Big Island
Kona
4.9★ from 600+ reviews on TripAdvisor
CLOUD FOREST WALKING TOUR IN KONA
Hiking, Culture & History, Wildlife, Wellness
A 2.5-hour guided walk through one of the world’s rarest ecosystems—Hawai‘i’s cloud forest—where you’ll explore reforested trails, native birdsong, and plant life you won’t find anywhere else in the U.S.
$120
High above the Kona Coast, this slow-paced, immersive hike takes you deep into Hawai‘i’s only accessible tropical cloud forest. Over the course of 2.5 hours, you’ll walk roughly a mile of well-maintained jungle trails—past bamboo groves, palms, flowering trees, and high-elevation conifers. You’ll learn about reforestation efforts, climate shifts, geology, and why this rare montane ecosystem matters. The forest is cool and quiet, the guides are warm and knowledgeable, and the experience feels more like a walk through a sacred botanical archive than a typical tour.
"Our guide Anna taught us the history and science of this incredible reforestation effort as we hiked along seeing the many different plant species in use. I'd highly recommend making time to go soak in this beautiful nature preserve."
Verified Review
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 5 and up, group size limited to 16 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy, with a gentle 1–2 mile walk on forest trails.
WHAT TO BRING
Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a rain jacket, hat, water.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Receive a full refund with 48 hours notice of cancellation.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 600+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Visitors consistently praise the Cloud Forest Walking Tour as one of Kona’s hidden gems — peaceful, lush, and deeply educational. Guides are often highlighted for their passion and knowledge, bringing Hawaiian ecology, native plants, and conservation efforts to life in a way that feels inspiring and grounding. Guests love the sense of discovery along shaded trails lined with bamboo, ancient ʻōhiʻa trees, and tropical plants rarely seen at lower elevations. The small-group setting feels personal and unhurried, with time for questions, photos, and quiet moments among the mist and birdsong.
"The sanctuary is a place out of time which rewards the visitors with peacefulness, inspiration, and awareness of the natural world."
Verified Review
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Hawaiʻi's tropical cloud forest on a peaceful 2.5-hour guided tour of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary - family-forested with love since 1982.
Walk the Extended Montane Jungle Trail, surrounded by stunning rare trees, ferns, palms, bamboo, flowers, and the bird songs of native Hawaiian honeycreepers. Discover the unique climate, geology, and history of this lush ecosystem while learning about its delicate balance and human impact. Breathe fresh mountain air, calm your mind, relax your body, and connect deeply with nature on this unforgettable journey through a mile of sacred trails.
What's included:
Walking sticks, Bug spray, Water, Photos, Tree hugs
Available for Purchase:
Drinks other than water, Snacks, Merchandise
Itinerary:
15 minute introduction to the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. Over 2 hours exploring all of the wisdom and beauty that the Sanctuary has to offer.
What to bring:
Rain jacket (be prepared for rain), comfortable outdoor clothing (pants recommended), expect 10 to 15 degrees cooler temperatures, Closed-toe shoes, Hat, Reusable water bottle, Desired snacks
Restrictions:
Participants must be confident walking on natural volcanic rock and tree root terrain, Participants must be comfortable walking and standing for up to 3 hours without sitting, No strollers, No walkers, No wheelchairs
FAQs
- Can I explore the Sanctuary on my own or do I need a guide? It is required to be with a guide to explore the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary for safety purposes as well as it creates a much better experience when you learn the story of this privately stewarded land from your tour guide!
- When are your tours? We offer guided tours everyday of the week! Check our tour schedule for the most up to date availability.
- What do I need to bring for the tour? Please wear closed toed shoes you will be comfortable hiking in, water, a camera to take photos and a rain jacket. Always be prepared for rain; in a cloud forest it can rain at any time! And of course, remember your adventure hat!
- When should I arrive for the tour? We ask that you arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins. The tour will begin on time, so it’s important that you arrive early so that you are ready to begin at the start time.
