How Steep Is The Waipio Valley Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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How Difficult is The Waipio Valley Hike? The hike down to the valley floor follows a steep road descending 800 vertical feet in just over 1/2 mile with an

average grade of 25%

(and steeper in certain spots!).

How steep is Waipio?

Getting down into Waipi’o Valley

The road down to Waipi’o valley is one of the steepest roads on the island. On the steepest part, it rises 800 ft in only 0.6 miles.

The average grade of the road is 25%, but peaks at 40%

.

How steep is the road to Waipio Valley?

Data visualization scientist Stephen Von Worley surveyed the valley during a recent visit and found that Waipio Valley Road has long sections with a 30% grade. At times, the road drops away at a

39% grade

, which would make it (briefly) steeper than anything in the hills of Dunedin or Pittsburgh.

What is considered steep for hiking?

The elevation gain is usually greater than 800 feet per mile and is oftentimes

1,000 feet or more per mile

(which is very steep).

How deep is Waipio?

This fertile valley is about one mile across and

over five-miles

deep, and surrounded by cliffs up to 2000-feet high. Waipio Valley was once the home of thousands of Native Hawaiians.

Do you need 4×4 for Waipio Valley?

Drive down to Waipio Valley beach

Following this road will take you to see level and the Waipio Valley beach. You will be driving DOWN. This is one of the Big Island drives that

a 4wd is REQUIRED

. It is a STEEP road.

What is the steepest road in Hawaii?


Waipio Valley Road

is a short steep road located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawai’i, in USA, restricted to 4×4’s. It is the steepest road of its length in the United States. The road is steep enough to destroy brakes on the way down, with some 45% grade sections.

Can you swim in Waipio Valley?

A word of caution about swimming at Waipio Valley, though.

The waters in the beach can be rough and they have been known to pose a huge challenge (in the form of strong currents and undertow) to even the most experienced swimmers

.

Is Waipio closed?

Waipiʻo Valley Road, which leads to one of the Islands’ all-time favorite attractions for visitors—Waipiʻo Valley—has been

closed indefinitely

and will only allow residents, property owners, farmers and leaseholders into the area for the foreseeable future.

Where is the steepest highway in the world?


Baldwin Street in New Zealand

reinstated as the world’s steepest street. Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, New Zealand, has been reinstated as the world’s steepest street (road) after a formal record review.

Can you drive to Waipio black sand beach?

Overlooking the valley floor, Waipio Valley Road will lead you down into the valley originating from a lookout point at the top of the valley. This is a paved public road and

open only to 4-wheel drive vehicles

.

Is Waipio Valley Road paved?

A steep road leads down into the valley from a lookout point located on the top of the southern wall of the valley. The road rises 800 feet (240 m) in 0.6 miles (1.0 km) at a 25% average grade, with steeper grades in sections.

This is a paved public road

but it is open only to 4 wheel drive vehicles.

What percent grade is too steep?

Slope (%) Approximate degrees Terminology 30 – 45 16.5 – 24 Very strong slope 45 – 70 24 – 35 Extreme slope 70 – 100 35 – 45 Steep slope
> 100


> 45

Very steep slope

What is the steepest slope you can walk up?

The steepest slope that can be walked up is

perpendicular to the force of gravity

. In mathematical terms, this means that the angle between the surface and the direction of gravity must be 90 degrees for someone to be able to walk up without using any other energy than that provided by gravity.

How hard is a 10 mile hike?

If your fitness level is relatively good and the hike isn’t littered with hills, mountains, or other obstacles, your 10-mile hike could be

around four to five hours

. However, if there are large hills or steep slopes, it’s possible a 10-mile hike could take all day.

Can you hike to Waipio Valley?

To find them,

walk east along the coastal boulders from Waipi’o beach for less than 1/2 mile

. Don’t try to hike here if the tide is high and covering the boulders or if surf is high because it is too dangerous. These falls are often dry unless there has been a considerable amount of recent rain.

Is Waipio Valley sacred?

Aside from its historical importance,

the Waipio Valley is a sacred place for Hawaiians

. It was the site of many important heiaus (temples).

What does Waipio mean in English?

Waipio is a Hawaiian term meaning “

curved water

“. It is a census – designated place of the Ewa District.

Why are there no rental cars in Kona?

The shortage of cars is due to

rental car companies selling off approximately 40% of their fleet when demand fell drastically in 2020

. Rebuilding the fleet to meet demand is a slow process, especially with the global chip shortage for car manufacturers.

How long is pololu valley hike?

This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our 5 favorite hikes on the Big Island! The hike down the side of the cliff to the valley floor is short but steep: ~420 ft in 0.6 miles (126 meters in 1.0 kilometers) and takes about

20 to 25 minutes

for the average hiker.

Do I need SUV on Kauai?


You DON”T need a 4Wd in Maui or Kauai

. You can’t drive off road anyway. It’s forbidden by your rental contract. You can get everywhere you need with a regular car.

How do I get to Hiilawe Falls?

Hi’ilawe Falls is located inside Waipio Valley and is only visible from the valley or from the air.

If you hike down into the valley, the waterfall is visible via a 5-10 minute walk along the road to the left

. DO NOT hike beyond the falls, as this is private property. Do not attempt to drive ANY car into the valley.

Why is Waipio Valley closed?

After the mayor announced the road closure, the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau expressed its full support. The bureau has not promoted tourism in the Waipio Valley for more than a decade because of

concerns about the impacts on what is a “sacred and culturally significant place

,” said Ross Birch, executive director.

How do you pronounce Waipio?

  1. Phonetic spelling of Waipio. Why-pee-oh. Wai-pio.
  2. Meanings for Waipio. Wapio.
  3. Examples of in a sentence. Hawaii likely to reopen Waipio Valley after dengue scare. Open House: Haleiwa Beach House, Townhouse in Waipio. 94-1457 Waipio Uka Street. …
  4. Translations of Waipio. Chinese : 怀皮奥 Korean : 와이피오 Russian : Вайпио

What island has black sand beaches?

Have you ever seen a beach with black sand? Because of constant volcanic activity, you’ll find white sands and black sands on the island of Hawaii. Located on the southeastern Kau coast,

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.