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Waimea, Hawaii

Top Spots in and near Waimea

  • 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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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Horseback Ride on Kohala Mountain

    Enjoy a 2 hour horseback ride on Kohala Mountain in Waimea on the north side of the Big Island! There are several ranches in the area through which you can take a guided tour - I would recommend Paniolo Adventures, but you can look up the ranches in the Waimea / Kohala Mountain area. The ranches ...
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  • Waimea, Hawaii

    Awini Trail along the Kohala Coast

    4.7
    Take Hwy. 270 along the northern Kohala Coast and all the way to the end at the Pololū Valley overlook. You can park almost anywhere along the road there (besides the private homes), but spots fill up so get there early. Start at the Pololū Valley overlook. If you are not fond of hiking, you can...
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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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  • 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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  • Hawaii County, Hawaii

    Catch a Sunset and Stargaze at Mauna Kea's Summit

    4.6
    While you can drive right to the summit of Mauna Kea on the 14 mile access road, the last 7 miles are on a very bumpy dirt road, so make sure your vehicle has plenty of clearance and good tires. All wheel drive will help a lot.The drive up is amazing itself. Usually there is some fog lingering ar...
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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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  • 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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  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Explore Wawaloli Beach

    Located just south of Kailua-Kona International Airport, Wawaloli Beach is a hidden gem that many tourists miss completely on the way out of the airport.   To get there just simply turn into the Natural Energy Lab on Makako Bay Dr from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (HI19). About a mile down the road i...
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  • 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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  • Pepeekeo, Hawaii

    Explore the Old Mamalahoa Hwy

    5.0
    3 mi
    Running or biking on Old Mamalahoa Hwy is a treasure! The path is marked as a 'Scenic Drive' but you can park your car along the way and run, or bike through. This area is north of Hilo's downtown so you'll follow Mamalahoa Hwy north (the only highway that goes around the north side of the island...
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  • Hilo, Hawaii

    Surf at Honoli'i Beach

    Honoli'i Beach Park is a favorite spot among locals for surfing, especially if you are a good surfer! Park along the street and walk down the stairs to the shower area. To the left leads to the black sand beach where surfers will leave from, but if you are just looking to hangout, you can also go...
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  • Rainbow Falls, Hawaii

    Explore Rainbow Falls

    4.5
    0.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Rainbow Falls is a gorgeous and easily accessible pull-off from Highway 11. This is not really a hike - just a short walk from the parking lot to a gorgeous 80 foot waterfall (making this fun for all ages!). Hit up Cafe Pesto in Hilo for a meal after.  If you want to learn about the mythology sur...
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  • Hilo, Hawaii

    Run at Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens

    1 mi
    Within walking distance of downtown Hilo, jog around Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens for beautiful views of Mauna Kea, the Pacific, and Eastern art! A loop around the park, including Coconut Island, is approximately 1 mile. On your jog, you will see lots of people walking and running in addition t...
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Top Activities

Guides, Insights and Stories from Waimea

Catching the Sunset at Mauna Kea Visitor Center

Catching the Sunset at Mauna Kea Visitor Center

Cameron Catanzano