Waimano Pool Trail
Waimano Pool Trail
4.5
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Top ways to experience Waimano Pool Trail and nearby attractions

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles36 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
11
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0

boodoo83
Montreal, Quebec80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017
My husband and I decided to try out this hike. We went 3 days after a rainy day (15cm of rain). This would guarantee us clean water in the pools and a running fall! Be prepared for a difficult, slippery and muddy hike. At slow pace, it took us about 1h to reach the fall. We ended up rope jumping into the pool! Amazing experience! The way back up is much easier. If you reach a fork during you hike, make sure you keep left and follow the pink ribbons.
Written January 17, 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.

Deidre H
Chicago, IL6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Family
As 2 slightly overweight 50 year old parents of a 17 year old son, we wanted a hike that was adventurous but not too difficult. We are somewhat active but not in the best of physical shape. This hike was perfect! If you watch your footing & hold on to branches or ropes when necessary, it is fine...a little challenging, but beautiful...and we had a blast swinging on the ropes into the pool to cool off at the waterfall! One thing I should say is that the trail was pretty dry when we went. We only encountered a few spots that were muddy & slippery. If the whole thing was like that, it could have been a whole different story. (As stated, it was about 3 miles round trip & took us about 3 hours plus time at the falls.)
Written October 19, 2016
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.

Eugene S
Stafford, VA93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Solo
Decided to get in a hike before my 9:00pm flight. It was tougher than advertised but worth it! The falls and pools were awesome.

The trailhead is at a dead end street in a residential neighborhood of Pearl City. The map west directions were easy using either the name or address provided in Trip Advisor. There is limited street parking and no facilities It took me a little over two hours of hiking plus 45 minutes at the pools.

The trail starts out easy enough but becomes very steep with rocks, roots and mud. You have to have good shoes -- flip flops or sandle a just won't work. Although steep I saw several small kids--4 to 5 year olds hiking it. I've included some pictures of the start, rough parts of the trail and one of the pools.

Bring water and a towel if you plan on swimming.
Written September 25, 2016
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.

gearhaes
Puyallup, WA72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Friends
This is one of my favorite short hikes on the island. You start off on Mañana Ridge trail which is open and plenty of scenic valley lookouts. After 3/4 miles you drop down a hillside known as Cardiac Hill. It's a few hundred feet of red clay and tree roots that descents a hundred feet. This is tough and cab be slippery depending on the last rain. So take your time and be careful.

Once down the hill you will continue descending through the strawberry guava trees. They make great help to hold onto when climbing down rocks and in the slippery mud. Follow the pink flagging tape on the trees to make it to the falls. The upper pond is shallow and large with a tall water fall. The lower pool has rope swings for diving into. Where the rope hangs down is the deepest part of the lower pool. So jump with caution.

Make sure to bring plenty of water and a light snack for this hike it will take some energy. Wear shoes, bring a pair of water shoes and a possible change of clothes in the car. You tend to get red dirt everywhere climbing around. The falls look amazing after rainy days but the trail is slippery.
Written January 15, 2016
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.

Dubbin1
Colbert, WA19 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Family
On Apr 5, 2017, there was no water over falls and pool was stagnant. Disappointing after the challenge to get there.

For first mile, fairly easy trail. After that, downhill and muddy. Last 1/2 mile is scrambling over rocks on steep decline. Would be beautiful if water flowing.
Written April 6, 2017
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.

Carolyn E
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Friends
Here's a review from a moderately active (low to moderate intensity level workouts), non-hiker's perspective:

