Jungle Boogie: Trails, Tales, and Tropical Dips with Hawaii Zipline & Hiking Tours

If you’re a Pacific Northwesterner—and odds are you’ve already knocked out a hike or two just last weekend—you probably don’t travel without scoping out where to get your sweat on. When I’m not squeezing in a run while on the road, I’m on the lookout for hikes that bring the kind of views and stories that stick with you long after the plane ride home.

This past summer on the Big Island, I swapped pavement pounding for a lush jungle stroll with Hawaii Zipline & Hiking Tours’ Kolekole Waterfall Hike & Swim Adventure and let me tell you—it was the perfect “active recovery” day that still felt like a full-blown Hawaiian experience.

Read all our Make a Day of It Features here!

The Running:

I’ll be honest, the Big Island isn’t as runner-friendly as some of the other Hawaiian isles. Sure, there are a few reliable routes: I’ve logged miles around the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, and if you’re feeling adventurous (and have good ankles), there’s the King’s Highway Foot Trail, though its jagged lava rocks aren’t exactly PR material. I once broke a finger out there. True story.

But this tour is located on the lush east side, just north of Hilo, which means you’ll want to get your running in before heading out. Most of the island’s “runnable” routes are over on the west side or up in the hills near Mauna Loa. So go ahead and get your morning jog in—then switch gears into hiking mode.

Also, friendly (but firm) reminder: don’t be that tourist. Follow parking signage, stay out of residential driveways, and don’t treat local rules like they’re just vague suggestions. When in doubt, don’t be a jerk.

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The Experience:

While Hawaii Zipline & Hiking Tours may be best known for soaring high above the jungle, we opted for their quieter, more grounded Kolekole Waterfall Hike & Swim Adventure—and it did not disappoint.

Led by a local guide across 300 acres of private property, this 3-mile hike (all downhill – driven up via van and then hike back down) is packed with everything you picture when you think “Hawaiian adventure”:

• Dense jungle trails
• Agricultural fields (complete with fruit sampling!)

• Three stunning waterfalls
• Cultural storytelling and plant education

And the cherry on top? A short drive and final stop at Kawainui Falls, a private 250-foot waterfall where you can actually swim at the base. With swimsuits tucked under our hiking gear, it felt like our own secret slice of paradise—refreshing, peaceful, and completely removed from the typical crowded beach scene.

This is one of those rare tours that makes you feel like you are part of the island, not just visiting it. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, the terrain was accessible but scenic, and the pace was relaxed—ideal for a recovery day or an off-foot adventure between runs.

Whether you’re recovering from island miles or just want to do something that screams “this is why I came to Hawaii,” this hike has it all: waterfalls, fruit, jungle, history, and one of the most peaceful swims you’ll ever take.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!