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Sacred land. About a 25 minute climb down the trail and it's very rocky. The climb up took about 40 minutes because we needed to stop and catch our breath. There is a booth at the top of the trail that gives you information on the climb you're about to make and the dangers and consequences of not being able to make it back up the trail. If you're able to do it, do it. Leave no trace and respect the sacred valley.
Probably the highlight of our trip! Yes it is a long drive. I don't care where your staying. Do it. Basically take the highway up until it ends. Find a parking space at the lookout. Then take the trail down to the valley. It will take 15 or 20 minutes to get down and maybe a half an hour to get back up depending on your speed. Just take it slow. If it's raining, it might be slippery. These pictures do not do justice. It is absolutely stunning. This is a must do if you are on the big Island. On your way back, stop at a little gift store. It's called Ackermans. One of the best gift stores we found on the big Island. There is also a little restaurant attached to it that was pretty good pizza. Outdoor dining as well. Highest recommendation!
I visited this valley on both of my trips to Hawaii. It's one of my favorite spots on the big island. The views aren't the best from what's considered the lookout. You should really hike down to the valley. It's a very short hike, maybe half a mile. While it's short, it's very steep. There are great views of the cliffs for most of the hike down. Once you get down there, the valley is beautiful. There's also a black sand beach. Unfortunately, most of it seems to have washed away. It was a pretty big beach the first time I was here, but there was very little beach left this time. There are rope swings and lots of shade to relax and enjoy the peaceful valley. Parking is very limited. Cars park down the side of the road as the lot becomes full. This is a must see while on the big island.
This is a sublime sacred spot for Hawaiians and visitors alike. Entrance is free but parking is limited to 5 spots so it's all street parking. The hike down is scenic and easy because it is 0.5 mile downhill; however, remember you still have to come back up the same way so conserve your water. When you get down to the valley on the right hand side is a beautiful freshwater pond and there's some rope swings on the trees that kids can enjoy but very hard for adults. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together.
The views and hike will not disappoint! This is probably the highlight of our second day in Kona! Make sure to wear gold hiking shoes and to bring water. The trail is pretty steep.
Definitely recommend! The hike to the beach isn't too long but coming back up is a little more challenging. Definitely pack water! We came around 8AM and were able to park in the handful of spots at the trailhead. There are more spots along the street for when those parking spots are full. This beach had the softest black sand (compared to punalu'u and isaac hale)
What an incredible place! This was our second visit and our first time hike down. We didn't have the "right" shoes the first time. Although we did see folks hiking barefoot or in flip flops - I would not suggest it! Also, we were grateful that it was a dry trail on our second visit because wet this would be very dangerous to hike. Guides at the top are very helpful and we appreciated them sharing this sacred place with us.
Pololu Valley: End Of The Road Beauty! As you work your way up the highway on the North West side of Big Island you eventually find the end of the road which is where your little adventure begins. It's a pretty short downhill hike I would estimate just over a mile or so in distance down to the beautiful beach and trees. You can hike around the sandy hills in the pine tree like woods towards the rock cliffs. You can also hike a very short distance back along the river. This is a really beautiful spot to relax and watch the waves crash into the rocky shoreline. I feel like this would be a great camping spot, but I am not sure if it is allowed here. I remember the good old days where you could camp at most any beach without permits or governmental interference. Now the beaches I camped at only 10 years ago are all booked online and you pay to camp if it pleases the crown to give you permission to hike or camp. So much for land of the free.... NOTES: Wear proper footwear for the hike down. Flip Flops not advised. I use Keen Sandels that have some support. Don't forget water too as hiking usually makes people thirsty. Be prepared to carry your garbage out and there are no public bathrooms or showers at this beach.
The spectacular views of the valley and the steep cliffs that end in the ocean are worth a trip on their own. But if you want and adventure, hiking to the black sand beach at the valley floor is a very cool thing to do.
