You can park in the lot where Roy's restaurant is located and take a short walk to the entrance. This is a short easy uneven trail so bring good walking shoes. There are a lot of petroglyphs but the only negative thing is which ones are real. There seems to be no respect for this trail as you can tell that some of the carvings are new with people's names. read more

King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail - Prehistoric SEP2025 - Hiking Near Me - Waikoloa, Hawaii

Park in the KingsShop area and crossover from the gas station to the other side of the road and the signs would lead you to King's trail. Pretty easy to do trail that one should enjoy with all the trail has to offer. Can be done in about 10-15 minutes if you are in a rush while if you stay back read and enjoy the drawing and carvings in the stone it could take up a bit. Definitely recommend it atleast for those history buffs and people that can associate with what the trail has to offer. PS: Got to be careful of those golf balls that can fly in your direction given there are couple of holes alongside the trail. read more

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A unique trail near the Kings Shopping Center. A pretty casual walk in rocky terrain with a few cool things to look at. Closed toe shoes are totally recommended and there are quite a bit of terrain changes. Easy nonetheless. read more

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This is a short walk that is not too difficult, however since it is on old lava fields, it is uneven everywhere if not on path. The petrographs were plentiful if not all of similar patterns. There are some insightful signage of the area. Overall it is good but not fit for a King but maybe a Jack. read more

Both times I've been to the big island, I've stayed right by this trail. It's a nice trail to walk along. It's gravel, so it's not an easy walk (very big rocks, so it's a little uneven. We walked along the petroglyph portion which were cool to see. The portion we did was probably about a mile long (we stopped at the shopping center). It was a great trail for a morning walk. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if you're staying at Waikoloa Beach Resort, it's worth checking out. read more

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If you are in or will be passing the Waikoloa area in the Big Island of Hawaii, you must stop and check out this amazing historical site of Hawaiiana. The Malama Petroglyph Trail is just over a half mile each way, out and back style hiking trail that leads to the Puako Petroglyph Preserve. You'll find the trail in the Waikoloa area of Hawaii's Big Island, close to the The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and Holoholokai Beach Park. If at the King's Shops, you can hit the trail from there as well. The trail is more of a nature trail than a difficult hike perfect for just about anyone so bring the kids and a camera, but those who are not to stable on their feet need to take care. Still, this is a hike and you should always be prepared. It is very sunny out on the lava, so make sure you have your sunscreen on, wear a hat and have proper clothing on. Being a trail, proper shoes are advised and no flipflops. As with any culturally significant area like this, be respectful of this place and especially of the petroglyphs. Look but don't touch is the rule here so avoid any rubbings as well, take a photo instead. Be sure not to leave any trash and show respect for the Āina "land". read more

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King's Trail (or Ala Kahakai), is located at the entrance to Waikoloa Fairway Villas, off Waikoloa Beach Dr. Just make a right turn when you see the Kings Shops sign, and park in the lot. It is a rough hike: Not from the perspective of the incline. However, the trail is all "a'a" (sharp lava rocks). At a minimum, you should wear good cross trainers, or even better hiking shoes. The trail also stretches across the street to the Queen's Marketplace. The ancient trail used to be 32 miles from Kailua-Kona in the south to Puako in the North. It linked temples, fishing areas, and other important locations along the Kohala Coast (western, and sunny side) of the Big Island. King Kamehameha passed a law called Mamalahoa that guaranteed travelers safe passage on this trail. Petroglyphs (or k'i'i pohaku), are a lot like tataus (tattoos) to me. These petroglyphs date back to the 14th century. The ancient Polynesians did not have a written language, so pictures (petroglyphs) told stories. The same is with tataus: People would get tataus over their lifetime to tell a story about their family and where they have traveled. The petroglyphs are easily seen, as is a cave where people sought shelter. The trail is pretty much a straight line, but you can venture slightly off the trail to view more petroglyphs. Unfortunately, some idiots have chosen to desecrate this site so you will also see phallic symbols and people's names carved in the same stones as the ancient Polynesians. So please respect the "kapu" (forbidden) signs and don't enter where marked, and don't desecrate this wonderful area loaded with rich Hawaiian history. read more

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The trail was in between luxury condos and a golf course. It was hard to find petroglyphs and when we did find some, it was hard to tell which were real! If you decide to take this hike, you should go early in the morning or an hour before sunset. It gets hot!! Wear pants and closed toe shoes. Falling on the sharp lava rocks is no fun. We took our 4 and 5 year olds, but held their hands most of the time. I would continue searching for another petroglyph site. read more

