Ka’au Crater Hike
Ka’au Crater Hike
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Quiles-Cardona
6 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
This hike isn’t for the faint of heart! Lol it’s very challenging and sometimes dangerous but worth it in the end when you get to the waterfalls and the views. Definitely worth it. 👍🏼
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hardy S
Sankt Margrethen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland43 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The hike takes around 4-5 hours and is on some places difficult to go - but it's a wonderful journey with great views - nice waterfalls and a really good exercise as well. Take plenty of water with you. I wouldn't recommend the hike with young children and definitely I wouldn't recommend to do it if there was some rain because it might be to slippery then.
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Savvy Adventurer
12 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This is by far the best hike I have ever been on and the most dangerous! This gem is hidden in private property so I recommend having a printed map or an App like Hiking Project or AllTrails to navigate to the hike and during the hike. It is not well marked, outside of the pink ribbon ties to a tree here and there to reconfirm you have not gotten off trail. I recommend not attempting this hike during the wet season as the danger vastly increases. If you do be sure you are strong enough to do a pull up. I had to be able to hold my own weight while monkeying across a waterfall using a rope... and crossed streams nearly waist deep. You can avoid this in the dry season!
During this hike you will have to cross the stream many times (look for pink ribbons across the water to know when to cross). You will also climb up along waterfalls, by far my favorite part of this hike. Don't trust the ropes with all your weight as it is clear some have torn before! Once you are finished climbing up 3 waterfalls you will get to the ridge. If you are scared of heights this can be very freaky. Since it was so wet, my husband and I sat down and scooted during the thinnest parts of the ridge. We also heard warthogs! Warthogs are dangerous so avoid if you can. Once you get back down from the ridge you will have to try and navigate back to the street. This can be quite difficult with the lack of ribbons so again recommend an app that tracks you. My phone died and hiking this trail at the end in the dark did not help with the navigation!
Since it was so wet this trail took my husband and I 9-10 hours and we are in fairly great shape (weightlifting 4-6 days a week and avid hikers in the summer). Again recommend going in the DRY SEASON!
During this hike you will have to cross the stream many times (look for pink ribbons across the water to know when to cross). You will also climb up along waterfalls, by far my favorite part of this hike. Don't trust the ropes with all your weight as it is clear some have torn before! Once you are finished climbing up 3 waterfalls you will get to the ridge. If you are scared of heights this can be very freaky. Since it was so wet, my husband and I sat down and scooted during the thinnest parts of the ridge. We also heard warthogs! Warthogs are dangerous so avoid if you can. Once you get back down from the ridge you will have to try and navigate back to the street. This can be quite difficult with the lack of ribbons so again recommend an app that tracks you. My phone died and hiking this trail at the end in the dark did not help with the navigation!
Since it was so wet this trail took my husband and I 9-10 hours and we are in fairly great shape (weightlifting 4-6 days a week and avid hikers in the summer). Again recommend going in the DRY SEASON!
Written 28 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esther L
65 contributions
May 2019
Started at 10:30am, got back to the car at 5:15pm. Tried to do the entire loop but when we were circling the crater, the trail down was not groomed well so we weren’t positive if we had even found the correct path. However, we followed all the instructions online and kept left at the top but still had issues finding it. Had to hike down the waterfalls, super slippery, wish we had crampons. Ended up hiking with just boots. Extremely muddy st the end. Thankfully we had a change of clothes. Drank 2 bottles of water per person
Written 25 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fionna88
Cambridge, UK117 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My husband and I (both pretty fit) did the loop counter clockwise in about 4 hours. It was very steep and hard on the legs but a lot of fun with some unbeatable views. We set off at about 8.30am and didnt see anyone else the whole time which was cool as well. The third waterfall is long with multiple rope climbs but such a cool experience. Definitely wouldn't do it if it is raining or windy.
