Kauai hikes and trails

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Don’t forget your hiking shoes when you go to Kauai! Hikes and next level trails are one of the things where Kauai is known for. If you love nature and hiking, Kauai is a true paradise. But don’t imagine just any walk in a green setting. Here, you’ll find hikes that can be highly challenging. They offer breathtaking views and spectacular waterfalls. The landscape is unlike anything you have seen in other countries. We did some amazing hikes in countries like Jordan, Austria and Poland. But Kauai is something completely different.

We are lucky with the good weather every time we are on the island and did quite a few trails. The hikes and trails on Kauai are often relatively short. This allows you to combine a hike with another activity on the same day. For example, we did a boat tour along the Na Pali Coast in the morning. We still had the entire afternoon to enjoy a beautiful hike. You’ll find all trails (and much more) on this Google Maps planner. In this article are a few of my favorite hikes!

Kalalau trail

A hard trail to start …

The Kalalau Trail is known as one of the most beautiful trails in the world. It is a must-do if you’re visiting Kauai. This popular 11-mile trail has protective measures in place to preserve its unique natural beauty and character. The trail begins at the point where the road around the northern part of the island ends. You find all information about the permits here. Although there is a large parking area, spaces are limited and fill up quickly. It’s best to reserve parking well in advance. An alternative is to park a few miles back along the road. A shuttle service operates to the trail head. Make an advance reservation for the shuttle.

Even with a permit, there’s no guarantee the hike will proceed as planned. The trail is often closed for safety reasons, like bad weather. Unfortunately, they canceled our hike. This happened two days prior because of a noro virus outbreak at the camping area along the trail. This 11-mile journey (one-way) is a tough trek to complete in a single day. Most hikers take two to three days and camp overnight. The virus outbreak affected several campers. Some could not make it back on their own. This required evacuation efforts and a temporary trail closure. While we were disappointed, it left us with a great reason to return to Kauai someday!

Highlights of the Kalalau trail

The Kalalau Trail offers some of the most breathtaking scenery on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, with highlights including:

Natural Caves and Hidden Streams. – Along the way, hikers encounter natural caves that offer shelter and spots with cascading streams. Perfect for a refreshing pause!

Ke’e Beach – This scenic beach marks the starting point of the trail. It gives you a taste of Kauai’s dramatic coastline where lush greenery meets the shoreline.

Hanakapiai Valley and Beach (2 miles in) – It is a popular turnaround point for day hikers. This valley is famous for Hanakapiai Beach. It is a beautiful yet dangerous beach known for strong currents. From here, a separate trail leads to Hanakapiai Falls, a towering 100-foot waterfall. This hike is challenging, but so beautiful. Make cure to bring a towel so you can take a swim at the falls! But be careful not to go to close to the falls as rocks may fall down!

Crawford’s Ridge (around mile 4) – This is a section with steep drops and narrow paths. It offers panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean and the rugged cliffs that define the Na Pali Coast.

Kalalau Valley (end of trail, 11 miles in) – The trail culminates in the remote Kalalau Valley. It is a lush paradise with a sandy beach that seems straight out of a postcard. The valley is only accessible by this trail or by boat, adding to its untouched charm.

Okolehao Trail

The Okolehao Trail is one of Kauai’s most rewarding hikes. It’s not very hard but gives you the best view over the north side of the island and Hanalei Valley. The trail climbs steadily through dense greenery and ends at the historic Okolehao ruins. Most hikers stop at the second viewpoint. After this the trail isn’t that good and the views aren’t better than those at the 2nd viewpoint.

Trailhead:
The hike starts at the end of Ohiki Road in Hanalei, on Kauai’s North Shore. The trailhead is not clearly signposted, so it’s worth checking a map or GPS beforehand. Limited street parking is available near the trailhead on Ohiki Road. Please park respectfully and avoid blocking driveways, as this is a residential area.

Distance:
Approximately 3.5 to 4 miles (5.5–6.5 km) round trip, depending on how far you explore beyond the main trail (for example to viewpoints or waterfalls). The hike will take around 2,5 to 4 hours round trip.
Elevation gain:
Roughly 1,000–1,100 feet (300–335 meters) of elevation gain. The climb is steady and can feel strenuous, especially in humid conditions.
Difficulty:
Moderate to challenging. The trail can be muddy, slippery, and overgrown in places, particularly after rain.

