Take your time at the lookout, and I bet you will have some time alone. 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 haven't yet hiked into the valley, only walked part of the way down the road. The trail down into the valley is a section of the old government road to wini. and is only about a half hour hike to the bottom of this .6-mile hike. MAUI In terms of color, its not the blackest black sand beach on the Big Island, but the wet sand can make it appear especially black. Easy to moderate. Share More sharing options. 5. I took a couple of timelapse videos and could see the light move around on the valley walls with the clouds. (driving directions using google maps). More information at the Keokea beach park website. Dont venture too far inland to avoid trespassing and disturbing sites that shouldnt be disturbed. And you are at the Pololu Valley lookout! From the valley floor it is a short and easy stretch to the beach. Most people visit just day camp on the valley floor into the late hours. 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. During my recent trip to the Big Island, I opted to do the Pololu Valley Hike. Pololu Valley is an easy drive from Highway 270 through idyllic towns like Hawaii and Kapaau. Yes, it is a busy trail, which is why I recommend continuing to the Honokane Nui Lookout if you have the fitness to do so. My phone died part way through so I dont have photos of the horse. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. 31. Quickly cross the Polol River where it meets the sea. I have read about the hike / walk to. 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. Youll find hiking up the Maliwai uncrowded. With more time and better weather, we would have attempted the longer hike to Waimanu. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. stream inland ends and is mostly private lands that are off limits to explore. 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). Image by: Floyd Stewart/Flickr. While the "hike" down to the beach isn't extensive, it's so rewarding. 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. You can also hike down the beach and up the Mulawai zigzag trail about 30 minutes to the third switchback for great views of the valley and beach. MAHALO! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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 . Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI So detoured then to the beach- amazingly beautiful- and what was beautiful was the people we met along this hike. Hike down on broken paved road. Polol means long spear, and carves a long cleave on the northern side of Kohala Mountain. One day of hiking to the Big Island valley beaches, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. Take Kohala Mountain Road on your way back ~ another stunning drive. Pololu Valley is located in north Kohala on the eastern slope of the extinct Kohala volcano at the northernmost point of the Big Island. If youre One of the best places to hike on the Big Island is the Pololu Valley. We revisited the Pololu Valley and hiked down to the bottom once more. Youll need to relax bc youll be on edge driving - esp if its your first time. days, it is muddy and extremely slippery, Look to The valley is deeply cut into the mass of Kohala mountain, with three thousand-foot cliffs and some waterfalls up to fifteen-hundred feet. So be careful. . MICHIGAN The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. Answer 1 of 20: We are a family of 4 with kids just out of college, We love nature, short hikes, photography. Hard on the way up, but totally worth it., starts with a decline up to the beach. 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! Park at the end of the highway at the Polol Valley overlook. We were devastated to hear that this access road may remain closed until 2025! Make sure you find parking even from a distant walk to the entrance of the trail since parking is limited right at the entrance. Both times, the parking area was packed. This trip turned out to be my favorite experience on the Big Island so far. , each with hip pockets for easier access to small items. Yay, it worked! 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 Polol Valley beach is mostly made up of moderately-sized polished lava rocks. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. 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. I recommend parking up the street slightly so that it is easy to turn around and leave at the end of your hike. If you enjoyed the images and post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons located around the post. Answer 1 of 11: What is the best way to see Polulu Valley and Waipio Valley? You'll hear from me shortly. 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. Look mauka and you should see a brown sign guiding you to the trail. 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. During its long lifetime, erosion by rainwater has cut multiple deep gulches, gorges and valley in the flanks of the windward side of the Kohala volcano. Also, if you want an adventure, check out Kaumana Caves. Getting There. (Please do not disturb anything in this ancient site it is untouched and still in wonderful condition). Cool 2. 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 . A little off the beaten path, this hike was our favorite on the Big Island. But the hike up is quite steep. You can explore and hike into this wondrous area via the Waipi'o Valley on one side or Pololu Valley on the other side. 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. