Waiʻale Falls

Hawaii County, Hawaii

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Hawaii County, Hawaii
Access status: Bridge viewpoint with roadside parking; overgrown trail to top; no swimming
The walk: Bridge sidewalk view; optional overgrown trail of about a quarter mile one way to the top of the falls
Ground & access: Bridge sidewalk for the view. The trail is overgrown and muddy, with tall slippery tree roots. Do not swim: visitors have died here in flash floods.

LotsaFunMaps: Wai'ale Falls Hike and Lookout, Hilo

Waiale (Wai'ale) Falls is on the Wailuku River upstream of Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots in Hilo. The usual view is from the sidewalk at the center of the Waianuenue Avenue bridge. An overgrown, unmaintained trail starts at the north end of the bridge and leads to the top of the falls.

Plan your visit

Waianuenue Avenue bridge view of Waiale Falls, Hilo

Inspired Imperfection gives the trail as a quarter mile out and back, about 20 minutes. LotsaFunMaps gives 600 meters for the hike. The figures do not agree; the bridge view needs only a short sidewalk walk.

Bridge sidewalk for the view. The trail is overgrown and muddy, with tall slippery tree roots. Do not swim: visitors have died here in flash floods.

Where to start

Inspired Imperfection says to park on either side of the bridge. LotsaFunMaps says to park along the road, with the trailhead at the north end of the highway bridge (2070 Waianuenue Ave). No marked lot is described.

Timing & water

The Wailuku River floods quickly after rain. Stay out of the water.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is mentioned in the reviewed sources.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Hawaii

Waterfall location

Hawaii County, Hawaii.

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