Our 10 FAVORITE HIKES on the BIG ISLAND of HAWAII | With TIPS for Each

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of our favorite places in the world to hike. The Big Island of Hawaii offers a unique beauty unlike any other place in the world.
In this video I discuss our 10 favorite hikes on the Big Island of Hawaii and also provide tips for each of these hikes so that you can get the most out of each hike.
Table of Contents:
0:00 - Introduction
0:25 - Hike #1
2:46 - Hike #2
5:44 - Hike #3
6:42 - Hike #4
8:00 - Hike #5
8:44 - Hike #6
10:02 - Hike #7
10:41 - Hike #8
12:09 - Hike #9
12:45 - Hike #10
13:19 - BONUS Hikes
14:14 - Final Tips
14:26 - Thank you!
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[@ginaleonetti6509]

Hike #2 Pu uwa awa a is a fantastic hike. GO EARLY. We got there about 7:30 and I think 7:00am would be better, it was very cool to start. The sunrise is beautiful. We are 69 and 53 and we are not "hikers" this was difficult. I took many breaks but the views at the top are worth the trek. A walking stick would have been nice for the steep downhill on the way back. Plenty of water is a must. DO NOT take the Ohia side trail it is washed out in many places up near the end, probably from the horrible storm on December 19th.

[@Krdlaoia]

Thank you! I now have a hike for every day of the vacay!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome! Hope you have a great time!

[@lanvuon219]

Very informative and straight to the point! Thank you !

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thanks!

[@nathanielnguyen8595]

How this video has only 12k views ???? So informative and go straight to the points . Saved me so much time

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback and thank you!

[@Concernedeye]

Thank you for doing this video. Super informative and helpful.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback!

[@millenniumtree]

Great list! Another great hike is the 1871 trail at Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau (poo-oo hoh-noo-ah oh hoh-now-now). The bit within the park is only 0.9 miles (1.8 round trip), but it actually continues through a kiawe and grass desert for a total of 2.8 miles (5.6 miles round trip). It was widened in 1871 so that two horses could pass side-by-side and has some amazing rock work along the way. The beach at the end is quite a welcome break. It's a long, but rather flat, hike. Bring proper shoes, sun protection, and half a gallon of water per person if you do the whole thing. Some of the most amazing, fragrant scents I have ever experienced, were on that hike - mystery flowers hidden in the grasses. :D And here are a few pronounciation tips to not sound silly. ;D Basically EVERY time you see the same vowel repeated, you can assume there's an ʻŌkina (ʻ) in-between. The ʻŌkina (ʻ) is pronounced like what's in the middle of Uh-oh. It's called a 'glottal stop'. spelled kii, kuu, puu should be assumed to be kiʻi, kuʻu, puʻu, pronounced kee-ee, koo-oo, poo-oo. A road here on the Kona side is named "Napoopoo" This is not pronounced Nah-poo-poo, it's Na-poh-oh-poh-oh Puʻu Waʻa Waʻa is pronounced (poo-oo vah-ah-vah-ah) Hualālai is pronounced (hwah-LAH-lai) Punaluʻu is pronounced (poo-nah loo-oo) Puʻu Huluhulu is pronounced (poo-oo hoo-loo-hoo-loo) Kaloko-Honokōhau is pronounced (kah-loh-koh hoh-noh-KOH-how) Kīlauea is pronounced (KEE-lahw-ay-ah) Mauna is pronounced mahw-nah, not mah-nah. 'au' sounds like 'oww'. Also, I found the music somewhat distracting from the content. A touch less volume would be a welcome change. Mahalo, a hui hou! (thank you and see you again!)

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback and tips. I’ll be studying these as part of my learning. Mahalo!

[@tamie341]

Good job bruddah. Gotta let these haoles know how its done!

[@pratiknaikedu]

Thank you so much!! The effort was amazing

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome!

[@benjahn1661]

You two totally nailed it! Such great hikes. Thank you so much for all of the great tips!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome!

[@progressiveboy916]

Very cool - thanks for the useful tips

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome

[@scotthewett540]

I really appreciate your hiking tips. I hope to utilize these tips in the future.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

You’re welcome! All of these hikes are incredible ones and I hope you enjoy experiencing them!

[@Tawnieandwayne]

Great video and awesome hikes! Crazy the road is that steep but has a rewarding view. My wife and I are adding these to our list and looking forward to hiking them! New friends from Florida :)

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you for your feedback and support! Yes, that road is the steepest road we have ever hiked on. Hope you enjoy these!

