A Horseback Riding experience by Paniolo Adventures. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: Open-range riding on a working 11,000-acre cattle ranch at 3,000 feet above the Kohala coast. Four ride formats from a walking-only hour to a 2.5-hour paniolo experience, with guides who match horses to riders before departure.
Rides at Paniolo Adventures run open-range style: riders spread out across the pasture rather than following each other in a tight line. 
Group of horseback riders on Ponoholo Ranch with a full rainbow arching over the Kohala hills behind them The Sunset Ride times the return so you catch the color before it hits the horizon. Riders fan out across the pasture rather than riding single file. The ranch is big enough that there is room to move. Riders fan out across the pasture rather than riding single file — the ranch is big enough that there's room to move. The ranch sits in the Kohala highlands, with the green ridgeline visible from most of the riding terrain. North Kohala's elevation and afternoon mist make rainbows a regular feature, not a guaranteed one but common enough. Rides run open-range style: riders spread out across the pasture rather than following each other in a tight line. The Sunset Ride times the return so you catch the color before it hits the horizon. The Sunset Ride times the return so you catch the color before it hits the horizon. The walking-only City Slicker ride suits anyone who wants a calm first ride at a slow pace, with the full ranch setting.
5 Tour Highlights:
- Open-range riding on 11,000 acres of working cattle ranch in North Kohala, at 3,000 feet
- Four ride formats: 1-hour walking-only City Slicker to 2.5-hour Morning and Afternoon Paniolo rides
- Morning route passes remnants of ancient Hawaiian settlement; guides carry the history
- Guides match horses to riders before departure; strong track record with first-timers
- Sunset Ride books out ahead of weekends: reserve early in your trip planning
Important: Riders must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes; Minimum age is 8 years. Riders aged 8 and 9 with no open-range experience must book the City Slicker or a private ride. Weight limit: 230 lbs maximum. Riders over 200 lbs pay an added fee.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $135 |
Tour Provider: Paniolo Adventures
Activity: Horseback Riding
Tour start time: 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM
Duration: 1 - 2.5 hours
Departure from: Ponoholo Ranch
Pick-up available? No
Included: Boots, hat, chaps, and Australian duster
Cancellations: Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice prior to check in will be charged 100% of the ride price. Six (6) or more riders requires 48 hour cancellation notice. Guests must sign a waiver before riding.
Read more: about horseback riding in our Big Island horseback riding guide.
# Read more about this tour
Most organized trail rides keep horses nose-to-tail: one horse follows the next for the full duration. Ponoholo Ranch covers 11,000 acres at 3,000 feet in North Kohala, and there is enough space that riders spread out across the pasture and move at their own pace. The guides match horses to each rider before the group leaves, paying attention to experience level and build , and the pace adjusts throughout.
Within ten minutes of the staging area, the road is out of sight. The views from the saddle take in the Kohala shoreline, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa on clear days. The elevation holds 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the coast year-round, which makes the longer rides comfortable even in summer.
The guides here have a consistent reputation for working well with nervous first-timers. The pattern in reviews is the same each time: careful horse-to-rider matching, a pace that adjusts on the fly, and patience at the start for anyone who hasn’t been on a horse before.
Morning Paniolo Ride
The morning ride covers open pasture in the cooler part of the day, with the best light for photography and typically lower wind. The route passes remnants of ancient Hawaiian settlement visible in the pasture: the guides know the history behind the sites and will share it on the ride. All experience levels welcome.
- Booking link for the shared morning ride
- Booking link for the private morning ride
The ranch sits in the Kohala highlands, with the green ridgeline visible from most of the riding terrain.
Afternoon Paniolo Ride
The afternoon ride covers the same terrain and route as the morning option. Temperatures at 3,000 feet stay comfortable even in warmer months, so the later start rarely means heat. A practical choice if your morning is already committed.
- Booking link for the shared afternoon ride
- Booking link for the private afternoon ride
Rides run open-range style: riders spread out across the pasture rather than following each other in a tight line.
City Slicker Ride
A walking-only ride for first-timers and anyone who hasn’t ridden before. The pace is unhurried, the horses are selected for calm temperament, and you still get the ranch setting and the views. A practical option for mixed groups where some riders want a shorter introduction before committing to a longer ride another day.
- Booking link for the city slicker ride
Rides run open-range style: riders spread out across the pasture rather than following each other in a tight line.
Sunset Ride
The Sunset Ride times the return to match the light dropping over the Kohala coast. At 3,000 feet, the view extends far enough that you catch the color before it hits the water: different from a beach sunset in a way that’s hard to describe until you see it. All experience levels welcome. Book early: this is the most-requested ride on the calendar and fills ahead of weekends.
- Booking link for the shared Sunset ride
- Booking link for the Private Sunset ride
The Sunset Ride times the return so you catch the color before it hits the horizon.
Minimum age and weight limit
Riders must be at least 8 years old. Children aged 8 and 9 without open-range riding experience ride the City Slicker or a private ride rather than a group open-range ride. The weight limit is 230 pounds, and riders over 200 pounds pay an added fee.
Before you book
Riders must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Bring a light jacket: the ranch runs 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the coast. All riding gear is provided on arrival.
The ranch is at Mile 13.2 on Kohala Mountain Road. A rental car is necessary as there is no taxi service at the property, and the Sunset Ride ends after dark on a winding mountain road. Plan the drive before you go.
Cancellations within 24 hours of check-in are charged 100% of the ride price. Groups of six or more require 48-hour notice. The policy is enforced; if there is any chance your plans may change, book with that window in mind.
What other people think
Paniolo Adventures holds 4.8 out of 5 across more than 900 TripAdvisor reviews. Reviewers single out the same two things again and again: patience with nervous first-timers, and careful horse-to-rider matching before the group leaves. The other recurring note is the refund policy. Riders who cancelled inside the window, including for a delayed flight, were charged in full, so set the date only once your plans are firm. The practical caveat is the location: the ranch is remote on Kohala Mountain Road with no taxi service, so a rental car is necessary and the Sunset Ride ends after dark on a winding road.
# [Video] Sunset at the Paniolo Adventures pastures (low quality video)
# About Paniolo Adventures
Paniolo Adventures operates on Ponoholo Ranch, one of the largest working cattle ranches on the Big Island. The ranch is still actively used for cattle production, which means the open-range riding format is genuine: the cattle are there because the land runs cattle, and the terrain reflects that. The guides carry a consistent reputation across 900+ verified reviews for matching horses to riders carefully and keeping pace with nervous beginners. The combination of real working-ranch access and that level of guide consistency is what puts them on this list.
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