Waipio Valley Trail
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mileage: 4.5 mi
Region: Kohala Forest Reserve
Elev. Gain: 1,420 ft
When to Go: Year-Round
Avg. Time: 2 hr
Parking: Roadside
Type: Out + Back
Pass: None
Know Before You Go:
AWD is necessary if you plan on driving down the road (steepest road in the USA).
Either drive along the steep road with a high clearance vehicle or hike along the unpaved, rocky roads that cars are driving on.
Be prepared for rainy weather; not a recommended swimming spot due to the dangerous currents.
Be careful wading across the Waipio River as the water can be waist-high or more; some opt to hike this portion barefoot because the mossy rocks on the bottom are very slippery.
Length can be 2 hours hiking or less than 1 hour by driving an AWD vehicle.
A must-do hike; we recommend hiking the Pololū Valley (Awini Trail) on the opposite side of the Kohala Forest Reserve as well!
Port-a-potties are available on the black sand beach of Waipio Valley.
