This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. Its mind-blowing to stand at the lookout and take it all in. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It is possible to be both of these trails in one trek but will add on over 5 miles to your total [], HONOPU RIDGE TRAIL ON KAUAI, HAWAII - Journey Era, [] Honopu Ridge Trailhead is just after the AwaAwapuhi Trailhead. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. Ill be in Kauai on April 7-12. We completed this trail on the 24th. Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios: Clap Your Hands (Frederick Alonso Remix), Aqua, Desert Storm, Isar Flowing, Freedom Is Timeless, Drunken Butterfly (Reto Ardour Remix), Sundays Best (Funtom Remix), Lives And The Evenings, Ma House's Deep Awa'awapuhi Trail is a spectacular hike, with the most magnificent views of the Na Distance: 6.5 miles, round-trip Location: West side, Kohe e State Park Difficulty: Moderate. Must do in Kauai! June 16, 2022; Posted by why do chavs wear tracksuits; 16 . This was a moderately difficult hike but 110% worth it for the view of the NaPali Coast and ocean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. There is also a restaurant that serves burgers, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, cocktails, and beer. As the forest starts to thin out, you'll get some brief views of the Napali Coast. Be smart and be safe for the safety of all. The trail starts near mile marker 17 at a parking area and takes . Check the forecast: Dont even think about attempting the trail if theres any significant rain in the forest. At the end of the trail is a lookout over Awa Awa'apuhi and Nualolo valleys, the Na Pali Coast and Pacific Ocean. Layers and water helpful! Go early before the trail gets too muddy from foot traffic. We chose to do this loop in a clockwise direction, starting at the Nualolo Trail trailhead. Most of the time, you are in the trees with very little view. Once you get to the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail, you will be at your car and you do not have to end with the hike down the road. Some people go beyond the official end of the trail (unmaintained trail - pass at your own risk) for an epic view. By. Hello Jovie. Consider hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail instead. By the time we left the viewpoint an hour later there were about 20-30 people showing up and we saw more on the way back. Awa'awapuhi Trail. The clouds moved in and out, but the view of the lush, green cliffs against the blue-green water was unmistakable. These valleys are part Going up Waimea Canyon and into Kokee State Park, the trail starts at a small parking area right at mile marker 17. Kokee State Park is in the northwest of Kauai; the closest popular tourist area is Waimea, to the south. This trail gives you a clear overview on the west side of the Na Pali Coast and the Waimea Canyon area. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. If you are looking for another hike to do, consider hiking the Waipoo Falls Trail. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. and Comments (RSS). There are a few steep sections but for the most part, its a gradual climb. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of Permits, regulations, and fees. Having said that we all agree we are glad we did it. If you are allergic to grass, wear or bring long pants. In the gif, the intrepid hiker appears to be at the end of the 6-mile trail, overlooking the Awaawapuhi Valley on the left and the Nualolo Valley on the right (and almost certain death on both the left and the right). You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. All five of these spots are in great locations but each one is a little different. You need to keep an eye out for a small sign with cars parked on the left side going to Koke SP, after the campground. How To Avoid Hotel Quarantine In Canada, There honestly is nothing fun about this trail, but it definitely feels like an adventure. First 3.7 miles there has some slick muddy patches you navigate while going downhill. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Its also more crowded than the Nualolo Trail. Additional Info Change), You are commenting using your Google account. Still, it was enough to make my legs wobbly and fill my stomach with butterflies. Also, try to pick a sunny day (as much as possible). Took me 1.75 hrs down, had a 30 minute break enjoying the Na pali coast view i had seen by boat yesterday then 1.25 back up. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic. Located in Kokee State Park in Kauai, the Nualolo Trail and the Awaawapuhi Trail are two separate trails that head out along the ridgelines of the Na Pali Coast. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Don't forget to check ourKokee State Park Hikingpage for information on all the incredible trails inside the park. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. You will feel each and every single step of the way back up as you breathe through the humid air inside the forested path. The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. . Overall we are glad we choose this hike but disappointed to miss out on the stunning views of the coast. For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. Also arrive early, once in Waima its still about 45 minutes up the mountain. But you will hike up and over hundreds of tree roots. Swimming holes should be avoided after rains, because of quick rising waters and the possibility of flash flooding. Worth the hike with breathtaking views at the end where you see the Napoli coast line and the mountain ridges. Even when we returned their was no parking. All Rights Reserved. Distance: 6.2 miles out and back. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. Im glad we did it, Im glad we got to share this with Tyler and Kara, and I am also glad that we can share with you what we learned. The trail is a continual downhill hike from 4,120 feet elevation to the valley rim of Nualolo at 2,500 feet. If all that sounds like fun, then by all means go for it. Downhill the way to and all uphill the way back! ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. Hawaii's official trail and access website administered by the N Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii Awaawapuhi Trail DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! We briefly stumbled off the trail twice and I have heard of others doing it too. Its a tough, uphill hike in spots to get to this trail. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The first time we did this hike, Tim and I had run out of water long before this point, and doing this part of the trail hot and dehydrated is torture, not to mention dangerous. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! The 2.5-mile climb up to the 2563ft summit of Lanilili Peak is steady and not overly strenuous. The hike took us about 2.5 hours each way. Use caution and do not go too close to the edge as some of the viewpoints are eroded. Magnificent vista at the end! Then I would visit the sights along Kokee Road. These views are great but they do not compare to those from Kalaua or Nualolo. If you go, bring plenty of water and something to eat. For a nice day hike, you can backtrack to the Nualolo junction and continue along the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the Nualolo Trail which ends at the Kokee State Park headquarters. You may run into a few fellow hikers on your way, as mountain goats like to cling to the steep slopes. DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Kauai is the oldest island in the Archipelago and these cliffs have been shaped over thousands of years. the trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2, 500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer cliffs into awaawapuhi and nualolo valleys overlooking the pacific ocean. This hike is straight down then straight back up, yet it's so pretty. Awa'awapuhi Trail in Kkee State Park - Hawaii This trail is located near Kekaha Hawaii on the small island of Kauai (famous for its beautiful mountains!). Starting at 4,120 feet you'll descend to 2,500 feet to the trail's endwhich concludes at a cliff with broad views of the valleys and the immense Pacific ocean. Check it again.Takes about an 90 mins down and lots of time will be spent trying to secure a footing. Although I cant compare it to the Kalalau Trail, the Awaawapuhi Trail was a major highlight of our Kauai trip and led to one of the most beautiful coastal views Ive ever seen. Awa'awa'puhi gets off to a slow start but picks up steam about halfway. YELP 365 - 244/365 Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. We slogged the 3.2 miles to the end, but it was Way more difficult than normal. We also heard helicopters in the distance above us. Awa'awapuhi Trail. There is shade on this trail but you will spend enough time in and out of the sun that you will need sunscreen. I towered over the view, soaking in the sounds of the waves crashing and watching waterfalls slither down the folds in the cliffs. The man, reportedly in his 70s, was near a scenic outlook when he fell onto some boulders. You get a bigger bang for your buck if you only hike the Nualolo Trail OR the Awaawapuhi Trail out-and-back. Turn left here to head out to the vista point. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. But keep your eyes up: there are some tricky parts of the trail, including steep sections and a few slippery sections due to mud, especially in the first mile. Well worth the 6 mile round trip hike. The Appalachian Trail is intended for foot travel only. The Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more moderate difficulty hikes in Kokee State Park. Here are my hiking essentials. Unfortunately for us when we reached the end of the trail at the outlook, fog had rolled in off the ocean and there was no view to be seen.