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The guys walked this trail while the girls went shopping at the nearby shopping center. Initially, it was just something to do. However, as we got into it, we saw more and more petroglyphs. There's really quite a few there. The trick is to go pretty far down the trail; if you aren't sure where the trail is, you're probably in the right spot. There are signs that tell you a bit about the area before you enter. Really, its a quick, easy good use of your time. My only disappointments were that it was initially hard to find the petroglyphs and that some people have vandalized them, adding their own modern petroglyphs (mostly calling out different fraternities). Such a shame to see something old and historic defaced with that. read more

King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail - Petroglyphs - Hiking Near Me - Waikoloa, Hawaii

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What a great trial full of mystery. My teenager thought it was fascinating and came up with thought provoking ideas of what the petroglyphs meant to the ancient Hawaiians. Nice short hike for those hot Hawaiian days. Some shade but not a ton. I liked it wasn't barb wired off and it felt open to be seen. read more

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We stopped by and took the hike. I didn't think it was too exciting. Unfortunately some people did graffiti on the rocks and I couldn't tell what was real or not. I felt the park needed better signs to explain where to walk. It was confusing where to go. Signs said stay off the markings but the trail wasn't always obvious. Also, they need some interpretative signs to point out what you were looking at and what it meant. read more

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Very interesting that it would be in the middle of a resort and close to a shell gas station and golf course. I thought it was surreal and made up. can't tell how authentic it is or anything because you can touch it, no one is stopping you.. I just feel like it should make it feel more formal and special.. not just some carved rocks in the middle of a resort condo.. read more

What a great experience to see this place. I saw the signs for this when we were on the Big Island five years ago but didn't go. Almost didn't go again this time so I thank my wife for insisting we walk through the trail. There are hundreds if not thousands of petroglyphs here. It's amazing that you can get so close to so many ancient carvings. Any one who is interested in Hawaiian history needs to see this. I think this may have been my favorite activity we did on this trip and it's free! read more

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King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail is a very short walk from the King's shopping area where you will find thousands of petroglyphs. Unfortunately, due to vandalism some new mixed in with the very old. Perhaps worth the 1/2 hour stop to take a look as a shopping break. read more

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A great perk to walking the Kings trail is getting to this wonderful site. Best seen in the early morning before the beating sun raises the temperatures and the high sun cancels out the contrast of the petroglyphs. Wear closed-toed, sturdy shoes and a hat. If you get tired of the trail, you can sneak on to the golf course and walk back to the Kings Shopping Center. read more

King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail - Trail head facing south from Waikaloa - Hiking Near Me - Waikoloa, Hawaii

History and the culture of old Hawaii often combine to make visitors and residents alike aware of what's around us. Without the historical stuff surrounding the history of Hawaii, it be a travesty and a disappointment to let it be taken away by time and ignorance. We can't have that! Historical artifacts lkke Hawaiian petroglyphs can also be found here on the King's Trail. It's one of the two larger petroglyphs sites on the big island of Hawaii. I had visited the other one - Puako petroglyphs site, but also discovered this place while driving around the Waikoloa resort campus. The King's trail basically circumnavigates most of the island, so it's moniker stems from that aspect that this hiking trail is fit for a king - or something like that. I decided to walk a small part of the trail on the weekend I was there in late June, knowing that I had a road half marathon to show up for the next morning. I kept it lite and educational. For me, it was rediscovering the history and culture that I have been wanting to do for a while. Revisiting the finer things in life, basically. It was a nice experience here walking the King's Trail and remembering how the history of Hawaii came into what it is today. From pre contact to the overthrow to statehood and present day. The overall experience here at the King's Trail has taught me to be ever present in today's inter connected society. It was fun and very much self enlightening and definitely essentially thought provoking. Vigilance and appreciation for the host culture where we live is vital everyday. I arrived here around 3pm after hitting up the beach and the nearby Puako petroglyph field. We wanted to see more, so there was signage along Waikoloa Beach drive for the King's Trail. We parked at the Queen's Shops, since there was more parking stalls there versus the King's shops and we walked there after grabbing a quick drink at Starbucks. My friend and I took about an hour walking slowly, appreciating the petroglyphs that were delicately scattered through the landscape. It was a little sad that it was like this, but I guess that's how it is. Better to be on the land free than up in some museum somewhere for the tourists and residents. The sun was a little blazing and I started to get a little sunburned, but It was alright. It was basically a rocky dirt trail. The King's Trail is located basically adjacent to the King's Shops in Waikoloa. You can't miss it! Since it's open space, there's no admission charged for this experience- which is always a good thing. No credit cards needed or necessary! Just like the public beaches around the island, Free! For the most part though, the king's trail is open to everyone and can be the best out of the box adventure seeking thing to do while on vacation. While it can be typecast as being boring, sometimes having a mature attitude about history and culture can bring about new appreciation for these kinds of things. I know that I had studied about petroglyphs in high school previously, but to see them up close and personal takes a page out of the history books and displays it for me. It connects me to the past and how history of these islands intertwine with how we are today. I had fun here and hope you will too. 5.0 stars overall. Definitely recommend, if you like to see stuff off the beaten path. Support local A read more

