Say the word Hawaii and a collage of tourist brochure images comes to mind. Orchids, beaches and deluxe accommodations flood the imagination. There is another side to the Hawaiian Islands. Much of the state is wilderness. Mixed terrain and a wide variety of views are the likely reward of planning a bicycle touring trip to Hawaii

The plantation days of Hawaii are largely historic as tourism has replaced growing as the major industry. The upside of this is that although expensive most needs can be met for a price.

Where to Tour in Hawaii

Most helpful of all possible resources is the website established by the state itself. Na Ala Hele is Hawaii’s Trail and Access system. Their website can be found via the www.eHawaii.gov web page which should be the first stop in vacation planning. The Na Ala Hele website is www.hawaiitrail.org. There are hundreds of trails detailed on this website and I highly recommend using this URL. The information includes length, difficulty level, written description, map and guide contact addresses. The state has gone to great length to make this information as detailed as possible.

Downhill to the sea

Hawaii is filled with biking activities and tours. Companies that provide biking and hotel packages offer a wide variety of services. Shuttle service from the airport, guides, equipment, bikes and some meals are typical of bicycle tour deals. Prices can vary from the no-frills pay by the hour bike rental self tours to the elaborate packages at a few thousand dollars. Make this decision well in advance and book ahead.

One unique mountain bike adventure would be cruising 37 miles downhill on Haleakala Crater, Maui’s 10,000 feet sleeping volcano. For a hefty fee at least four different companies will provide bike, equipment, meals and shuttle service to the top of the crater. The Lodge at Molokai Ranch has 53,000 acres of trails leading to the beach as well as guided tours and bike rental.

lost place perfect to ride

The Grand Tour

The Circle Island Tour of Hawaii’s biggest island is 225 miles and is described as being accessible to beginners and completed in a week’s easy riding. More information on the very many options for touring Hawaii can be found on the website www.bikehawaii.com.

Easier Tours

The Na Ala Hele system maps several bike trails that are at an easy difficulty rating. One of these on the big island of Hawaii is the 35 mile long Mauna Loa Observatory Road. The road conditions are listed as paved but not well. This trail is shared with pedestrians and four wheel drive vehicles with light traffic. It passes a Solar Observatory which is off limits to tourists. Stay on the paths. This is not an area where wandering is tolerated.

A Random Sampling of Hawaiian Sights:

• Humpback Whales from December through April. Visible from the beaches of Oahu. Sighting of many other types of whale is common all year on The Big Island’s KonaCoast
• WhaleCenter of the Pacific in Ka’anapali. WhalersVillageMuseum in Lahaina. Both Free.
• HawaiiVolcanoesNational Park is the only national park with an active volcano & rainforest.
• Many waterfalls can be viewed in the Hawaiian Islands. Some are easily reached on foot. AkakaFalls is one of the best at 442 feet tall. Located 8 miles north of Hilo, Hawaii.
• USS Arizona, Honolulu. Memorial to those who died during the Japanese bombing of Pearl HarborDecember 7, 1941. Tickets are limited and free but a crowd forms early. Hours are 7:30a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Take pictures of orchids, palm trees, sunsets, birds and tropical fish. They make great computer wallpaper for those long winter months back home.

Things to Remember:

• Hawaii has a generous system of trails but stay on them. Private property or government land adjoins many trails. These are well guarded by serious people.
• Best prices and fewest crowds can be found in late spring and fall.
• Mosquitoes carry very scary diseases. Use care in avoiding contact with them. Deep woods mosquito repellent should be applied religiously for health reasons more than comfort.
• Prices can be quite steep on the more heavily trafficked islands. Some bargain rates and even camping are to be found on others.
• It could easily take a week to enjoy each island so some tough itinerary editing will be needed for the one or two week visit.