Puako is a tranquil oceanfront community situated on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, characterized by its coastal vistas, ancient lava fields, and kiawe forests. The region features a diverse landscape of rugged volcanic rock and clear waters, providing a setting for various outdoor pursuits. This area offers opportunities for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, and jogging, making it a destination for those seeking active experiences.
Puako offers more than 10 routes for outdoor activities, catering to several sports including road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, and jogging. More than 3,000 visitors have explored the area, contributing to an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 stars for its routes. For road cycling, routes often follow paved roads with views of historical lava flows and coastal scenery, including segments of the notable Queen K Highway. Touring cyclists can find routes that combine coastal and volcanic views, though some segments may be unpaved. Hikers can explore ancient Hawaiian trails like the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, traversing lava fields and kiawe forests, or visit the Puako Petroglyph Preserve. Jogging routes provide scenic coastal paths and loops through archaeological districts. To discover specific routes and plan your adventures, explore guides such as Road Cycling Routes around Puako, Hiking around Puako, and Running Trails around Puako.
41
Routes
4.6
(18)
Average rating
1379
People visited

82
riders
79.9km
04:27
1,070m
1,070m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

41
riders
108km
04:48
1,100m
1,100m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
32
riders
108km
05:28
1,590m
1,580m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
402
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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27
runners
7.98km
00:53
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
14.2km
01:32
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

53
runners
9.75km
01:02
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

31
runners
6.38km
00:42
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
24
hikers
1.80km
00:28
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
19
hikers
3.89km
01:01
30m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.58km
01:25
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.7
(3)
22
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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7
riders
9.97km
00:37
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

67
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

21
riders
35.0km
02:15
140m
140m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
riders
11.8km
00:46
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Puako offers a variety of outdoor activities, including road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, and jogging. The region features 15 routes, with an average rating of 4.41 stars from more than 3,000 visitors.
Puako is known for its coastal vistas, ancient lava fields, and kiawe forests. A significant historical site is the Puako Petroglyph Preserve, which contains over 3,000 ancient carvings in volcanic rock. The area also features clear waters and proximity to white-sand beaches.
Yes, Puako offers several road cycling routes, including segments of the Queen K Highway, known for its long straightaways and wide shoulders. These routes provide views of historical lava flows and coastal scenery. For more options, explore the Road Cycling Routes around Puako guide.
Easy road cycling options include the Waiakumalae Point loop, which is approximately 6.2 miles (10 km) and offers coastal and volcanic views. Another accessible route is the Waikōloa Beach Drive loop, about 4.4 miles (7 km), featuring resort scenery and ocean views.
Puako provides touring cycling routes that combine coastal and volcanic views. While many routes are on paved roads, some segments may be unpaved. The Cycling around Puako guide offers more details on available routes.
Hiking trails in Puako include the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which traverses coastal areas and lava fields. The 1.1-mile (1.8 km) Petroglyph Trail leads to ancient Hawaiian rock carvings. The Kiholo-Puako Trail, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km), passes through lava fields and ancient fishponds.
Yes, Puako offers easy hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. The Petroglyph Trail is an easy 1.1-mile (1.8 km) path leading to the Puako Petroglyph Preserve. More options can be found in the Easy hikes around Puako guide.
Puako features several scenic routes for jogging, combining paved roads with coastal paths. Examples include the Holohokai Beach Park via North Kaniku Drive loop, approximately 5 miles (8 km), and the Puakō Petroglyphs via Puakō Beach Drive loop, about 8.8 miles (14 km). The Puako Tide Pools – Puako loop is an easy 3.2-mile (5.1 km) option.
Komoot offers several guides for Puako, including Road Cycling Routes around Puako, Cycling around Puako, Hiking around Puako, Easy hikes around Puako, and Running Trails around Puako.
Puako is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 3,000 visitors exploring its routes. The 15 available routes have received an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 stars, indicating a positive experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
For general tourism information about the Island of Hawaiʻi, contact the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau. Their website is part of the GoHawaii.com portal. The Visitors Bureau can be reached at 1-800-648-2441 from the U.S.

