Hiking and Waterfalls of the Big Island of Hawaii

Rainforests, Lava Trails, and Tropical Gardens

The Big Island of Hawaii is often associated with lava flows and volcanoes, but one of the island’s greatest surprises is its lush and vibrant rainforest landscapes. Thanks to the island’s dramatic elevation changes and trade winds that bring moisture from the Pacific, the eastern side of the island near Hilo is home to dense tropical forests, spectacular waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Hawaii.

During our family vacation, several of our favorite adventures involved exploring the greener side of the island, hiking through rainforest trails, discovering towering waterfalls, and even soaring above jungle valleys on a zipline.

These land-based adventures became some of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

🌿 MakaulaʻOʻOma Trail: A Forest Hike Near Kona

Only about eight miles from our rental house overlooking Kailua-Kona, we discovered the MakaulaʻOʻOma Trails, a fantastic hiking area that winds through native Hawaiian forest.

This trail system is located within the Kona Cloud Forest, a unique ecosystem formed where moist trade winds rise along the slopes of Hualālai Volcano. The result is a cool, misty forest filled with native plants, moss-covered trees, and birds found nowhere else in the world.

The trail we chose was roughly four miles long and included some steep sections and narrow paths. While not overly difficult, I would classify it as an intermediate hike.

Bob stayed behind at the house to watch the younger grandchildren enjoy the pool while the rest of us tackled the trail.

Some members of the group handled the terrain with ease, while others found the steep sections a bit more challenging. Still, everyone agreed it was worth the effort. The shaded forest and peaceful surroundings made it one of the most enjoyable hikes we experienced on the island.

In fact, I enjoyed the hike so much that I returned later with my daughter Lori to tackle the trail again and try to improve our time.

Big Island waterfalls and hiking - Makaula'O'Oma Trails

🌧️ Akaka Falls State Park: A Waterfall Classic

Some of the most spectacular rainforest scenery on the Big Island can be found north of Hilo, where rainfall creates lush valleys and dramatic waterfalls.

One morning we set out for the east side of the island with my daughter Lori, her children Ella (9) and Ben (6), my daughter-in-law Kelly, and my grandson Austin. Meanwhile, the guys and Danielle headed out for a day of deep-sea fishing.

Even though Lori and I had visited the area before, the rest of the group was amazed by how quickly the landscape changed as we drove across the island.

The dry lava terrain of Kona gradually gave way to green hills, dense vegetation, and misty skies as we approached Hilo.

Our destination was Akaka Falls State Park, one of the most famous waterfalls in the Hawaiian Islands.

After finding parking and paying the small entrance fee, we began the three-quarter-mile loop trail that winds through thick tropical vegetation.

Along the path we encountered bamboo groves, orchids, and towering tropical plants before reaching the highlight of the hike: Akaka Falls itself, plunging an impressive 422 feet into a deep gorge below.

Big Island waterfalls and hiking - Akaka State Park — Akaka State Park and waterfalls:

The view was breathtaking.

This short hike is perfect for families, and the paved path makes it accessible for visitors of almost any fitness level. The kids loved it, and we stopped frequently for photos along the trail.

🍽️ Lunch in Hilo

After our hike we headed into Hilo for lunch at the Hilo Bay Café, a restaurant we had discovered through an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Lunch was excellent and gave us a chance to relax before making the drive back across the island.

The return trip offered another reminder of the Big Island’s diversity. After leaving Hilo in misty rain, we eventually emerged into bright sunshine as we drove through the higher elevations near the western side of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Unfortunately, my attempt to explain volcanic geology to the grandkids during the drive may not have been my finest educational moment!

🌊 Ziplining Over Umauma Falls

A few days later, some members of our group headed back to the Hilo side of the island for another adventure: ziplining near Umauma Falls.

For several members of the family it was their first time ziplining, and the experience turned out to be a big hit.

The zipline course took us across a series of platforms overlooking deep jungle ravines and lush valleys. The final segment offered an incredible view as we zipped across the gorge near the beautiful triple-tiered Umauma Falls.

Along the way we passed through farmland growing pineapple and banana plants. We also spotted several wild hogs roaming through the vegetation, though thankfully they kept their distance.

It was a thrilling experience and another great way to appreciate the incredible landscapes of the Big Island.

Zip Lining Hilo Hawaii - Big Island waterfalls and hiking

🌺 Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden

One of the most beautiful places we visited during our stay was the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, located along the scenic coastline north of Hilo.

Bob, Craig, and I made the trip with his family on one of our final excursions to the east side of the island.

This remarkable botanical garden is the life’s work of Dan Lutkenhouse, who purchased the property in 1977 and began transforming it into one of the most spectacular tropical gardens in Hawaii.

Today the garden covers more than 40 acres of lush valley terrain.

Visitors follow winding trails that cross small streams, pass waterfalls, and open onto stunning ocean viewpoints. The gardens contain thousands of species of tropical plants, including orchids, palms, heliconia, and rare flowering plants from around the world.

Finding the garden can be a bit of an adventure. Narrow roads and one-lane bridges wind through the countryside before finally reaching the entrance. Fortunately, Google Maps will get you there.

The effort is well worth it.

My grandson Austin spent much of the visit photographing the incredible flowers and landscapes throughout the garden.

Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden tree tops

🚁 Seeing the Island From Above

Another incredible way to explore the Big Island is by helicopter.

Several helicopter tours depart from Hilo Airport, offering visitors a chance to see the island’s waterfalls, rainforests, and volcanic landscapes from the air.

My son and grandson had originally planned to take one of these tours, but unfortunately a reservation mix-up forced them to cancel their trip.

Bob and I had taken helicopter tours on previous visits, however, and they are truly spectacular experiences when the weather cooperates.

🌺 Why the Rainforest Side of the Big Island is So Special

Many visitors stay primarily on the sunny Kona side of the island, but exploring the Hilo and rainforest regions reveals a completely different side of Hawaii.

Towering waterfalls, mist-covered valleys, and lush botanical gardens create landscapes that feel worlds away from the lava fields and beaches on the western coast.

For our family, these hiking and waterfall adventures offered some of the most beautiful and memorable experiences of our trip.