Compare Hawaii A Tropical Adventure by LifeCycle Adventures

Day 1: Kailua-Kona to Hawi

The Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to the resort town of Waikoloa. From Waikoloa, you leave tourist Hawaii and head north along the coast to Hawi: a relaxed Old Hawaii town. As you ride, lava fields give way to high grassland before the landscape becomes lush and tropical. En route you pass by Pu’ukohola Heiau where King Kamehameha’s temple sits majestically above the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Lapakahi State Historical Park is another good stopping off point with its ruins of a 14th-century fishing village.

Leisure riders will be transferred beyond Waikoloa to the Hamakua Macadamia Nut factory where you join the Intermediate route described above.

Challenge riders will start riding in Kona where you follow the full outward leg of the Ironman triathlon route. The first section of the ride parallels the coast as it crosses exposed lava fields to Waikoloa. From Waikoloa, you join the Intermediate route, described above.

On reaching Hawi, some riders do a scenic outand- back ride to the Pololu Valley Lookout and hike down to the black-sand Pololu Beach

Day 2: Hawi to Honoka’a

The Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to Waimea; a charming country town surrounded by cattle ranches. From Waimea, you head east along the Old Mamalahoa Highway. This little-traveled road meanders across open ranchland, with views up to Mauna Kea, before descending through tropical woodland to Honoka’a. In places, the trees completely cover the road creating a verdant, magical tunnel.

Leisure riders will be transfered beyond Waimea, partway along the Old Mamalahoa Highway to join the Intermediate route described above.

Challenge riders will start their ride in Hawi climbing over the shoulder of Kohala Mountain to Waimea. The climb is up a quiet tree-lined road at the top of which there are exceptional views down the coast. Look back on the way up for glimpses of Maui in the distance across the Maui Channel. From Waimea, you join the Intermediate route, described above.

Day 3: Honoka’a to Hilo

Today you head south from Honoka’a down the east coast of the island. How much of the route you ride will depend on your appetite for miles. While we get you off the highway wherever possible, some of the riding is on the main highway and this stretch of road can be a little busy and sometimes rainy.

Despite the challenges, you are rewarded with some lush, tropical riding alongside the ocean, over rivers and past waterfalls. There are also several botanical gardens en route that make for pleasant stopping points.
The Leisure ride heads south from Honoka’a on a series of smaller lanes before joining the highway near the small village of Paauilo. After a further 10 miles, we collect you for your transfer to Hilo.

The Intermediate ride follows the Leisure ride out of town and then continues south (on-and-off the main highway). The ride ends at the Hakalau botanical gardens.

Challenge riders ride all the way from Honoka’a to Hilo. The ride is undulating rather than mountainous, but the heat and the risk of rain make this a challenging-but-rewarding 50-mile ride.

Day 4: Hilo to Volcano

The highlight of today’s ride is the 10-mile “Red Road” along the Puna coast. This is one of the most scenic stretches of road in the state of Hawaii. Being tucked away in the eastern corner of the Island, it is little-visited and you will see very few cars. The road hugs the rugged coastline: sometimes along cliffs, sometimes through dense jungle. Lava fields, coconut groves and beaches add to the beauty.

Leisure riders will transfer to the laid-back hippie town of Pāhoa. From here you ride down to the coast and along the stunning Red Road before being collected for your transfer to Volcano.

The Intermediate ride is similar to the Leisure ride with the addition of riding back up the hill to Pāhoa.

The Challenge ride follows the Intermediate ride but continues from Pāhoa all the way to Volcano- climbing over 3,000 feet in 30 miles.

There is also an Epic ride that takes you all the way from Hilo to Volcano including a side loop to Pāhoa and the Red Road.

Day 5: Volcano Loops

Today you visit Volcanoes National Park- one of the must-visit sites in Hawaii. The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, the world’s most active volcano, and Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest volcanoes. The park has dramatic landscapes as well as rare flora and fauna.

The Leisure ride heads into the Park for a circuit that takes in the Kilauea Visitor Center, steam vents and lava tubes. There is also some great hiking available.

The Intermediate loop heads a little further into the Park; riding partway down the famous Chain of Craters Road that goes from lush forest to lava desert in just a few miles.

Challenge riders follow the Chain of Craters Road all the way down to the ocean, where the road has been terminated by recent lava flows. The climb back up rises over 4,000 feet and has expansive views.

Day 6: Volcano to Captain Cook

The jewel in today’s ride is the stunningly beautifuland- deserted Cane Haul Road. This deserted back road takes you through woodland, sugar-cane fields, and meadows. You also get great views of cinder cones and the ocean.

Today’s Intermediate ride starts with a short van transfer over the first hill before enjoying a 20-mile rolling descent to the old sugar-town of Pahala. From Pahala, you ride the length of Cane Haul Road to Naalehu- an unassuming town with an excellent Hawaiian bakery. From Naalehu you will be collected for a van transfer to Captain Cook.

The Leisure riders will take a transfer to Pahala where they join the Intermediate ride.

Challenge riders follow the Intermediate route but add on an initial seven miles that includes a climb through Volcanoes National Park.

Epic riders start out following the Challenge route but eschew the van transfer in favor of riding all the way into Captain Cook.

NOTE: the mileage of this route varies depending where you stay- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.

Day 7: Captain Cook Loops

As well as scenic cycling, this area has great kayaking, snorkeling and hiking.

For a good Intermediate loop ride, you will head to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. This beautifully-situated park preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke the law could avoid certain death by fleeing to seek refuge.

A nice Leisure ride (or hike) is down to Kealakekua Bay. The clear waters here make it perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. It is also where Captain James Cook first landed on the island.

Challenge riders will extend the Intermediate loop to the lovely Ho’okena Beach. The swimming here is good and you have a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins and turtles.

NOTE: your mileage will vary depending on where you stay- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.

Day 8: Captain Cook to Kailua-Kona- Last Day

It is a relatively short distance from Captain Cook to Kailua-Kona; from a tiny hamlet perched high up in the hills to a seaside town busy with tourists. En route, you pass several coffee farms and a chocolate factory.

The Intermediate route heads north from Captain Cook following the ridge through Holualoa and the main coffee-growing areas. The route ends with a four-mile descent into Kailua-Kona.

On leaving Captain Cook, the Leisure route heads directly down to the coast from where you cruise alongside the ocean to Kailua-Kona.

Challenge riders follow the Intermediate route south but then take a detour up Kaloko Drive. Climbing 3,000 feet in just 7 miles This is some thing of a local challenge.

NOTE: your mileage will vary depending on where you stayed the night before- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.