The Waimea Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls hike is a moderate yet very enjoyable hike. It is located in the Waimea Canyon and the trail is easily accessible from the end of the parking lot at the Pu’u Hinahina lookout on Waimea Canyon Drive. You can go to the lookout first and check out the terrain you’ll be hiking, or do it after the hike and see what you accomplished. The hike will likely take anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your speed and how much time you spend enjoying the gorgeous scenery. Water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes are a must!
The beginning of the trail is not overly exciting, as you start off through a forest, tall grass, things that don’t necessarily scream Hawaii. However, shortly into the hike, the terrain becomes a bit more exotic and Hawaiian. You will encounter an interesting tropical forest and plants along the way. It is not until you reach the edge of the cliff, that the canyon trail become really amazing. At that point you become overwhelmed with gorgeous views and ridges of the Waimea Canyon. However, be careful as this is a nature trail with no barriers, and you will have a long way down if you venture to close to the edge.
The orange soil, magnificent views and overall beauty of this area are sure to leave a lasting impression. The descent of this part of the trail is steep, however some wooden beams were put in place to make it easier. The soil is very slippery when dry and probably shouldn’t venture here on a rainy day. However as you make your way down, pause and look around to take in and enjoy the surroundings. Next is a brief climb up, and you reach a beautiful pool with a small yet pretty waterfall. You can get right up to the waterfall and take some nice pictures. The pool is a perfect place to relax and cool off before heading back.
