Outdoor Experiences
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Outdoor Experiences
Retreats
Weddings
Sure, a trip to Hawaii’s Big Island can mean nothing more than beautiful beaches, golf courses, and oceanfront resorts. However, if you want to witness the true beauty of the island, you’ll want to explore the best Big Island hikes. The island’s many trails take you through lush rainforests and volcanic terrain, past scenic overlooks and beautiful waterfalls, and up to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring Hawaiian Islands. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned hiker, you’ll find a hike here on the Big Island to challenge and amaze you. So, let’s dive in!
There’s countless Big Island hikes to discover. Learn more about popular moderate and advanced hikes on this beautiful island below. Then, explore a top boutique hotel close to the action!
New to hiking? Don’t worry. There are plenty of moderate hikes on the Big Island perfect for families and beginner hikers. So, for a leisurely stroll through breathtaking landscapes, check out a few of the best hikes on the Big Island for beginners.
This scenic trail once wrapped around the entirety of the active volcano Kilauea Caldera. But due to unsafe conditions from recent eruptions, it now travels from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center to the Jagger Museum. The Crater Rim trailhead is located behind the Volcano House in Volcano Village. It heads west through two miles of expansive, stunning views of the island. Engage on a thrilling, yet safe, hike on the edge of Kilauea summit and past Keanakākoʻi Crater, with active steam vents. This is a relatively short hike, equaling a five-mile round trip.
The wide Pololū Valley is nestled along the head of glittering Kohala Coast, which is also the oldest part of the island. The deep valleys and breathtaking beaches that call this area are home make for incredible views as you hike Awini Trail. A relatively easy walk in terms of hiking, Awini Trail offers rugged beauty and unique features as you climb to the valley floor and down to the famous black sand beach, Polulū Beach. You can find the trailhead for Awini Trail at the Polulu Valley Overlook. As you hike, enjoy the picturesque lookouts over Kohala Coast until you finally reach the beach at the end of the trail. Moreover, this hike is only a half-mile round trip, making for a wonderful beach day with a bit of adventure. Just be wary of the polished lava rocks on the beach with little ones!
Located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the awe-inspiring Kilauea Iki Trail has a 3.3-mile trail length. It descends a daunting 400 feet through flourishing rainforests to the solidified lava lake. This lake acts as a floor to the Kīlauea Iki Crater. In 1959, this vent below the Pu’upua’i cinder cone erupted 1,900 feet into the air, creating stunning new geological features as it settled. This is one of the more challenging moderate Big Island hikes, as it’s steep and rocky. It takes two to three hours to complete if you begin from the Kīlauea Iki Overlook. For a longer hike, start from the Devastation Trailhead or visitor center parking area.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, consider including the 500-year-old Nahuku lava tube to your hike at the Kīlauea Iki Trail. Entire ecosystems thrive in this ancient tube, where 2,000-degree lava previously flowed. So, this is certainly one of the more fascinating Big Island hikes. This one-of-a-kind hike is a 1.5-mile round-trip from the Kīlauea Iki Overlook and a six-mile round trip from the Devastation Trailhead. Parking is very limited at the trailhead to the Thurston Lava Tube. The tube is also only lit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, so plan accordingly to see this natural wonder.
Few Big Island hikes are as breathtaking as the ‘Akaka Falls Loop Trail. Named after the cascading waterfall that calls this park home, ‘Akaka Falls State Park is nestled along the scenic Hilo Coast. This parks brims with natural beauty, with lush rainforest filled with bamboo groves, vibrant flowers, hanging ferns, and singing wildlife jumping about the canopies. Aside from the beautiful ‘Akaka Falls, which falls from 420 feet high, Kahuna Falls also graces this state park and cascades from 100 feet in the air. See the beauty for yourself by meandering the breezy ‘Akaka Falls Loop Trail. With a trail length of just 0.4 miles, this hike is great for families and features panoramic views of both falls and the luxuriant tropical flora.
When you’re not on the trails, catch some rays at these top beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Looking for more of a challenge? After all, a hike should offer some exercise. Luckily, these next few hikes feature a decent amount of physical exertion. Plus, they reward hikers with gorgeous scenery and astonishing destinations at the end of the trails. Browse Big Island hikes for advanced hikers below.
