Tucked away on the northeast coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, the road is extremely steep, running from 279m to 7m above the sea level. While the road is now paved, it is steep enough to destroy brakes on the way down, and stall engines on the way up. Folks going down have to yield to folks coming up.

Is Waipio Valley road paved?

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. It is the steepest road of its length in the United States.

Can I drive down to Waipio Valley?

To get down to the valley floor you must either have your own 4WD car, or be willing to pay for a tour, hike down, or hitchhike down. If you do decide to drive yourself please only do so in a true 4WD car (no AWD) and only if you are comfortable driving on steep and narrow roads with traffic (both ways!).

What does Waipio Valley look like?

Waipio Valley, Hawaiian Waipi’o, also called Valley of the Kings, valley in the Kohala Mountains, northern Hawaii island, Hawaii, U.S. Enveloped on three sides by 2,500-foot- (750-metre-) high cliffs ribboned with spectacular waterfalls (including Hiilawe Falls, which drops more than 1,000 feet [300 metres]), the …

How hard is the Waipio Valley hike?

Waipio Valley Trail is a 4.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Honokaa, Hawaii, Hawaii that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Do you need a 4×4 in Hawaii?

The short answer is no, you don’t. Well, I guess if you want to drive to the Mauna Kea summit, it is officially said that a “4-wheel drive vehicle is required” to drive past the Maunakea Visitor Information Station, although there are reports of tourists driving up in a normal car.

Why is Waipio Valley closed?

Waipio Valley closed to public due to ongoing dengue fever outbreak.

How deep is Waipio?

five-miles
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.

How long is the walk down Waipio Valley?

Waipio Valley Trail is a 4.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Honokaa, Hawaii, Hawaii that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round.

Is Waipio Valley hike worth it?

Absolutely! There is no question about it, the Waipio Valley hike is 100% worth it! If you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii this is a must do adventure activity. It is easily our favorite hike that we have ever done!

How long does it take to walk down Waipio Valley?

Starting at the Waipio Valley overlook (photo above), the hike down to the black sand beach on the valley floor is about 1.5 miles or 2.4 kilometers. It takes about 30 – 45 minutes, but the walk back up will take anywhere between 1 – 1.5 hours depending on your level of physical fitness.

Do you need AWD on Big island?

What is the steepest road in the United States?

The first steepest road in the US is Waipio Road in Honokaa. The road is difficult and dangerous in the wet or dark or both together. The road is a 45% gradient. It is the short steep road on the northeast coast of Hawaii’s Bif Island.

What is the most dangerous road in Hawaii?

Take A Drive On The Most Dangerous Road In Hawaii… If You Dare Hawaii Route 200, also known as Saddle Road, traverses Hawaii Island for 52.7 miles from downtown Hilo to its junction with Highway 190 near Waimea.

Is waipo Valley Road the steepest street in the world?

Waipo Valley Road actually boasts a sector with an incline of up to 45% – however, because this only occurs for a very short distance, it does not qualify as the world’s steepest street. Baldwin Street ranks among the world’s steepest roads with a grade of 35 percent.

What is Waipi’o road?

Waipi’o, which translates to “curved waters” in the Hawaiian language, is the name given to a very steep road on the island of Hawaii. The road is known to destroy car breaks for cars on their way down and stops the engines for the cars on their way up.