The Pololu Valley lookout is quite a beautiful sight. If you're just staying at the top, you can pretty much just take a few pictures, admire the view, and then that's about it. What's truly special is the valley below, but just a fair warning that it may be a relatively difficult hike for some. The hike itself is not long (maybe about 25 minutes each way), but the first quarter of it is pretty worn down and can be slippery. Be careful on this section, especially on the way down! When you get to the bottom, there are some really awesome swings that people have constructed out of logs and rope. It's a well shaded area, perfect for relaxing or having your picnic lunch (just remember to clean up after yourself, there are no trash cans/restrooms/facilities at the bottom). The black sand beach here is really quite amazing and very wide. The sand is very fine and it's really wonderful to walk along the tide. If you walk inland, the view of the small lake and valley is truly breathtaking! On our way back up, there was a local sitting in the bed of his trunk with a bunch of coconuts that he had picked himself. He was cutting them open with a machete and offering them to passing hikers. Really awesome and heartwarming gesture, and a great experience tasting fresh Big Island coconut water! Compared to the other famous lookout on the Big Island, the Waipio Valley lookout, I would say that Waipio Valley's lookout is a bit better than Pololu's, but when it comes to both the hike and the views/experiences in the valley itself, Pololu takes the cake for sure. Either way, if you have time, definitely visit both! Otherwise, if you had to pick one, I would say do Pololu if you have ~2 hours to spend, or Waipio for just the lookout if you're short on time.
My family and I were crazy and drove from Hilo to Waipio Valley, to here... but because my parents are older, they weren't up for a hiking challenge down to the beach. Shucks. The drive going here is just as dramatic as Waipio Valley, and when you're nearing the lookout point, you can see multiple cliff faces going into the ocean. Wow. Parking along the street at the end of the road is sufficient and the view at the lookout point is gorgeous. Drive on out here and see it for yourself.
Worth the trek (~10-20 mins down/up) to the beach & valley! Most of the trail is directly exposed to hot sun, so you'll want to come prepared with adequate water/sunscreen/hats/etc. The parking lot is small & gets filled fast, so you might need to walk a few minutes if you park further down along the road. It's not a hard hike, but parts of the trail are steep/slippery/rock-studded so you MUST have the right shoes (ie, no flip flops/sandals/etc). There were some folks in flip flops ahead of me who immediately fell at the start of the trail and had to forfeit the hike to turn back. Don't be those guys :( Wear proper footwear! Once you reach the end of the trail, you'll see the black sand beach to your left and a lush river valley to your right. The shaded area before the beach is cool and breezy. You can sit on the log swing/seats there to observe the tropical beauty & relax with some water/snacks. This is a gorgeous spot for pictures!
10 months ago
A beautiful hike to such a peaceful reward at the end! As an avid hiker, this hike was doable. It took us only about half an hour going down and up. When you arrive, parking for hikers is recommended not at the valley parking lot but on the side road leading to the parking lot as the valley parking lot is for those who are just visiting the lookout and not hiking. Once you walk towards the trail entrance, there are a couple of people waiting to assist hikers. They discuss the safety protocol and warnings when visiting. There is no time limit to how long you can be down there but because no swimming is allowed, i have found people stay only about half an hour before heading back up. We recommend wearing hiking shoes because the ascend is not easy and have seen people struggling. read more
Great short hike with excellent views as you descend. We tried this ~ 30 years ago and the trail was narrow and not well developed plus very muddy the day we originally tried it, so had to turn around. Now, the trail is nicely improved with some strategic rock "steps" though it is still slippery, even on a dry day. We saw a number of people doing it ( Very cautiously) in inappropriate shoes and that is not at all recommended. It is steep. The pond and beach at the bottom is nice for contemplation and wave watching. read more
Wow!!! A highlight of our trip! It's a beautiful drive north to the lookout on the Kohala Coast. There's a small parking lot and then parallel parking along the road leading to the parking lot. You can simply stand at the lookout and admire the awe-inspiring views down into the lush green valley, a sacred Hawaiian spot, and down over the cliffs to the ocean, but I highly recommend the short hike down! There are no bathrooms or water available so plan accordingly. The hike down is short, about 1/4 mile but steep, about 300' elevation change. It's well maintained. Just WEAR SNEAKERS and watch your footing - lots of tree roots. When you arrive at the bottom, look right to see the valley (we saw cows grazing on the riverbed), and walk left to experience the black sand beach and ocean. Absolutely magical! Then stop at the Kohala Grown Market in Hawi to refuel with lunch, drinks, and snacks! read more
