One of our favorite hobbies when traveling to a new area is to explore off the beaten path places and things to do. We usually spend a day or two driving around and stopping at random places that we think are interesting. This was how we discovered Kapoho Kalapana Road (Route 137), also known as Red Road. Kapoho Kalapana Road (Route 137) is hands down our most favorite scenic drive on the Big Island, yet not many people know about it. This road is full of hidden gems from a secret swing to sea arches, tree tunnels, rugged coastline, black sand beaches and more.
STATS:
Where:
Starting from Kaimu Beach Park to Isaac Hale Beach Park.
Coordinates: 19°21’45.1″N 154°58’00.5″W
Parking:
Some beaches have parking lots. Most of the time, parking is on the shoulders of the road. Please be respectful if you park on the road. Also, DO NOT leave valuables in the car.
Fees: Free
Restrooms:
The only restrooms along the road would be at either at Mackenzie State Recreation Area or Isaac Hale Beach Park.
Distance: 11 miles
Elevation: 460 ft
Level: Easy
Estimated Completion Time:
At least 3 hours for the drive.
Ideal Weather:
Sunny days are best for this drive as it is a winding road. You can see the scenery better too.
Ideal Time:
Anytime up to sunset…You can’t see much at night.
Dog-friendly: Yes
Other things to know:
There are a few food and drinks vendors on the road but no gas stations anywhere close. Make sure you fill up that gas tank before going.
THE ADVENTURE:
On our last trip to the Big Island, we wanted to stay close to where the lava was pouring out to the ocean. Dustin really wanted to get some awesome photos of the flowing lava. Therefore, we found a super awesome Airbnb that is built right on top of the barren lava in the remote town of Kalapana. This place is pretty awesome, especially if you are up for an adventure. You will be in the middle of a giant, almost empty lava field. There are a few houses sparingly stretch across the vast emptiness. Surprisingly, there are tons of plant life and some rough pineapples growing out of the seemingly bleak black lava. The night sky here is to die for though.
Unfortunately, because of the eruption last year, 2018, there won’t be any lava flow for quite some time. Regardless, I’m glad we found that super unique Airbnb because it was how we found out about the awesome Kapoho Kalapana Road Scenic Drive. This road is also called Red Road because of its unique red cinder pavement. However, most of the road was resurfaced with traditional black asphalt in 2000. Still, most people still call it the Red Road.
We started our scenic drive at the corner of Pahoa Kalapana Rd and Kapoho Kalapana Road. At this corner, coming from Hilo, if you make a right, you’ll go to Kaimu Beach and Uncle Robert’s Bar. It is pretty much the end of the road here. KaimÅ« beach is a very young black sand beach since it was born from the eruption in 1990. At one time, it was one of the most beautiful beaches on the Big Island. Now, it is a black sand beach forming 50ft above the old beach. Anyways, we turned left here instead and follow this road a little bit passed Isaac Hale Beach Park, where the recent 2018 lava flow took over the road.
Kapoho Kalapana Road Scenic Drive takes you through some of the most gorgeous scenery, reminiscent of the old Hawaii. It follows the rugged coastline and snakes around tree tunnels with dangling vines, rocky lava fields, coconut groves, tropical rainforest, black sand beaches. Be warned, this is a winding one-lane road that can be very narrow in some parts. Therefore, please take your time when driving this road. Besides, what else do you have to do besides enjoying this breathtaking place? Below is the list of our most favorite stops. Most of them don’t have an actual address so we included the coordinates. If you are to visit these places, please be respectful to the locals and the land, park off the road and take your trash with you.
Kehena Black Sand Beach
(19°23’40.8″N 154°55’46.6″W)
According to the locals we’ve met at Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar, Kehena Beach is a gorgeous black sand beach lined with palm trees. It is also clothing optional so be warned if you intending to make a stop here. Every Sunday, the whole neighborhood gathers here for “Sunday Funday.” This involves drum circles, dancing, nudity, and whatever else you might think that was going on at Woodstock.
If you want to avoid all that, go there early on a weekday. This beach definitely deserves a visit. Parking is limited along the side of the road. The trail is rocky and steep but quite short. Once you see the heart made out of coral in front of the ocean, go left to climb down a short cliff. You can do it in sandals but it would be easier with water shoes or hiking shoes. The rocks on the beach transition from big smooth lava rocks to little pebbles to fine grains of black sand.
It hurts a little bit to walk on the bigger rocks. There are a lot of places to hang out. Right when you climb down from the top, there are some big tidepools with bright orange sea anemones and big crabs. Be careful if you are hanging out around the rocks, the currents are strong here. It is not good for swimming.
Sea Arch
We didn’t realize that there is a sea arch here when we pulled over. I saw a little dirt road leading out to the water so we decided to check it out. After we parked, we noticed a few trails leading to the left. As we followed it, it took us over to a gorgeous ocean view with a small sea arch. This formation has a limited life span. The sea arch will eventually crumble due to the constant battering by powerful waves.
Hala tree grove and Cliff view
This quick stop will take you through a small Hala tree grove to a beautiful cliff view. There is a small trail that goes along the cliff on the left-hand side to give you a better view. However, be careful if you do go. It is narrow with no railing. You can spend a few moments inside the tree grove and admire these unique trees and their roots. This area has a lot of bugs though so don’t forget your bug spray.
