Aloha, friends! Let me tell you about one of my favorite things to do in Hawaii: guided hiking. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But, don’t you love exploring on your own?” And you’re absolutely right, I do enjoy blazing my own trail and going at my own pace. But there’s something extra special about having a knowledgeable guide show you around, pointing out all the cool things you might miss on your own. And the science of it all. I’m sharing about Hawaii Forest and Trail today, as we’ve come to really enjoy the experience with them.
In Hawaii, guided hiking is like a whole other level of awesome, in particular if you like to learn as you explore. There’s so much unique history, culture, and natural beauty to learn about that you just can’t get anywhere else. We’ve been lucky enough to go out with Hawaii Forest and Trail several times, and let me tell you, they really know their stuff! Read on and if you have any questions about the tours we recommend or need other hiking recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan your Aloha trip!
Hawaii Forest and Trail Guided Hiking
One of the best things about guided hiking in Hawaii is that a lot of the land is privately owned. Unless you’re with someone who has special access, you’d never get to see some of the most breathtaking, protected areas. Trust me, once you experience these hidden gems, you’ll understand why we try to book a guided hike every chance we get on the Big Island of Hawai’i.
Do yourself a favor and check out Hawaii Forest and Trail if you’re interested. They’ve got a really great partnership with Kamehameha Schools, which is one of the biggest landowners in the state. Thanks to this partnership, they can take you behind locked gates and show you sights that most visitors never get to see.
Kohala Waterfalls Hiking
On one of our adventures with them, we hiked through the Kohala area, which is this beautiful, quiet part of the island that hardly anyone visits. We got to see some incredible waterfalls, forests, and even ancient farming spots. But the real highlight? Swimming in those Hawaiian waterfalls! Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like taking a dip in a crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush vegetation and towering cliffs. And if that wasn’t enough, we also got to have a picnic lunch on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the stunning Pololu Beach and valley. Talk about a million-dollar view!
Read all about Kohala Waterfalls here!
Hualalai Volcano Hikes
Another guided hike we did with Hawaii Forest and Trail was on the Hualalai Volcano, which looms over the town of Kailua-Kona. This one was a real treat for my inner geology geek! We got to explore wild craters, lava flows, and all sorts of volcanic features up close. The landscape was just mind-blowing, and watching the weather roll in and out made it even more dramatic. But it wasn’t just the geology that made this hike so special. We also got to do some serious birdwatching! As we descended into the forest areas, we spotted all sorts of colorful honeycreepers, including my absolute favorites, the i’iwis. Seeing those bright red beauties flitting through the trees was just magical.
Read about our Hualalai Volcano hike here!
More Hawaii Forest and Trail Guided Hikes
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “This all sounds amazing, but what if I want to try something different?” Hawaii Forest and Trail has got you covered depending on your interests and available time. When we’re planning our own trips we tend to plan one big activity during the day and then leave the rest of the afternoon open to relax or see what happens. Two of these guided hiking options below are all full day adventures, so keep in mind that you’ll get to do and see a lot, but you’ll be limited for the day you book them.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
For stargazers and night owls, they offer a Mauna Kea Summit Experience that’s out of this world (literally!). You start your journey on the Kona Coast, climbing through different climates and landscapes until you reach the summit of Mauna Kea, the tallest peak in the Pacific. And then, when the sun goes down, you get to stargaze from one of the best spots on the planet. Can you imagine anything more epic than watching the night sky unfold from the top of a mountain in the middle of the ocean? Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Hawaii Volcanoes NP and Hilo Tour
If you’re more of a national park fan, they’ve got a tour that takes you into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for some serious exploration. Not only do you get to hike around this incredible volcanic wonderland (which is also my favorite National Park), but you also get to visit a cacao farm and learn all about the growing, processing and creation of chocolate. Hawaii Forest and Trail partners with Lavaloha Chocolate Farm, who we love, to provide this extra experience. And if that’s not enough, you’ll even get to do some sightseeing on the way back to the Kona Coast. It’s a whole day of adventure with a guide.
Hakalau Birding Tour
For the birdwatchers out there (or those who want to become one), Hawaii Forest and Trail offers a guided birdwatching hike in the Hakalau Forest Reserve. If you’re not big into birding, give yourself the opportunity to try it out. Trust me, once you start paying attention to these feathered friends, you’ll be hooked, whether it’s here hiking in Hawaii or when you get back home. Every time you step outside, the world will feel a little more magical. This is another guided hike that accesses private land, so you know you’ll be in a pristine, quiet part of the Island of Hawai’i.
Big Island Hiking Ideas on your Own
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the folks who like to do their own thing! While guided hiking is an absolute must-do in Hawaii, there are plenty of amazing hikes you can tackle on your own too. Here are 6 great suggestions that are fun, beautiful and doable for any hiking level.
- The Lower and Upper Jurassic Trails on the Hualalai Volcano – this is a publicly accessible trail, albeit rough in spots.
- The hike to the Captain Cook Monument (with a bonus snorkeling spot at the end!) is one of the most popular hikes on the Kona Coast.
- The trails in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is like a rainbow of volcanic landscapes, make different hiking loops and are BEAUTIFUL.
- For something a little more off the beaten path but kind of famous, try the Papakolea Beach Trail, which takes you along the coast to the beautiful Green Sand Beach.
- On the Saddle Road between Kona and Hilo, tackle the Pu’u Huluhulu Trail, where you’ll get to explore lava flows and forests between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
- And for beach lovers, the Haena Beach Trail is an absolute must! This epic hike takes you through dense forests to one of the most secluded and stunning beaches on the Big Island. It’s the most difficult hike we’ve included.
Hawaii Forest and Trail Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure with Hawaii Forest & Trail.
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, tours departing as early as 6:30 am
- Tour office phone number: 808-331-8505
- Company website: more information
- Tour check-in address: hotel pickup available OR 73-5593 A Olowalu Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
More Kona Coast Things to Do
The Kona Coast is one of my favorite areas in all of Hawaii. I love the different activities, from snorkeling with manta rays to daytime snorkel trips, experiencing Kona coffee culture to learning about historic Native Hawaiian culture. It’s always beautiful and no two visits are the same. Here are our top picks for things to do on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
- tour some of the many Kona coffee farms and tasting rooms
- walk the seawall in Kailua-Kona and visit the Hulihe’e Palace
- snorkel at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
- visit Kaloko Honkohau National Historic Park to see honu (sea turtles)
- do a nighttime snorkel with manta rays
- go to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park to see tikis and learn about Native Hawaiian culture
- hike at the Haulalai Volcano or Hawaii Volcanoes NP‘s Kahuku Unit
There are many more things to do when you’re putting together your Big Island itinerary, but when it comes to visiting the Kona Coast, these are some of our favorite things to do.
Where to Stay on the Kona Coast
The Kona Coast is big, stretching from Waimea at the north to Naalehu on the South Shore. You’ll find every sort of accommodation here from national travel brand hotels like Marriott and Holiday Inn Express to independent bed and breakfasts (the Ka’awa Loa Plantation is my favorite!), as well are larger resorts. We’ve enjoyed many different places but I really do like being near the town of Kailua-Kona because of the central location. Staying to the north is lovely because it’s so quiet and it’s all about the outdoor adventures. The southern end of the Kona Coast is full of coffee culture, lava flows and remote beaches you can hike to.
No matter which hikes you choose, guided or solo, you’re in for a wonderful time hiking in Hawaii. And remember, if you ever need any tips or recommendations, we’re always here to help. Just a comment or send us a message. We’re always happy to share our insider knowledge and help you plan the Aloha trip you’ve been dreaming about.
