![]() And the further you explore, the more uneven the footing becomes. Walking around the cave entrance is relatively easy, but there is a series of stone steps that lead down to the lava tube. While it may be illegal to enter many of the caves and lava tubes across the Big Island and the rest of Hawaii, visitors are welcome to step into the large lava tube in Kaumana Caves State Park and explore a portion of its cavernous expanse. Why you should go: Explore a dark and seemingly endless lava tube. Kaumana Caves State Park Photo: Getty Images Related Read: 9 Best Hiking & Outdoors Apps for iPhone and Android 3. It’s one of the Big Island’s best hikes with the family, even if you’re pushing a stroller. Though the trail is short, you may spend longer than you think here given how much information is on display. The high canopy of the ohi’a trees blocks out the sun, making for a cool (and humid) hike. This interpretive hike includes 20 different numbered stopping points where visitors can learn about the local flora and fauna of the native forest. Kalopa State Park is on the northern windward side of the island, which subjects it to ample rainfall that creates a richly diverse, damp, and downright beautiful forest. Located far from the island’s popular national park and tourist towns, the Kalopa Nature Trail is a special place to find serenity and seclusion on Hawaii’s Big Island. Why you should go: See and learn about the biodiversity of the native Hawaiian rainforests. Kalopa Nature Trail Photo: Forest and Kim Starr Related Read: 11 Awesome Waterfall Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii 2. It’s one of the best hikes on the Big Island for beginner hikers or travelers who only packed flip-flops. You’ll walk through a verdant upcountry rainforest where every nook and crevice is carpeted in lush greenery. The paved half-mile-long loop leads hikers to stunning viewpoints of both Akaka Falls and the cascading waters of Kahuna Falls. Most visitors here are drawn to the park to see the plunging 442-foot-tall Akaka Falls in all its glory. Why you should go: The free-falling waters of Akaka Falls are a must-see, especially considering the easy hike to get there.Īkaka Falls State Park is north of the town of Hilo in the inland hills near the island’s northeastern shoreline. Akaka Falls State Park Photo: Getty Images Related Read: The 15 Most Incredible Hikes on Kauai, Hawaii 1. Always practice Leave No Trace principles. ![]() Remember to tread lightly and to respect the locals and their land. This list of Big Island hikes includes many of the most popular trails in all of Hawaii as well as a few diamonds in the rough that don’t get much traffic. The best thing about many of these hikes on the Big Island is that they go past terrain most visitors will never see if they just stay on the beach. On a short jaunt, you may find everything from a sea turtle-laden lagoon to hidden lava tubes. ![]() The Big Island’s trails have thousands of secrets to uncover, and many aren’t far from the trailhead. Lava fields, rainforests, and coastal caves are but a few of the various terrain features you can explore on the island. **For current prices and fees please call (808) 638-7766.Think Hawaii is just beaches? Think again: there are hundreds of miles of epic hiking trails on Hawaii’s Big Island.įrom the volcanic heights of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to the inviting, sandy shoreline, the Big Island (which is actually called Hawaii) is home to many of the state’s best hikes. Now it is managed by Hi'ipaka LLC - a nonprofit organization with much more of a focus on cultural and botanical preservation. It was shut down and turned over to the Audubon Society in 2003, and turned it into a botanical garden. The area used to be an adventure park where you could see cliff-diving shows, ride ATVs and trams and go kayaking. The 45 foot (13.7m) waterfall is part of Kamanui Stream that flows from the north end of the Koolau Mountains on Windward side Oahu all the way through Waimea Valley to join the Waimea River to the ocean. A visit to Waimea Falls is very much a cultural experience if you take the time to relax and enjoy the surrounds. The 3.5-mile hike, which is mostly along flat, paved ground, is well worth doing as the path meanders through the magnificent gardens and historical sites. There is an optional shuttle service for the very young or elderly to be able to also enjoy the falls. This is a worthwhile contribution, as the place is dedicated to the preservation of the incredible botanical and cultural features of the area. ![]() It is located within Waimea Valley, which is a unique Hawaiian botanical garden within a significant cultural and archaeological site. Waimea Falls, also known as Waihi Falls, is one of the more accessible falls on Oahu.
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