocean that often has high surf and rough waves. Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93713130', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars at the top (and so is Waipio), a lot of people don't hike down. I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. Swimming in summer should be good. If you have any other suggestions don't be afraid to give them. The two ahupua'a Polol and Waipio offer different perspectives on the island, and each has a unique sense of grandeur and history. What to do the day of a red eye flight out. 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. 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. Worth it to get to the black sand beach at the bottom though. Rips, sharky. To get here, take Hwy 270 to Mile Marker 28. You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. 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. 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. I've stayed at both hotels, both good beaches. Its steep but not overly strenuous and you will be rewarded with lovely vistas. You can extend the hike by going up to the next overlook, too. Enjoy this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaau, Hawaii. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. In part though it depends where you are starting your trip from. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. Elevation Gain: 300'. Between the two, I'd go with Pololu. Hawaii with Kids? Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. Take your time and be careful. Looking for general advice on visiting the Island of Hawaii. What are some good splurge or special occasion restaurants on the Big Island? 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. We took a few contented sighs before slowly getting up for the final . Wear good shoes for the descent/ascent part. We went to the big island during our honeymoon. Shares the beach area with the Prince Hapuna Beach Hotel. 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! As a first-time visitor to the Big Island I didnt know what to do so I got some local knowledge on where I could go to make memories. Want to report conditions for this trail? Pololu is amazingly breathtaking, but the hike is almost straight down. 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. We spent the last day on the Big Island valley hopping and checking out a remote cabin on a private beach. Keokea Beach Park is a short drive off the highway, past the towns of Hawi and Kapaau (both towns worth a stop to window shop or grab a snack). Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Definitely Pololu, and definitely hike down to the beach, its beautiful from above but awesome when your down at sea level. The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! Waipio Valley Directions and Map Taking Highways 19 and 240 will get you there. The trail itself is a very steep hill like others have said, its very wet and slippery so can be a challenge to go down and up again unless youre in good shape. Aerial overview of Waipio Valley. Locals will try to get some wave time in before heading to school/workThe gate keeper is pretty strict on how many cars he will even let through to look for spaces. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. If I ever go back I will definetly do one of the tours, but we don't feel bad about missing it because of all the other things we saw. Views are Dont post pictures please! Again, we sat on a log bench looking at the waves and soaked in being misted by an onshore breeze. 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. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. As you approach the Pololu Valley Lookout, you'll start to see the grand ocean views even as you're driving. With four days, I wouldnt devote a day to the east side. Trail is a perfect hike. That must have been quite the experience! Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. To get there you have to follow the Akoni Pule Highway (highway 270) until it ends ends 8 miles east of the town of Hawi at the Pololu Valley lookout. If I LOVE the Mauna Lani, where would we stay on Maui? Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. With only four days, you could skip both of them, especially as the swimming is so dangerous. The reason Im giving this such a low rating is because you literally can not do anything but walk up and down the hill. I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. Sacred to ancient Hawaiians, the fertile Pololu Valley thrived. Contribute to the local initiative by signing the Save Polulu petition at Change.org. If youre into photography, one consideration would be that views from Waipio are generally west facing, whereas at Pololu, they generally face east. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. The land discovered at the end of the movie by the survivors (spoiler alert!) The trail down to the valley floor offers great views into Pololu Valley. The hike down is scenic and easy because it is 0.5 mile downhill; however, remember you still have to come back up the same way so conserve your water. 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.