[@mrbearforkids1370]

Wow great video! We just got back from the big island and did do a few of the hikes mentioned but I feel like I need to go back and do the rest!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thank you! I’m glad you got to do some of these hikes and yes, I never get tired of the Big Island. Such a beautiful place and constantly changing due to the active volcanoes.

[@Alohabutterfly]

Mahalo for sharing this information. I’m a concierge at one of the resorts along the Kona Coast. I’m excited to do each and every one of these hikes and recommend it to my guests!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

The pleasure is mine! They’re all incredible hikes and highlight many of the most incredible scenic places the Big Island has to offer. The Kona Coast is a beautiful area with incredible beaches and we love experiencing those as well.

[@OceansJ6982]

Please don’t recommend it to guests. This is not a public hike, you are trespassing on Bishop Estate Land and this forest is managed by a Native Hawaiian Non-Profit. You sending tourists on an off limits hike is negatively affecting their work. Send them to hikes that are open to the public but not to this one!

[@rohitnaval5589]

Great hiking suggestions for the big island, one more to hike to consider is along the cliffs at the Sea Arch \ Chain of Craters road.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes, that is a super scenic area walking along the old road out to and beyond where the lava flows covered it.

[@vincentserra7300]

I hiked wipeo valley about a month ago the hike was brutal but when you got down there it was so worth it

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That’s great and a wonderful description of this hike.

[@Sailing_JP]

Great video. Do you know if any of these trails allow mountain bikes ? JP

[@marilynsue4273]

Always take a compass when hiking over lava fields. The terrain is confusingly similar, and it is easy to lose track of the cairns. Even smooth lava (pahoehoe) is full of cracks, it is not pavement. I have taken most of these hikes, always a pleasure.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Thanks! Taking a compass is also a great tip.

[@Aniyukii]

Amazing video! Very informative and helpful! Thank you for putting this together!! 😊 Do you know what’s the earliest you can enter the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park? Or what’s the earliest you’ve entered?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I appreciate your feedback! Yes, you can actually enter anytime 24/7. The check-in station at the entrance has someone staffing it at all times. I personally like to get there a bit before sunrise and head up to the steam vents area to watch the sunrise. Often very scenic in that area.

[@lisaray6493]

Do you guys hike down to Captain Cook and snorkel? One of my favorite things to do. Thanks for the tips, I’m here now and will definitely do the cinder cone ranch loop

[@GreatDayForAHike]

We have been down to Captain Cook before. Sadly we did not have a working camera on us when we did that. It was a tough and beautiful hike! We did not snorkel while down there but I hear from many that it’s an incredible location to do so. The cinder cone loop is incredible and definitely a favorite I do every time I am on the Big Island. Enjoy!

[@lisaray6493]

@@GreatDayForAHike If you are blessed enough to go back again definitely take your Hammock, snorkel gear, and plan on staying a while. It is enchanting. I’ve seen turtles, dolphins, giant rays, and a multitude of fish there. Just did the hike yesterday actually. Drank 2 1/2 L of water LOL. That is a hot hike up in the afternoon

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That sounds like a great time and something we would enjoy! Yes, that hike sure is a hot one. Even with a breeze there is essentially no shade and that afternoon sun would be quite hot.

[@lavapix]

When I was younger I used to ride my Mnt Bike up Waipio Valley road no stopping. Yes, its very steep. Waipio valley is so packed these days they're considering limits to access it. It's (Who-wall-la-lie) Hualalai volcano. (Ho-no-ko-how) Honokohau Nat Park. (Kil-a-way-a) Kilauea volcano :-) I'm going to offer up some additional info. When hiking the black sand beach to Wittington beware of nesting honu (turtles). They lay their eggs in the sand. There's a nesting season so watch for postings. The Puna coast trail in HVNP is extreme for heat. People have died from heat stroke so never skimp on water or sun protection like hats etc.... Loose fitting UV block clothing is better than sunscreen. Stash some water along the way that you can grab on your return portion. That way you don't weigh yourself down for the entire hike. It can be extremely windy too. If you're not feeling well from the heat turn around. Don't try and walk it off. Use electrolytes in your water. This can be said for most of the hike over here. The cinder cone off of Saddle rd is an old growth forest so be kind to the vegetation :-) Everything was uncrowded during 2020 but, that's not the case so much anymore as tourists are slowly returning. Thank you for not exposing many of our more remote semi secret hikes (If you know them) as many would get themselves in trouble and in need of rescue and that can soon get very expensive with new laws being proposed.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That’s incredible you rode your bike up the Waipio Valley Road, especially without stopping. What an excellent workout in a beautiful place. I appreciate your feedback here and your assistance with some of the pronunciations that I semi (or fully) butchered :-) All of the other items you mentioned are spot on and excellent for anybody hiking on the Big Island to heed for an enjoyable and safe experience.