10 months ago
Amazing area! King Kamehameha origin area! Awesome, place, and awesome black sand beaches! read more
Sacred land. About a 25 minute climb down the trail and it's very rocky. The climb up took about 40 minutes because we needed to stop and catch our breath. There is a booth at the top of the trail that gives you information on the climb you're about to make and the dangers and consequences of not being able to make it back up the trail. If you're able to do it, do it. Leave no trace and respect the sacred valley. read more
Probably the highlight of our trip! Yes it is a long drive. I don't care where your staying. Do it. Basically take the highway up until it ends. Find a parking space at the lookout. Then take the trail down to the valley. It will take 15 or 20 minutes to get down and maybe a half an hour to get back up depending on your speed. Just take it slow. If it's raining, it might be slippery. These pictures do not do justice. It is absolutely stunning. This is a must do if you are on the big Island. On your way back, stop at a little gift store. It's called Ackermans. One of the best gift stores we found on the big Island. There is also a little restaurant attached to it that was pretty good pizza. Outdoor dining as well. Highest recommendation! read more
6 years ago
I visited this valley on both of my trips to Hawaii. It's one of my favorite spots on the big island. The views aren't the best from what's considered the lookout. You should really hike down to the valley. It's a very short hike, maybe half a mile. While it's short, it's very steep. There are great views of the cliffs for most of the hike down. Once you get down there, the valley is beautiful. There's also a black sand beach. Unfortunately, most of it seems to have washed away. It was a pretty big beach the first time I was here, but there was very little beach left this time. There are rope swings and lots of shade to relax and enjoy the peaceful valley. Parking is very limited. Cars park down the side of the road as the lot becomes full. This is a must see while on the big island. read more
This is a sublime sacred spot for Hawaiians and visitors alike. Entrance is free but parking is limited to 5 spots so it's all street parking. The hike down is scenic and easy because it is 0.5 mile downhill; however, remember you still have to come back up the same way so conserve your water. When you get down to the valley on the right hand side is a beautiful freshwater pond and there's some rope swings on the trees that kids can enjoy but very hard for adults. The ocean, the enormous cliffs hugging the coastline and the lush green Pololu valley in the background are all surreal together. read more
Definitely recommend! The hike to the beach isn't too long but coming back up is a little more challenging. Definitely pack water! We came around 8AM and were able to park in the handful of spots at the trailhead. There are more spots along the street for when those parking spots are full. This beach had the softest black sand (compared to punalu'u and isaac hale) read more
3 years ago
What an incredible place! This was our second visit and our first time hike down. We didn't have the "right" shoes the first time. Although we did see folks hiking barefoot or in flip flops - I would not suggest it! Also, we were grateful that it was a dry trail on our second visit because wet this would be very dangerous to hike. Guides at the top are very helpful and we appreciated them sharing this sacred place with us. read more
7 years ago
Pololu Valley: End Of The Road Beauty! As you work your way up the highway on the North West side of Big Island you eventually find the end of the road which is where your little adventure begins. It's a pretty short downhill hike I would estimate just over a mile or so in distance down to the beautiful beach and trees. You can hike around the sandy hills in the pine tree like woods towards the rock cliffs. You can also hike a very short distance back along the river. This is a really beautiful spot to relax and watch the waves crash into the rocky shoreline. I feel like this would be a great camping spot, but I am not sure if it is allowed here. I remember the good old days where you could camp at most any beach without permits or governmental interference. Now the beaches I camped at only 10 years ago are all booked online and you pay to camp if it pleases the crown to give you permission to hike or camp. So much for land of the free.... NOTES: Wear proper footwear for the hike down. Flip Flops not advised. I use Keen Sandels that have some support. Don't forget water too as hiking usually makes people thirsty. Be prepared to carry your garbage out and there are no public bathrooms or showers at this beach. read more
