BIG ISLAND

The island of Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, almost double the size of all other islands combined. From the geographical point of view is the most diverse of all, characterized by deserts, rainforests, volcanoes and, at least in winter, snow-capped peaks. Five enormous volcanoes (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Hualalai and Kohala) gave rise to this island of 6500 square kilometers.

In particular, two volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both over 4,000 meters high dominate the island and determine the climate, creating a huge barrier that blocks the northeast trade winds, making the western part, that

The east coast, windward, it is quite bumpy, beaten by strong waves, very wet and full of rain forests, deep ravines and majestic waterfalls. The main hotels and restaurants are concentrated in Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo.

Among the natural beauties on the island, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly the most original of all the national parks of the United States. It occupies a huge area on which stand two active volcanoes, the caldera is still steaming and incredible geological formations, such as cinder cones, pumice pillars and rivers of solidified lava. The main attraction is the caldera of Kilauea, the only currently active volcano in Hawaii.

Near the mouth can come out and see the lava pouring into the sea. A vast network of trails can skirt the edge of the caldera, reaching ancient craters and visit the Thurston Lava Tube, a sort of tunnel in the lava only a few minutes through a forest of giant ferns. The Park includes tropical beaches and snow-capped Mauna Loa and beautiful rain forests and forests of ferns. This is one of the best areas of Hawaii for camping and hiking.

The lush (and rainy) Waipi'o Valley, along the east coast, is the largest and most spectacular of the many valleys in an amphitheater that are on the windward side of mountains Kohaloa. The valley is flanked by walls of rock hundreds of meters high, and is accessible only via a narrow track for off-road, so steep as to be advised to continue on foot. The valley, a fertile tangle of trees, flowering plants, taro fields and waterfalls, is a magical place in which revives the atmosphere of "old Hawaii".

Visit all the beauties of the island is virtually impossible in the few days of a typical holiday.

Between stages can not miss highlight on the east coast, the path of the car Hwy - 19 from Hilo to Waipi'o Valley to; Here are the steps required:

Akaki Falls, and smaller Kahuma Falls which can be seen with a half-hour walk through the tropical reaches.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, perfectly preserved example of a rain forest complete with pond with water lilies, jungle ginger, banyan canyons, waterfalls and many orchids.

The detour on Scenic Drive Pepe'ekeo a deviation of 6 km on Hwy 19 that runs alongside the extraordinary lava coast, creeks, waterfalls and lush jungle.

Along the east coast, well worth a visit plantations and the coffee industry and walks on lava Kehaha Kai State Park near Kailua.

Finally beaches, always beautiful and potentially dangerous than ever not to be missed are: Hapuna Beach on the south coast of Kohala, Punalu'u (Black Sand Beach is best known as the color entirely black sand).

To summarize briefly, the big island is a little compendium of the entire archipelago: in it you can find a little of all that Hawaii can offer you: relax, natural landscape (the lava to the rainforest) and the sea to do so snorkelling. Ideal for those seeking sun and sea holiday.