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. Take the coast highway one direction; the landscape there is unmatchable. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Although I've never hiked it, I can brag that I've driven down the road with the steepest grade in the entire USA! 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. 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. Went back in 2020. sad to hear its closed for a couple of years. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. It's about an hour and a half drive from Kona, and an hour and ten minutes from Hilo. 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. 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). Depending on recent rains and time of year it can be relatively low or quite high. 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. Waipi'o Valley is much more trying, longer, and more satisfying. Funny 1. You won't get 2-3 hours of hike, 45 minutes down and up. Be careful when it rains, very slick. 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. CARDIO!! If you hike- especially after rainy season- wear waterproof sneakers. 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. Try not to get blown away by the incredible views and crazy wind at the Honokane Nui Lookout. The Awini trailhead can be found on the trail that runs above the beach. I found this area to be relatively flat and dry. Dont hike this trial - take a 4x4 down and up. There are no lifeguards on the beach and the surf breaks and the beach with undertow is treacherous so swimming is not encouraged on the beach. Along the river bank are tall ironwood trees with swings set up for some casual fun and really high swinging. Please share your thoughts and comments below. Waipi'o valley Hike: A 6.5 mile round trip of medium difficulty. #1. The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike. The waves here are gnarly, and I wouldnt recommend swimming here, but it is beautiful to see. On the northern Hamakua Coast, you'll find the lush Waipio Valley. Mahalo! further out and then walk to the end where the trail begins. Super fun, a bit challenging, but totally worth it. My posts got a little jumb, My Rogue River fashion: layers of sunscreen, wide-, Tools to Plan a Sensational Trip for Yourself. Not only is Pololu valley scenic as an overlook at the end of road, but the hike and views going downhill, the walk across the gorgeous black sand beach is a wonderful experience. Instead, you must walk down a rocky hiking trail for about 20 minutes. 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. Otherwise, you can park along the side of the road before that dead end parking lot too. Got there at 10 and parking was "80% full" on a Friday. BE ADVISED: PARKING AT WAIPIO LOOKOUT COUNTY PARK IS LIMITED TO 24 HOURS. Turned out, all we needed was the water and chips. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. NORTH DAKOTA It is still a gorgeous, worthy hike even if you are heading down to the beach. Can these both be done on the same day? 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. We opted to take our 4x4 rental to the black sand beach at the end. One switchback is a particularly good spot for a photo. The expansive black sand beach is fantastic to walk through and check out the rock sculptures and enjoy the beach. The mounds of sand behind the beach are a fun place to spend some time. SOUTH DAKOTA 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. Don't miss these. We're staying in Kolea area so the drive. The 9-mile Muliwai Trail from Waipi'o Valley into Waimanu Valley is rough, hazardous and extremely steep in spots, so only experienced backcountry hikers should attempt it. The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach (Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike. At the coast there is a beautiful black sand beach constantly pounded by the Pacific Ocean waves. If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Although the lookout provides a fabulous view, nothing compares to making into down into the valley. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) Exercise caution when crossing and be aware of weather conditions. 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. The crossing might be dry. many unique galleries and shops worth exploring while you are in the area. There is room for about 10 cars at the end . Most references to the Polol Valley trail refer to this trail, which ends where the beach meets the valley floor. Good workout. 6:30-11:00: Hike into Pololu Valley. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is amazing. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern Kohala coastline from the Polol Overlook. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. If youre looking for something to do somewhat in the area, you might have a look at Lapakahi State Historical Park for a top Big Island snorkeling spot and to walk through an ancient Hawaiian village, or Hapuna Beach state park which has been called one of the best beaches on the Big Island. Very steep. 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. Sharing road/trail with trucks and hikers would be irritating. 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. Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. We don't shy away from more aggressive hiking but can also enjoy something more laid back as well. Call 775-0958 for parking at Waipio Valley Artworks. I'm kind of leaning toward Pololu for that reason. The sacred Waipio Valley was once the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I, and is an important site for Hawaiian history and culture.