Big Island Horseback Riding Tours: 6 Operators Compared

The Big Island has more working cattle ranches than any other Hawaiian island, and several of them take riders out. Tours range from $130 for a 1.5-hour ride to $300 for a private half-day on a 12,000-acre ranch. Most operate in Waimea, Kohala, and along the Hamakua coast — open, elevated terrain that looks nothing like a typical trail ride.

What makes horseback riding here worth doing is the context. The Big Island’s ranching culture stretches back to the early 1800s, when King Kamehameha III brought Spanish vaqueros to the island to manage feral cattle. That’s where the paniolo (the Hawaiian cowboy) comes from. Several of the operations on this page are still working ranches, not purpose-built tourist outfits.

Horseback riding tours on the Big Island

The six operators below cover different terrain, ride lengths, and difficulty levels. One tour includes a waterfall swim. One runs on open-range land where the riding style is noticeably different from nose-to-tail trail rides. We’ve laid out the key details so you can match the ride to what you’re actually looking for.

Where they ride, and how they compare

Best horseback riding on Big Island for:

Before we start, here are our recommendations for horseback tours on the Big Island for value, family rides, and scenic rides:

Horseback riding tours near Kailua Kona

Most horseback riding tours on the Kona side aren’t in Kailua-Kona proper. The closest operator is 4D Quarter Horses, about 25 minutes north of town off the Hawaii Belt Road. The drive is quick, and unlike the Waimea ranches, you don’t need to commit to a half-day to make it worth the trip

4d Quarter Horses

4D Quarter Horses is a native Hawaiian-owned, family-run operation that has been breeding, training, and showing American Quarter Horses since 1982. The rides go out in the morning and afternoon, with a sunset option in the evening.

What sets it apart from most tour operations is the format: this is genuine open-range riding, not nose-to-tail trail riding where you follow the horse in front of you for an hour. Guides tell you where the next gate is and send you across the property. The Oʻhana (family) Ride accepts kids as young as 4. Young riders are led by a guide rather than riding independently, so it works even for children with no prior experience.

• Oʻhana Ride (1.5 hours, $130/person) The introductory option for families and first-time riders, with some trotting at the guide’s discretion. Kids as young as 4 can join. [book here]
• Sunset Ride (2 hours, $175/person) An afternoon ride finishing at dusk with views of the Kohala coast, including a snack and drink stop. Trotting and loping are part of the ride. Minimum age 7. [book here]
• Advanced Ride (2.5 hours, $185/person) The longest option, for riders who want to move. Trotting and loping are expected, and a brief questionnaire is required before booking to confirm experience level. Minimum age 8. [book here]

Horseback riding tours near Hilo and the Hamakua Coast

The east side of the Big Island rides completely differently from Waimea or Kona. You’re in rainforest terrain here: dense green, frequent cloud cover, and the kind of mud that makes you glad the horse is doing the work. Both operators on this side of the island lean into that character, and neither tries to replicate the wide-open ranch feel you get further north.

Waipiʻo on Horseback

Waipiʻo on Horseback runs on a 500-acre working ranch that covers the full elevation range from mountain to ocean. The trail takes you through what they describe as the largest dwarf Malaysian  coconut orchard on the island, past apple banana groves, tilapia fishponds, and alongside the Hamakua Ditch, a plantation-era irrigation channel that’s been designated a historic landmark. The route  finishes in open pastures with purple flowers and tunnels of guava and ironwood. It reads like a lot on paper, and it actually is: you cover a surprising amount of varied terrain in two hours.

One thing worth noting: Waipiʻo Valley itself is currently closed to visitors due to road  construction. The rides run on the ranch property, not down in the valley. The experience is still worth it, but if you were specifically hoping to ride the valley floor, check current status before  booking.

Wailea Horseback Adventures (includes waterfall swim)

Wailea Horseback Adventures runs a 2.5-hour ride on the Hamakua coast, about 20 minutes north of Hilo, on land that’s been in the same local family for over 30 years. The terrain is open pasture with Mauna Kea views and, on clear days, a long sight line down to the ocean.

The ride includes a 45-minute stop at a secluded waterfall where you can swim, grab a snack, or try paddleboarding at the base of the falls. That stop is what sets this tour apart: it’s one of the only horseback rides on the island where you can actually get in the water. When we did it, the pool at the base of the falls was deeper than it looks from above, and cold enough to feel earned after an hour in the saddle. Riders need to be at least 8 years old and under 225 lbs.

Horseback riding tours near Waimea

The Waimea area is the center of Big Island ranching, and that shows in the horseback riding here. Both operators run on large working cattle ranches in North Kohala, 15 to 20 minutes north of town.  The elevation sits around 2,500 to 3,500 feet, which means cooler temperatures year-round. Bring a  layer even if it’s warm down on the coast. On clear days the views run from the volcanoes to the  ocean. On cloudy days you’re riding through mist, which has its own appeal.

Horseback riding tour in the hills above Waimea with views on Mauna Kea. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman

Paniolo Adventures

Paniolo Adventures operates on Ponoholo Ranch, an 11,000-acre working cattle ranch that stretches across three climate zones from the upland forest to the ocean. The operation has been running rides  here for more than 25 years. Gear is provided: boots, hats, chaps, and riding dusters, so you don’t need to show up with any of that. This is open-range riding, not nose-to-tail trail riding, which makes a noticeable difference if you’ve ever done the latter and found it tedious. Guides adjust pace to the group, and experienced riders can trot and canter.