Ho’opi’i Trail

The Ho’opi’i Trail is a fantastic hike to try! Though it’s only 1.8 miles long, the trail can be a bit rough in some parts, so sturdy shoes are recommended. The hike begins near Kapahi Road, where you’ll see people entering the forest on the left side. We followed them, taking one of several small paths leading from the road, all of which eventually connect to the main trail. Don’t park in Kapahi Road, but at the nearby sports center.

The forest has an enchanting, almost magical feel, as do many of Kauai’s landscapes. After a short walk, you’ll reach the first waterfall. When we visited this place, the water level was perfect for a jump, making this spot quite popular. A bit further along the trail, you’ll find a second waterfall. This one also served as a setting in Jurassic Park, just like so many iconic spots on Kauai.

Bug spray is handy on this trail. Enjoy the adventure!

Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail

We’d read about a cave, Makauwahi Cave, that was supposed to be worth visiting. But we had no idea the path leading to it would be so impressive! It took a bit of searching to find the start of the hike from Poipu. Our GPS directed us down some rough roads that were not exactly ideal for our rental car. Just when we were about to turn back, we spotted the trailhead.

The trail runs parallel to the coastline of Kauai, this is one of the hikes that offers a unique view of the island’s southern part. Unfortunately, the cave was closed when we arrived. Still, the trail provided a beautiful view of the sinkhole near the cave. As we arrived around sunset, we saw wedding photos being taken on the beach. It’s easy to see why someone would choose this stunning spot!

Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) East/West Trail

The Sleeping Giant is a mountain with trails accessible from different sides. Conveniently located on the east side of the island, it’s especially handy if you’re staying in Kapa’a! We hiked the eastern trail on our first day on the island. It’s a challenging trek with some sections that require scrambling. Despite the jet lag, we managed to get to the viewpoint. So, the difficulty level is reasonable. At the summit, an incredible view is your rewarded!

At the start of the trail, there’s a parking area, arrows mark the path clearly.

Kuilau Ridge Trail – Moelepe Trail

The Kuilau Ridge Trail, located in the lush Waiʻaleʻale Valley, is a stunning hike on Kauai’s eastern shore. On your way to the trailhead, make sure to stop at the nearby Hindu monastery. It is just a few minutes before the trail parking area. The monastery is open in the mornings, with free entry, offering a serene and unique cultural experience.

The main parking area for the Kuilau Ridge Trail is quite small. If you continue 100 meters past it, you’ll cross a bridge and find additional parking. Here, you’ll also discover a beautiful botanical garden, featuring the vibrant rainbow eucalyptus trees. The river is a place where the locals come for a swim and a BBQ in the weekend.

The Kuilau Ridge Trail itself is a 3.6-mile out-and-back hike through Hawaiian rainforest, offering views of both the mountains and the ocean. This easy hike takes around two hours to complete. Originally constructed as a fire-escape route, the trail is wide and well-maintained, tracing along Kuilau Ridge, a foothill of the extinct Mount Waiʻaleʻale shield volcano.

After the 1.8-mile Kuilau Ridge part, the trail connects with the Moelepe trail. The Moelepe part is just like the previous part, not very difficult. If you hike the entire trail, it takes about 4 hours for 13,7 kilometers. This hike is not a loop, what means you can also start at the Moelepe trail head and do the out & back trail in the opposite order.

Hikes and Trails in Kauai’s Kōkeʻe State Park & Waimea Canyon

This region offers many trails, with something for everyone. It’s best to take the road along Waimea Canyon and drive all the way to the last lookout point. From there, you’ll have a breathtaking view over the Na Pali Coast and Kalalau Valley. Or, like us, you might arrive on a misty day and see only clouds…

Trails start from this point. As you drive back, you’ll also find the start of various other trails. Just to name a few of them: Nu’alolo trail, Awa’awapuhi trail, Alaka’i Swamp trail,… Stop at different lookout points along the way to discover them. Both Kōkeʻe State Park and Waimea Canyon are free to visit. There is a payment machine, though its purpose wasn’t immediately clear to us.

Want to know what other things you can do on Kauai? Check this article!