Hiking the Kalalau Trail in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is challenging to say the least. Perhaps only the Na Pali Coast, the only tourist destination in Hawaii is always listed in the itinerary of tourists from all over the world.Yes, the Na Pali coast is very beautiful. I solo hiked this back in October. Grassy hillsides emerge filled with adorable little mountain goats and you have fantastic views of the mountains layered along the horizon. If you walk towards the waterfall (great for showering) at the very end of the designated camp area, those are the best ones. Somewhere between the time where we visited Hawaii annually and the time that we got all adventurous, the Kalalau Trail started showing up in many major outdoor publications and ranked among lists of greatest backpacking trips in the world. While these Kauaʻi hikes can be muddy, slippery and strenuous, you will be amply rewarded for your effort with sweeping views of the most dramatic middle sections of the famous 17-mile-long Nāpali Coast – from unique vantage points that can only be accessed from the cliff top ridges of Kōkeʻe State Park. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. This helps keeps our blog running so we can continue to deliver adventurous content to you! Besides the plants, the trail is also known to be narrow and exposed in some sections. It’s not for the feint of heart nor the beginner hiker. Compost toilets are placed along the Kalalau Trail at mile 2, mile 6, and at Kalalau Beach. Somewhat challenging hike my dad and I did. Only accessible by helicopter, boat or hiking, the Na Pali Coast is where the Hawaiian gods must have envisioned heaven. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Be cautious but don’t let the name of “Crawler’s Ledge” deter you. After the major storm that eroded the Na Pali coast in 2018, the trailhead has developed into a more structured state park. We left the trailhead around 11am and arrived just in time for sunset at 6pm, which was nice but we didn’t have much time to take it in before hiking back out at dawn the next day. You'll wish you had when it comes time to pack up and hike the 11 miles back. For the most part, there are rarely sharp drop-offs or steep ledges but there are some. Be s... Backpack the Na Pali Coast via the Kalalau Trail. On the positive side, winter permits are much easier to get. It seems obvious, but just as a reminder, don’t try to cross the river during a flash flood. Permits cost $20 per person per night. This offers a welcome break for sore muscles and from a heavy pack. Blogs that appear on this website may contain affiliate links. Hikers should not wander out in the ocean at this beach though, as the currents are very strong and warning signs are posted to prevent anyone from doing so. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bath... Hanakoa Falls is one of two large waterfalls along Na Pali Coast. Waimea Canyon is a large canyon that stretches roughly 10 miles long, one mile across, and over 3,000 feet deep! The Kalalau Trail is no walk in the woods. That would have been at the previous maximum of 14 days prior to our planned trip. This section is perhaps more precarious than the edge at mile 7 mile it’s nothing to worry about, just be cautious. One of the most common questions about the trail is “Do I need a permit?”. One of the most important things to know about the trek is that if you’re going to go through the long hard hike to get to Kalalau Beach, you’re going to want some time to enjoy it. The forest is basically trying to encompass the trail. You may want to also join us on Instagram and follow our travels.. Hiking Hanakapi`ai – A Family Day Down Napali The most popular hike on Na Pali is to Hanakapi`ai where you will find a lush river valley. You’ll also have beautiful views of deep blue waters and waves crashing off the point to the right. Kauai Hiking | Kalalau Trail and Hanakapi'ai Trail (Nā Pali Coast). Bring some chocolate, tobacco or coconut oil for trading with the locals living in the hills. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking or backpacking the Kalalau Trail. The Kalalau Trail is the only way for foot traffic to access the Na Pali Coast, the famous lush coastline on the Northwestern corner of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It was then that we decided that on our next trip to Kauai, we just had to find out what lay further down the coast of Kauai, in the depths of the Na Pali coast wilderness. Na Pali Coast stretches fifteen miles along the north west coast of Kauai between Ke`e Beach in Haena State Park to Polihale State Park in Mana. The trail first traverses around a rocky ledge that juts out toward the sea. Those 2 miles takes 1 hour on average and will bring you to Hanakapi’ai Beach. This section is one of the areas that had fully eroded back in the 2018 storm but trail builders have gone in and re-created segments of path along the coast. During severe rain storms this stream rises very quickly, and one false slip can sweep you out into the Pacific Ocean. The Na Pali Coast Trail. Hiking Kalalau requires a bit of planning and general conditioning. A family ski trip to Tamarack Resort is sure to be an experience that will create memories of a lifetime! This hike begins at the parking lot of Ke'e Beach at the Northern most point you can drive to on the island. na pali coast boat tour--kaua'i The Nā Pali Coast is probably the most well known and iconic area on Hawaii's oldest island of Kaua'i. We each had one 16-oz water bottle and after 3 hours of hiking, we had to filter our first round of water here. After this 500 yard ledge, the trail becomes less exposed again but the ecosystem changes a lot. I was glad to have lightweight hiking poles, and I didn't need a sleeping bag or pad. The only other way to access this hidden coastline is by boat. I went solo and I feel like no one believes me when I say I found actual utopia. Day-use hiking permits are also required when continuing along the Kalalau Trail beyond the Hanakapi’ai Valley, even if overnight camping is not planned. Public parking, bathrooms and showers are available at Haena Beach Park located west of Tunnels. 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