Hiking in Kauai
 

We have 20 days until we land in paradise (Kauai) and this time we are planning to do some hiking (semi-easy to moderate). I would love to hear what your favorite hike is.

The Pihea Trail that starts at the Pu'u O Kila lookout (the last one). We walked on it as far as the spur to the lookout and we awestruck by the views of the Kalalau Valley. The trail skirts the top of the Valley and on a clear day you can look right into the valley. Very nice. You can follow it into the Alakai Swamp as it connects with that trail.

Another favorite is the trail in the Maha'ulepu area that starts at Gillan's Beach and follows the shoreline to the left for a couple of miles. This rugged and pretty terrain.

Have a great trip.

I agree with iamq, and we also like the hike at Ke'e Beach (just make sure you get there early). We wore bathing suits under our hiking clothes, stored our snorkel equipment in the trunk of the car, and then after our hike went snorkeling at Ke'e Beach.

Also, there's a small cliff hike beside the Hyatt (in Poipu area). It's very steep, but it's a short hike, and the views from the top are pretty cool.

You can try these links:

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/hikin...ng/default.htm

http://www.hawaiitrails.org/island.php?island=Kauai

http://www.hawaii-guide.com/index.ph...hiking_trails/

I have to agree that the Kalalau Trail (near Kee Beach) is terrific. I've only done the 2 mile part to a beach. I would consider this a moderate hike unless it just rained and it's all slippery (then it gets a little challenging).

I've also done that Pihea Trail in Waimea Canyon. If it's raining THAT hike is very difficult (thick mud and steep climbs as you get farther into the trail). Unfortunately that's what happened to us and we never made it to the swamp part. But we got to see brilliant rainbows thanks to the rain.

Another hike that is pretty cool in Waimea Canyon is the hike to Waipoo Falls. You hike to the top of the falls so you don't really get a good view of the waterfall but the canyon views are really cool.

~~I have to agree that the Kalalau Trail (near Kee Beach) is terrific. I've only done the 2 mile part to a beach. I would consider this a moderate hike unless it just rained and it's all slippery (then it gets a little challenging).~~

Agree, and we took it further up to Hanakapai Falls. Falls were very nice and a great way to cool off! :) Although the trail up to the falls is trickier than the hike to the beach. Can be slippery and very narrow. But just be careful and you'll be fine.

And make sure you bring plenty of water. Kalalau can get pretty hot on the way back. Enjoy!

Didn't get to do much hiking last trip, but I plan to get in a few more hikes next trip (July 2009 -- so far away!). However, I did want to second the suggestion of the Waipo'o Falls hike. You can only see the top bit of the falls when you get there, not the longest portion, but the views on the way there are fantastic. Quite fun!

The Nuololo/Cliffs/Awaawapuhi Trail is my all time favorite hike anywhere. The view from Lolo Vista is spectacular. It is quite a long trail---took us from 10:00 in the morning until about 4:00--but we took our time. We were so blown away with the views--go on a clear day.

You could also just hike the Nuololo down to Lolo Vista or hike the Awawapuhi down to the lookout---you do have to hike back up though. Both hikes head down first and then you have to trudge back up--but this hike is so worth it.

Thanks for the recommendations.

The Kalalau Trail is very good. For anyone who is not an expert I would go in considering this as a difficult hike. You have a 75% probability of seeing typical Kauai rain (torrential rainful) meaning the trails will quickly become nothing more than streams of mud. Unless you have spikes on your shoes it will be quite a challenge. We encountered rain as did everyone else we spoke to in the next two weeks we were there. Loads of fun but be prepared - water, good shoes and a challenge. Take your time and enjoy it - whatever the weather. Will make for an interesting 'Indiana Jones' type story that you will treasure.

Hi beth_fitz -

RE: the Kalalau hike - It's a beautiful hike (I've only done the 1st 2 miles). Just to let you know, if you are short like me 5'0", it is a little tough. You are walking up big rocks, and therefore, in my case, many steps involved bringing my knee up to my chest to get up the path. (perhaps, I'm just a wimp). It definitely winded me, but I did make it and would do it again.

IMO, the Kuilau Ridge hike is an easy one, and it's beautiful from the beginning.

Have a great trip.

I like hiking up The Sleeping Giant...then hiking up barstool #4 at the Sand Bar.

