Best Trails to Hike in Kauai Hawai’i

Located more than 1,000 miles from the Western shores of the US, Hawaii is as close to paradise as you can get for the American traveler. Kauai, which is known as the garden island, is the northernmost of all the Hawaiian Islands. Home to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific it’s a place that will take your breath away while leaving you mesmerized by its beauty. Because roughly 80% of the island is uninhabited and much of it is off limits to vehicles,  hiking is one of the best ways to see its many waterfalls, lush jungles and stunning jagged mountain peaks of the Napali coastline.

I spent just 4 days on the island in May and was able to pack in several hikes. Here are a few of my recommended trails on the island of Kauai.

Waipo’o Falls – Waimea State Park 

This beautiful 800 feet waterfall can be seen from your car window while driving along Highway 55 towards Waimea Canyon, but if you really want to get up close and personal you will want to hike the Canyon Trail. This hike is about 3 miles and takes you to see some of the most beautiful canyon overlooks you will ever see before dropping down to the top of the waterfall. 

Many people are misinformed when reading about this trail and assume it takes you to the bottom of the waterfall. The trail takes you to the top of the waterfall and you will never see the full view of it from the trail. When you do make it to the top there are two small falls and their pools which can be seen and swam in before the falls cascades hundreds of feet down over the cliff of the canyon.

Book Your Experience to Explore Waimea State Park 

Pihea Trail – Waimea State park 

Waimea Canyon is the jewel of Kauai and has more than 50 miles of hiking trails within the park. Another great hike in this area can be found at the end of the road. Continue driving on Highway 55 until the road ends. You will now be at the wettest place on the island and one of the wettest places on the planet. If the weather is clear from the viewpoint at the top of the hill you will have a magnificent view of the Napali Coastline. This is also the beginning of the Pihea Trail, a 7 mile out and back trail that follows the ridge down into a lush valley near a beach. 

Be mindful and watch your step along the trail, as the constant rains have created often muddy and gnarled conditions, and don’t forget a rain jacket. It is lush in ferns and vegetation, reminding me of cloud forests I have seen throughout the Canary Islands and in Indonesia. Despite it raining during my hike here it was still one of my favorite trails on the island. 

Kalalau Trail

The Kalalua trail runs through the mountains and along the Na’pali coast. At 22 miles long  it’s best to spend 1-2 nights on the trail and permits are required. This hike is said to be one of the most spectacular secluded experiences you can have in Hawaii. It traverses 5 valleys, winds through mountains, passes streams, waterfalls and several ancient Hawaiian Settlements. Ending at beaches along the Na’Pali coast that are only accessible by hikers or by boat. 

Permits are offered at the Kauai Visitors Bureau and must be reserved weeks in advance. Trail maintenance from floods in 2018 saw long closure of this trail throughout much of 2019. The trail is usually open from May to December. PERMITS 

Sleeping Giant “ Nounou Mountain”  – near Kapa 

This trail which is only about 4 miles round trip will take you to a sheltered picnic area, with clear views and then a spectacular rocky crest that towers above the island. From the highest point you can look at the ridge line and see what looks like a sleeping giant laying down. It was a great view with a magnificent cliff that overlooks the Eastern end of the island. Tucked underneath the promontory is a small cave with an almost perfect picture window carved by the eroding rains into the soft igneous rock.

Watch the Video and See the Beauty of Kauai

Hoi’pua Falls 

Cliff jumpers and river swimmers will rejoice over this hike, which takes you to not one, but two waterfalls and several places to swim. The trail which is on private property begins in a neighborhood outside Kapa. It is important to be respectful and quiet when going to this hike, and always practice Leave No Trace. The trail which is less than 2 miles, meanders down to a river, a good place for kids to swim, before heading up the hill to waterfall number one. This first falls is where you can jump from the waterfall into the river, and on weekends you will see lots of locals enjoying a picnic and having fun in the water.  I recommend continuing on the trail to start at waterfall number two, about another 3/4 of a mile. The trail will follow the river, past lush vine covered trees and past a mess of fallen trees that resemble a game of pick up sticks. Soon enough you will be at the top of Ho’oipa Falls looking down at a large swimming area. Continue on the trail and head down on ropes to the base of the falls to swim in a large pool and fly off the rope swing. Most people don’t stay at this pool long, so wait it out and you will most likely find yourself all alone at this little oasis.

Wailua Falls 

Wailua Falls also near the town of Kapa and not far from Li’hue, can be viewed from the roadside. For those looking for a quick peak you can park in a small parking area or along the roadway for a glimpse of this epic waterfall.   It’s also one of the best waterfalls to view from the helicopter and I recommend trying the doors off experience with Jack Harter Helicopters for a birds eye view of the island. Brave Hawaiian chiefs once jumped from from the top of the falls to prove their courage. And for the adventurous, you can follow a unmaintained trail that descends to see this waterfall up close, walk behind the falls and even float in its majestic pool in an inner tube. 

Just don’t forget an inner tube and your sense of adventure. 

This trail is not accessible to all, it requires scrambling on small ropes on slippery surfaces and is somewhat dangerous. 

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Have you hiked in Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands?