Waipio Valley

I’ve been to alot of extremely beautiful places, but this for some reason really sticks out. I really do think it changed my life, and how I think of nature. its amazing!!!

we were walking down in our swimming suits, and some people that live in the valley stopped their jeep and gave us a ride. we hiked into the valley with them and they showed us how they live, fully sustainable. we were there until the darkening sky told me it was time to leave. a place were time, space, human reality, and nature are suspended in a separate universe.

one of the most beautiful valleys i have ever seen… it is SO steep!!! going down was fun but the way up oooh my legs hurt :)

Scary, scary, scary ride down! I don’t think I’ll ever go here again in my old age. I never knew I was scared of heights till I went down the road to waipio. Heck, I even repelled off the towers in the Army with no problem but this ride is scary! But one you are down its gorgeous, and sooo unique.

Before I went, all the tour books said you couldn’t go into the valley without 4 wheel drive. I agree with that, but what they didn’t say, is that it’s not unusual to see more than a few hardy folks walking up and down the very steep winding road that leads into the valley. I’ve been told it takes about 45 minutes to get down, and about 1 1/2-2 hours to get back up and out. A lot of work, but the tours going down can be expensive. I got lucky and met some nice people who took me down and back up again in their suv. The ride was so steep, that I was really glad I wasn’t the one driving. It was all I could do to keep from squealing at each turn and bump in the road. I wish I had had more time to explore there. It was a powerful place.

I was just there at the lookout point last week. We didn’t have a 4-wheel drive rental, so we didn’t really make it down to the valley. However, the view from the top was awesome.

This is a must-do for the adventurous types. Go ahead and drive your 4-wheel drive rental car into the valley…go slow and be careful…you’re driving down at a 45-degree angle! From the top, the view is like looking down into the Garden of Eden. From the bottom, it’s like being in your own little black sand beach playground. It’s an amazing place.