I will not make any jokes about hiking up Mrs Kal's skirt...:-D

No Advertising allowed, vacations_360!
((S))((*))

Wow - that removal was FAST. Thanks, moderator!
((S))((*))

I think we have decided to hike Sleeping Giant and Maha'ulepu Beach.

Thanks for all of the recommendations. I'll keep the others in mind for April when we return.

I also liked the sleeping giant as it doesn't seem to be as popular as some of the other ones - we had it pretty much all to ourselves. I'd call it moderate - an easy trail, but uphill. And if I remember correctly, you're mostly exposed to the sun, so you may want to consider than when choosing when to do it.

BiC,

What trailhead did you start your hike?

We go around "the backside" and the hike takes maybe 45 mins and a lot of it was shaded.
http://www.worldisround.com/articles...5/photo14.html

hi Kal, great pics, especially if i can spot my house from one of the views. it's actually Wailua, we're just stuck with Kapaa's zip, but who's keeping track? ;)

i like the backside too, nounou, and used to hike it every Sunday, because the trail starts close to my house, it's shaded and scenic, too. my kids in their early teens used to go up at night and once they were chased by a hog. or it could’ve been a mama protecting her young. just another example of hardheaded teenagers refusing to listen to their mother.

don’t care for the trail from the houselots except that it’s not as steep. it is however, longer and hot, even at 8am. so, during the summer i start at 6p when it’s cooler and i’m down way before 8pm or dark. but that’s just to the pavilion and not the forehead-blockhead where you took your pic.

thanks for sharing.

We started from the little public parking lot that I think is on the ocean side. Is that the front side?

Hey Kal,
Love looking at your pics.

I thought we hiked Sleeping Giant a few years ago. We started at a trail near some water or county place, near a residential area. I followed the blue book. The view at the top looks the same. Or I think it looks the same.

I would rather do it the "Kal's way" , with more shade. Can someone let me know if my memory is correct regarding the trailhead? Thanks.

Kal, how long did it take you to get to the top of the Giant????

there 3 trails going up. two from the backside, the first is just pass opaekaa falls, you'll see cars along side of kuamoo rd. near the trail's sign. another is closer to olohena rd (turn R on kamulu rd or sanchez store, before coming to olohena, turn R into a residential and go to the end).

Brian, you went on the frontside (ocean) parking lot off haleileo rd. That residential area is called Wailua houselots.

Alohaaa...
Lokelani is the residential street k_a might be speaking of. Right off "Hwy 582".

Get there early because you don't want to be rude and park on the lawn of one of the neighbors or park down lower and hike to the hike.

Hiking sticks (ie limbs) usually left at trail head.

When I was in shape it took about 30 mins to make the top. Last year it was about 45 mins.

The first 10-15 mins of this trail get your heart pumping pretty good.
Then there are switchbacks so you're not going up that steep an angle.

It's not a race....take in the various views...and keep bearing left when you get in the evergreen groves or else you'll wind up walking beneath his backside.

k_a....was that YOU waving to us? :-O

Has anyone ever done the Kukui Trail, down to the bottom of Waimea Canyon and back up? Only 5 miles round trip, but we were kicking ourselves for having decided to do this thing last spring. Steep and grueling and not marked very well! Took us 3.5 hours and we didn't bring enough water.

ai Kal, that's it, you say it so fluently :D there's no street sign, so i just wave my arm and say, "follow the mt that goes like this." hahaha

in my younger years, i've hiked down to the canyon (i'm pretty sure it's kukui) with friends, while our "dates" hunted (ugh). we camped and made it to town. i liked it because we can cool off in the river. i've hiked most of the marked trails here and have to say my top favorites are kalalau, awaawapuhi and the one at so. shore. oh and like Kal, any barstool serving adult beverages and talk story ;)

Mahalo!

And you'd be surprised what you learn at some local bars when you keep your mouth closed, ears open and are respectful to the locals.
;)

Great pics Kal :)

I keep forgetting to fix the pix with the "objects may not be a large as pictured" warning.

You mean you're a free safety and not a nose tackle ;)

Yeah...I'm a regular Twiggy!

Remember a...the camera always adds 45 lbs to Polish Ukranian Americans!
[-X

I'll remember that Kal :)