Waterfall Hiking Trails On The Big Island
The Big Island has an abundance of waterfall hiking trails due to its lush tropical nature and majestic waterfalls. Keep reading to learn about the best waterfall hiking trails to add to your Big Island itinerary!
Kulaniapia Falls - Hike a Waterfall and Bamboo Forest
Out of all of the beautiful places to hike on The Big Island, we highly suggest heading to Kulaniapia Falls. The trail is a .5 mile loop, making it short enough to be accessible to all. The trail size and being easily accessible make it perfect for families with children that are looking for an outdoor activity that will be easy enough for them to complete.
This bamboo trail takes you through a lush, tropical oasis, leading to a spectacular view of Kulaniapia’s cascades, while enjoying and learning all the types of bamboo. In order to access the trails, you must purchase a day pass to the grounds. Fortunately, in addition to the bamboo trails, Kulaniapia Falls offers lots of activities such as water rappelling, cooking classes, farm tours, and the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for overnight stays!
When weather permits, you can also go swimming at the bottom of the falls! While all of the trails on the Big Island provide tourists and hikers with incredible waterfall views, we highly recommend visiting Kulaniapia Falls for your next waterfall hiking trail excursion.
In addition to it being a fun, active trail that is accessible to all, the property also features plenty of other activities in which people can enjoy, making it the top waterfall hiking trail on The Big Island!
Akaka Falls & Kahuna Falls
Within Akaka Falls State Park, there are two waterfalls, which include Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls. Both hikes to the falls are paved, and relatively short and easy, spanning only about .4 miles. In Hawaiian, Akaka means split! Once you arrive at the Akaka Falls viewpoint, you can expect to see incredible views of the 442 foot waterfall. The view of the much smaller, 100 foot Kahuna Falls, however, will be slightly more obstructed by the forest. This hike is also a great activity for families with children, as it is relatively easy and provides views that will please all adventurers. We suggest visiting these trails on a weekday, between the hours of 9am-11am, as this will help you to avoid the influx of tourists that are particularly present on the weekends!
Waimanu Valley WaterFalls (Wai’ilikahi Falls, Lahomene Falls, Waihilau Falls)
Waimanu Valley Waterfalls is made up of a series of 3 major waterfalls, including Wai’ilikahi Falls, Lahomene Falls, and the Waihilau Falls. While this hike will take you to the largest waterfall in the world, Waihilau, only attempt it if you are an experienced hiker, as it is considered very difficult! The trek involves a descent into Waipio Valley, and another 9 mile trail before reaching your destinations. If you are brave enough to attempt this hike, make sure to avoid doing so when it is raining, as conditions can become very dangerous!
Nanue Falls
For those looking to enjoy a longer hike, more strenuous hike, head to Nanue Falls, as it will take you about two hours of hiking to get to the landmark. Situated on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii, this hike, while only moderately challenging, requires a significant amount of endurance. Because of this hike’s length, we suggest leaving the kids at home! The destination is well worth the physical exertion it requires, however, as you will feel like you’re in the movie Tarzan when you finally arrive at the incredible cascades. Be sure to wear shoes with plenty of traction, as you can expect to walk across slippery rocks!
The top Waterfall & Bamboo Forest Hike on the Big Island
While all of the previously mentioned waterfall hiking trails on the Big Island are worth visiting, we highly recommend checking out Kulaniapia Falls! Be sure to take advantage of all of the fun activities and awe-inspiring adventures the 40 acre, off-the-grid property has to offer when you purchase their day pass, while enjoying a waterfall and bamboo forest hike.