[Parkcityavant]

Wife and I are in the process of moving to the Big Island within the next year. Looking for the best sources of info for MTB trails/beta/etc. Not a lot of info on Strava or TrailForks, so guessing its mostly held locally? Doubt I’ll bring the Full Squish Bikes, but I’m guessing there is a fair amount to ride with the Fatty?

Thanks, and appreciate the help.

 

[Loll]

Your starting point should be reaching out to Hilo bike hub. The mtb community is small in Hawaii state, and big island is even more scarce. Most people do the beach thing.

Note Hilo and Kona are two different towns on east and west of the island. Which side will you be located at?

Is been too long since I went to big island. i am sure many things changed.

 

[Donkeeboy]

There’s very little mountain bike riding on the big island, mostly gravel roads.

There’s a ton of potential, but a certain ranch control most of the good terrain.

It’s a great place, I’d live there except for the lack of riding and hiking/trail running.

 

[Brad In A Van]

There’s a few miles of trail at Kulani Park on the Hilo side. Kalopa Rec Area has a few miles of trail. There’s the Goatman trail just north of the airport in Kona. Other than that it’s going to be gravel and rough double track, like Mana Road and a few others.

Kulani and Kalopa are mostly wet because they’re on the east side. Goatman is on the lava rock and gets pretty hot.

 

[Specialutz]

The EXXTERRA Hapuna trail is BADASS!!! Some 4ʻ drops and head high jumps!
But nobody rides it. I donʻt know why. I think most of the "mountain bike" riders are XC riders who are afraid of jumps and drops here. Mostly tryathletes. I understand, I wouldnʻt want to get hurt before my tryathalon. I heard they are making a new trail from Hualalai to Kua Bay. It;s supposed to be super flowy.

 

[Taroroot]

Been decades since ive ridden there, but i see Hilo Bike Hub is still around, that would be my first recommendation. I dont know about Kona shops, that side understandably is skewed toward road and tri. But back in the day there were some dang strong xc riders from there. I think theres stuff to ride in Waimea side too.

 

[doeman]

Hilo Bike Hub is indeed your best resource for local knowledge on the Big Island. Another trail worth mentioning is the UH Trail at the University. I spent many an hour there back in the day.

 

[Legdrag]

The EXXTERRA Hapuna trail is BADASS!!! Some 4ʻ drops and head high jumps!
But nobody rides it. I donʻt know why. I think most of the "mountain bike" riders are XC riders who are afraid of jumps and drops here. Mostly tryathletes. I understand, I wouldnʻt want to get hurt before my tryathalon. I heard they are making a new trail from Hualalai to Kua Bay. It;s supposed to be super flowy.

My understanding was that the Xterra course near Hapuna was only open during the event and riding is not otherwise allowed, but, have heard of others riding out there. Not sure if it's illegal, or if legal, not considered pono to be riding out there at any given time? DNLR land, or state land? Never seen anything marked or signage that say's you can't ride out there.

Would really love to know more about the proposed trail from Hualalai to Kua Bay you noted - the when, where exactly and whom is building it?

My wife and I (mid and early 50's) currently reside in nor Cal, but purchased a condo in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area in 2018 and plan on retiring there in winter 2023. This proposed trail is only 15 minutes from us and we would GLADY volunteer to help build and maintain it.

We started riding MTB in 1987 and 1994, respectively, ride three days a week and have ridden Goatman, Kalopa, Kaloko, Mana Road and some other "non-recognized" trails in the Puna district and around Puu Waa Waa. Would love to have a new singletrack trail close to our new Hawaii home!