The spectacular views of the valley and the steep cliffs that end in the ocean are worth a trip on their own. But if you want and adventure, hiking to the black sand beach at the valley floor is a very cool thing to do. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
The Pololu Valley lookout is quite a beautiful sight. If you're just staying at the top, you can pretty much just take a few pictures, admire the view, and then that's about it. What's truly special is the valley below, but just a fair warning that it may be a relatively difficult hike for some. The hike itself is not long (maybe about 25 minutes each way), but the first quarter of it is pretty worn down and can be slippery. Be careful on this section, especially on the way down! When you get to the bottom, there are some really awesome swings that people have constructed out of logs and rope. It's a well shaded area, perfect for relaxing or having your picnic lunch (just remember to clean up after yourself, there are no trash cans/restrooms/facilities at the bottom). The black sand beach here is really quite amazing and very wide. The sand is very fine and it's really wonderful to walk along the tide. If you walk inland, the view of the small lake and valley is truly breathtaking! On our way back up, there was a local sitting in the bed of his trunk with a bunch of coconuts that he had picked himself. He was cutting them open with a machete and offering them to passing hikers. Really awesome and heartwarming gesture, and a great experience tasting fresh Big Island coconut water! Compared to the other famous lookout on the Big Island, the Waipio Valley lookout, I would say that Waipio Valley's lookout is a bit better than Pololu's, but when it comes to both the hike and the views/experiences in the valley itself, Pololu takes the cake for sure. Either way, if you have time, definitely visit both! Otherwise, if you had to pick one, I would say do Pololu if you have ~2 hours to spend, or Waipio for just the lookout if you're short on time. read more
7 years ago
My family and I were crazy and drove from Hilo to Waipio Valley, to here... but because my parents are older, they weren't up for a hiking challenge down to the beach. Shucks. The drive going here is just as dramatic as Waipio Valley, and when you're nearing the lookout point, you can see multiple cliff faces going into the ocean. Wow. Parking along the street at the end of the road is sufficient and the view at the lookout point is gorgeous. Drive on out here and see it for yourself. read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Worth the trek (~10-20 mins down/up) to the beach & valley! Most of the trail is directly exposed to hot sun, so you'll want to come prepared with adequate water/sunscreen/hats/etc. The parking lot is small & gets filled fast, so you might need to walk a few minutes if you park further down along the road. It's not a hard hike, but parts of the trail are steep/slippery/rock-studded so you MUST have the right shoes (ie, no flip flops/sandals/etc). There were some folks in flip flops ahead of me who immediately fell at the start of the trail and had to forfeit the hike to turn back. Don't be those guys :( Wear proper footwear! Once you reach the end of the trail, you'll see the black sand beach to your left and a lush river valley to your right. The shaded area before the beach is cool and breezy. You can sit on the log swing/seats there to observe the tropical beauty & relax with some water/snacks. This is a gorgeous spot for pictures! read more
Polulu Valley is incredibly beautiful. It is definitely overshadowed by Waipio Valley but Polulu has a comparably, but different, beauty unique to its own, and the trek is significantly easier. At the top is a parking lot with not a lot of parking, but we didn't have any trouble finding a spot (it looks like Polulu is not as popular as it should be!). The lookout at the top is incredible but the views at the bottom are just as grand. I'd recommend Polulu as a must hike! Though you'll see people claim this is a hard hike, it is many many many times easier than the Waipio Valley downhill and uphill. It'll take approximately 15 minutes to get down and 20 minutes to get back up. The road is not paved and does involve some traversing on rocks though the majority is dirt road. There are incredible views at the bottom - the black sand beach, a hammock and log swing, the valley with a river stream feeding into it, the sunset, the mist over the water in the valley. It is absolutely breathtaking; it is no wonder that many scenes in the second Jurassic Park movie were taken in this valley! read more
12 years ago
