Hikers: What am I missing? (Waipio, Volcano: beach, parking, best)

[JoDan]

We begin a two month stay 31 December. Have done some great hikes on the Big Island like Waipio Valley, most all of the hikes in Volcanoes Nat Park, the Great Crack, Green Sand Beach, Pololu Valley, hikes to most of the petroglyphs and several others whose names I don't recall. Will do these again, but know some of the BI residents know of others worthy of time and energy. We like 4 - 10, 12 miles. Any suggestions?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Go to the Place of Refuge. There's a road that goes out of the far end of the parking lot, south of the Visitor's Center. Follow that road and at the south end of the parking lot for the beach park there is a trail that goes down the coast for miles. I don't know how long of a hike it is, but it is really pretty.

Another suggestion -- hike down to Pololo beach, cross the beach and go up the other side. The trail takes you to the top of the next hill and you can go down the other side. Quite a strenuous hike!

[Galactastica]

I too, would suggest the hike beyond Pololu Valley, over to Honokane Nui Valley. It's more strenuous, but with your experience you'll do just fine. The payoff is amazing! One of the best views you'll get. Shorter than that, and way easier is the walk/hike to Makalawena beach-what I think is the best beach on the island. You can also do the down (and down and down) to Kealakekua Bay-although check on capacity/permits because I'm not up to date on that. If you want to look at much, much longer hikes, even over-nighters, look into Waimanu Valley (starts in Waipio Valley) and is my favorite hike on the island. Also for long hikes, to the Mauna Kea summit from the VIS and there's always the Mauna Loa trail too.

[cagary]

You have not hiked the Big Island unless you have gone into Waimanu Valley.

Didn't you see the zig zag trial on the far wall of Waipio?

Try to time your hike so that you are there during an extreme low tide. This way you may be able to walk along the rocky shore north to Laupauhoehoe nui. When I got to Laupauhoehoe nui, we found hundreds of banana plants growing wild and lots of fruit in various stages of ripeness. Just don't stay too long cause when the tide comes in, there is no way to get back to Waimanu.

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by cagary

You have not hiked the Big Island unless you have gone into Waimanu Valley.

Didn't you see the zig zag trial on the far wall of Waipio?

Try to time your hike so that you are there during an extreme low tide. This way you may be able to walk along the rocky shore north to Laupauhoehoe nui. When I got to Laupauhoehoe nui, we found hundreds of banana plants growing wild and lots of fruit in various stages of ripeness. Just don't stay too long cause when the tide comes in, there is no way to get back to Waimanu.

I hiked the zig zag to Waimanu Valley. Did that one alone. I met three young guys (teenagers) along the way. They were packing way too much gear. On my return trip I began to discover things along the trail they dumped to lighten their load...things like three pound cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, cans of Spam, chips, etc.

As I began my hike someone had posted a note about a lost dog on the trail. I spotted the dog several times, but could not get it to come to me. When I returned I did call the owner and told him where I had spotted his dog. He was happy and appreciative.

The tide trail hike reminds me of a similar hike in Alaska on Resurrection Bay. You can only hike the trail at low tide. Usually have to make it an overnighter.