- Do you have a bathroom? Yes, we have a bathroom for use at the trailhead.
- Do you have drinking water and food available? We do not have water or food available at this time, please come prepared with what you need.
- Do you have a trash can? We do not have a trash can. Please follow pack in and pack out guidelines. Any trash / wrappers that is brought in by you needs to be brought out by you. When we all do our part we keep the Sanctuary, the forest and the trails clean.
- Do you sell gift cards? Yes! You can purchase a gift card on our website. When you click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page, at the bottom of the experiences listed, you will see the option to purchase a gift card.
- Where are you located? We are located 15 minutes up the mountain from the Kailua-Kona Airport and 20 minutes from Kailua-Kona town.
Do you offer private tours or school group experiences? Yes we do! Call or email us to inquire about what we offer and/or to book a private experience for your school group, organization or private group.Started in 1982 by conservationist Norman Bezona, Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is a privately stewarded, 70-acre montane cloud forest on Hualālai’s slopes above Kailua‑Kona. What began as a reforestation project has grown into a biodiverse sanctuary and living classroom, guided today by Bezona’s family and a small team of expert naturalists. They offer immersive walking tours through native and reforested areas — exploring towering ʻōhiʻa trees, rare birds, bamboo thickets, and the misty magic of Hawaii’s rare cloud forests.
Meet at Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary
73-1865 Hao St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for check-in. Program starts on time.KCFS Cancellation Policy - Public Experiences
Intention: to address the limited capacity and high demand of our experiences, this policy aims to provide all customers an equal opportunity to visit the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary when desired.
48 hour cancellation policy:
Customers may receive a full refund, credit, or rebooking up to 48 hours before your reservation time.
All bookings are considered final within 48 hours of your reservation start time.
50% rebooking fee will be applied to rebookings within 48 hours.
No refunds or credits will be issued within 48 hours (without Trip Protection).
Trip Protection OPTION:
Trip Protection may be purchased at checkout for maximum flexibility and peace of mind, and allows for last minute cancellations up to 2 hours prior to reservation time for a full refund, rebooking, or credit.
Requests must be made by email or phone.
No refunds, rebooking, or credit will be issued for cancellations within 2 hours of reservation start time, late arrivals, or no shows.
No refunds will be issued due to weather unless operations are cancelled by the operator. All customers must understand that this is a cloud forest and rain should be expected and prepared for. Additionally, Operator cannot guarantee any weather conditions.
Operator reserves the right to cancel any experiences at any time. In the case of Operator cancellation, customers will have the opportunity to rebook their experience or receive a full refund or credit. This may be due to, but not limited to safety, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Inside the Clouds: A Guided Walk Through Hawai‘i’s Rare Cloud Forest
If you think you’ve “seen Hawai‘i,” this walk might reset your expectations. Just a short drive from Kona, the sanctuary sits at 3,000 feet on the slopes of Hualālai and protects one of the last remaining native cloud forests in the U.S. The air is cooler, the canopy thicker, and the whole place hums with life—from massive tree ferns and bamboo stands to rare flowering trees and flitting honeycreepers. It doesn’t feel manicured—it feels alive.
"It’s not just a hike. It’s a slow walk through a living, breathing classroom."
The 2.5-hour trail walk starts with a short orientation, then you follow a knowledgeable guide along a gentle loop that leads through two distinct forest zones: a lush Pan-Tropical Forest and a higher-elevation Montane Cloud Forest where the terrain shifts and the trees start to whisper. You’ll hear about reforestation efforts underway since 1982, learn how fog and moss nourish this entire ecosystem, and see firsthand how the forest changes with elevation. You’ll also catch glimpses of native birds and plant species that don’t exist anywhere else on the planet. Walking sticks, water, and bug spray are included—but mostly what you leave with is a real sense of reverence for a landscape still holding the memory of ancient Hawai‘i.
