The Big Island runs more working cattle ranches than any other Hawaiian island, and several put riders out across open range, spread out rather than strung nose-to-tail behind a guide. Six operators run rides from $130 for 90 minutes to $300 for a private half-day. Terrain shifts: open pasture in the Waimea and Kohala uplands at 2,500 to 3,500 feet, then rainforest along the Hāmākua coast and native forest in South Kona. One Hāmākua ride includes a 45-minute waterfall swim.
Length and terrain separate these rides more than branding does. A short upland loop is a different morning than a half-day on a 12,000-acre ranch. The Waipiʻo Valley floor ride is suspended while the valley stays closed.
Table of contents
- Map + comparison table of Horseback riding tours
- Best horseback riding tours for: Families, value, scenery, and sunsets.
- Horseback tours in Kailua Kona
- Horseback tours near Hilo + the Hāmākua coast
- Horseback tours near Waimea + Kohala
- Horseback tours in the South Kona district
- Horseback tours into Waipiʻo Valley
- History of horseback riding on Hawaii
Map + comparison table of Big Island Horseback riding tours
The six operators below cover different terrain and ride lengths, at a range of 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. Use the details below to match terrain and ride length to what you want.
Prices, details, and map locations below last verified June 2026.
| Name | Duration | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Naʻalapa Stables (Details ↓) | 1.5 - 2.5 hours | $125 - $165 | Value |
| 24D Quarter Horses (Details ↓) | 1.5 - 2.5 hours | $130 - $185 | Families |
| 3Paniolo Adventures (Details ↓) | 1.5 - 4 hours | $135 - $300 | Sunset rides |
| 4Wailea Horseback Adventures (Details ↓) | 2.5 hours | $150 | Waterfall swim |
| 5Waipiʻo on horseback (Details ↓) | 3 hours | $150 | Scenic rides |
| 6Hoʻomau Ranch (Details ↓) | 2 hours | $199 |
Best horseback riding on Big Island for:
Before we start, here are our recommendations for horseback tours on the Big Island for value, families, and scenery:
Q: What is the most scenic horseback tour on the Big Island
Check out the tours by Waipiʻo on horseback if you want to ride a horse in one of the most scenic places on the Big Island: Waipiʻo Valley and the Hāmākua coast with wide ocean views.
Q: What is the best value horseback tour on the Big Island?
Paniolo Adventures gives you 2.5 hours of open-range riding on an 11,000-acre working ranch for $155, which is strong value relative to what you get. Naʻalapa Stables and 4D Quarter Horses both offer 1.5-hour rides starting at $125 if you want a shorter, good-value option.
Q: What is the best tour for families with young kids?
Horseback rides are available for kids from 8 years old on most tours, but 4D Quarter Horses allows kids as young as 4 to ride along on their own pony (they leave it up to their parents discretion whether or not they believe your child will enjoy the experience).
Q: Which horseback riding tour has the best sunset ride?
Paniolo Adventures and 4D Quarter Horses both run evening rides at $175 per person. Paniolo’s lasts 1.5 hours on Ponoholo Ranch, 11,000 acres of open working ranchland above the Kohala coast. 4D is a 2-hour ride minimum age 7, better suited if you’re traveling with kids. For the sunset itself, Paniolo has the advantage: the elevation and open-range terrain give you a bigger, unobstructed view than you’d get on a more enclosed trail ride.
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.
The format 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 Hāmākua 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 Hāmākua 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 is: you cover a lot of varied terrain in two hours.
Waipiʻo Valley itself is currently closed to visitors under an ongoing county emergency rule. The rides run on the ranch property, not down in the valley. If you were specifically hoping to ride the valley floor, check current status before booking.
Waipiʻo on Horseback: Mountain-to-Ocean Ranch Ride on the Hāmākua Coast
A small group of eight rides a 500-acre working cattle ranch, mountain to ocean, with fresh fruit from the family farm along the trail. Set high above Waipiʻo Valley, with sea-cliff views to Pololū and, on a clear day, Maui.
from:
$150
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.Wailea Horseback Adventures (includes waterfall swim)
Wailea Horseback Adventures runs a 2.5-hour ride on the Hāmākua 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. It’s one of the only horseback rides on the island where you can 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 Ride + Waterfall Swim (Hilo side)
The only Big Island horseback ride that breaks for a swim: 45 minutes at a private Umauma-fed waterfall with a changing area on site.
from:
$150
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.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.
Paniolo Adventures Horseback Riding
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.
from:
$135
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.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, Hualālai, and on a clear day, Haleakalā 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 ($125/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 ($165/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]
This PBS video features the Naʻalapa Stables tour:
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 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. Tours start at $199.
Horseback riding tours in Waipiʻo valley
Waipiʻo Valley is the best place to go for a horseback ride on the Big Island. The valley is historic and holds the only herd of wild horses in the state. The ride also includes the trip down into the valley and back up, for free, as part of the tour.
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 the valley, throughout the ride. 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 Hāmākua coast.)
Waipiʻo Valley on Horseback
Small group horseback riding tour over trails in the majestic Waipiʻo Valley - great for families and includes transport down into the valley.
from:
$150
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.
Photo taken during the Waipiʻo on Horseback tour.
Horseback riding tour guides for the other Hawaiian islands:
If you are also visiting Oʻahu, see our guide to horseback riding tours on Oʻahu, including sunset beach rides on the famous North Shore.
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 the paniolo: Hawaiʻi’s cowboys
Hawaiʻi has its own brand of cowboys, the paniolo, and a deep 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 Hawaiʻi hired these vaqueros to teach Hawaiians herding and ranching skills, to control the cattle that had been gifted to Hawaiian royalty and were now roaming the island half-wild.
As the Hawaiian and Latin vaquero cultures mingled, a unique breed of cowboy emerged: the paniolo. Waimea on the Big Island is paniolo central, and several of the open-range rides above (Paniolo Adventures, Naʻalapa, 4D) put you on that same working ranch land.
This 18-page article on paniolo history is worth a read for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the story of the Hawaiian cowboy.