10+ best Big Island hikes I did with amazing views 🌴 first trip to Kona Hawaii 🌴 Big Island travel blog

ALOHA!

So you want to go to see some stunning views of Hawaii as a part of your time on the Big Island!

The Big Island has amazing hikes with amazing views!

This includes hiking across lava fields, hiking to a beach with different colored sand, hiking in a cave, hiking in a national park, and more!

Hiking on the Big Island can give you lots of Hawaii experiences you will love!

I spent 3 weeks on the Big Island, and here are hikes you need to know about!

1. Makalawena Beach hike

Hiking on the Kona side of the Big Island

A hike to Makalawena Beach means a hike across lava fields on the Big Island!

This is a hike in Kehaka Kai State Park, one of the best state parks on the Big Island.

You’ll start this hike from Mahaiula Beach. You can make it a beach hopping sort of day!

Or, if you are looking for a (way) longer hike, you can start from Kua Bay.

And while you are in this state park, another hike with amazing views is Puu Kuili hike.

See more about this Big Island hike: Makalawena Beach hike

2. Hike the Captain Cook Monument Trail to Kealakekua Bay

Hiking on the Kona side of the Big Island

Hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail means a hike to Kealakekua Bay!

This makes it a hike to one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.

So, you can make it a day trip from Kona that includes hiking and snorkeling!

See more about this Big Island hike: Captain Cook Monument Trail

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3. Kilauea iki trail

Hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail means hiking into a former lava lake!

This is one of the best hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

You’ll find it along the Crater Rim Drive, one of the main roads in the national park.

See more about this Big Island hike: Kilauea Iki Trail

4. Waipio Valley hike

Hiking in Hamakua of northern Big Island

Waipio Valley is where you can see one of the best valley overlooks on the Big Island.

You can see the Waipio Valley lookout without any hiking.

Or, you can head down the STEEP Waipio Valley Road and hike to Waipio Valley beach!

See more about this Big Island hike: Waipio Valley hike

IMPORTANT!!!

As of spring 2022, Waipio Valley Road is CLOSED to non-residents due to a “geotechnical assessment.”

Read the news story.

Waipio Valley Road is past the Waipio Valley Lookout. So you can still go see the famous Waipio Valley from above.

But if Waipio Valley Road is closed, it means that you can’t do the Waipio Valley hike.

5. Pololu Valley hike

Hiking in Kohala of northern Big Island

Pololu Valley is another one of the best valley overlooks on the Big Island.

There is a Pololu Valley lookout that you can see without any hiking.

Or you can hike to Pololu Valley beach too!

See more about this Big Island hike: Pololu Valley hike

6. Hike to Papakolea green sand beach

Hiking in Kau area of southern Big Island

Hiking to Papakolea Beach is a hike to the green sand beach!

Although many people drive to the green sand beach, you are encouraged not to drive there because of the environmental impact.

And so, hiking to the green sand beach is the best way to get there!

After this hike, you can next head to Punaluu black sand beach to see if you can spot some turtles there!

See more about this Big Island hike: Green sand beach hike

7. Hike to Kaimu black sand beach

Hiking in Puna area of the Big Island near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hiking to Kaimu black sand beach is a hike to lava fields along the ocean!

And yes, you are hiking to one of the many black sand beaches on the Big Island!

See more about this Big Island hike: Kaimu black sand beach hike

8. Kaumana Caves hike

Hiking in Hilo area of the Big Island

You can go to the Kaumana Caves and just stay near the cave opening.

So you can see the cave opening without any real hiking.

Or, you can go further!

Hiking the Kaumana Caves means that you are hiking through a lava tube!

That means that you can hike through a cave where lava used to flow through.

If you want to hike into the cave, preparation is required!!!

Mainly, you MUST bring a flashlight or headlamp! You are the only one providing the lighting! DON’T rely on your cell phone light! (Consider that a back-up to the back-up.)

This is like caving for beginners.

I did this Big Island cave hike alone. It was so cool, yet a little scary being in a dark cave all alone!

