Situated in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii, Silver Falls Ranch offers visitors a venture through the island’s lush landscapes atop well-trained horses, weaving a distinctive experience that transcends a conventional ride. The ranch, noted for its scenic waterfall tours that envelop a waterfall swim and a picnic lunch, steers a commitment towards not merely furnishing a ride, but a traverse through Kauai’s serene environment.
In a visual exploration facilitated by Olivia Ruff, the 300-acre breadth of Silver Falls Ranch is delineated, with its panoramic vistas and Mount Namahana forming a tranquil backdrop. Three divergent tours are proffered by the ranch, each formulated to adhere to varying preferences and simultaneously display the endemic flora and serene waterfalls of the locale. “We do three different tours,” outlines a guide during the video exploration, elucidating further, “We do an hour and a half of straight trail riding; they will ride past the waterfall to check it out. But our other two tours, we actually dismount and give you time to hang out at the waterfall, go swim, have some snacks.”
Silver Falls Ranch, operational for 25 years, is positioned as the nearest property within the old volcano, Mount Namahana, a formidable entity that sculpted the north shore. According to a guide, once visitors reach deeper into the backcountry, they are introduced to a more profound experience of native flora, including “all three species of koa; you’ll see ohia, all of our native ferns and wild orchids, and all that.”
A distinguishing factor elucidated by the ranch is their inclusivity in accommodating riders up to 300 pounds and welcoming children as young as five years on the trail rides. “One thing that really sets us apart is we’ll take riders up to 300 pounds,” states a representative of the ranch. The horses, exemplified by Akamai and Alika, are celebrated for their patience and propensity for seeking sustenance, all while handling riders adeptly through the trails.
A commendable practice employed by the ranch to maintain the welfare of the horses involves interspersing their work periods with substantial breaks. “For these horses, they do work really hard for us, and we do like to reward them to give them some time off, so we actually send them out on vacation. They’ll work for a month or two, and we’ll give them a couple of weeks off,” shares an employee during the video, illustrating a humane approach towards the creatures that significantly contribute to the experiences curated by the ranch.
While a sense of serenity and immersion in nature is provided by Silver Falls Ranch, the facilitators insist that their offerings are embedded in the primal joy of being amidst nature. “I think the best thing we have to offer here at the ranch is just being out in nature, being close to the mountain, being surrounded by a bunch of fresh water,” one states, subtly underlining the tranquil encounters the ranch offers without overshadowing the intrinsic value of the landscapes themselves.
Positioned on the north shore just outside of Kilauea town up Kalihiwai Ridge, Silver Falls Ranch extends beyond an equestrian venture, offering an intersection with nature, nestled amidst freshwater and the enveloping proximity of a mountain, presenting a method through which the interior of Kauai can be explored and appreciated.