Hi all! Okay, I've read the "Ultimate Kauai" (aka Big Blue Bible), but I didn't really find what I was looking for (at least not easily). I'm looking for opinions on easy hikes to do in Kauai. This hike will be for 2 overweight individuals (read: in poor shape ;-D) who appreciate beautiful scenery, but realize our limitations when it comes to hiking. Can anybody recommend a 1-3 mile roundtrip hike that is fairly easy and that has view(s) to offer? Thanks much!

The mountains and valleys of Kokee State Park have varied trails -- from easy, through strenuous:
http://www.aloha.net/~inazoo/hiking.htm

We've also got many paved walking paths to enjoy -- Lydgate Park (beachfront), Princeville (meanders from oceanfront, past the golf course and homes, to Princeville Center), and the bike/hike trail oceanfront from Kealia Beach to Kapa`a.

Also suggest walking tours of Limahuli and Allerton Gardens

One that comes to mind starts just past the Hyatt in Poipu and goes up past the point where people jump off and works it's way through the cliffs and coast. At the parking area for Shipwreck beach head off to the left and pick up a trail that goes up the cliff. It is fairly easy and passes some real cool rock formations and coastline. This hike is mentioned in the Ultimate Kauai book 4th edition on page 153 just before they start talking about Maha'ulepu. "The Makawehi cliffs are easily accessed by taking..." Have a great trip.
-Bill

The Crater Hill Hike at the Light House is an easy hike with stunning views. Reservations required as it is a guided hike by National Wildlife Service at 10:00 every morning. Can make reservations by phone.

Ditto all of the above but you may also consider another "beach hike" of Polihale about an hour before a sunset.

I didn't find The Sleeping Giant to be that difficult and the first time I hiked it I was tipping it at around 300lbs. 360 degree views of the CocoCoast, Mt Wally, King Kong.

The first leg of the NaPali may be do-able if you just take your time. GREAT view up at the "first turn".

Just remember, it's a hike, not a race!

You may want to pick up "Day Hikes on Kauai", too.

What month you going?

Thanks everybody for your recommendations - I really appreciate and will look into these. We're going November 12-19th, which is the start (I suppose) of the "rainy" season. Kal, the Sleeping Giant hike sounds interesting - do you by chance know where I would find info about that (in the Day Hikes book you mentioned?). Do you know approximatley how long that hike is (round trip) and where it starts from? Thanks again everybody!

Cheers,
Tracey

Aloha Tracey,
The Sleeping Giant is also known as "Nounou".
I thought it was listed in "TBB"???

You get to it by going up the road that takes you to Opaekaa Falls, Rte 580 in the Wailua/Kapaa area.

Pass the falls and turn right on Rte 581. You'll be on the backside of the mountain.
About a mile or so, go slow, narrow road and beautiful views, turn right, can't recall the name (maybe auntieM can help?)but it basically is a dead end where you have a small, designated parking area and walk up the backside.

Shorter hike than picking up the regular trail head near Opaekaa Falls.

The toughest part of this hike is the first few mins because of the sharp incline.
We zig zag up it, "take small bites".

You may want to pick up a hiking stick that other hikers leave for you.

Takes us about 30/45 mins to make it all the way to his "head". Don't just stop at the "picnic" area.
BUT, be careful going up the ridge to his noggin...it's a pretty nice drop off! drops off

Double BUT....one tip about going during the "rainy" season.
If it rains, wait at least a day for any trail to dry out. That mud is VERY slippery! I came down one strech of this trail like Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone....without the "excellent landing".

We have done all of our hiking on Kauai in either Teva's, Chacos or Nikes hiking sandals but some people prefer reg boots for ankle support.
good luck....we have 154 mo'days to our return.

The Crater Hill hike mentioned above is no longer offered, the area is closed.

Look in the Ultimate Kauai Guide for directions to the Kuilau Trail in Wailua. This is failry easy and there is some great scenery at the top.

Sleeping Ginat can be very steep, if you want to try it start at the trailhead on Kuamoo Rd. Not too much scenery but it is shaded.

vivi-
I think Kuamoo Rd is the long way up.

