As for the trail, the ground was wet and slick, the texture of clay, with tangled roots nearly the entire 3+ miles. Thanks, Mehek! Beware, however, that the Nualolo trail was closed when we were there. The hardest part of the hike is over. You start above the clouds and hike down under the clouds to the viewpoint and then the way back is the strenuous uphill. You can ask about the condition of the Cliffs trail before you start. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. If you have little time and have to choose one trail, then this is your trail!Getting ThereFrom Lihue, take Kaumualii Highway 50 to Waimea. Thank for your continued support. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. Then Awa'awapuhi Trail is your cup of tea. Hi, caricenzerbush. We were standing in the Napali Coast. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Muddy, quiet forest hike to an amazing and rewarding view! Now, its a 1.8 mile walk along Kokee Road back to your car and its mostly downhill from here. Loved this hike! I love your hiking tips. My father and I had were sitting on the porch of our condo looking over the Hanalei Bay, trying to decipher what we should do for the day. We have been doing the Awaawapuhi trail when we come here. This trail is muddy and step although I consider myself in shape I was very sore for about 3 days after and my wife just had to push through it and swore to me that she would never do this again. Layers and water helpful! I would not go so far as buy cleats but if you have them then they would be a great plus. You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. You will hike in and out of forests, through fields of grass that were taller than Tim, and on sketchy forest trails that are overgrown with thorny bushes and small trees. Im going to recommend five places to stay on Kauai. But it also makes for a longer journey. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kaua'i - September 6, 2015 What an amazing view in Kaua'i. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. The end of the trail provides rim views down into the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. The hiking I am used to mainly start by walking upwards, but this is a 5km downhill walk from about 1255 masl, descending almost 500m. Not much to see until then. How was it on our second hike? The Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is breathtaking, offering gorgeous views of Kauai's famed Na Pali coast. Momoa was working at an outdoor shop in Des Moines, Iowa, and after he agreed, the crew packed into vans and headed off. The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you ascend from 4,120 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. One of our favorites is the Awa Awa'apuhi trail. Most of the trail is in a forest, so its shady most of the way. By. Show 16 More Check-Ins Feb 24, 2019 Daniel Alba. 106 Likes, 12 Comments - Eric Chen (@cheneric924) on Instagram: "Awa'awapuhi trail is hands down my favorite trail of all time now. 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. We didnt mind ending with the walk along the road. Muddy, moderate workout totally worth 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. Here at GuideofUS- Hawaii, we have explored on our own and with some of the best-guided tours available. Return hike is easier without slipping but it is all uphill. Its been a wild ride. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Kekaha Beach Bungalow FREE WIFI, 2 min walk to the beach. 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. If it's muddy to start it will only get worse so it's best if there have been a few dry days before you set out. For these reasons, I kept my camera tucked safely in my backpack to keep it from getting damaged and dont have any photos documenting the trail! After about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. As other have mentioned, not much to see in the way of views until the end, but interesting flora. At 2.25 miles, the vegetation begins to thin out and you start to get your first views of the coast. It tends to get very muddy and foggy along the trail and has an overall elevation gain of 1,180 feet. Points of Interest & Landmarks Historic Walking Areas. [KAUAI] UPDATED 3/2/23: Polihale State Park Is CLOSED until further notice due to an electrical outage that has put the water pump out of service. These landscapes are what thousands of people travel to Kauai for. However, be forewarned - it's a tough hike. Small lookouts along the way feed your motivation to reach the end. Visit the Kalalau Lookout, the Puo O Kila Lookout (walk a tenth of a mile down the Pihea Vista Trail for a GREAT view of Kalalau Valley), the Puu Hinihina Lookout, the Waimea Canyon Lookout, and the Waipoo Falls Lookout. The beginning of the trail is a relatively mellow stroll through the high forest. While the end viewpoint can get quite dangerous and steep if you venture down, the majority of the trail is well defined and quite straightforward. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Trailhead Location: Kokee Road in Kokee State Park. Awaawapuhi Trail (Kekaha) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. We wore shorts and short-sleeved shirts. If I did it again, heres what I would do: Park at the Kokee Museum and hike the Nualolo Trail out-and-back. When kids went ahead it was sunny and bright. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Total hike time for us was 4 hours but we took our time. We are older and wiser and there was something very nostalgic about returning to a place where Tim and I first hit a hiking trail together. Bring plenty of water: And remember to drink it, even if its not especially hot outside. Run where its flat or down hill going and coming it goes faster. Perhaps it is the view of the folding spires of NaPali that makes this trail so exceptional. At the 10 mile point, you reach the trailhead for the Awaawapuhi Trail and Kokee Road. Aside from the coastal views, the trail offers a great chance to observe endemic wildlife such as birds, lizards, and frogs. This trail is about 7 miles round trip and if you can do it add in the other trial which makes it a loop however we knew we could not handle that much walking. 