Alex

I am going to Kauai in February (1st time). I would like to hike the 1st 2 miles of Na Pali coast, from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai. But in the Fodors online guide I read that:
"Hiking the trail during the rainy winter season should not be attempted, as flash floods are a danger". So, I have a couple of questions:

1) Is that tip sensible or excessively cautious?

2) If hiking the 1st 2 miles is OK, does it make sense to wear hiking shoes for that, or would I be OK with running shoes? (You know, hiking shoes are quite bulky, and my suitcase is not that big.)

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Margot

The tip is actually very realistic - we go to Kauai every year in February, and the conditions have never been good for hiking because of the wet and slippery paths. We were only able to do this once when we went in March, and even then, it was a challenge. Unless the weather on the Na Pali side has been unusually dry this winter, I wouldn't plan to do this trail this time. If you ever do do it, wear shoes with good traction!

JC

We did this in October (with hiking boots, but good running shoes would probably be ok) - not the rainy season, but still pretty muddy. I wouldn't take shoes/socks that you don't mind having permanently stained with the red mud they have. Other than that it was great! We went as far as the waterful - maybe 7 miles roundtrip. Be sure to bring water (we didn't and were parched).

karen

We, too, go to Kauai every February and have hiked the first two miles of Napali at Kee. It certainly is doable in February unless there has been tremendous rainfall. It tends to be somewhat wet and damp most times of the year on the North Shore. This is not the easiest two mile hike you will ever do but certainly one of the most beautiful. I would highly recommend hiking shoes for gripping. You don't always get the traction you need in running shoes, but you can certainly use them rather than bring real hikers. However, there is so much wonderful hiking on Kauai, it is worth making room for the shoes. Try a hike in Kokee/Waimea Canyon. There are many, many trails there and you can get a map for a few dollars at the ranger's station in Kokee. Some of the vistas you will encounter there are pretty spectacular as well and it tends to be much drier than the Kee end of Napali.

Have fun; we leave in less than three weeks (this is our 14th trip to Kauai) and we have never tired of this lovely island. It is the very best we have encountered.