Since this is a loop, you can hike these trails clockwise or counterclockwise. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. All downhill on the way out, all uphill on the way back (opposite of what I'm used to) and oddly not as bad as I thought it would be. As of March 11, 2014, the Kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase. Not for those terrified of heights. The trail is not too difficult, just bring lots of water if it's hot. The hike isn't too bad and wasn't muddy when we went. We were on the Garden Island after all. It is before the Kalalau lookout but still takes well over 30 minutes to reach there from Waimea Town. Not much to see until the very end, but absolutely magnificent when you reach it. The path itself wasnt too challenging up to this point but it is clay dirt over rock and tree roots, so there are lots of places that get extremely slippery in the rain. We walked the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, on the north end from Ke'e Beach. This trail isnt too difficult, won't take up too much of your day, and it brings you to breathtaking views, overlooking the Nualolo and Awa'awapuhi valleys. Even though it rained all night last night, the hike was totally do-able. You can read more about the "loop" on ourNualolo Trailentry. I dont know of any guides to recommend. When you reach the falls, you will be in awe of its size and beauty. What would you like to know about this attraction? NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: Permit holders and trail users are advised to comply with any and all NYS COVID-19 Executive Orders/Mandates. Because it rains nearly every other dayyou will encounter mud and slippery leaves and mud holes upto 4" deep. If all that sounds like fun, then by all means go for it. When we reached it was bit cloudy, but we waited 15 minutes and it cleared. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. As the forest starts to thin out, you'll get some brief views of the Napali Coast. For the first 2 miles, you will be hiking downhill, either through a forest or through dense brush and grass. If you decide to take all the connecting trails, you're looking at a 9-mile trek. There were no signs or other indications of the closure. BEST OF MAUI: We have a list about the top experiences in Maui and how to put it all together in our Maui Itinerary. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The crisscrossing of trails and 4x4 roads can be confusing at first, but once you select your routes, it's not too bad. Most people stop on the grassy/sandy cliffs at the turn-around point for lunch as they offer great views of the coastline. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. (LogOut/ The trail has a downward The climb back up was sweaty and squelchy and full of hikers heading down but otherwise uneventful. Kauai hike #1 in the bag! You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. The Awa'awa'puhi Trail is yet another Kokee trail which promises sweeping views and a trek through dense jungles and dry landscapes. When we did this, the Nualolo Cliffs Trail was overgrown in many spots, making progress very slow. This is a long, tough, hot day hike. On our recent visit to Kauai, we wanted to hike this trail again. The Nualolo Cliff Trail ends at the much wider and better maintained Awaawapuhi Trail. Hiking out, you'll no doubt respect each and every foot of that; especially if you're concluding this hike as a part of theNualolo Trail/Nualolo Cliff Trail"loop." The Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more moderate difficulty hikes in Kokee State Park. See Polipoli site for updates. Kauai's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Kauai's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. Having said that we all agree we are glad we did it. Wailua's mix of adventure and city makes it a great first stop! Bring lots of water because youll need it for the incline on the way back. T he Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, is a single track hike not for those with a fear of heights. Once you reach the end we recommend that you DO NOTventure beyond the railings, since there are precipitous drops on both sides and the ground can be deceptively slippery even when dry, as the small red rock scree erodes easily. Hikers follow the trail under a large tree limb at the back of the parking area and must keep on the lookout for ribbons marking the way. 6miles round trip. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. The trail is in Kokee State Park on the island of Kauai and is a moderately-challenging hike with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The hike would be out of the question for the length of our trip. Sections with roots and loose rocks. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. The reason why I love this trail and what makes it my favorite out in the west is because of the magnitudeof the dropoffs and the gorge. