Breathtaking Kauai Hiking

• Green jagged mountains jutting up 5,000 feet above the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
• The immense Waimea Canyon which descends 3,000 feet and is called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Unlike its mainland counterpart, this canyon is painted in red lava rock and lush green foliage.
• Swamps, rivers, water caves, and streams
• Cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and isolated beaches
• The “Wettest Spot on Earth” at the eastern side of Mount Wai’ale’ale, which receives an average rainfall of 460 inches (12 meters)!
• Numerous hiking options, from short and moderately challenging hikes, to overnight backpacking, and strenuous 22-mile treks.

Hiking at the Na Pali Coast

Kauai hiking isn’t complete without a visit to the Na Pali Coast. What makes this section of the island so unique is the jagged ruggedness of the mountains, and its remoteness from the developed areas.

A paved road lines the circumference of the island except for this steep northwest section. “Na Pali” itself means “the cliffs” and the only ways to explore this area are by foot or by kayak.

My wife and I went to Kauai (Kaua’i) for the first time last August and one of the must-see areas on our agenda was the Na Pali Coast.

We had already booked an all day kayak excursion at Na Pali, so Kauai hiking wasn’t part of our plans this time around.

The trail begins at the end of Highway 550 where you’ll find the Pu’u o Kila Lookout. A short walk from the parking lot already provides many breathtaking views.

Go beyond the “park, snap a picture, and drive off” crowd...

...by hiking just a bit further down the Pihea Trail. The trail follows the top of the southern ridge that borders the Kalaulau Valley. Slow down and walk amongst the lush native vegetation and see what you might miss from the road or the water.

The trail initially is wide, fairly flat, and offers spectacular views of the vast, green Alakai Swamp to one side and, on the other, the Kalaulau Valley with its knife-like edges and the blue Pacific just beyond.

Expect to be stopping a lot along this section to take pictures.

Further down the trail, it gets narrower and quite muddy. (Kaua’i is home to the wettest spot on Earth, after all.)

At the muckiest points, boardwalks have been installed for a safer passage.

The mud and boardwalks are similar to what you’ll find if you venture further down to the Alakai Swamp Trail, which crosses the Pihea trail near the middle of its course.

As you near Pihea Vista, the trail becomes pretty steep and at many sections you’ll find yourself carefully scampering up slippery roots.

Use foot-holds dug out of the clay and grab branches to pull yourself up.

Speaking of foot-holds, you’ll want to plan ahead with the right footwear.

The Hawaiian islands are tropical, so a heavy hiking boot may get quite sweaty and uncomfortable. On the other hand, a sandal or open trail shoes may get clogged with mud and cause blisters.

The locals often hike in flip flops, or even barefoot. Unless your feet are used to it, I wouldn’t recommend going on a long trek unprotected.

Find more about hiking boots here...

...or satisfied that you’ve made this quick but adventurous journey slightly off of the beaten path and up to the 4,284’ summit.

Either way, this is a good “teaser” hike that tempts you come back and venture further into the trails of the Na Pali Coast for more Kauai hiking.



By James Kelsey, Contributing Writer

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