Hiking recommendations

Am hoping for a few options of easy/moderate hikes for two 30-year-olds. We are hoping to be able to hike to waterfalls and/or rivers. We are looking for something with a defined trail that will take between 2-4 hours. Is there anything like this on the Big Island? We are staying in Waikoloa but don%26#39;t mind driving. Thanks!

Hiking recommendations

There lots of hikes - U can pick any loop from within VOlcano national park. We did the %26#39;Big Island Revealed%26#39; suggested

Kilauea Iki

Descends 400 feet through rain forest, crosses the crater floor, passes Pu%26#39;u Pua%26#39;i cinder cone, and returns via the crater%26#39;s rim. Of interest: Rain forest, birds, insects, 1959 lava lake, steam vents, cinder and spatter cone.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Distance and hiking time: 4 mile loop, 2 to 3 hours

Distance from Visitor Center to trailhead: 2 miles. Trail begins at the Thurston Lava Tube parking lot on Crater Rim Drive.

Bring water. Expect wet and windy weather and some steep and rocky terrain. Follow the ahu (rock cairns) across the crater floor.

Link to Lisa Frein%26#39;s journal of her hike on the Kilauea Iki trail (2003).

Then there is Polulu valley trail which should not take more than an hour. There are many more including some shore/beach trails. Just buy the book and choose whatever u fancy. Then if u get a chance to see lava or the cone ( a 7 mile loop in the rainforest) don%26#39;t miss it.

Hiking recommendations

I agree Kilauea Iki is a prime hike for you giving the specifications you asked for.

Pololu%26#39;s hike is another good one as mentioned above, my favorite actually. We hiked over into Honokane Nui (the next valley), but if you hike just to the top of the ridge in between, it%26#39;s georgious.

Another shorter hike that may interest you is Bird Park that%26#39;s mauka and just south of HVNP. Look for it on your HVNP map.

Trail to avoid: In Big Island Revealed, the forest trail from Glenwood to see the lava cone is so troublesome, the local newspaper published an article telling people NOT to take it--too many rescues out there. I believe it has finally been removed from the guidebook.

The Pololu Valley trail is wonderful when the ground is really dry. Take a picnic lunch.

Look at the trails in ';Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer'; (book). Excellent directions and details, too.

If you are going to the Volcano, stay in that area a night or two, as that is a long drive from Waikoloa--2-3 hours each way, whether you go north or south. The visitors%26#39; center has lots of trail maps for you--or look on their website. Expect chilly weather at the visitors center elevation, and hot! windy weather at the coastal trail. Google for B%26amp;B%26#39;s up there. If you were staying in the Hilo area, you wouldn%26#39;t have to drive so far, either.

The Bird park is soothing, quiet, unspoiled. Just a dirt trail looping through the ancient forest. No cages, no pavement. Picnic area nearby.

Down in Puna, you can walk across the former Kaimu Bay in Kalapana, to the new (12-13 yrs?) blacksand beach. It%26#39;s about 1/2 hour each way, kind of rough, but you%26#39;re only 30, so no problem. Wear shoes with covered toes.

If your knees will take it, walk down into Waipio Valley. It%26#39;s beautiful, similar to the way it was a few hundred years ago.

Get the Trailblazer book and have a good read. It hasn%26#39;t let us down yet.

There is a new book out in the Trailblazer series - Hawaii Big Island Trailblazer. See www.trailblazertravelbooks.com. Just published Sept. 2006. Sounds promising for hiking advice.