The Hike To This Secluded Waterfall Beach In Hawaii Is Positively Amazing
By Megan Shute|Published May 21, 2018
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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.
Located on Hawaii Island’s Hamakua Coast — away from all the tourists hanging out in Kona — is Waipio Valley, the southernmost and largest of the seven valleys of Kohala Mountain. And though the valley’s lookout point is no stranger to tourists hopping out of their cars to snap a few photographs of this picturesque spot, it’s what you will find once you descend from the valley’s striking cliffs that is truly remarkable. At the end of this unique trail, you will find a breathtaking waterfall beach that is as stunning as it is secluded. Let’s take a look, shall we?
The sacred Waipio Valley was once the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I and is an important site for Hawaiian history and culture. History aside, "The Valley of the Kings" certainly appears as though it was made for royalty — the valley is surrounded by tropical vegetation and 2,000-foot high cliffs.
While this Big Island valley is often seen from above at the Waipio Valley lookout, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot down to the valley floor, where you will find countless magical wonders, including a striking waterfall that cascades from the cliffside straight into the
This beach waterfall isn’t the only cascade you’ll find in Waipio Valley, though. The breathtaking black sand beach is split by the Hi’ilawe Stream (which flows from the 1,200-foot-tall Hi’ilawe Falls) and is home to a stunning waterfall you can’t see from the lookout — Kaluahine Falls.
Though Waipio Valley is absolutely breathtaking, the road to the valley’s floor from the lookout is pretty gnarly, gaining 800 vertical feet in just 0.6 miles, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States. While it is possible to drive the road into Waipio Valley if you have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, it is often on the list of prohibited places to take a rental car. So, of course, we hike!
To reach the striking beach, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot, descending into the valley. Because of the trail’s steepness, you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.
If you choose to make the journey on foot, be sure to conserve your energy, because the trek back is going to be a lot more difficult. Bring plenty of water, and take it easy. Remember: "slow and steady wins the race" is a cliche for a reason.
If you’re planning to explore beyond the beach, it is recommended that you hire a tour guide, because the valley is quite remote, and in addition to private property rights, it is also easy to become lost or stranded here.