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. In my opinion,these are the 15 best hikes on Kauai! I would be covered in mud by the end of the hike, no matter what. This was a moderately difficult hike but 110% worth it for the view of the NaPali Coast and ocean. Dramatic green cliffs set against a deep blue sea. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a 3 mile blue singletrack trail located near Waimea Hawaii. Way back, I checked out the Nu'alolo Cliffs trail to the stream crossing 0.3 miles in - hoping to frolic in a waterfall. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This itinerary gives you great views of both Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast and can easily be done in 8 hours, without doing a massive day hike. Awesome view of Na Pali and Forest reserve. But the views are much better than those from the Awaawapuhi Trail. Downhill 1600 feet slipping and sliding, we all took a tumble. For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. Find the parking lot near mile marker 17 along Koke'e Road and suit up for one of the most amazing views on the whole island. If youre planning to hike the Awa awapuhi Trail, heres what to know to best prepare yourself and make the most of the gorgeous experience. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Keawa Heiau State Recreation Area Aiea Loop Trail isCLOSEDdue to high winds and heavy rain, the heiau area is OPEN. They had live music playing and this was a great spot to unwind, refuel, and cool off before visiting more sights along in Kokee and Waimea State Parks. Be aware of your footing: Be extra cautious when going through slippery sections or steep sections and only wear shoes with good tread. We chose the Awaawapuhi Trail, and Im glad that we did. 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. Where is the start of the hike located?? The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you descend from 4,070 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. You dont see any in our photos because we started very early but we saw a bunch of hikers on the return part of the hike. We wore shorts and short-sleeved shirts and were fine, but I did have a bumpy, itchy rash on my legs for the next 24 hours. There is a sign on either side of the trail at this point marking the start of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never travel without. You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. The dramaticdrop-offs on either side of the Awaawapuhi ridge were something you dont see anywhere else in the world. Learn about the best time to visit Kauai , Our Kauai travel tips & recommendations , Explore Kauai Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Take your time: Enjoy the experience and take time to take in your surroundings. 60 Likes, 6 Comments - AdventureSeekerUS (@adventureseekerus) on Instagram: "Awa'awapuhi trail. The hike to the viewpoint is downhill, so prepare yourself for the thigh burner on the way out. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. Still, it was enough to make my legs wobbly and fill my stomach with butterflies. Take trekking poles or find a good walking stick in the woods (this is what we did), it really helps. Enjoy! The settlement, reached just before a damages trial was to begin next week, must be approved by the Legislature. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. My mind filled with doubt about the end view at the Awaawapuhi Lookout. If you are doing this hike as a loop, you will need to backtrack up the trail for 0.9 miles until you get to the Nualolo Cliffs Trail. For best results, use the customized Trip Planning Widget for Awa'awapuhi Trail Parking on your website.It has all the advantages mentioned above, plus users to your site can conveniently access it directly on your site. Mahaulepu Heritage Trail: Map, Photos, & Is It Worth It? However, if you plan to hike that loop, we recommend you hike down Nualolo and back up Awa'awapuhi. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Also arrive early, once in Waima its still about 45 minutes up the mountain. Route The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. 3 miles down with nothing to see but trees and bush but it's worth it at the end of you are not afraid of heights and go past the gates. This is a moderate one way trail in Hawaii. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you soo much foe this post. I loved being in the tropical rainforest and seeing the view at the end of the trail was amazing. If you are in good shape and up for a challenge, there is the option continuing onto the Nualolo cliff trail and then Nualolo trail, making the total hike 10 miles. Please familiarize yourselves with our refunds and changes policies prior to purchasing your permits. 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!. Good closed toe hiking/trail shoes are required, and bring extra dry socks. 360-degrees of pure Kauai magic! If you dont have hiking shoes please purchase one unless you want to discard your shoes after the trip.Those with any kness, lower back or ankle issues please be careful you will slip and fall so a trekking pole is highly recommended especially for those who are older.Also, the heat and humidity is quite intense and it will make this trail alot more difficult than it actually seem based on specs. All uphill on the way back. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauais Napali Coast. KAUAI: Plan your visit to Kauai with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Kauai. The scenery along the three-mile, downhill hike . After the first mile-and-a-half the forest begins to thin out and the rugged Napali coast comes into view as well as glimpses into the Awaawapuhi Valley. Don't Look Down! If you only plan to hike the Nualolo Trail, you will retrace your steps back to the car from here. Awaawapuhi Trail, Kekaha: Address, Awaawapuhi Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. Awa'awa'puhi gets off to a slow start but picks up steam about halfway. 