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/kauai/awaawapuhi-trail Awaawapuhi Trail Kauai. The permit can be obtained at visitor contact stations during business hours. Awa'awapuhi Trail. It's an easy hike (gentle incline - not flat) with the best views looking straight down a deep valley and right back up the other side. This trail goes by Honopu Ridge Trailhead. The trail has a fairly steady and moderate grade all the way down to the viewpoint, which is great, given the aforementioned extreme mud. The entire trail is also forested, with only a few hints of a view before you reach the end of the trail. There are pesky trail markers at every 0.25 miles, which is mildly infuriating, showing you your slow squelchy progress through mudpit after mudpit . is that right?? Heading down the Awaawapuhi Trail might give you some false confidence about how easy the hike will be. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Hawaii You couldn't have the best hikes in the USA without including one from . Mud, forest, shade, all leading to awesome views! Awa'awa'puhi gets off to a slow start but picks up steam about halfway. The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. Having a map will help keep you from getting lost or walking farther than you have to. If theres any vista proving that pushing to the end of a hike is always worth it, its the Awaawapuhi Lookout of the Napali Coast. This is my favorite hike I did in a month on three Hawaiian Islands! This is a small parking lot and there are no restrooms. The hike back up wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. The park will REOPEN by 3:00 PM on Friday 3/3/23. How to Hike the Sliding Sands and Halemauu Trail Loop | Haleakala NP. How was it on our second hike? The trail starts at approximately 4,120 feet and ends at the lookout around 2,500 feet. At this point, you have hiked 6.6 miles. YELP 365 - 244/365 My wife and I selected this trail for is moderate hiking difficulty and for the amazing views at the end of the trail. More Stats for Awa'awapuhi Trail hike trail trail Altitude change -1,612 ft Altitude min 2,453 ft Altitude start 4,064 ft Altitude end 2,454 ft Grade -10.7% Grade max -59.5% Grade min 21.8% Distance climb 1,115 ft Points of Interest & Landmarks Historic Walking Areas. If you're the active type, avoid the urge to stop at the scenic lookouts and start the day with the Awa'awapuhi Trail, where a rocky ledge from which incredible views of the Na Pali Coast is waiting for you. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. It's a steady descent along a narrow path through a jungle. Kauai the day of the heaviest rainfall in a 24-hour period, 2019 Havasu Falls Hiking and Camping Travel Guide, The trail is well-marked with .5-mile markers. The Nualolo Trail + Awaawapuhi Trail Loop. We briefly stumbled off the trail twice and I have heard of others doing it too. I believe it was a little over 6 miles round trip. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. The trail is quite wide in most parts and even though it had been raining a lot, the trail was in good condition. This forest reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it (a plant guide is available). How To Avoid Hotel Quarantine In Canada, Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. Its mind-blowing to stand at the lookout and take it all in. I think it was actually both the height of the cliff and the accomplishment of making it to the lookout that made me weak in the knees. Weather permitting, you should get a breathtaking view of the lusciously green Awa'awa'puhi valley and Nualolo Aina Valley. NUALOLO CLIFF TRAIL ON KAUAI, HAWAII - Journey Era, [] way to continue to the lookout. We wanted a shorter day hike that would provide us with expansive views of the Napali Coast of Kauai. If you are traveling with kids, are looking for an easier hike with views of the Napali Coast, or have a fear of heights, I recommend the Awaawapuhi Trail over the Nualolo Trail. Hike down the road first, then do the loop. Loved this hike! I hiked all over Kauai for over a month and documented all of my adventures. Enjoy the awesome views from here. Beware, however, that the Nualolo trail was closed when we were there. Awa'awapuhi Trail Distance: 6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 4 hours Nua'lolo Trail + Nua'lolo Cliffs Trail + Awa'awapuhi Trail (the Full Loop) Distance: 11.9 miles Total Ascent: 3,200 feet Starting Elevation: 3,700 feet Highest Elevation: 4,100 feet Lowest Elevation: 2,300 feet This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We chose the Awaawapuhi Trail, and Im glad that we did. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. Took us around 5 hours RT. In this guide, we cover the full loop (the Nualolo Trail to the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the Awaawapuhi Trail) and what we recommend doing instead, if you dont want to do the full loop. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. [OAHU] UPDATED 2/28/23: Kaena Point State Park Mokuleia Section The vehicle access road will continue to beCLOSED due to heavy rains and saturated road conditions. Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the Koke'e Park and subsequently has a large, signposted parking lot. As you are heading back, you might notice a spur trail to the left about 0.3 miles from the endpoint. Is the Nualolo Trail and Awaawapuhi Trail Loop Worth It? It is going down the trails, it could be slippery(with rain) if you are not careful. I loved being in the tropical rainforest and seeing the view at the end of the trail was amazing. Not much to see until then. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Thanks for sharing this alternative!! Fabulous views, but if you're afraid of heights, can be daunting toward the end. Reaching the overlook is worthy! You will have to hike the full distance (0.9 miles) to the trail junction. They are NOT available at the camping locations or pavilion site. The beginning of the trail is a relatively mellow stroll through the high forest. After taking in the views from our narrow perch and witnessing many, many, MANY helicopter tours flying by (tranquil, it was not), we finally decided to head back to the viewpoint and partake in some serious snacking before the climb back up. We were joined by roosters begging for food, tiny adorable mice begging for food, and red-crested cardinals begging for food (Im sure these little buggers are fed from hiker scraps all day long). And just note that there is no cell service along the trail, so dont expect to text, send photos, or be able to contact friends or family by phone while hiking this trail. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Our best chance at hiking to a view of the Napali Coast would be hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail from Waimea Canyon. Awaawapuhi Trail is a continual downhill hike from the trail head to the grassy clearing overlooking the valleys. I took 2 hours going down (muddy and slippery but doable with a pole and decent shoes), 1 hour at the viewpoint (solo picnic!) Jan 12, 2023 H awaii's Awa awapuhi Trail is an incredible experience for anyone lucky enough to have a day to spend hiking in Hawaii. Awaawapuhi trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker off 550. this forest reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it. Take trekking poles or find a good walking stick in the woods (this is what we did), it really helps. The trail does need some clearing done at the end of the trail. After about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. 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. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauai's Napali Coast. It was nice, but it didnt live up to our memories. Trail goes all the way down to view point and comes back" Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. The view point is worth the trek! The farther you go, the more exposure you get and the better the view. Its one of many trails that end in panoramic views and heart clenching dropoffs. Additional Info Yes, we had to climb back up 1600 feet on the return, but the trail was almost always in shade, and we had enough water. I was determined to shoot the sunrise from Lydgate Beach Park and Dipali wanted to We parked in the parking lot near by mile marker 17 on Highway 550. Seeaosite for updates. Its a mostly uphill, challenging walk back to the trailhead. The trailhead is on the left of the parking lot. I towered over the view, soaking in the sounds of the waves crashing and watching waterfalls slither down the folds in the cliffs. Kauai is the oldest island in the Archipelago and these cliffs have been shaped over thousands of years. We often do the loop, but if The weather moooostly cooperated and we got in a few hikes to some epic viewpoints, the first of which was the Awaawapuhi trail in Kokee state park!. [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. At the time you'd written this review, had you ever hiked the Kalalua Trail (Na Pali coast trail head Ke'e Beach)? It also begins to get noticeably warmer. This is a must do if you have the time! Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet. At the 10 mile point, you reach the trailhead for the Awaawapuhi Trail and Kokee Road. In mid-January, Schuyler, David, and I took a trip to Kauai, the un-official hiking island of Hawaii. The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. The trail is easy to follow and well maintained. Plus, the parking lot was completely full at the Kokee Museum so we did not have to wait for a parking space, since our car was already here. The hike goes gradually downhill for 3 miles primarily through the trees (but with some scenic outlooks), before ending at a ridge with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Napali Coast, and the Awa'awapuhi and Nualolo Valley. :) Enjoy this AMAZING hike! Best hike we did during our visit! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The trail is known for its views and its diverse terrain, which includes muddy parts, rocky parts, and some sandy parts. The one portion of the Cliffs trail that connects the Nualolo and the Awa'awapuhi is narrow--it is a very short section. Awesome!! We have our permits for the Kalalau Trail for mid July and are so bummed we wont be able to hike it due to damage. And dont miss the Kilauea Iki Trail, one of the best hikes in the park. As it is an easier trail it is also a bit more crowded. There were several groups of older hikers and it seemed to be the trail that was being attempted by all types of tourists. If you dont like back tracking you could take the Nualolo Cliff Trail junction on your way out, but it will add 5 miles to your trip and you will have to walk the road back to your car. This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. If you have any questions about how to hike the Nualolo Trail and Awaawapuhi Trail Loop, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. Its safe to do solo and there should be a fair amount of hikers on the trail.