Secret Swing and Tree Tunnel
This place is my second favorite thing on this list. It is because I have a weird obsession with swings. There is a gorgeous tree tunnel and a tall, twisted tree right in front of the trailhead. The swing is on your right, facing the water. It is hidden under a canopy of trees. This place has A LOT of bugs. Some of them are so small that you can’t see them. And their bites burn for at least 30 minutes. Yes, we’re speaking from experience. So, make sure you spray a ton of bug spray before going in here.
Palm Tree Grove Overlooking the Ocean
My most favorite place! We missed this place the first time around as the road here splits in two. If you go straight, you’ll continue to Pohoiki Black Sand Beach. The road to the right is very short and will loop back to the main road, but it follows along the coastline with coconut trees. We brought our hammocks with us so we hang them on the coconut trees next to the cliff. The sound of the ocean waves crashing mixed with the gentle wind makes this place an ultimate relaxing place.
Isaac Hale Beach Park/ Pohoiki Black Sand Beach
As we drove toward Pohoiki Beach, the road suddenly turned from tropical foresty to black lava fields. Apparently, because of the most recent eruption in 2018, lava has taken over this portion of the road, starting between MacKenzie State Park and Pohoiki Beach. The road had been cleared up to the Pohoiki Beach. However, the destruction there is still fresh. Most of the landscape is filled with black, jagged lava, except for patches of bleached out, bone dry trees. It is crazy to contemplate how powerful Pele is. It is considered disrespectful to walk on the recent lava flow so please stay off of it.
As part of this destruction, Pohoiki Black Sand Beach was also overtaken by the lava. There are several parking lots that you can park in. From the parking lots, you can see where the lava abruptly stopped. The black sand beach is still intact. The lava flow came right up to it on the left-hand side if you’re facing the ocean. There are signs asking visitors to respect Pele. We also found offerings along with planted coconut trees around the edge of the flow. The locals had written their names and messages on these coconuts. We weren’t sure what the meaning of these coconut trees is but we would like to think that the Hawaiian planted them there to show hope.
You used to be able to take this road all the back to Pahoa. However, the road right after this park is buried under a massive field of cooling lava. You’ll have to make a U-turn from here. You shouldn’t be driving on Kapoho Kalapana Road Scenic Drive after dark. Even local residents stay off it. There are also plenty of legends about ancient spirits or “night marchers” who roam the Red Road at night.
If you’re spending some time on the Hilo side of the Big Island, don’t forget to check out the short but beautiful hike, Rainbow Falls or the Onomea Bay trail which located along the Onomea Scenic Drive. If you are adventurous, check out the lava caves, Kaumana Caves. Another unique scenic drive is the Chain of Crater road. Also, don’t forget to check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island. If you’re in Kona, Kiholo Bay is a cool off the beaten path beach to hiking to. You can also go snorkel at Two Step.
You can also hear Dustin talk about some of our favorite things to do on the Big Island on the Between The Mountains Podcast
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!
RECOMMEND GEAR:
Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
• Hiking or water shoes
It helps with a certain trail down the lava rocks. Vy’s shoes are North Face HedgeHog GTX. Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoe.
• Snacks and Lunches
There are no food or drink vendors along the road so make sure you brink plenty of food and drinks.
• Sunscreen:
It gets hot out here. PLEASE bring sunscreen. We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter – Zinc Oxide – Coral Reef Safe and All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion – Coral Reef Safe (3 oz)(2-Pack) or Stream2Sea SPF 30 Reef Safe Sport Tinted Sunscreen.
• Water
Bring more than you think you need, especially if you plan on hiking, exploring. It gets toasty here and there are no food or drink vendors
• Beach gear
If you want to spend time at the beach
• Gas
Make sure to fill your tank before entering the part. There are no gas stations here.
• First-aid kit
This area is very remote, it’s always good to come prepared.
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III
Gopro Hero 7 Black
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
• Accessories:
Bobber – Floating Hand Grip for GoPro HERO Cameras
2 Comments
karen
LOVE your whole website. found it researching the Big Island, Hawai’i. it looks amzing. We are heading there this dEcember 2021 qith our four boys; 10,13,16 and 18. We are adventurous and want some relaxing beach time but mostly hope to explore and experince the magic and culture and climate. Any suggestions of Where should we stay? And should we plan to move to new locations to be able to experience more and be on the road less? we will have at least two weeks there. Thanks so much! And thank you for sharing your passion with the rest of us. 🙂
Vy
Hi Karen, thank you so much for stopping by. We LOVE Big Islands and Hawaii in general. We’re glad you guys are making a trip there. You won’t regret it. We recommend staying in at least 2 different areas. Big Islands is the biggest island in Hawaii, and there is SO MUCH to explore and it will save you time traveling back and forth. Some of the good areas to stay at are Kona (a busier town with good restaurants and driving distance to a lot of places along that side of the island), Hilo (a cute little town with good food and driving distance to volcano areas and Kanauma caves, waterfalls), Volcano (we like this town because it’s super close to Volcano National Park, and closer to Greensand beach and Blacksand Beach). Hope you guys have a wonderful time!