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. Magnificent vista at the end! This is a must do if you have the time! 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 The beautiful nature and mountains that rise up from the sea, are a must see on Kauai. Best Defenders In Premier League 2019-20, Even though rainy/foggy at top, gorgeous down at bottom! We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. Distance: 7.6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 2,200 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 3 to 5 hours, Distance: 6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 4 hours, Distance: 11.9 miles Total Ascent: 3,200 feet Starting Elevation: 3,700 feet Highest Elevation: 4,100 feet Lowest Elevation: 2,300 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. Awa'awapuhi Trail. It can be fogged in but the clouds here are constantly on the move. Kokee State Park is in the northwest of Kauai; the closest popular tourist area is Waimea, to the south. and Comments (RSS). 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. You can hike each trail separately or combine them into one big day hike, by connecting them with the Nualolo Cliffs Trail. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. There was no view whatsoever. We also heard helicopters in the distance above us. The first time was in 1999. I look forward to hearing back from you - THX Cari. This is my Journey Era. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. For the majority of the first part of this hike, you will be descending as you hike out towards the coast. . a moderate hiker age 40 from socal pretty fit and medium build.Please check the gain and loss in elevation. (LogOut/ The trails in Kauai are often slippery and muddy. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It was so unbelievably beautiful and we decided that this was a must-see for us. Swimming holes should be avoided after rains, because of quick rising waters and the possibility of flash flooding. DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Read all of our articles about the United States in our. Awaawapuhi Trail Details. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Awa'awapuhi Trail & Napali Coast access? Its mind-blowing to stand at the lookout and take it all in. It's called the Awa'awaphui Trail in Koke'e State Park just past Waimea Canyon State Park on the west coast of Kaua'i. 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. 6miles round trip. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. 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. For Days 1 and 2 click here. Tried this 10 years ago and got to the end to see a cloud from the inside. Breath taking Views - Tough trail if you are a beginner. The trailhead is on the left of the parking lot. A woman at the Kokee Museum told us this was the best of the hikes to the west. 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 The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauais Napali Coast. 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. Great views! See Hapuna site for updates. Please Note: Due to erosion, Nu'alolo Cliff Trail is occasionally closed near the junction with Nu'alolo Trial. 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. We were very unprepared for this hikebut we were young and fit and muddled through. The Awa Awapuhi Hike is a 6 mile out and back hike that brings you through the lush vegetation. The view point is worth the trek! Be smart and be safe for the safety of all. The farther you go, the more exposure you get and the better the view. You can buy snacks, cold drinks, and ice cream from the general store here. Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year, There are a few steep sections but for the most part, its a gradual climb. On our recent visit to Kauai, we wanted to hike this trail again. 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). The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you ascend from 4,120 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awa'awapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. Waipo'o Falls via Pu'u Hinahina and Canyon Trail, Pu'u Hinahina Trail, Canyon Trail, and Cliff Trail, Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I do workout a lot on a peloton but my wife does not. Awa Awapuhi Hike Trail guide on the beautiful Island of Kauai. The trail meanders through a wet cloud forest before making some steep descents down muddy terrain. The permit can be obtained at visitor contact stations during business hours. Recommend that you use good traction devices especially if it's wet. Not for those terrified of heights. So when there is a fresh rain you will want to go slow or you have a good chance of wiping out. As of now, the trail is closed for the foreseeable future. The views are amazing though at the halfway point of the hike, and youll see several helicopters getting up close to the cascading valley! Clouds started to sock us in around 2pm. Rivalling the more popular Na Pali Coast Trail, the Awaawapuhi trail allows you to see the gorgeous nature of Hawaii.And because of the trails altitude, which rests between 4,000 and 2,500 feet, you will get a spectacular vantage point throughout the hike. Hilton Garden Inn Value Pick: The Hilton Garden Inn is your number one choice if you are on a budget but still need comfort. 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 The plant life growing along the trail was very overgrown in spots when we did this, so expect to push your way through if it hasnt recently been bushwhacked. Reaching the overlook is worthy! 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. I would describe our conditioning as slightly better than average. In the evening, head to Luau Kalamaku for the best Polynesian dance show in Kauai. Even when we returned their was no parking. Located in the Hawaiian highlands of Kokee, the Awaawapuhi trail is a spectacular trail that stretches 5 kilometres.