They offer five ride options, which is more variety than most Big Island operators:

• City Slicker Ride (1 hour, $135/person): The shortest option and the most accessible. Walking only, suitable for complete beginners, with views of the coastline, volcanoes, and on clear days, Maui. [book here]
• Morning Paniolo Ride (2.5 hours, $155/person)  The standard full experience: open range riding across working ranch land with views spanning the Kohala coast, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and on a clear day, Haleakala on Maui. Open to all
  levels. [book here]
• Afternoon Paniolo Ride (2.5 hours, $155/person) Identical route and price to the morning ride, checking in at 1pm. The elevation keeps temperatures reasonable even in the afternoon. [book here]
• Sunset Ride (1.5 hours, $175/person)  A shorter ride timed for the end of the day, finishing at 3,000 feet with views of the coastline going to gold. We’ve found this one gets booked out first, so reserve it early if that’s your preference.  [book here]
• Exclusive Ride ($300/person)  A private version of any standard ride with a dedicated wrangler. Minimum two riders. Good option for groups who want flexibility. [book here]

Rides at Paniolo Adventures run open-range style: riders spread out across the pasture rather than following each other in a tight line.

Naʻalapa stables

Naʻalapa Stables runs on Kahua Ranch, a 12,000-acre working cattle and sheep operation in North Kohala, about 20 minutes north of Waimea. They’ve been running rides since 1981, making them one of  the longer-running horse tour operations on the island. The format is open-range riding, not guided trail riding in a single-file line, and guides adjust the pace to your experience level. If you want to canter, ask.

The ranch sits at high elevation on the Kohala slopes, and the terrain is a mix of open pasture and rolling ranchland. When we rode here, the guides shared a fair amount of North Kohala history along the way: land use, ranching culture, the kind of context that makes the landscape make more sense. Dress warmly regardless of the weather forecast in Waimea or on the coast.

• 1.5-Hour Ride ($130/person)  The shorter option, covering the open ranch terrain at a pace suited to your group. A solid choice if you’re short on time or riding with younger kids. [book here]
• 2.5-Hour Ride ($172/person)  The extended version, covering more of the ranch with time for guides to share more about the area. The better value of the two options if your schedule allows. [book here]

See the follow video by PBS featuring the Naʻalapa stables tour for an impression:

Horseback riding tours in the South Kona district

The South Kona district is the quietest part of the island for horseback riding. There’s one operator here, and the experience is different from the open-range ranch riding in Waimea or the elevation  rides near Kona. The terrain is native Hawaiian forest, not pasture.

Hoʻomau Ranch

Hoʻomau Ranch is a small, family-owned operation focused on conservation as much as tourism: a portion of tour proceeds funds their on-ranch conservation work, and the forest they ride through is actively managed native habitat, not ornamental scenery.

The 2-hour trail ride winds through old-growth ʻōhiʻa forest on volcanic soil, with interpretive stops covering native plant species, ranch history, and Hawaiian land culture. The pace is unhurried, and the group sizes are small enough that guides can spend time on the details. It’s the kind of tour where the person leading it clearly cares about the land, which changes how the information lands. Tours start at $199.

Horseback riding tours in Waipiʻo valley

Waipiʻo Valley is hands-down the best place to go for a horseback ride on the Big Island. Not only because the valley itself is such a magical and historic place, or because that’s where you can find the only herd of wild horses in the state, but also because youʻll get a trip down into the valley (and up again) for free as part of your trip!

A group on a Horseback riding tour in Waipiʻo valley. Photo credit: Mike Neenan

Waipiʻo on Horseback (suspended during closure of Waipiʻo Valley)

Waipio on Horseback organizes  3 hour long small-group horseback rides in Waipiʻo Valley that include transport down to the valley floor. Local guides share their knowledge about local plants and trees, and about the legends and history of this rich cultural landscape throughout the journey. The leisure pace of the tour makes it a good choice for families.

Important: the tour below is suspended as long as the emergency order that closed Waipiʻo valley road remains active. You can still join Waipiʻo on Horseback for a scenic ride along the Hamakua coast.)

Photo taken during the Waipiʻo on Horseback tour (see above).

Horseback riding tour guides for the other Hawaiian islands:

if you are also visiting Oʻahu and are into sunset beach rides on the famous North Shore you should check out our guide to Horseback riding tours on Oʻahu.

Maui also has its fair share of equestrian fun. See our list of all Horseback Riding Tours on Maui to learn more.`

The history of Paniolos – the Cowboys of Hawaii

Hawaiʻi has its own brand of cowboys, or Paniolo’s, and a rich history in horseback riding. When the Spanish vaqueros (“cowboys”) arrived on the island in the early 19th century they brought the traditional euro-latin culture of riding and roping skills. The king of Hawaii hired these vaqueros to teach Hawaiians herding and ranching skills in order to control the many cows that were given to the Hawaiian royalty as a gift, but now were roaming the island almost uncontrolled.

As the Hawaiian culture and Latin vaquero cultures mingled, a unique breed of cowboy emerged: the Paniolo. Waimea on the Big Island is Paniolo central, and the place to be if you like horseback riding – local style!

We highly recommend this 18-page article on the Paniolo History to anyone that wants to dig deeper into the history of Hawaiian Cowboys.