Kauai Hiking Guide

Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle”.  Ninety percent of the island is inaccessible by road.  However, there are plenty of well developed hiking trails that will take you to its most beautiful places.  From the cliffs along the Nā Pali coast to lush rainforest in the interior, there is plenty to explore.

The entire island has areas of interest and hiking trails can be found throughout.  The best way to see it all is to rent a car and stop all along the way.  It can be tempting to focus your time in one area but I would encourage you to see it all.  The main road follows the perimeter of the island along the coast.  It looks a bit like a flipped C as you are not able to complete the full circle due to the rugged Nā Pali cliffs.  You will need to drive the entire road as the best trails are accessed from either side of this gap.  Luckily, it’s only a 2 1/2 hour trip and the drive is quite enjoyable.  We were able to hike most of the major trails over our 10 day stay.  The following hikes were the highlights and will offer an idea of where to focus your time.

*all trail distances listed are round-trip*

MAHAULEPU BEACH TRAIL – 4 miles

Traveling south from Lihue, a quick detour off the main highway will lead you to the resort town of Poipu.  We walked beside the Grand Hyatt Kauai to Shipwreck beach.  To begin the hike, walk east along the beach and follow the path to the top of the large rock cliff.  From here, the sandy trail continues along the cliffs overlooking the coast.  Eventually, you will reach a golf course with a small natural buffer for the trail to pass through.  As the trails drops down from the cliffs, it ends along an undeveloped beach.  While the trail itself is nice, this beach is the reason to do the hike.  You are likely to only see a few people here.  We started the hike in the morning and ate lunch in the shadows of the palm trees, watching the surf break.  Most of the trail is in the open so be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

ALAKAI SWAMP TRAIL- 7 miles

The Nā Pali coast features the most unique hikes on the island.  This hike is the most diverse of them all.  Located within Kokee State Park, take Waimea Canyon Road until it dead ends into a parking lot.  Just beyond the parking lot you will reach the rim of Kalalau Valley.  The trail starts here offering beautiful views as it traces along the valley’s edge.  Reaching the other side of the valley, the trail turns into the forest.  The foliage thickens and its shade offers a relief from the heat.  Here the hike descends down a couple hundred stairs, eventually crossing a creek at the bottom.  Soon, the lush forest abrubtly ends with the plateau becoming host to the Alakaʻi Swamp.  This area is often shrouded by clouds with steel grates providing a, mostly, dry walk.  If you make it to the end, you will reach an overlook with Hanalei Bay off in the distance.  Unfortunately, our view was fully obscured by clouds.  Regardless, this hike was one of our favorites.  If you have the time, the hike will give you a sense for the variety of wonders Kauai holds.

NU’ALOLO/AWA’AWAPUHI TRAILS – 10 miles

Another pair of trails within Kokee State Park, these hikes offer a completely different experience than Alakaʻi Swamp.  The trails can be hiked independently or combined via a connector trail.  Be warned, the trailheads do not start at the same place (map) and you will have to walk a couple of miles along the road to get back to your car.

Now, about the trails.  Both are similar, starting miles from the cliffs.  The begining of each hike travels through the forest.  These forest are more scruby than the lush areas found closer to Kalalau Valley.  As you approach the cliffs, the trail becomes more sandy.  By the time you reach the cliffs, there are few tall trees left obstruct your views.  As you continue to move further towards the end of the cliffs, helicopter tours will begin to buzz constantly over your head.  Reaching the edge, the brilliant blue ocean dominates your view with only Niihau, “The Forbidden Island”, in the distance.  The cliffs themselves are nearly shear with jagged ridges all along.  If heights bother you, you may feel uncomfortable at times.  The connecting trail is particularly questionable as the narrow path hugs alongside the cliffs. Whether by land or sea, seeing these unique cliffs is a must.

HANAKAPI’AI FALLS (KALALAU TRAIL) – 8 miles

This hike is the first half of the world-famous Kalalau Trail.  In order to complete the entire trail, a camping permit is required.  Reservations will need to be made well in advance.  If you only have a day, hiking to Hanakapi’ai Falls is a good comprimise.  The trailhead is found in Haena State Park, at the nothern end of Kuhio Highway.  The trail quickly begins to weave in and out of the protruding cliffs.  The trail is moderately difficult as there are frequent ups-and-downs.  If you need a break, the views will offer a great excuse.  The cliffs certainly live up to their reputation.

Follow the trail along the cliffs for two miles until crossing a small stream.  Here, the trail turns inward and travels up a valley.  This portion of the trail is heavily forested offering an escape from the direct sun.  This two mile section ends at Hanakapi’ai Falls.  At 760 feet, the falls themselves are impressive and the small pool is a great place to cool off.  I’d highly recommend this trail as it allows you to experience both the Na Pali coast and the Hawaiian rainforest.