The Magical Hawaiian Valley You've Never Heard Of Will Drop Your Jaw
By Megan Shute|Published June 09, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Nestled between the more accessible and well-known Hawaii Island’s Waipio and Pololu valleys is a stunning valley you’ve probably never even heard of. Waimanu Valley, the largest of several remote valleys on the Hamakua Coastline, is quite difficult to visit, but offers incredible views for anyone adventurous enough to tackle the nine-mile Muliwai Trail.
This intense backpacking trek is the only way to reach Waimanu Valley, and begins with several steep switchbacks up Wapio’s north face, traversing through miles of gulches and forests before descending Waimanu’s south face via another series of treacherous switchbacks to the valley floor.
Even in the most favorable conditions, the trail will take experienced hikers up to seven hours to reach the valley, where adventurers will need to stop and camp for the night.
The valley is home to nine spacious campsites that will cost you $18/per night, and it is surely an unforgettable experience you will remember for the rest of your life. It is recommended that hikers secure camping permits for at least two nights in order to fully explore all that this lush valley has to offer.
Waimanu translates to “bird water” or “river of birds” in the Hawaiian language, and was once an ancient land division in Hawaii, though is now uninhabited.
Oh, and did we mention that the valley is completely isolated? This means there is absolutely no cell phone reception, no electricity, or piped-in fresh water, and often, very few people – save your fellow hikers. Realistically, if you were to desire so, you could flee into the valley and disappear forever.
While this may appeal to some, the thought of being so isolated from the world is a scary thought for many. Anyone hiking the Muliwai Trail should bring enough food, water, and supplies to keep themselves – and their partners – alive, at least overnight.
But if you aren’t into crazy hiking/camping trips, you can also get a glimpse into this lush, serene valley via helicopter. After all, it is true that more people have experienced Waimanu from the air than those who have actually walked on the valley floor.
This Hawaiian utopia is sure to leave anyone who visits absolutely breathless – and not just because they’ve been hiking for nine miles. For detailed information about what to expect while tackling the arduous Muliwai Trail, check out this in-depth article posted by Frugal Frolicker.
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