[@lavapix]

@@GreatDayForAHike My friends and I used to ride down there often and then ride back up. Back then 1990s we raced Mnt Bikes so it was a fun ride/training. In those days we could ride to the very back of the valley and then hike even further. I had to traverse where you did so running or I may have fallen over backwards :-) Way less traffic back then. Too dangerous these days. Everyone butchers the names here at first :-) I posted to re-emphasize your warnings on hydration at the lava flow hikes because so many completely underestimate just how quickly they can suffer heat stroke. It can happen at any age or fitness level.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

That’s great. The only way we have gone down into the valley and back up is on foot. We enjoy the peacefulness and slower pace of doing this on foot as we take in the beauty of this valley the whole way down and back up. Absolutely agree on the hydration for the lava hikes. Thank you for the added emphasis.

[@nuyatse]

hike 4 how long is the hike? where do i find trail directions? thanks!

[@GreatDayForAHike]

It’s about a 1 mile hike round trip and it is right across the road from the Mauna Kea Visitors Center.

[@nocopyrightfootage4k685]

We like too your channel because you channel is more informative. Please sir, can you tell us which is the best website to buy beautiful travel audio music for KZbin vlogs?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I personally like Epidemic Sound. I use this for most of my music. Thanks!

[@mistermadhu]

I am new to BigIsland, do you have any hiking group that i can join.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

I believe there are some groups. I recommend checking at kiosks that are present at some of these hikes or on Facebook if you have that.

[@brianmclaughlin4419]

Why is Hamakua Coast not on your Radar? Too slippery?

[@GreatDayForAHike]

It’s a beautiful place and has some great parks and off the beaten path trails to hike.

[@michaelcarlin6049]

I'm surprised Green Sands Beach is not on the list. It is my favorite hike beginning at sunrise I always have the beach to myself for at least a couple of hours.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Green Sands Beach is a great hike, especially when you do it the time of day that you do. While we did not include it in this video we will consider including it in a future update.

[@paulgee8253]

Capt Cook and Pololu didn’t make the cut.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Both are great hikes though!

[@millenniumtree]

The Captain Cook monument hike is BRUTAL on the way back up, if you're not in top shape. Bring at least 2 big bottles of water per person, sun protection, and REAL SHOES. It amazes me that people think they can hike 3 hours in flip-flops. Just don't. Also, pee BEFORE you hike. The whole trail smells like old piss now because people didn't just go before they hiked. *SMH*

[@GreatDayForAHike]

All great points about this hike.

[@dorthymcbride3384]

Stay away from closed parks and private areas...too many tourists are damaging our lands...waipio valley is a sacred place and the road is hard to handle...4wd only...please respect our islands and cool it on the dangerous choices you make that requires search and rescue...follow rules🌈

[@GreatDayForAHike]

All good tips. With places like Waipio Valley, we prefer hiking down there and back up and not using a vehicle at all. It keeps this location more peaceful.

[@hilostateofmind]

Can't go waipi'o valley anymore. Closed to visitors. Too bad the jerks of the world ruined it for everyone else.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

There is an extensive road work project going on right now to do some repairs and improvements on the only road down into the valley, too. It’s a beautiful place and it is a shame that access has needed to be closed to visitors.

[@TheEsperandus]

@@GreatDayForAHike The trails themselves are fine, sadly the road work was more of an excuse than a reality. Certainly day or overnight hikers to the waimanu valley would not be harming the road in any way. It is an incredibly beautiful (public, and taxpayer supported ) treasure that really belongs to all people - especially those who are respectful and work toward preserving / cleaning the space.

[@hankdavis7833]

Should really learn to pronounce Hawaiian names correctly.

[@GreatDayForAHike]

Yes I should. Working on it. You can see my progress in some of the videos I filmed on Hawaii after this one. Not claiming perfection yet, only progress.

[@jaredkmcbride]

Don't be a troll... this guy's providing a great free service 👏