Highly recommend stop on the Big Island and, if you're able to, absolutely hike down to the bottom. We had spent a day driving up the Kohala coast, made a stop in Hawi for some galleries and then continued on Highway 270 to Pololu Valley. Easy to find, the road literally ends here and there are plenty of parking spots. The overlook itself is amazing with sweeping views of the ocean, beach and valley. However, the hike down to beach is completely worth it and a must-do if you have time and are reasonably fit. There are walking sticks at the top, up for grabs. I didn't notice them until we got back up, but we managed just fine anyway. The trail is moderately steep, but be careful and watch your footing-you have some rocks to climb over and there are also a few drop offs to be mindful of. Once at the bottom, the beach is a rewarding sight up close. Black sand, dramatic waves and additional views in to the valley await you! Words can't do it justice-it was all simply amazing. We didn't have time to explore any other trails-it was nearing 6 p.m. but it was still entirely worth the drive here from Kona. If you are planning on coming here, make a day out of it and stop along the way at other various beaches along the Kohala coast and check out the galleries and cafes in Hawi. The hike down was about 15 minutes (including a few photo stops) and back up was about 20 minutes. The challenge was more of just watching your footing and taking it slow so as not to trip. We saw plenty of kids doing it and folks of all variety . Sturdy shoes and awareness are key to staying safe on the trail. Have fun and be prepared to be in awe of the beauty of this area! read more
The highlight of our trip was this amazing hike!! I highly rec this hike as a must do if you can make it to the north point of kona. It is def worth the 20-30 min trip from waikoloa. The hike itself is pretty easy going down, just make sure you have good footwear in case it's muddy but we saw ppl do it in flip flops. The trek down to the black sand beach took about 15 min. The views of the coast were beyond amaze balls. There was also some shaded areas which helped with the hike going back up. It's a pretty steep 20ish min hike up. But add heat and humidity it was a kick my butt 20 min. The black sand beach was awesome! It was a lot cooler down there, and thankfully the waves were calm enough that we were able to chill on the beach and let our toddler roam around before making the trek back up. You will pass what appears to be a makeshift camp ground with a log swing and fish net hammock and tons of trees. It's absolutely gorgeous down there. Would def do this hike again. read more
7 years ago
I love hiking in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, having taken dozens of day hikes of 7-13 miles round trip. An obvious rule is usually that you want to finish higher than you started, otherwise the trek back can be pretty rough. Thankfully I did not adhere to that practice when it came to Pololu Falls. While the views from the Lookout up top are great, it's nothing compared to the vistas down below. This is a STEEEEEEEEEP decline of about 400 feet to a stunning, cliff-surrounded black sand beach! The hike back up is not great, but just look back every once in a while to remind yourself of how worth it the effort is. One note: This is less than an hour's drive from all the resorts at Waikoloa on the west coast. Second note: although the sand is super-inviting, I would NOT recommend hardcore swimming beyond getting your feet wet. There is a ton of rocks and who knows what out there, meaning there could be a lot of mystery tides waiting to cause sudden trouble. Maybe others will disagree and say it's fine, but it seemed too risky for me. read more
End of the road! That's what you will see to tell you you're at the right place. When you reach the end of the road, you'll see tons of cars parked in really tight quarters. This is where you should start looking for parking. You can park you car and soak in the amazing views. If you choose to stay at the top, you'll see some pretty dramatic cliffs and the beach from afar. If you choose to hike down (which we did), you'll be able to see these dramatic cliffs and beach from close up. The hike down--and I mean consistently going downhill for 20 minutes--is 1,000% worth it. When you finally get down to the bottom, there are some rocks that you will need to walk across to get to the black sand beach. One thing to potentially keep in mind is the tide. The rocks are wet, which means that the tide comes up to them. The black sand beach has some of the finest sand on the island. It's also quite private given that many people are intimidated by the hike down the cliff. Do yourself the favor, bring some water, take the hike, and check out this amazing piece of the island. read more
Every year I spend a few months on the Big Island and this is my all time favorite spot on the whole island. A lot of people go just for the lookout, which is absolutely beautiful. If you are able to hike down, it's absolutely worth the trek. I recommend getting there early, right after sunrise. It's a pretty easy hike down, but much harder on the way up . I've done this a few times during the day, but I find it too hot in the direct sunlight, so I prefer to go early. There is a black sand beach at the bottom, which is really cool. Throughout the Valley you will find various swings and cute little places to sit and relax. You can also hike through a bamboo section into the next valley if you have enough time. This spot is so serene and beautiful! I cannot stress how much I recommend checking it out!!! read more