Cool trail to explore near all of the resorts! I actually really enjoyed observing the petroglyphs and reading the signs explaining the history of the trail. A few tips: Make sure to wear durable running/hiking shoes and watch your step along the whole trail! It is surprisingly dangerous and uneven. Like another reviewer mentioned, do not come at night! I can't believe there aren't signs warning about how dangerous the trail can be after dark (I even saw a family trying to enter the trail in the dark!). Bring sunglasses and sunscreen and you are ready to explore a part of the Big Island's history! read more

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We were surprised to see signs for a petroglyph trail right in the middle of a hotel resort, golf course, and shopping center. We didn't actually make it to this petroglyph area until after we had seen the petroglyph field at Volcanoes National Park, and sad to say, it doesn't compare (though it is easier to get to). The terrain is difficult and you should definitely wear closed-toe shoes. The first part of the trail runs roughly parallel to the sidewalk, so you can stay on the sidewalk and then cut over, but afterward it's slow going with lots of sharp-edged rocks and uneven surfaces. The King's Trail is part of a protected historical area, but it's poorly marked and the trail is unclear and difficult to follow in many spots. There are signs here and there saying "KAPU" (prohibited), but because there are so many fake petroglyphs carved into the rock by vandals, it's hard to tell whether you're on the path or stepping on a legit petroglyph! Better trail markers would help with this, as would frames or signs indicating the authentic petroglyphs -- all you get is a map at the entrance with icons showing general locations. It's obvious when you see people's names or smiley faces that those are graffiti, but many of the fakes look similar to real petroglyph symbols (open or closed circles and dots). I didn't take any pictures here because I had zero confidence that I could tell whether I was looking at authentic petroglyphs or not. The only feature you can see here that can't be seen at the petroglyph field in Volcanoes National Park is the cave shelters -- small dugout areas that were used as temporary shelter from the wind. That is pretty cool, but the rest of this area seems so vandalized and poorly signed that it's not really worth it. I would only recommend this petroglyph trail if you don't plan to visit the petroglyph field at Volcanoes National Park and want to get a general idea of what it's like. Otherwise, save your energy and see the petroglyphs at the national park! read more

In Waikoloa, within the Kohala District, right beside the King's Shops are these amazing Petroglyph fields Surrounded by golf courses & vacation condos is nature in all its beauty - unfortunately graffiti is also out there so choose for yourself which are * real * & which are modern Signs direct you towards a small, gravelly, uneven trail in this old a'a (rough) & pahoehoe (smooth) lava flow that showcases as many as 3000 Petroglyphs ( ancient carvings ) I found symbols for Turtles (Honu); Suns; lots of Circles - an apparent theme that has no rhyme or reason to a layman like myself; People - maybe hunters & if you're not too careful, you'll also find the odd smiley face & Greek letters.......both of which I don't think were actually carved by ancient Hawaiian Tribes Pity that people have to desecrate these fantastic State Monuments but it's everywhere & an unfortunate fact of life in today's world Takes only about 45 min to check it out & well worth the excursion! Also - if you can make it Th - Sun at 10:30 AM, there is a free tour sponsored by Kings' Shops....meet at the Center Stage read more

A nice walk. Don't go at night - it's too hard to see the trail and there are a lot of things to trip over. My mom and I rode our bikes here from the resort we were staying at and left them at the base of the trail. The walk to where the petroglyphs are took around 35-40 minutes. Just keep walking - you'll get there! I'd recommend sun screen and good shoes, although I was in sandals and did alright. A good portion of the trail is in the shade, but the last part is out in the sun, through the lava fields. There are tons of petroglyphs to see and it's pretty interesting. I'm glad I got to see them and get some photos. If you're staying at a nearby resort such as the Mauna Lani or the Fairmont definitely check it out - you don't even have to drive to get there! read more