First off, there are previous reviews about Waimano Loop Trail and Waimano Falls Trail being different - this is true. I went on the Waimano Falls Trail which is only about 3 miles roundtrip, but it is a rough 3 miles (follow the directions in the other reviews if you want to do Waimano Falls trail. I honestly can't remember how I found this trail). I do know that you'll have to park in a neighborhood for this hike. Also, I went around 2:30pm and the hike was not crowded, at all.
The trail was very muddy and you pretty much are going downhill on uneven, tree root ridden mud for most of the way. This is what makes this hike fairly difficult. There are areas that are very narrow, and areas that have an almost vertical decline/incline. So you completely rely on the tree roots when going up or down. There are mud slicked ropes available in two areas, which are somewhat helpful. Then there's the infamous "Cardiac Hill." Believe me when I say you'll know you've reached the hill when you see it! Although it may appear daunting, it isn't that bad! The tree roots make going down this hill, safely, possible. Don't be afraid to get dirty because I guarantee that you will get mud everywhere, especially if it has been raining.
When we finally made it to the falls, it was beautiful. The lower falls are deep enough for jumping into (there are ropes available), and if you go a little further, you'll see the upper falls. The upper falls is not deep enough for jumping into.
So a lot of people, myself included, we're discouraged after the difficult decline to get to the falls. However, let me encourage those who are weary of this hike that the way back is much much easier and quicker. But you will see why they call it "Cardiac Hill" (don't worry, there is space available to take breaks).

Make sure to bring water, swim suit/towel, and maybe water shoes if you're going into the pools (it's pretty rocky in the falls). I wore closed-toe Keens during the hike and when swimming in the falls. I saw some people wearing flip flops or no shoes - they did not look like they were having the best time.

Overall, due to to the the way back being easier than the way there, I would highly recommend this hike, as it was challenging, but doable, and it was a beautiful. However, there are some parts that require pure upper body strength to lift yourself up, due to the slickness of the mud, and that infamous hill is a bit of a workout. So to those who are very out of shape, I wouldn't recommend going straight to hike.
Written July 10, 2016
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.

Courtney S
9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Couples
My friend who lives on the island told me about this hike- a REAL Hawaii hike. None of us were prepared the workout it was going to be! Going down (which is hard to grasp) was the harder part- tough on the knees! Unfortunately- when we got to the waterfalls- there was no movement of water. Such a disappointment!! So we only rested for a short while before heading back up the trail. Going up REALLY got the heart going. There were some in our group who regularly worked out and they too, struggled. So I would advise taking enough water and try to be as mentally prepared as you can be! It was NOT easy!
Written March 15, 2016
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.

drbeardface90
46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Couples
You can park on the street around the entrance. There were some kids with dogs that I think people rent for hunting, so dont be alarmed if you see them. The hike itself starts off easy then becomes moderately steep, but not dangerous. Follow the trails signs as you go along. When you have been walking for a while and are in the thick of the jungle, you need to make a left turn to go to the pools at the bottom. There is a little arrow made of sticks pointing the way. If you go the wrong way, it is very obvious and you just turn around. There are some waterfalls, rope swings, and wading pools at the end of the hike.
Written March 25, 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.

Mayra285
Houston, TX102 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Couples
Well I'm 4 months prego and decided that I could do this trail. I was wrong. I'm healthy and run about 3 miles a day before baby and now about 1ish with baby inside but this trail was hard. You do a lot of climbing and sliding down rocks...and if its rainy that could be dangerous. We turned around after going down a huge tree. My husband went a little further and said it was definitely not for pregos. Take care of baby and remember there will be a day again you can do these types of hikes.
Written July 6, 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.

Kenji I
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Friends
If you are in ohau and like to find places that are not too crowded with tourest then this is a great place to go. The drive is about 30min north of Waikiki. The hike down to the waterfalls and pools is about 1.5 miles long. The first half mile of the hike isnt too bad with slight terrain changes. As you go farther the trail gets very narrow and rooty and steep. Luck there are stong little trees you can hold onto to help support your weight as you desend down. We went after the trail had dried up alittle but i heard it gets pretty muddy on the trail after the rain. So be careful because the roots get real slippery. You finally can hear the falls when you are exhausted from your technical climb down the trail. Once you get there you are rewarded with an awesome waterfall and 2 pools the soak you tired feet in. There is rope swing on the lower pool too. I recommend bringing a spare pair of water shoes because the bottom of the pools are pretty rocky. I didnt bring mine and it was hard to stand up in the pools.
The hike back up seemed alot steeper than when we went down it. But i would come back here again for sure.
Take a look at the great pics.
Enjoy
Written June 19, 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.

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Waimano Pool Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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