Pololū Valley is stunningly gorgeous. You can park at the end of the road at no cost, take some photos at the lookout, and then head on a short hike down into the black sand valley. The hike is not very long, but it is rather steep and it can get uncomfortably hot on a sunny afternoon. I recommend going in the morning or evening if possible, but make sure it's light out. If it is raining, the path can get muddy and slippery. Make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes. The hike back to the lookout is not long or difficult compared to other hikes on this island, but make sure that you pace yourself and keep your water with you. If you are debating between Pololū and Waipi'o, keep in mind that Pololū is a quicker and easier hike, but the beach is a little bit less spacious and rockier. read more
Just north of Hawi, this place is a little gem. Parking at the end of the road, we hiked the steep grade down to the valley floor, our fat arses huffing and puffing all the way, while trying not to be embarrased by the locals flying up and down laden with surfboards. On the valley floor, you can see it's a popular spot for locals, with homemade swings and firecircles dotted around. Lava rocks predominantly make up the beach, so it's not exactly a place for relaxation, but it really does feel like the tropics. The trail continues up to the other side of the valley (and apparantly continues throughout all of them) but it was too damn hot to go on a full-on adventure. Worth a visit for sure, and hiking down to the floor is rewarding - as long as you have something more than flip-flops (Amy K is on crack) since the possibility of slipping and breaking an ankle is high, and that's not how you want to roll while on vacation. read more
7 years ago
Beautiful Pololu Valley lookout and beautiful black sand beach. Not worth coming if you don't plan on hiking down to the beach. The sand was so fine and soft. The hike down was rocky and a little steep in some places but we saw tons of kids and older folks doing it so it's not that bad. The drive to and from Waikoloa was about 40 minutes but worth it if you have a free afternoon. Plus I just love the green parts of Hawaii. The end of the drive before the parking lot reminded me of Hana and I loved that. Hardest part was the heat. Is the big island always this hot?! Holy cow, I was dying. read more
9 years ago
STUNNING! It took us about 20mins to get down, I would recommend going early in the morning. It can get crowded in the afternoon and is VERY hot on the way back up. We started at 9:30am which was perfect! We walked across the beach to the other side and hiked up that whole area. It's all switchbacks and got very muddy and slippery (even in the summer). Bring bug spray! Definitely check out the river that leads to an open water area, so beautiful with the view of the valley. Pack water and snacks, take your time on the way back up especially it it's hot. Took us about 30-35mins to get back up (stopping for a few photo ops!) read more
10 years ago
We've been to the big island four times and have done this hike every time. It's a beautiful drive up from Kona. (pro tip: drive the coast one direction and the saddle road the other) The hike itself is about 20 minutes or so. It's pretty dirty with coarse red dirt, so we usually hike down in sneakers and bring flip flops in our packs. The hike is steep so if you have knee problems, bring poles. Once you get down enjoy this remote black sand beach. The hike scares most people so you usually only need to share with a handful of folks. The surf is often up, so swimming here isn't recommended, but it's my favorite place on the island the chill and relax. There's several swings hidden about the place and locals have created lean to shelters and fire rings throughout. Just be sure to bring back up whatever you pack down. The hike up is challenging, but I find it easier than down. I did it this time with a 3.5 month old strapped to our chest in about 30 minutes. Just bring lots of water. read more
19 years ago
This is one of the most beautiful spots on the island. You have to hike into the beach but it is worth it. The water is warm and the visitors are few. It is almost like having the entire beach to yourself. Please watch out for the Jelly fish. I was stung by a Manowar and it was a bit painful. If you get stung please do the fallowing: 1.Rub sand on the area. 2.If vinegar is not available and it is a bit gross but make a pee on it. 3.Ask locals for vinegar at the top of the hill and apply ASAP. Have fun! read more
15 years ago
14 years ago
Beautiful View !!! Just crazy Awesome !!! I wish i had more time to stay there it seems i was a little worn out after driving... if i have more time i would like to hike down after reading other people review it seems pretty easy ~~~~ Anyway the best thing about this place is that when we got there we met our friend from Oahu ! Without knowing we both were really surprised i guess its a small world hahahahah ! If you are looking for some intensity hike down !! : ) read more
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