Each island has its signature attraction. But it's hard to ride a volcano and too bloody hot to trot over a lava flow. By comparison, horseback riding is a walk in the park, unquestionably one of the Island of Hawaii's premiere attractions. The Big Island's diverse terrain, eye-popping vistas and wealth of working cattle ranches make it an exciting location for horseback adventures. There's no shortage of horses for hire and miles of open range to explore.
The experience will vary depending on the ranch you ride.
Paniolo Adventures, located on Ponoholo Ranch, specializes in open-range rides on its 11,000-acre working cattle ranch. Situated on Kohala Mountain, the views, particularly at sunset, are stunning. If you're up for a workout, try a four-hour open-range trot through high country terrain with fabulous, wide-lens views.
Kahua Ranch is another big Kohala Mountain spread. The 8,500-acre working ranch is located at 3,000 feet above sea level and is blessed with spectacular views. See the ranch on an ATV tour, horseback riding tour or come for a barbeque dinner and try your skill as a cowboy.
Parker Ranch, in Waimea, was founded in 1847 and is one of the oldest and largest cattle spreads in the United States. Hook up with Cowboys of Hawaii to explore this historic, 150,000-acre working ranch. Expect to come across cattle—the ranch maintains upwards of 30,000 head of Angus and Charolais—and plenty of historic sites including the original race track where world record holders were trained.
Dahana Ranch, east of Waimea on the slopes of Mauna Kea, is a family-owned operation where 3rd and 4th generation paniolo take to the range with tour-back riders. Na'alapa Stables is another family-owned, working cattle ranch. It's located on Kahua Ranch in the North Kohala Mountains. In addition to its daily ranch rides, the stables conducts Waipi'o Valley horseback tours and wagon rides powered by a pair of Percheron geldings, weighing 2,000 pounds each.
Waipi'o Ridge Stables is well known for its horseback tours of Waipi'o Valley. The valley, known for its uncommon beauty and rugged terrain is probably best seen on the back of a horse. One tour leads along the rim of the valley and then follows a stream in the rainforest to a hidden waterfall that can be viewed only on horseback.
Another company, Waipi'o on Horseback, conducts guided horseback rides over the valley floor. Riders are transported into the valley in 4WD vans where they saddle up for a narrated journey through the history, legends and wild beauty of this revered Hawaiian valley. See towering waterfalls, taro patches, lotus ponds, wild horses and exotic flowers on this small group tour.