Written 17 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katarzyna
Hawaii82 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
This is a trail for advanced hikers. You have to pull yourself on ropes to make it to the top of a pretty steep waterfall. Also being located on the back of the valley it's often wet and very slippery. Amazing views at the top but expect it to be challenging. Go only when it's dry. To get there take Waiomao Rd and get there early - in winter it gets dark in Hawaii after 5pm which lots of people don't realize.
Written 9 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDrJason
Houston, TX32 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Wow so much to say.
First thing is first: DO THIS HIKE. If you are even thinking about it, done. Go! Do it!
Second thing that must be said: Actually do the full trail, so many people half did it, and turned around early. There was even a group of hikers who thought they went to the peak, but did not.
Third-- definitely not an easy hike. It is on the difficult side of things; so expect 5-7 hours of work.
ok, little about us. 30 and 40 year somethings who are in pretty good shape; work-out daily, fit. That being said, I think it is doable at other ages if fit, and even if a little not fit. However, if you're not in shape, you simply cannot do this hike.
I think kids that are sharp, and listen to their folks, and probably at least 10 years old could also manage. That being said, there are absolutely a few dangerous spots where one would need to be 100% attentive and on your game to avoid injury.
Now about the logistics. Easy to find, all directions online are accurate. Plenty of random parking spots on the side roads prior to the entrance.
Leave your car UNLOCKED, and leave it empty. Guess what ? Then no broken windows, and no issues.
Now, the hike is mud for 1 hour and a cool stream, and fun, then 3 great water falls.
One (the second), you literally climb back over at the top, including over a big rock, kind of neat.
After the third, you have a good 30-45 minutes left to the peak. Maybe an hour. This area is really cool, different terrain. Much less mud.
Then you need to keep going all the way around the crater. You'll take a different path down until this loop re-unites at the muddy stream area one mile from the exit. So many people did not do this part, or failed to realize. Makes no sense to me. I would do the loop... not only is it gorgeous, but its less repetitive than trying to climb right back down what you came up. There are some interesting spots, where .. do I turn left? do I turn right? If someone wants more details, just email me...
Some pictures attached.
Oh, gear:
a) Yes hiking shoes, only way you can do this.
b) I would suggest 2-4 bottles of water per person; whatever that adds up to.
c) some snack would be nice, it took us 6 hours, but I bet that's a pretty quick pace.
First thing is first: DO THIS HIKE. If you are even thinking about it, done. Go! Do it!
Second thing that must be said: Actually do the full trail, so many people half did it, and turned around early. There was even a group of hikers who thought they went to the peak, but did not.
Third-- definitely not an easy hike. It is on the difficult side of things; so expect 5-7 hours of work.
ok, little about us. 30 and 40 year somethings who are in pretty good shape; work-out daily, fit. That being said, I think it is doable at other ages if fit, and even if a little not fit. However, if you're not in shape, you simply cannot do this hike.
I think kids that are sharp, and listen to their folks, and probably at least 10 years old could also manage. That being said, there are absolutely a few dangerous spots where one would need to be 100% attentive and on your game to avoid injury.
Now about the logistics. Easy to find, all directions online are accurate. Plenty of random parking spots on the side roads prior to the entrance.
Leave your car UNLOCKED, and leave it empty. Guess what ? Then no broken windows, and no issues.
Now, the hike is mud for 1 hour and a cool stream, and fun, then 3 great water falls.
One (the second), you literally climb back over at the top, including over a big rock, kind of neat.
After the third, you have a good 30-45 minutes left to the peak. Maybe an hour. This area is really cool, different terrain. Much less mud.
Then you need to keep going all the way around the crater. You'll take a different path down until this loop re-unites at the muddy stream area one mile from the exit. So many people did not do this part, or failed to realize. Makes no sense to me. I would do the loop... not only is it gorgeous, but its less repetitive than trying to climb right back down what you came up. There are some interesting spots, where .. do I turn left? do I turn right? If someone wants more details, just email me...
