Waiākea Forest Reserve, a region on the east side of the island of Hawaiʻi in the district of South Hilo, features lush landscapes and native forest ecosystems. The reserve is characterized by significant stands of ʻōhiʻa lehua and koa trees, with the Waiākea Stream flowing through the area. The terrain offers elevation gradient views of the Hilo coastline and the Pacific Ocean, providing a setting for several sports like touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and hiking.
26
Routes
3.3
(4)
Average rating
167
People visited

1.83km
00:28
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.0
(1)
12
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
4.92km
01:15
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
6
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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37
riders
108km
06:27
2,780m
2,780m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
41.6km
02:43
510m
510m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
riders
60.4km
02:48
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

32.6km
01:32
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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2
runners
7.64km
00:48
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.85km
00:31
80m
80m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

60
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
7.08km
00:44
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
12.5km
00:54
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
75.5km
05:27
1,710m
1,710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
12.6km
00:50
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16.6km
01:00
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Waiākea Forest Reserve is located on the east side of the island of Hawaiʻi in the district of South Hilo. It features lush landscapes and native forest ecosystems, including significant stands of ʻōhiʻa lehua and koa trees. The Waiākea Stream flows through the area, and the terrain offers views of the Hilo coastline and the Pacific Ocean.
Waiākea Forest Reserve offers opportunities for various outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, touring cycling, and road cycling. The reserve provides access to its native forest ecosystem for exploration. More than 285 visitors have shared their experiences on komoot.
Yes, Waiākea Forest Reserve is a destination for hiking, offering access to its native forest ecosystem. Trails are available for different ability levels, from easy walks to more moderate routes. For detailed information, refer to the Hiking in Waiākea Forest Reserve guide.
Yes, Waiākea Forest Reserve offers family-friendly hiking options. These routes are designed to be accessible for various ages and skill levels. Specific routes can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Waiākea Forest Reserve guide.
Yes, cycling opportunities are available in and around Waiākea Forest Reserve, including touring cycling and road cycling. Stainback Highway, which passes through portions of the reserve, is suitable for cycling. Explore options in the Cycling in Waiākea Forest Reserve guide.
Road cycling routes are available in the Waiākea Forest Reserve area, utilizing surrounding roads. These routes offer opportunities for cyclists to explore the region. For specific routes, consult the Road Cycling Routes in Waiākea Forest Reserve guide.
The Upper Waiākea Forest Reserve features several intermediate mountain biking trails. These trails cover approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) and offer a dedicated experience for mountain bikers. Information on these trails can be found through the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The region around Waiākea Forest Reserve provides several jogging routes, many featuring mostly paved surfaces. These routes are suitable for various fitness levels. Details on these paths are available in the Running Trails in Waiākea Forest Reserve guide.
Visitors can observe dense native forests with ʻōhiʻa lehua and koa trees, and the Waiākea Stream. The terrain also provides views of the Hilo coastline and the Pacific Ocean. Recent lava flows being colonized by 'ōhi'a demonstrate ecological succession.
Waiākea Forest Reserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 285 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Waiākea Forest Reserve, covering various sports. These include guides for Cycling, Road Cycling, Running Trails, and Hiking. There are also guides for Traffic-free bike rides, City hikes, and Family-friendly hikes.
Official information regarding Waiākea Forest Reserve, particularly the Upper Waiākea Forest Reserve, is available through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Forestry Program. The official website is dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/forestry/forest-reserves/hawaii-island-forest-reserves/. For inquiries, the phone number is +18089744221.

