Tell me about Waimea Canyon
 

Is it a drive or a hike? (or both?)
We're staying in Princeville, and I'm trying to plan a nice day drive.
How long would it take to drive from Princeville to Waimea Canyon?
Are there things to *do* around there or does one go for the scenery?
What else can you tell me about a drive here? :)

Thanks.

Do a search on this forum and you should find lots of info.

I did the drive along the canyon and it is beautiful.

If you are coming from Princeville, I'd make it part of a long tour day around the island.

There's a neat, small coffee plantation we visited nearby, but I can't remember the name of it.

Hi Mary, I stayed in Princeville last year, Memorial Day weekend. We left early morning (around sunrise) and it took about 3 hours to get to the Kalaulau lookout. I recommend you leave early to avoid as much traffic as possible. We pretty much had the roads to ourself the way there. There are hikes you can do, we didn't, we just enjoyed the drive and pulling off for pics along the way and back. I would plan a whole day for the trip and stop in Poipu on the way back. You can eat at Roy's before your trek home.

MTM,
Get a copy of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. They have a great section on Waimea Canyon and hiking. The book is also a decent reference guide for the entire island. The maps are good.
The info on the beaches is good too.
-Bill

Thanks. :)
Is the Kalaulau lookout the end of the drive?

Yes, Kalalau Lookout is the end of the drive. FYI - our new routine re: the canyon drive is to make sure we get an early start, to arrive well before noon, as that is when the clouds typically begin to roll in. We actually go straight to the Kalalau Lookout, then hit the other canyon views on the way back down, as well as a stop at Kokee State Park. This routine has served us well, and we have had clear views all the way through on our last few trips. Enjoy!!!

Does the look-out at Waimea Canyon typically get cloudy throughout the remainder of the day? Or are the views pretty good here in the late afternoon?

ttt. :)
Just noticed Karens' question and I'm interested in the answer, too.

So we should allow the entire day for the Waimea Canyon drive?

The people I'm traveling with just aren't morning people, so I'm worried about the clouds later in the afternoon, too. hmmm

the kalalau lookout was cloudy the 1st couple of times i drove up there on my visit (morning), but cleared up on my third try, sometime after lunch, from what i remember. so if it's cloudy, keep trying! i even got a rainbow as my reward :-) this was in november and don't know if time of the year is an issue or not...