The most famous hike on Kauai – the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast.

The Garden Island is full of beauty, hiking adventures and challenges. The oldest island in Hawaii, its incredible landscape includes Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth and, as legend says, the home of Menehune, pygmies that were highly skilled stone workers. They occupied parts of an island that offers visitors magnificent waterfalls, natural vistas, unique canyonlands and wilderness areas. A great deal of rain annually (as much as 500 inches!) makes the Garden Island thrive but also impacts on trail conditions.

The Kalalau Trail and some of the trails in the Kokee/Waimea hiking area are quite challenging. As for the Kalalau Trail, advance reservations are now required for all vehicles, walk-in entry, and shuttle riders visiting Haena State Park as well as for day hikers accessing the trail. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance but no later than the day before visits. (State of Hawai’i residents are exempt from the fee/reservation requirement.) Parking at Haena State Park is limited to 100 stalls. Taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle to the Park is a much better choice.

Hiking Kalalau definitely requires some planning. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Na Pali Coast State Park. Within this 5-night maximum, no two consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakapiai or Hanakoa. Camping Permits are required for any hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley.

The first few miles of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai Valley and beach can be hiked by most people of any age in decent physical condition. The rest of the hike is one of the most difficult and challenging hikes on Kauai. Following in the footsteps of ancient Hawaiians, this 11-mile stretch of coast is the original trail used by the Hawaiians who lived in Kalalau Valley and other valleys along the Napali coast.

Hiking to Hanakapiai Falls and beyond is recommended for experienced hikers only. Hiking permits are required to hike beyond Hanakapiai Valley. The challenging hike to the 120-foot falls takes you two miles further into the Hanakapiai Valley which makes it an eight-mile round trip without the rest of the Kalalau Trail.

After leaving Hanakapiai Valley the trail becomes steep and strenuous as it climbs 800-feet out of the Valley. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the hanging valleys of Hoolulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. Hikers need to know that the round-trip from Haena State Park to Hanakoa Valley takes at least 8 hours. This would be the limit of a day-hike.

Experienced hikers in excellent shape should allow for a long day to complete the round-trip from Haena State Park to Hanakoa. Day hikes beyond Hanakoa are not recommended. The remaining 5 miles after Hanakoa includes steep drop-offs on the ocean side, forging up steep inclines of jagged sea cliffs, and a descent to sea level at Kalalau Beach.