This is a rough trail and no shade, so make sure you wear good shoes and walk slowly. Otherwise you can easily twist your ankle or fall on sharp rocks. The best way to get to the interesting part is to start from the Shell Gas Station at the King Shops. There is not much to see until you get past the restroom portion, and it's not easy to spot the signs located near ground level that indicate the 7 general locations of where the petroglyphs are. The lava rock field is big, but the actual numbers of petroglyphs are limited. And there is quite a bit of graffiti and vandalism. Nevertheless it was still fascinating and fun to look at the rock shelters, and it was exciting to identify the marking (even though it could be fake). Because this is not an easy walk and very little petroglyphs to see in a spread out lava rock field, I would not recommend making a special trip just for this. But if you are staying in the nearby condo, hotel, or timeshare and have an hour to kill, it's a fun activity. read more

This trail loop is a nice diversion from the high-end King's shopping area. Just be careful to take the loop, because the trail keeps going and going! The chiseled petroglyphs are very unique, and a good lesson in what it must have taken to traverse these crazy lava fields. Imagine not having and trail and doing it in bare feet!!! read more

Closed toe shoes is a must and hiking shoes is recommended. At first it looks like it'll be a breeze but then it gets tougher. After the petroglyphs it gets a bit boring. It's a long straight shot and my wife and I decided to turn around after 1.5 miles into it since dusk was fast approaching. Kinda feels like you're walking on ancient railroad tracks. I can now see how the ancient travelers would fall asleep and their horses would stay on course. Not great but not bad. read more

King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail - Closed toe shoes is a must and kicking shoes is recommended. At first it looks like it'll be a breeze but then it gets tougher. - Hiking Near Me - Waikoloa, Hawaii

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Nice little trail right next to our condo. The trail was a little hard to see from certain angles. You're not supposed to step on the rocks or you can ruin the petroglyphs, but it was difficult to determine where we WERE allowed to walk. Once we figured that out, the trail was very nice. Although, It was a little disappointing to see modern 'smiley faces' carved out in the lava rocks. read more

King's Trail - Malama Petroglyph Trail - Hiking Near Me - Waikoloa, Hawaii

A good leg stretcher and highly recommended if you're in the area. Unfortunately it was raining cats and dogs so I didn't linger but even at a fairly fast clip there are a lot of petroglyphs to see. And the rain kept most people indoors so it was lovely and peaceful - I'm sure it gets overrun and that wouldn't be nearly as pleasant! read more

Recommend shoes vs flip flops or sandals on this hike. Trail is uneven and I could see someone twisting an ankle or slipping on the rocky trail. Hiking at a good pace you will get to the end of the trail in about 20 minutes or so. Overall a nice little hike and very interesting too. read more

These petroglyphs made the anthro nerd in me very happy. They are located within the Waikoloa beach resort area, so if you are staying here, it's very convenient. You park at the Kings Shops and simply walk over. It took me about 30 minutes to complete the loop, with lots of pausing to take pictures. There is signage directing you to the different petroglyphs and rock shelters. I wish there were more signage (without disrupting the petroglpyhs of course), because I couldn't always tell which were the real petroglpyhs vs. the vandalism. I'm disappointed that people would intentionally do this to pieces of history :(. Tip 1: Wear sneakers, boots, whatever. Don't try to do this in flip flops or sandals. Tip 2: Try to do it at sunrise or sunset. We did it at about 3PM and were sweating our faces off. Don't do it at night...jagged rocks are not fun. read more

Cool trail. Really an easy "hike" despite what some other reviews say, was more of a hike than a walk. A bit warm admits the forest but we did it in the afternoon and still wasn't too hard. Both men and women bathrooms were out of order when we went, so don't plan on those being available read more

If you're in the area it is worth your time to spend at least a half hour here and view the numerous unique petroglyphs. The trail is a bit rocky but I did it in flip flops. The only annoying thing is people have defaced the artwork, which ruins the experience a bit. read more

I wouldn't call it a hike, rather a walk. It's a great way to see those black volcanic rocks up close without having to go too far from your condo, especially if you're staying at the Waikoloa complex. read more

Neat to see a small portion of over 32 mile trail from inland to coast. A little odd to see this preserved historic wight smack in the middle of golf course, resorts and upscale shopping. Wear sturdy shoes, you can get through in flip flops but I do not recommend it. Wish I understood what the drawing meant. Some look too modern in text to be ancient. The petroglyphs that are symbolic do appear authentic. Allot of gnats / tiny insects and flies as you walk along trail. No breeze through this area, take a bottle of water in case you get thirsty or tired. This isn't a hard walk for most but might be a bit much for others. Several "proceed with caution" signs as you walk along. Worth doing once. Would like to see more in other areas of the island. read more

Nice petroglyphs but not too many of them. The trail had signs but was a little difficult to follow. Would hike again, but avoid the mid afternoon as the lava rocks get hot. There is a cool cave about 2 miles from the petroglyph field. read more