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Hawaii's Big Island Biking
- Circumnavigate the Big Island on two wheels, passing lava fields, rain forests, coffee plantations and scenic beaches
- The ride from the Kilauea Crater to the lush Hamakua Coast - an optional century!
- Feast on Pacific Rim cuisine, fresh fish and tropical fruit
- Kilauea Iki Crater and Thurston Lava Tube
- Bike 30 miles of the Ironman Triathlon’s cycling course
Coastal Roads & Volcanic Slopes
Some people come to Hawaii to relax. Some come to play. This trip is for those who love doing both. Sure, you can spend the entire trip on two wheels, testing your legs on climbs through some of the world’s most incredible scenery and relishing exhilarating long descents to picture-perfect coastline. Even ride two centuries in a single week if you like. And what if your ideal vacation also includes swimming, snorkeling and basking on a pristine beach with an icy Mai Tai in hand? But of course! Whatever you choose, the Big Island awaits.
Day 1 Circumnavigate the Big Island on your bike, starting amid rain forests, Kona coffee plantations and scenic beaches 
Fantastic ocean views highlight the route to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, an impressive archaeological site known as the Place of Refuge.
Days 2-3 Thurston Lava Tube and Kilauea Iki Crater, which we hike through with a certified volcanologist Descend along the Kau Coast, passing the southernmost point of the United States Gear down for a 4,000-foot climb past black-sand Punaluu Beach, where green turtles lounge, and up through lava fields to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hilina Pali Overlook dazzles with sweeping vistas of the Pacific and the Kau Desert.
Day 4 Feast on Pacific Rim cuisine, fresh fish and tropical fruit En route to Hilo, gravity does the work to bring you to the island's "wet side," with its verdant hills, rugged cliffs and lava-rock beaches Grassy highlands and sprawling cattle ranches? You'll find them while pedaling in paniolo (cowboy) country.
Days 5-6 Bike 30 miles of the Kona Ironman Triathlon's cycling course No guilt here! Sumptuous meals are well deserved after the challenging rides to the Kohala Mountain summit and the small communities of Puako and Hawi 
Return through fields of black lava to the quiet Kohala Coast.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
I just returned from my Hawaii bicycle trip and as usual, the trip was fabulous! I personally want to express my thanks to a wonderful organization. Backroads goes the EXTRA mile to make each guest feel comfortable with their trip. I never feel "short-changed" on a Backroads trip. The accommodations, meals, equipment and last but not least, the group leaders are superior, top of the line. I am a devoted Backroads supporter.- Los Angeles, CA
Another fantastic Backroads trip! Our first trip to Hawaii and what a great way to see the Big Island. I keep coming back because Backroads continues to provide the best of what I am seeking.- Libby, MT
The place of refuge valley was a wow. The backroads near Hilo were a wow. The road from Waimea to the coast was a wow. Excellent trip - rigorous enough to keep me amused. Well supported enough to make life easy. Gorgeous big blue sky and blue ocean. On Hawaii it is all about the headwinds and they are fierce!! Thanks for a fun week.- Sacramento, CA
Casual Inns*
Royal Kona Resort
Kailua-Kona (1 night) This full-service resort is set on 12 oceanfront acres overlooking Kailua Bay. (pool, spa, tennis)
Kilauea Lodge
Volcano Village (2 nights) An up-country bed-and-breakfast and Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick with ideal access to Volcanoes National Park.
The Fairmont Orchid
Kohala Coast (2 nights) Earning a spot on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List, it offers abundant amenities, a lovely half-moon beach and sweeping views of the Pacific. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
* Premiere Inn
Costa Rica Multisport
An Adventurer's Playground from the Pacific Coast to Nicoya Peninsula
Classic:
Ecuador: Galapagos & Andes Multisport with Haciendas & Adventure Lodges
Ancient Culture & Wondrous Wildlife in Ecuador's Islands & Highlands
Classic:
New Zealand Biking
The Sensational South Island from Christchurch to Queenstown
Classic:
New Zealand Multisport
Adventure Unleashed on the North Island
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-5
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 13, 36 miles
- 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 5 Route Options Available
- 24, 43, 52, 81, 94 miles
- 1000 - 8000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 6, 15, 30 miles
- 0 -1800 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 4.9 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 37, 46, 71, 96 miles
- 1000 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 13, 32, 50 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Hawaii tour experts. See our award-winning USA biking tours, USA walking and hiking tours and USA multisport tours.