The road I was thinking of off Rte 581/Kamalu Rd. is Lokelani. That's where they have the parking area. It's in a residential area so behave!

Thanks Kal! I always enjoy your comments and recommendations. I'll check the "blue bible" again - I'm sure the Sleeping Giant is in there (it's been a few weeks since I've picked it up), but I appreciate your remarks about starting at a different place than the trailhead.

We're really looking forward to our second trip to Kauai. We were last there in May of 2000, so it's been much too long (we've been to Maui and Oahu since then). We're just going to hang loose and not make plans for everyday - just play things by ear. I was considering a trip on the Napali coast by boat (we didn't do this last time), but I get horribly sea sick (even with precautions), so I'm a bit wary of this. We did the helicopter tour last time, which was awesome, but even that trip made us both count down the minutes to landing. So Kal if you or anybody else can recommend a smooth boat trip up the Napali coast for us sea-sickers that would be grand.

Thanks again everybody for your comments - mucho appreciated!

Cheers,
Tracey

Tracey,
Since all of our trips have been during Nov/Dec/Jan we stay off the boat trips due to ruff seas.

If you do pick one, make sure you look into the refund policies.

If there are ruff seas, you guys may want to look into the ATV tours? Or tubing?
Nov shouldn't be too bad. But the past few trips over Dec/Jan they have shut down NoShore beaches due to 20-30' waves.

If you hear they are having big NoShore waves, drive up to Princeville Resort and see the Hanalei Valley full of ocean spray.
If you hit it before sunset and the spray is still around, it's awesome!
Ditto a Polihale big waves/sunset.

thornphoenix- This is off the subject but I wanted to share your pain. I too took a NaPali snorkel/boat trip in 2000. It was after Christmas. I was sooooooo sea sick. I started to get sick while snorkeling then it went completely down hill from there! I spent the rest of the trip (hours) on the back of the boat getting sick every 5 minutes. The crew tried everything they could think of to help me. They were super great! It just didn't help. The highlight of that trip was to see the dolphins swimming alongside the boat as we returned. I LOVED that! Anyway, I wanted you to know that you are not alone in your seasickness. I would choose a hike too! LOL. Good luck!

Kal- Yes, the trail head to Sleeping Giant from Kuamoo Rd is the long, gentle way up. The trail head from Haleilio Rd is very steep and it is not shaded. I recommed the Kuamoo trailhead for people who are not in good shape.

Try hiking the Kuilau Ridge Trail. It is at the end of #580. We didn't do the whole thing; only 4.14 miles - but it was a nice gradual climb. Make sure you go past the picnic table as the best views are further along after a few swtichbacks.

We found this trail in the Blue Book.

Betty

vivi-We're on different sides of the mountain together.

Lokelani is behind The Giant, mauka side while the road you mention is makai side....I think.:-?
But for the first 100yds the back side is pretty much shady. There was a mini "tunnel of trees" about 20 mins into the walk.
The hike from Kuamoo trailhead is gradual but it may be too long a hike to get from there to his head.

In the meantime, a nice walk around Kukilono Golf Course and it's gardens may be nice and not too difficult. We've golfed there quite a few times but it seems right when we're going to leave and maybe walk it, it starts raining. So we have to go to Brick Oven Pizza or the steakhouse!

All I got to say is "Powerline Trail here I come". <knock wood>.

There are 3 trailheads for Sleeping Giant: Kuamoo, Haleilio, Lokelani.

Kuamoo is gentle and has a good view point about 1/2 mile up. Lots of shade.

Haleilio is very steep, no shade, not fun.

Lokelani does not have any views until you reach the top, tho that avenue of trees is scenic.

Whichever trailhead you take, you will probably not reach the top of the Giant unless you are in very good shape, it is quite a climb.

I would pick Kuilau Ridge over Sleeping Giant.

And the suggestion to walk around Kukiolono is even better if the original poster does not want to climb hills.

Also, a flat hike can be found in the Wailua arboretum. Drive approx 7 miles up Kuamoo Rd to where the stream crosses the road. USUALLY OK to cross stream in car. You can park on either side and wander along the river banks---very scenic and fragrant.