Hawaii Hiking Trails
Lava Flow (Big Island)
Several flows were going into the ocean from a shelf collapse the week before I arrived to the Big Island (May 2017)
There were no surface flows in the park during my visit, the best way to view the lava was from the ocean on a boat
There was also a distant viewpoint from land, above is the steam cloud on the hike from western end (Chain of Craters road)
One hour before sunset (no lava visible)
The hike was shorter coming from the eastern Kalapana side (8 miles return). I rented a bike and covered most of the distance on the emergency road
Sunset
Blue Hole in Waialeale Canyon (Kauai)
Blue Hole panorama, Waialeale Canyon
Where: Lihue Koloa Forest Reserve, Kauai
Distance: ~20 miles roundtrip
Trailhead: Parking lot at Keahua Arboretum, follow 580 west from Wailua until reaching the stream crossings. If you have 4WD and a partner to help you push you can continue further along the access road.
When: Year round, September is down season for Hawaii, but this trail is lightly traveled. Rainfall in the canyon is spread out evenly throughout the year
The trek to the "wettest spot on earth" is mostly rock hopping up the Wailua River. The river leads to the Inner Sanctum, a cascade of waterfalls down the Waialeale Canyon. Access to this hike is difficult so you likely will have the canyon to yourself. Helicopters overhead are seen throughout the day as the canyon was the backdrop for the Gate opening scene in Jurassic Park.
I will try to explain things in more detail here as information on this hike is not in guide books. It took some trial and error to make it to the main waterfall. It was a full twelve hour day, although the return hike was closer to three or four hours. Pink flags are there to guide you to side trails around waterfalls in the river.
The first spot to mention is where the river splits into three. To the left is a quick dead end and up the right river is a side hike to a waterfall. You will want to climb up on the land to the left side of the middle river at this point. After the river split, the next obstacle is a fence installed to keep hogs out of the inner canyon. There is a gate opening near the center of canyon if you walk up along the fence, but I had to hug the fence in this area as the mud was knee deep if you took a step away from the fence. The shortcut here is to climb the fence with the help of a tree about halfway up the hill instead of walking up the hill to the gate and then back down the hill to the river again.
Distance: ~20 miles roundtrip
Trailhead: Parking lot at Keahua Arboretum, follow 580 west from Wailua until reaching the stream crossings. If you have 4WD and a partner to help you push you can continue further along the access road.
When: Year round, September is down season for Hawaii, but this trail is lightly traveled. Rainfall in the canyon is spread out evenly throughout the year
The trek to the "wettest spot on earth" is mostly rock hopping up the Wailua River. The river leads to the Inner Sanctum, a cascade of waterfalls down the Waialeale Canyon. Access to this hike is difficult so you likely will have the canyon to yourself. Helicopters overhead are seen throughout the day as the canyon was the backdrop for the Gate opening scene in Jurassic Park.
I will try to explain things in more detail here as information on this hike is not in guide books. It took some trial and error to make it to the main waterfall. It was a full twelve hour day, although the return hike was closer to three or four hours. Pink flags are there to guide you to side trails around waterfalls in the river.
The first spot to mention is where the river splits into three. To the left is a quick dead end and up the right river is a side hike to a waterfall. You will want to climb up on the land to the left side of the middle river at this point. After the river split, the next obstacle is a fence installed to keep hogs out of the inner canyon. There is a gate opening near the center of canyon if you walk up along the fence, but I had to hug the fence in this area as the mud was knee deep if you took a step away from the fence. The shortcut here is to climb the fence with the help of a tree about halfway up the hill instead of walking up the hill to the gate and then back down the hill to the river again.
First view of Inner Sanctum
After crossing the fence the brush will get thick and the river will be overtaken with trees. If you can't locate the pink flags, find a way to climb up the hill as you are almost at the end of the hike. The reward at the top is the first view of the Inner Sanctum pictured above. Favor the right wall of the canyon from this point, there is a path that you will see on the return hike and the boulders near the canyon wall keep the vegetation down and make the hiking easier.
Access to the river to begin the hike also requires some explanation. I parked at the Keahua Arboretum at the end of 580 and walked the extra miles in the morning. There is a good overview map on HawaiiGuide.com with landmarks such as stream crossings and the Jurassic Park gate to help with the access road. If you prefer, there are locations for this hike on my google map as well. I ran into a group of locals on the return hike who drove a truck down the access road and I carpooled with them on the ride back. It was dark and we got stuck twice and had to help push, the road is muddy with potholes and lakes. I would only drive down the access road if you have a partner or two and a 4WD vehicle.
I waited for a good day to do this hike. The Waialeale summit is one of the rainiest spots on earth and averages 450+ inches of rain a year, only outdone by a couple places in India that average 470 inches per year. There are clouds in the center of the Kauai even though the rest of island is sunny on most days.
Access to the river to begin the hike also requires some explanation. I parked at the Keahua Arboretum at the end of 580 and walked the extra miles in the morning. There is a good overview map on HawaiiGuide.com with landmarks such as stream crossings and the Jurassic Park gate to help with the access road. If you prefer, there are locations for this hike on my google map as well. I ran into a group of locals on the return hike who drove a truck down the access road and I carpooled with them on the ride back. It was dark and we got stuck twice and had to help push, the road is muddy with potholes and lakes. I would only drive down the access road if you have a partner or two and a 4WD vehicle.
I waited for a good day to do this hike. The Waialeale summit is one of the rainiest spots on earth and averages 450+ inches of rain a year, only outdone by a couple places in India that average 470 inches per year. There are clouds in the center of the Kauai even though the rest of island is sunny on most days.
Jurassic Park Gates
Blue Hole waterfall cascade
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Muliwai Trail (Big Island)
The Muliwai Trail on the Big Island starts with a walk across Waipio beach (18 miles return)
I parked at Waipio Valley Artworks (for a daily fee), no overnight parking is allowed at the Waipio Overlook
There is a side trip to a waterfall over some rocky terrian at Waipio beach
The trail climbs at the end of Waipio Beach and goes through the jungle. There are many streams to cross on the trail
The final set of switchbacks gives the first view of Wai'ilikahi Falls and the Waimanu Valley
I arrived at camp late and watched the glow of sunset over the bay from above
Waimanu creek is the final river crossing to reach camp
Campsite #3
Sunrise at camp
Waimanu beach
I mostly rested on the day in the valley, the weather was perfect
I was excited to find this large swimming pool at the base of Wai'ilikahi Falls, but the water was too cold!
Much like the Blue Hole hike, there are helicopters above every fifteen minutes. The trail that leads to the falls is faint and starts near campsite #9. I had several encounters with wild hogs on the hike back here
Haleakala Sunrise Bike Tour
The stars before the sunrise are impressive as well. Haleakala Bike Co. allows you to bike down at your own pace, instead of with a group, which allows you to stop halfway to rest your hands (from braking) at Kula Lodge for breakfast.
Kalahaku Overlook
Awaawapuhi Trail
The Awaawapuhi trail leads to this viewpoint
Kalalau Trail
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Should probably best be done as a backpack trip. I walked the 22 miles in one day, skipping the side trip to Hanakapiai Falls. A permit is required for dayhiking beyond the six mile mark.
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Chain of Craters Road |
Wild Chickens |
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