Only four green sand beaches exist in the world; the beautiful Papakōlea on Hawaii’s Big Island is one of them. A geological marvel, this beach get its hue from the olivine mineral created by the lava from Pu’u Mahana, which erupted 50,000 years ago. Seeing this oddity for yourself requires a 5.5-mile hike with a 275-foot elevation gain. As the paved road turns to dirt, you’ll notice ancient sites along the trail, as well as all-encompassing views of the beach below from the top of the cinder cone. Moreover, on your way back from Papakōlea, consider taking a short detour down South Point. Here, you’ll find unbelievable views of the cliffside and ocean beyond.
Of Big Island hikes, King’s Trail offers some of the most inspiring history and artifacts of ancient Hawaiians. Also known as the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, King’s Trail is found on the gorgeous Kona Coast and spans a whopping 175 miles through cultural sites, sacred temples, petroglyphs, and fishponds. These well-preserved petroglyphs include over 30,000 carvings in lava flows depicting animals, people, and scenes. So, be sure to wear some sturdy shoes and pack plenty of water and snacks; you’ll want to see as much of this trail as possible.
Combine rich history with natural beauty with this local favorite among challenging Big Island hikes. With dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical greenery, the Kealakekua bay hike lives up to its translation, “the pathway of god.” This hike is 3.8 miles round trip and brings you past the sight where the famous sea explorer James Cook made first the recorded European contact with the Big Island. An ancient heiau, or temple, where the burial ritual for Cook was completed, even rests along its path. This beautiful trail leads to a sublime snorkeling spot on Kealakekua Bay, but beware of sea urchins! Snorkeling gear and proper footwear for both the water and the hike are recommended. This bay is also a popular hangout for Hawaiian spinner dolphins and other wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled!
One of the most daunting Big Island hikes is the Mauna Loa Trail, with a round-trip mileage of thirteen miles. Mauna Loa, resting just a hundred feet below Mauna Kea, is the most massive mountain in the world in terms of overall volume and land mass, as well as the largest volcano in the world. So, this hike will check a few boxes off your bucket list. A difficult day-hike, you’ll trek through tropical rainforests and lava fields, past lava tubs, and a total of 2,700 feet in elevation to the awe-inspiring summit. Here, soak in the larger-than-life views of the island high above the clouds.
Now that you know which Big Island hikes to add to your itinerary, it’s time to decide where to stay. We’ve got your back. Pacific 19 is nestled just steps from peaceful Kailua Bay, becoming a welcome retreat from your hiking adventures. This urban-style boutique hotel was built in the 1970s and recently renovated and re-envisioned to be the stylish, thoughtfully designed lodging it is today.
Pacific 19 offers travelers an authentic island experience, with curated destination guides and culturally rich experiences that are ready to book on-site. This way, you can live like the locals with the added luxury of a boutique setting. Laze the day away at the serene, sun-soaked pool area, featuring cozy loungers and umbrellas. Or, catch up on work in the lobby lounge. And before hitting the trails, stop by the cafe for a taste of the finest Kona coffee.
You’ll find everything you need for a relaxing Big Island getaway with Pacific 19 accommodations. Unwind with premium bed linens and towels and luxurious bath amenities. Each suite also includes a private balcony, flat-screen TVs, mini fridge, and macro bar. Choose from a partial ocean view, pool view, town view, or garden view suite. These suites feature one king bed or two double beds. Or, up the luxury with the Ohana Suite, featuring a king bed, two bathrooms, and living room with a sleeper sofa. Moreover, the Apartment Suite features a king bedroom, kitchenette, and living room with a sleeper sofa.
Ready to explore Big Island hikes? With Nook Outdoors, having new experiences comes naturally. Our curated collection of boutique hotels, glamping sites, luxury treehouses, and more take you to outdoor destinations across the U.S. So, put nature at the forefront of your getaways with Nook. Book your trip to Hawaii’s Big Island today, or browse our entire collection of hotels below.
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