It’s an adventure that allows you to hike, hitch a ride on the back of a horse or ride in an open mule drawn wagon. Whatever method you chose, a trip to Hawaii’s Waipi`o Valley is one you won’t soon forget.
Located along the northeast shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, Waipi`o Valley is often referred to as the “Valley of the Kings” because it was once home to Hawaiian royalty. The valley has both historical and cultural importance to the Hawaiian people and a trip there makes you feel like you are journeying back in time.
I have always explored the valley on foot. The hike down on a half paved-half dirt trail is fairly easy and the views are spectacular. The six-mile valley sits between 2000-foot high cliffs and is home to hundreds of cascading waterfalls some that flow 1,200 feet down to the valley floor. Waipi`o Valley is a mile wide at the coastline which features a beautiful black sand beach (the same one featured in the Kevin Costner movie, “Waterworld”). In Hawaiian, Waipi`o means “curved water” and the Waipi`o River flows through the valley until it enters the ocean at the beach. I recommend resting on the beach for a while because the hike out of the valley is strenuous and about half way up you begin to contemplate other means of getting there.
Which leads us to this option. If you think that the hike may be a little too “adventurous” consider joining a tour group. The Waipi`o Na`alapa Trail Rides tour is kept very intimate (about nine people to two tour guides) allowing you to experience a personal tour of the valley. It begins with you piling into a four-wheel drive van (these are the only vehicles allowed down as the road into the valley is very steep-a 25% grade-filled with many twists and turns). The drive takes about 30 minutes. Once you arrive, you climb on the back of a horse and what follows is a half-day ride through the valley. The horseback ride takes you through thick tropical vegetation, under breadfruit, orange, and lime trees and past taro patches. You will get to explore the fresh water rivers, lotus ponds, and learn about the native flowers that fill the air with their incredibly sweet fragrance. You will also be allowed to swim at the valley’s sandy beach.
The tour also offers a historical overview of the valley. You will learn that at one time the valley had churches, restaurants and schools as well as a hotel, post office and jail. But, in 1946 a massive tsunami obliterated all of it and today only about 50 people live in Waipi`o Valley. They are primarily taro farmers, fishermen and others who are reluctant to leave their simple lifestyle and prefer to live amongst the wild horses and donkeys that call Waipi`o home.
You will also learn that aside from its historical importance, Waipi`o Valley is a sacred place for Hawaiians. It was the site of many important temples and ancient burial caves are hidden in the sides of the steep cliffs that frame the valley. For more information about Waipi`o Valley guided tours (hours, prices, and restrictions) visit www.hawaiiactivityworld.com.