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Captain Cook, Hawaii

Looking for the best hiking in Captain Cook? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Captain Cook. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Captain Cook

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Relax at Honokohau Beach

    4.0
    0.5 mi
    Stop first at Hal Ho'okipa, the park visitor information center. It[s about 4.1 miles south of Kona Airport. Its a neat little building where you can pick up a map and learn more about the area. From there you can take the 0.5 mile Ala Hele Ike Hawai'i trail that leads to the coastal trail (Ala H...
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  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Hike to Makalawena Beach

    4.5
    From the parking area at Kekaha Kai State Park, it's about a 20-30 minute walk to the beach. The walk is through black lava fields and is very exposed. Depending on how much gear you're carrying, it could seem like an eternity by the time you hit the beach. If you have a 4-wheel drive car with go...
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  • Waikoloa Village, Hawaii

    Catch a Sunset at Anaehoomalu Point

    5.0
    0.5 mi / 20 ft gain
    This beach is a great if you're looking for a more secluded beach in Waikoloa Village.  Rarely are there more than ten people there even during sunset when people flock to the beach.   If you aren't staying at the Hilton next door then this spot is a little harder to access. There are two beach a...
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  • Hawaii County, Hawaii

    Hike Mauna Kea via Humuula Trail

    12 mi / 4800 ft gain
    Mauna Kea is one of the volcanoes that helped form the Big Island of Hawai’i. However, its last eruption was around 2600 BC. Mauna Kea sits at an elevation of 13,796ft above sea level making it the second highest mountain I’ve hiked as I write this post – just shy of Mt Whitney. Interestingly, mo...
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  • Pāhoa, Hawaii

    Halema‘uma‘u Trail

    3.5
    0.92 mi / 36 ft gain
    Everyone knows that Hawaii was formed from a series of volcanoes over millions of years. But did you know that you can experience one of them up close? Well, as close as you can while staying safe, obviously. The Halema'uma'u Crater has been active since 2008 when the vent first erupted. Since t...
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  • Mountain View, Hawaii

    Hike to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

    4.9
    Papakolea Beach aka Green Sand Beach is situated in a bay cut into a side of a cinder cone that erupted thousands of years ago. The green sand is created by a silicate deposit (mineral deposit) of lava called, which stays on this beach because it is heavier than the other, lighter components of t...
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  • Naalehu, Hawaii

    Hawaii's South Point

    5.0
    0.04 mi / 0 ft gain
    NOTE: Cliff jump at your own risk and only do so when conditions are great (calm seas, clear skies, good water visibility). Do NOT jump if you don't think it's safe for any reason or if you think you can't climb back up. Getting to South Point on Hawaii's Big Island is relatively straightforward...
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  • Pāhoa, Hawaii

    Halema'uma'u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks

    4.0
    1.42 mi / 92 ft gain
    Halema'uma'u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks Trail is a loop hike that takes you by a hot springs located near Volcano, Hawaii, Hawaii.
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  • Mountain View, Hawaii

    Drive Chain of Craters Road

    5.0
    37.6 mi
    Starting at the Kilauea Visitor Center, this 18.8 mile drive begins its 3,700 foot elevation change by meandering through the rainforest. Follow signs from the visitor center (near the entrance of the park) to Crater Rim Drive. Chain of Craters Road begins off of Crater Rim Drive, 3.3 miles south...
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  • Pāhoa, Hawaii

    Hike The Kilauea Iki Trail

    5.0
    3.23 mi / 472 ft gain
    The trail begins at the Kīlauea Iki parking lot on Crater Rim Drive. You may go either way from the trailhead. Going left will take you to the Thurston Lava Tube parking lot and then down to the floor of Kīlauea Iki. Going right will take hikers through the rain forest on the crater rim and down ...
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  • Pāhoa, Hawaii

    Thurston Lava Tube Trail

    4.5
    0.46 mi / 66 ft gain
    Thurston Lava Tube Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Pahala, Hawaii, Hawaii.
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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Explore Lapakahi State Historical Park

    1 mi / 50 ft gain
    Drive north along the Akoni Pule Highway for approximately 45 miles. When you reach Lapakahi State Historical Park, turn left of of the highway and find a parking spot.  The fishing village itself consists of several volcanic rock walls along the shore. It is a great stop while exploring the nort...
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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Explore Waipi'o Valley

    5.0
    3 mi
    From the parking area, walk down the narrow, crazy steep four-wheel drive road for 0.75 mile until the road levels. A few 4WD vehicles, either foolhardy (tourist) or knowledgable (local) may be inching up and down. Head to the right toward the beach for 0.45 mile and arrive on the black sand beac...
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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Backpack Waimanu Valley

    4.3
    15.3 mi / 7300 ft gain
    Prep: Before you go, you must book purchase a permit/campsite for the number of nights that you wish spend. You can get the permits online from the State of Hawaii Department of Natural Resources Website. There are 9 sites located within the valley and some are most definitely better than other...
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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Photograph Waipi'o Valley

    5.0
    0.4 mi
    Located near the northern tip of the Big Island, Waipi'o Valley is one of the most beautiful views that you can experience in all of Hawaii. Waipi'o Valley is an hour and 30 minute drive from Kona and an hour and 10 minutes from Hilo. To access the lookout, take HI-19 west to HI-240. Make sure to...
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