Some pictures attached.
Oh, gear:
a) Yes hiking shoes, only way you can do this.
b) I would suggest 2-4 bottles of water per person; whatever that adds up to.
c) some snack would be nice, it took us 6 hours, but I bet that's a pretty quick pace.
Written 11 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Hendrie
Sydney, Australia7 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
This was an impromptu hike we (two 14yr old boys, 16yr old daughter and me) did while over for the Hawaii Bowl. Reasonably fit but not climbers, we found this 5hr outing great fun and not without its challenges. The trail was muddy with 1-2ft deep ruts and the few showers we had made for some interesting slippery descents. The less nimble (me at 53) provided great entertainment for the youngsters, on numerous occasions sliding on my butt. Refreshingly, OH&S is yet to dominate this and many islands, so the kids had to actually be careful and accountable.....which they loved. Main tips would be to take plenty of food and water, assume you’ll get a sprinkle or 2, and definitely wear old or dark clothes as the mud Staines like red wine.
Written 24 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
prsavarese
Hilton Head, SC57 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
I would highly suggest 2 things. Go on a dry day and with someone who knows the hike. I’m a very experienced hiker and found parts of the hike very challenging. I’m grateful my friend had done it multiple times because he knew the rout and helped me avoid some potentially dangerous spots.
I am impressed with anyone who can do this hike with any amount of rain. Once you pass the waterfalls it can be very slick and muddy with some steep falls. Either bring spikes or go when it’s dry.
There are several gorgeous views throughout the hike and is now definitely one of my favorite hikes I’ve done. I can’t wait to do this hike again because the views are well worth the effort. Enjoy this hike!!
I am impressed with anyone who can do this hike with any amount of rain. Once you pass the waterfalls it can be very slick and muddy with some steep falls. Either bring spikes or go when it’s dry.
There are several gorgeous views throughout the hike and is now definitely one of my favorite hikes I’ve done. I can’t wait to do this hike again because the views are well worth the effort. Enjoy this hike!!
Written 10 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMountainYogini
Vancouver, Canada44 contributions
Aug 2018
I hiked up to and around the Ka'au crater with my 20 year old son last month. It was an epic adventure! It was a long and challenging hike with break-taking scenery. One must be in good physical condition for this hike and have solid hiking shoes or boots. I also highly recommend crampons or microspikes for the steep and muddy parts at the top. (We were very grateful to ours!) Be prepared to get wet and MUDDY! Heads' up; it is not a well-trafficked trail nor a well-marked trail so be careful and pay close attention to the trail markers, but know that they are few and far between. I highly recommend this hike for those up for a challenge and the experience of a lifetime.
Written 20 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3monie3
London 7 contributions
Hi there, we are in Honolulu and wanna do the Kaau trail, can you do it without using s map? Is it well sign posted?
Thanks in advance
Monika
Quiles-Cardona
6 contributions
Hi 3monie3 yes you can, the trail is marked with with pink and orange ribbons but sometimes they are hard to spot. What we did was we downloaded the AllTrails app, you do a search for the trail and it gives you a map with your gps location within the trail. It also works with no internet! Cause you’ll have no service once you’re deep in the trail. Good luck! Have fun.
msronnieray
Chester, New York1 contribution
What address should I put in my gps
kt44did
Island of Hawaii, HI55 contributions
Hi there! I don't think I had any problems putting in Ka'au Crater trail. It's at the end of Waimao road before it turns into a private road. Youll see 5 mailboxes at the end of the street and a sign behind the mailbox to mark the trail entrance. Other reviews have said if you park too close though, there's a possibility of your car being broken into since people know it's a long hike, so I parked down aways.
unique p
Yokosuka, Japan232 contributions
I climbed Vesuvius but it was my first real.hike with a 4&5 year old who did better than me. But I made it, I want to do this on a clear day with no rain could I make it without the kiddos?
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