See more about this Big Island hike: Kaumana Caves hike

You can make this part of your one day in Hilo.

9. Hike to Honomalino Bay

Hiking in the southern area of the Big Island on the Kona side

Hiking to Honomalino Bay is a hike along the coast, a hike IN the ocean for a small part (it’s shallow), and it’s also a hike through a small patch of lava fields.

Honomalino Bay can also be a good snorkeling spot.

You’ll start the hike from Milolii Beach.

10. Hike to Pohue Bay

Hiking in Kau area of southern Big Island

Hiking to Pohue Bay is another hike across lava fields with grand scenic views of the ocean.

See more about this Big Island hike: Pohue Bay hike

11. Akaka Falls Loop Trail

Hiking in Hilo area of the Big Island

Akaka Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls on the Big Island.

Be sure to take the circle route of the Akaka Falls Loop Trail (instead of the direct route to the waterfalls), so that you can get a more dramatic approach to the waterfalls!

See more about this Big Island hike: Akaka Falls hike

MAP: Hiking on the Big Island around the island

Explore the map.

It is absolutely not reasonable to do ALL of these Big Island hikes in one day.

But just for the visual of the roads you’ll be driving to get to these hikes, you can have a look at the map above.

As you can see, you will literally be exploring different parts of the Big Island!

You can make it a perfect 7 days on the Big Island and do all of these hikes!

Do you need a car to do these Big Island hikes?

In general, you need a car to get the most out of your trip to the Big Island, and that also includes getting to all of the Big Island hikes on this list.

Hiking alone on the Big Island

While it is best to not hike alone on the Big Island (or anywhere), if you are traveling to Hawaii alone, these listed hikes I would generally say would be fine if you are a solo hiker on the Big Island.

Whether you are hiking alone or with a hiking buddy, be sure that you take care when hiking, always!

The landscape made by nature is beautiful, but trails can also be dangerous!

No matter which hike you do on the Big Island, be sure to come prepared for hiking in Hawaii!!

At the very least, this includes WATER and snacks for EVERY hike!

Proper shoes would be very good for all of these hikes as well.

Especially the ones that you’ll be walking across lava rocks.

Walking on lava rocks won’t be fun if you’re wearing shoes or sandals with thin soles, so proper shoes would be ideal!

Take a look at the hiking essentials for Hawaii!

Recap!

Does the Big Island have good hiking?

Yes, the Big Island has good hiking that will give you amazing Hawaii views!

You can go hiking across lava fields.

You can go hiking to a beach, including to a green sand beach and to a black sand beach.

You can go hiking in a cave.

You can go hiking in a national park.

There is a lot of good hiking on the Big Island that will give you an epic Hawaii experience to remember!

The quick list (and more pictures!) of Big Island hiking trails:

• Makalawena Beach (Kona)
• Captain Cook Monument Trail (Kona)
• Honomalino Bay (southern Big Island)
• Pohue Bay (southern Big Island)
• Papakolea green sand beach (southern Big Island)
• Kilauea Iki Trail (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)
• Kaimu black sand beach (Puna area)
• Akaka Falls Loop Trail (Hilo area)
• Waipio Valley hike (northern Big Island)
• Pololu Valley hike (northern Big Island)

More things to do on the Big Island after your hike:

• Things to do in Kona
• Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Things to do in Puna
• Things to do in Hilo
• Best snorkeling spots on the Big Island (perfect for a post-hike recovery swim!)
• Where to see lava fields on the Big Island

If you’ll be visiting other Hawaiian islands, see more hikes in Hawaii with amazing views:

• Best hikes on Oahu
• Best hikes on Maui
• Best hikes on Lanai

See more ideas of how to spend your days driving around the Big Island!

HAPPY HIKING ON THE BIG ISLAND!

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Where to stay near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Read the reviews at partner website!

• Volcano House (book sooner rather than later! This is THE lodging of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and it's in demand!)
• Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea
• More budget-friendly option: Aloha Crater Lodge

Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!

Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!

For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!

Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.

👇 Explore the Big Island map on google maps!

See the list:

• Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
• Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Things to do in Kona

ALOHA!