Wiamea Canyon -- Kuaui
 

I'm planning to drive around Kuaui, and up to Wiamea Canyon. Is the trip up especially windy, or with steep drops? I'm afraid of heights, and steep drop offs will take away any enjoyment for me. If this is the case, I'd plan a different itinerary while the rest of my family does this trip.

I loved Waimea Canyon but the drive up did unerve me a bit. I wasn't driving so on the way up the drop offs were on my side. I'm not petrified of heights but I don't like being on winding roads when there is a drop. It's beautiful though. Maybe close your eyes until the car stops and then take a peek??

I don't recall the drive up to be that bad, but I was driving and my wife was sleeping, so if there was a steep drop, I didn't see it. There wasn't much traffic either, so it's not like you're squeezing two cars on very narrow roads.
Whatever it takes to get there, make the trip. You'll see Ni'ihau in the distance along the way and the Canyon itself is quite unbelievable.

LoL,
It really shouldn't be a prob.

If you do a risk/benefit evaluation, it's worth the risk IMHO. Just make sure the weather will be cooperating.

We usually drive up Waimea Canyon Rd and then come down Kokee Rd aka: Rte 550 and work in a Polihale sunset.

You really don't see very large views of any drop offs...but then again, I remember all of our drives over Old Hwy 40 to Donner Lake in the early 60s so I may be used to drop offs? :-?

Kal: Risk/bene eval?! Should we update our wills?

Lois: The road is winding but not many sharp turns, and if you look up and ahead, the drops won't bother you much. It is gorgeous, called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for a good reason.

Thanks for all the advice. I must admit, I am better than I used to be. Having spent most my life on Long Island, at 5 ft. above sea level, with the entire island flat, heights unnerve me. This past summer, at the Grand Canyon, I had to stay back from the edge, and held my breath watching my grown kids bravely looking over the edge, and also, taking the trails down. I have braved Canyonlands in Utah, and Sequoia Nat'l Park, which truly was the most unnerving drive of my life. I will let you know how I make out. I do plan to give it a try!

I thought it was fine. Not as bad as Rocky Mountain National Park, or the Isle of Sky in Scotland. I was so scared on THOSE roads, but not the Waimea Canyon. It was so gorgeous, definitely do the drive. :)

Amelie, I will definitely keep Rocky Mountain and Isle of Sky off my 'places to go' list! Thanks all for the input. I intend to brave it! I'll let you know how I made out.

Lois: another one, California Highway 1, one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., it is hours of winding sharp turns with steep drops of hundreds of feet down to the Pacific. When it's sunny, convertible is the way to go, when it's fogged in, go elsewhere.

Anyone drove Skippers Canyon on the south island of new zealand. IMO the most scariest drive ever! It makes the Waimea Canyon road seem like childs play! Take the Kokee road up from Kekaha to avoid the steep dropp offs. Waimea Canyon rd. from Waimea town is more steep, with dropoffs.

Thanks again to all, for the information. Koa, your mention of South Island of NZ brought back memories of those winding, hairpin turns, with steep drop-offs. We saw a car almost go off the road on one! We were on a tour for that segment. Could not have handled it otherwise! [and I don't think we were on the drive you mentioned!] Much of the south island is harrowing...

I appreciate the information on both paths to Wiamea Canyon. It is recommended, in Kuaui Revealed, to go the route Kal recommnded, because the views are better. However, if the trip is less 'exciting' I might be better off the other route.

I honestly don't remember the road to Waimea Canyon being out of the ordinary, but fortunately I'm not bothered by what some feel are scary roads. No one has mentioned that there are a number of lookouts on the way up and each gives a different perspective of this beautiful place. We first visited a year or so before Ineke (?spelling) which devastated the island, and on our return trip some of the lookouts had changed. But all are worthwhile and it makes for a leisurely, pleasurable trip.

Take a picnic lunch and stop at Kokee Park, where there are tables, and eat with all the "fancy" roosters. There is a small museum there and a little gift shop. If you're lucky, you might see some Nene. I was thrilled to see a group on our last visit.