Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GREEN SPACE AT LAST
For all its wide-open spaces, Waimea has a surprising lack of public parks and
trails. Now two related initiatives are addressing that.
not to be confused with adjacent Waimea Park, is a 10-acre green space in the cen-
ter of town with picnic tables and free wi-fi (user id: 0000lulaau), that is also a nat-
ive plant restoration project. An excellent booklet on the latter is available on site
($3, free if you return them). The park is surprisingly easy to miss: follow the road
by the side of the large Canada France building.
of Waimea Trails and Greenways, also begins in the park. At time of research it fol-
lows the adjacent Waikoloa Stream (hence its local name, the 'Stream Trail') to an
old military road, forming an interesting round trip hike or mountain bike of approx-
imately 2 miles. Future plans include paving 4.8 miles of trail.
Activities
Mountain Road Cycles
CYCLING
(
885-7943;
www.mountainroadcycles.com
; 64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwy; bikes per day $30-45;
9:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat)
The Big Island has lots of scenic roads and few cars
on them. In addition to renting bicycles, this full-service bike shop arranges mountain
biking and road tours starting at $50. They prefer small groups and serious riders.
Located behind Big Island Brewhaus (
Click here
)
.
Dahana Ranch Roughriders
HORSEBACK RIDING
(
888-399-0057, 885-0057;
www.dahanaranch.com
; 90min ride adult/child $80/70; rides
9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm)
Offers American quarter horses, bred and trained by third- and
fourth-generation
paniolo
. These are open-range (not mountain-view) rides, available to
kids as young as three years, but if you want to canter more advanced rides are also
available. The ranch is 7.5 miles east of Waimea, off Old Mamalahoa Hwy. Reservations
required.
Festivals & Events
