Hawaii is an outdoorsman's
paradise and a marvelous place to hike. Hiking in the Hawaiian
Islands offers many opportunities to experience a
unique natural environment and a variety of climate zones. Known throughout the world for a wide
variety of ecosystems, trails in Hawai`i can take you to coastal dunes,
shrublands, rainforests, and high alpine deserts. The
Big Island offers hiking for all of us - from the short scenic view
hikes such as Akaka Falls,
to the more rigorous Halini Pali 7-mile trail down the side of the
Kilauea Volcano.
Want to be adventurous? For more tips
and info, check out the
Big Island Adventure Guide.
Hawaii Eco Tours Looking for guided Eco
adventure tours of the Big Island? Eco tourism is extremely
popular in a unique place like the Big Island. Check out our
Big Island Eco Tours section with opportunities for bird watching,
volcano hiking, waterfalls and botanical walks, star gazing, and back
country hiking - all provided by expert, knowledgeable tour guides.
Hiking Tips Dress
in layers so you can protect your skin from the intense tropical sun. A
hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended. Hiking boots offer
traction and ankle sup-port to prevent slipping and injuries on muddy
trails and slick or sharp rocks. Light raingear is good to carry because
of the quickly changing weather conditions. Are you ready?
Read our Hawaii Hiking Tips.
Big
Island Camping You
may want to spend at least part of your time camping out. Some of the
state's best camping facilities are located here, and they are less
likely to be crowded than other islands. Big Island camping areas
range from car-accessible county and state
parks, to more remote
backpacking sites,
with a number of basic cabins. Camping spots of all
kinds require inexpensive permits, which should be obtained well in
advance of your trip. For State parks, contact the Hawaii State
Department of Land and Natural Resources at (808) 961-7200 and for the
volcano area, contact the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park at (808)
967-7321.
Hawaii Walks, Trails, Hikes
The most comprehensive
hiking guide
available to the spectacular island of Hawaii. This island has a
wealth of areas to explore, including: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
the island's famous black sand beaches, shimmering blue bays, and
remote rainforest valleys. Includes both day hikes and backpacks.
Akaka Falls
- Just north of Hilo, visit twin 400 ft. Hawaiian Waterfalls.
Walk through a vibrant rainforest and experience the dramatic
waterfalls. This lovely nature hike will lead you past two
dramatic falls.
Rainbow
Falls State Park - The best time to view the 80-foot Rainbow
Falls is at sunrise when you will see an enormous rainbow stretching
across the mist of the lagoon. See the towering canopy rain
forest above as you walk around the park.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical
Gardens - This garden is located seven miles north of Hilo on Route 19.
Enjoy the self-guided walking tour of the gardens, follow the several
miles of trails through tropical rain forest
with waterfalls, meandering streams, and rugged ocean coast. There
is also a vast selection of flowers, fruits, plants, and trees.
Waipio Valley -
The rugged Hamakua Coast winds its way up to the steep and
secluded Waipio Valley. From the Waipio Lookout, you can
look into the scenic valley and see the black sand beach at
the coast. There is a hiking / 4x4 trail that leads to
the bottom of the valley and beyond.
Waimanu Valley
- This remote valley is only accessible via the challenging Mulawai
trail starting at the western edge of the Waipio Valley.
Waimanu is tranquil, with waterfalls carving out its high valley
walls. Camping is permitted in Waimanu.
Pololu Valley -
The nothern tip of the Kohala Coast curves to the dramatic
Pololu Valley Lookout. A short hike takes you to the
bottom of the forested valley where the black sand beach meets
the crashing ocean waves.
Honokane Nui
- If you continue to the east on the trail in the Pololu
Valley, you will hike up and over the saddle into the remote
and beautiful Honokane Nui Valley. This is a
challenging hike, but worth it for the spectacular view and
natural beauty.
Heiau,
Hawaiian Temples -
Heiau (temples) were places of worship that were central to
Hawaiian religious beliefs. From the heiau, the kahuna
(priest) communicated with the gods. There are several
well preserved Heiau on the Big Island for you to visit.
Ala
Kahakai Coastal Trail
This trail follows the western coastline and provides access to
numerous beaches and resorts, and to both the Malama Trail to Puako
petroglyph field near Holoholokai and the Kings Highway inland of
the Mauna Lani Resort. One of the nicest section of this trail
connects Spencer Beach to
Waialea (69) Beach.
Ki'holo Bay. The unmarked
path
across a vast lava field requires a 25-minute hike, so take plenty
of water. The approximately 1-mile hike leads to a beautiful
secluded inlet. The huge,
spring-fed pond anchors the south end of the bay, and the
three black-pebble beaches are fine for swimming in calm weather.
Honaunau,
1871 Trail
This ancient Hawaii backcountry trail offers a 2
mile round trip hike along the 1871 trail through the Honaunau National
Historical Park. On this trail, you will encounter Hawaiian heiau,
holua sled courses and the dramatic Keanae'e cliffs.
Petroglyphs -
Ancient Hawaiian lava rock carvings can be found in several
locations on the Big Island. The largest concentration
of these rare pictographs can be found on the Big Island.
Two prolific petroglyph fields are a short hike away at the
Hilton Waikoloa, and at the Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- One of the most magnificent National Parks in the country,
this park boasts the world's longest continually erupting
volcano. Hikes for all ages and abilities take you
through all the climate zones that the Big Island has to
offer. The Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of
hiking trails for all to enjoy including the spectacular
Kilauea Iki Trail.
Mauna
Loa Summit Hike
The ascent of Mauna Loa begins at 6600 ft. The hike takes
about 4 days, including spending the night at two cabins on
the way to the 13,680 foot summit. The lava terrain is
uneven and provides difficult walking conditions. Reduced
oxygen at the high elevation further increases the
difficulty of this hike. View a hike
journal.
Mauna Kea
- At 13,796 feet this
is the highest peak on the Hawaiian Islands. Frequently
snow capped in the winter, the world's most important
observatories reside here. Enjoy the spectacular views
and splendid star-gazing. Check out the Mauna Kea Summit and Stars
adventure, taking you to the top of Mauna Kea!
Guided Hiking
Tours
Kilauea Volcano Adventure
Your adventure to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and back is a
remarkable 250-mile drive, traveling over 4 volcanoes and making an
elevation change of 37,000 feet as you go up and down over the
mountains. Your tour of the park takes you on easy, short
walks varying in length from .5 miles to 1.5 miles
Pololu
Valley Kohala Wai Adventure
Explore the remote Pololu Valley area on the northern tip of the Big
Island aboard a rugged off-road Pinzgauer 6x6 vehicle. Witness the
life-giving and land-sculpting power of water, as you ramble through
a changing landscape of rushing streams, towering ocean cliffs and
cascading waterfalls. You'll even have time to kick off your shoes
and take a dip in a cool mountain pool!
Waipio
Valley Horseback Riding Tour
Take a horseback ride in a lush tropical paradise with jungle trails,
taro patches, magnificent waterfalls and historical and spiritual sites!
This 2 hour guided ride will take you deep into Waipio Valley, a
wonderland of natural Hawaiian beauty. Enjoy responsive, well-trained,
healthy horses. Your individual riding ability will be catered to.
Hiking Gear
Portable GPS
Backpacks
Camelbak
Big Island Adventure Guides
Hawaii
Trailblazer
A guide for families and outdoor adventurers alike, the Trailblazer offers detailed descriptions of
142 hikes and strolls: the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the shores
of Waipio Valley and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
rain forests and tropical gardens, waterfalls, petroglyph fields, and
the Kona Coast.
71 snorkeling and swimming spots including remote hike-to specials; 39
surfing spots: boards, bodyboarding, and body surfing; 24 bike trails
for adventure cyclists: mountain, coastal, forest, pasture;
25 campgrounds and rustic cabin hideaways.
Hawaii:
The Big Island Revealed
The Ultimate Guidebook by Andrew Doughty may properly be placed among
the greatest guidebooks of Hawaii. Enhanced with 39 color maps, 132
color photos, and all the secrets necessary to fulfill the desires of
any tourist. Andrew Doughty enlightens the reader on the every given
shop, hotel, beach and cafe that only a Hawaii native might recognize
for the exceptional decency or beauty of. Strongly recommended read for
travelers planning a trip to Hawaii (or for those unsure where to go
once the have arrived), Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed will help to
make your destination Hawaii.
Hawaii is an outdoorsman's
paradise and a marvelous place to hike. Hiking in the Hawaiian
Islands offers many opportunities to experience a
unique natural environment and a variety of climate zones. Known throughout the world for a wide
variety of ecosystems, trails in Hawai`i can take you to coastal dunes,
shrublands, rainforests, and high alpine deserts. The
Big Island offers hiking for all of us - from the short scenic view
hikes such as Akaka Falls,
to the more rigorous Halini Pali 7-mile trail down the side of the
Kilauea Volcano.
Want to be adventurous? For more tips
and info, check out the
Big Island Adventure Guide.
The most comprehensive
hiking guide
available to the spectacular island of Hawaii. This island has a
wealth of areas to explore, including: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
the island's famous black sand beaches, shimmering blue bays, and
remote rainforest valleys. Includes both day hikes and backpacks.
Hawaii
Trailblazer
Hawaii:
The Big Island Revealed
