Waikoloa Ancient Foot Trail & Petroglyph Reserve

Address: 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive., Waikoloa HI 96738

Hours: Monday to Sunday 24 hours a day

Additional Info: Parking - Complimentary and Valet

Phone: 808-886-1234

Directions: Halfway down the main highway from the airport headed north along the Kohala Coast.

Official Website: King's Trail

Additional Resources and Information:

All Trails - Weliweli via King's Highway Foot Trail

The Historical Market Database - Ancient Foot Trail

Trip Advisor - Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve

Are you a history follower who loves to explore historical sites with rich culture and ancient stories? If so, then Waikoloa Ancient Trails is hands-down a perfect site for you to explore in Hawaii. These ancient trails not only share a rich history but also offers an adventurous yet easy hike, amazing sights of black lava rocks, and adjacent oceanic beauty to double the hike fun. The ancient trial is a mind-blowing trial system established in ancient times to connect residential areas to fishing pounds and religious sites. These trials were developed for foot-trail and were the only source of pathways connecting humans in ancient times and spread over the entire island. The ancient traill, originally known as ala hele or ala loa, is not a continuous trial and can be accessed in several sections. Later these trails were sort of renovated and broadened as per the commerce and evolving human needs in these areas and are referred to as Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Many sections of the ancient trails were lost due to erosion and environmental changes but the remaining are preserved and now are a part of the National Historic Trail. Though modernized, these unique and fascinating trails still share the rich culture and history beneath these trails with modern-day hikers. 

Hiking the ancient trails is so much fun that it is enjoyed by all despite age group. Being a site of incredible history does not mean that it will be boring and is meant to be explored by archeologists only. Some famous sections of ancient trials are the Kīholo-Puakō Trail, the King’s Trail, and Alanui Aupuni. The King’s trail is most commonly hiked by tourists and locals. This ancient trail offers a fun and easy hiking trail where visitors can explore amazing ancient artifacts also known as petroglyphs. The petroglyph, or in simple words the rock picture or rock carving, is an intimate and interesting way to observe closely the lives of ancient people who carved those. The carvings are unique and seem like messages, decoding which is a loved task by hikers. Some pictures are of animals, people, the sun, English, and roman letters while some are of astronomical symbols that represent historical events. The rock pictures were also carved by the travelers who had to spend nights on the trail, which depicts their way of expression and artistic nature.

The ancient trail does not only offer stunning rock pictures, but the hiking itself will make you realize how intelligently the ancients have built the trails to connect. Overall, the hike is not tiresome. It is just like a stroll and with the right kind of shoes, it is smooth and you can comfortably explore the dense history. Adjacent to these stunning ancient trails you can also find some amazing sights in Waikoloa including anchialine ponds encompassing brackish water lava pools which are home to many water creatures and mesmerizing beaches blessed with natural beauty. 

Photos of Waikoloa Ancient Foot Trail and Petroglyph Reserve:

Live and Interactive Google Map of Waikoloa Ancient Foot Trail and Petroglyph Reserve: