We did a sunset hike at the awa'awapuhi trail and it was wonderful! It's 3 miles down hill and back 3 miles essentially uphill. I thought it was an easy-moderate hike for someone who likes to hike/exercise. The parking lot was not super crowded for a sunset hike. It's a generally safe/mapped out trail, on the last mile, there are small stretches of a thin path so be careful! You cannot really see the amazing views till the end. You're in a dense forest and once you complete the 3 miles you will open up to a gorgeous view! It started to rain, so we didn't go down the last little bit to the edge, it's a very thin path to the edge with little to no buffer so be safe! If you go for the sunset hike, bring some headlights for the hike back. It was def worth it! read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - Hiking Near Me

See all

This Awa'awapuhi Trail was recommended to me by a lifeguard I randomly chatted with at one of the local beaches in Kauai. He swore by the hike, saying the ending viewpoint would be the highlight of my Hawaiian vacation! But, the lifeguard left out details. And I'm here to fill you in on the real Awa'awapuhi Trail and what to expect and be prepared for! Right away...this hike must be attempted FIRST THING IN THE MORNING! There you go, there you have the answer to everything! Because, at any moment in time, throughout the day, clouds can roll in while standing high above the Na'Pali Coastline and the dense covering can hang around for a while, no matter how long you wait for the skies to clear up. So...if you hike here early, early morning, the probabilities of you confronting that picture perfect setting is greatly enhanced. It's like the common law of physics (but I believe I failed physics in high school, lol)...when the sun rises, the air is cool and crisp, and there's no heat rising from the ground to create moisture early on. Grrr...that's why this lifeguard, he needed to warn me that if I hike this Awa'awapuhi Trail....MORNING TIME. MORNING TIME. MORNING TIME!!!! Instead, I arrived at 11am because I had a few other sights and overlooks I wanted to check out before trying out this hike and using up at least 4 - 5 hours of the day here. This is also important...I visited Kauai in the middle of August. The sun rises about 6:30am and fades in light about 6pm. You only have 12 hours of the day to make the most of your explorations. Depending on the amount of time you have visiting Kauai, whether 3 - 4 days, or maybe you're island hopping for a total of 10 days - 2 weeks, point is...you'll at least need half the day to hike this Awa'awapuhi Trail. Also, be prepared for it to be a strenuous hike too. It's 6 miles roundtrip. The hike down to the overlook vista point is a cakewalk. All downhill! Well, you know what that means. The trek back uphill to the trailhead is quite difficult. Along these 6 miles in total to and from the overlook, there is nothing to see. Basically, the hike is boring! I found myself daydreaming about the next activity, lol. You walk through the jungle each way. There's no glimpses or peaks through the forest of the coveted Na'Pali Coastline that you're easily afforded at roadside overlooks throughout Koke'e State Park. If you're short on time I'd suggest stopping at Kalalau and Pu'u o Kila Lookouts. If you have no time limits and are more adventurous, then this Awa'awapuhi Trail is for you. Remember, lol, it gets dark at 6pm! When arriving at the observation point, I briefly had a clear moment to enjoy the views. The Pacific Ocean was blue. The coastline was certainly evident. You could see helicopter tours flying in the distance. You definitely get a 180 panorama. But once the fogginess rolled in, it never left. And I waited 30 minutes, actually sitting down and praying for the the dreary cloudy covering to dissipate. But, it never did and it wasn't meant to be. That's why I'm reiterating...hike here in MORNING TIME. Like, 7am if possible! Some last things to mention. The parking lot at the trailhead was very small. When I arrived at 11am, it was full but I managed to squeeze my car into a space, though it was a makeshift job. I'd say the lot holds spaces for about 15 cars. And there's no shoulder area along Koke'e Road to park. Lastly, when making it to the Awa'awapuhi Overlook Point, there's a very tight pathway that'll lead down even lower alongside the cliff's edge. It appeared like a sheer drop down on either side of you as I watched others bravely venture on. If you have a fear of heights, there's no way you can attempt going past the primary viewing platform. I could understand, people like to push the limits or boundaries of risk, but I know when enough is enough, especially I was only hiking in casual tennis sneakers. It wasn't worth it to continue past the point of comfortability. Overall, this Awa'awapuhi Trail is just average and can be greatly disappointing if you have high expectations. Am I sour about my experience and the ending I left with? Absolutely! Lol Just warning...there could be clear skies at the trailhead, but when you show up at the overlook it could be a whole new narrative. Then you're held hostage to the conditions and since there's only 12 hours in the day, you sort have wasted half of it. And within Koke'e State Park and Waimea Canyon right next door, there are many quality stops, alternative hikes, places to explore and magical instances to be had. But if you're convinced about attempting this Awa'awapuhi Trail and you're not hiking it first thing in the morning, I believe you're doing yourself a disservice. read more

See all

So underrated. One of my favorite hikes in my entire lifetime. We came here in June. Parked at noon. No issues with parking. Only 4 cars there. Though we recommend to go early because we were sweating afterwards. We were lucky to not have any muddy conditions. Our friends had no issues hiking in clogs or in sneakers. It took us 2 hrs to get to the view point and my gosh what a view it was! It took another 2.5 hrs to hike back because it was steep. The hike was not boring at all. The scenery kept changing. There was some places we had to duck or squeeze ourselves through or go through winding branches. It was so beautiful. We only saw a few other hikers. The view at the end is just breath taking. Pictures and videos don't do it justice. Only thing we regret was not bringing enough water. Remember to bring snacks and/or lunch. When we got back at 4:30pm only 1 other car was in the parking lot. read more

See all

The trail is a total of 7 miles from the parking lot... the first 3.5 miles is mostly downhill .... So obviously on the way back is (you guessed it!!!)... torture... none the less... this has got to be one of the most amazing hikes on Kauai... it's definitely worth hiking!!! read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - The most amazing views! - Hiking Near Me

This trail definitely was not worth the 6.5 miles - which was disappointing because it was so highly recommended. The end view is a very narrow lookout unless you're willing to go toward the edge (we were not because the final descent was a bit sandy), and you don't see views until the absolute last 0.01 mile. Compared to the hikes in the Bay Area, this lookout was very average. That's why I say 6.5mi round trip is not worth it. On the plus side, most of it is shaded so it's not hot. We went during a dry period so had no issues with mud. read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - This is the only view you get unless you're willing to go to the edge. Disappointing - Hiking Near Me

The Awa'awapuhi trail was a lot of fun to hike, and the vista point is spectacular. It's worth noting that the journey there is much easier than the way back, as it descends almost 2,000 feet. As a result, you will be climbing up most of the way back. For your convenience, I've attached my Garmin data. It will illustrate the significant difference in effort required on the return. Nonetheless, the vistas of the canyons along the coast are well worth the effort. Plus, going on scenic hikes is good for your health. Pack light to avoid weighing down your backpack. I recommend a camelpak to effortlessly carry 2 liters of water, as well as other necessities like sunblock and mosquito repellent. Bring a light rain jacket as well. The weather can be erratic. Hiking shoes are a must. Oh, and be cautious when you are at the vista point. It is, after all, a cliff. It was an amazing hike, and I definitely recommend it to any outdoor enthusiast. There are no restrooms available from the trailhead parking area, which is small, but free and convenient. So make your plans appropriately. Have fun while remaining safe! Side note: Uphill hikers have the right of way. As a result, remember to step aside and provide space to those climbing up, as this is basic trail etiquette. read more

See all

This 6.2 mile hike out and back is rated "moderate" on All-Trails and various sites online. Mmm lemme tell y'all this hike was definitely more difficult than one I did back in Virginia which received a "difficult" on All Trails. The first 3.1 miles to the lookout is mostly downhill. It can get muddy and slippery, even though we went two days after it rained. The paths can become pretty narrow as well, but they'll lead you through the jungle to the gorgeous mountainside where you'll be immersed in tall grass. The end of the hike gets pretty steep to reach the final part of the lookout. I was honestly quite scared going down since it's a lot more out in the open, on the side of a cliff with steep drops on both ends lmao but if you go and get scared, I offer you the advice my dad did - "Trust your feet, if you can solidly place your foot down, you're good." Once you get to the end, the view is gorgeous. It truly feels like you're at the edge of the world. The only thing is the mountains started looking wavy LOL idk if I was just dehydrated or hungry or what because neither my dad nor my brother were tripping hahaha. The portion downhill took around 1 hr 50 min but we were also traveling as a family of 5, the youngest being 10 years old. I will also note neither she nor my mom went down the final steep part. The return was pretty much entirely uphill. We were trying to get back before the sunset so we were lowkey booking it. It took us around 1 hr 50 min again. This portion of the hike was much more tiring, especially towards the end. The last mile is quite steep and we were getting burnt out as we didn't really stop at any point during the hike but a banana gave me the life to push through it lmao. Pack snacks and lots of water!! Overall, the hike took us 3 hrs and 39 min. The trail is lonngggg. Pretty much everyone we ran into on the trail was saying that, people on the way back just wanted to be done and were out of breath. But the view was literally breathtaking. This was definitely my favorite hike I've ever done by far (not that I've done thattt many hikes LOL). I definitely recommend it but I also see why the websites said this hike was not for the faint hearted. read more

See all

Did this on the way back from Nu'alolo + connector so didn't go this way to the viewpoint, which was amazing! Worth it to walk down past the railing as it gives a different, deeper view. Just be careful, although it's quite safe. So, so beautiful. No clouds overhead, might've gotten lucky. Took about 1.5 hours to get back to the trailhead, trail wasn't too steep in any section, all gradually inclining. Great hike, would recommend! read more

I can't believe I didn't review this trail yet!! We are looking at planning the next trip and I would be remiss if I didn't add my thumbs up for anyone else looking for an awesome hike! Parking was easy if you get there early enough; plenty of room at the trailhead. Up the main drag through the canyon. There are a few lookout spots on the way which I'd recommend more on the way down to make good time going up. The trail had some switchbacks and steady climb but we live in a beautiful hiking region so it felt like home with those elevation gains and good burn, we loved it! It's a solid 6 mile hike that gets the heart rate up and a good sweat going. When we got to the lookout we lucked out and saw a helicopter do this crazy loop over the water right in front of us and get scary close to the rocks but from where we were it looked amazing!! Unfortunately that was something for the memory and not caught on camera because it happened so fast and it was so cool we just took in the moment in real time. I'd definitely do this hike again; hiked through some forest wooded vibes to get out to this view - fantastic! We went in April and it was perfect! We had trekking poles if we needed them; I used them at sections due to mud. We wore hiking shoes and we had a change of clothes in the car so we could adventure onto something else afterwards. Come prepared with some snack attack at the look out and have enough water because while some spots are shaded most is pretty open to the sun and will get hot depending on how early you start. read more

See all

A hike worth the time and effort! Took a while to drive to the actual trailhead. We went in mid June and there was some mud but nothing major, which was nice. Most of the trail is covered by trees which was amazing, "cool" yet humid but no sun blasting all the time which is nice. Started around 9AM, took a while, probably came back by 1PM, depends on how long you want to enjoy the view. Easy going down hill, when we were hiking down a woman with her dog (assuming she was local) was like, "Don't forget it's all up hill when you come back" which I kept in mind. SUPER lucky, apparently the clouds roll in and can linger around, for hours at a time. We heard from people coming back that there were clouds moving in, but alas SO lucky and no clouds were insight. Pack water, maybe something to munch on. It was humid and we drank the two large nalagnes we brought. read more

The most amazing and spectacular views take a little effort to get to. This is a beautiful trail. However, beware that it is moderate to difficult. I would suggest good hiking shoes, as it can be muddy and slippery in some areas. Of course this depends on the weather when you hike. The elevation is spread out, therefore the uphill is not as challenging as some may think. It's all worth it when you get to the end. Absolutely gorgeous. I would suggest taking a picnic lunch in your backpack or some type of treat to enjoy before hiking out. read more

See all

The Awa'awapuhi trail is a jungle slog through mud with an insanely incredible overlook of the Nepali Coast plunging into the Pacific at the end. Parking is located just after the 17 mile marker of the 550 highway - but this is AFTER driving through the Kokee State Park headquarters (bathrooms and a large wall map are here - very helpful). First mile: a slog through tons of mud - would DEFINITELY recommend hiking poles! To give context, at time of hiking this (I've done it twice) I was 29 and 34, and am very fit but with bad knees from sports-related injuries. I kid you not, you can hear the souls of a thousand ACL injuries cry out from the depths of this steep super muddy portion. At the front of the trailhead there is a large pile of branches that have been used as walking sticks - definitely recommend grabbing one of these for the first mile downhill. Anyway, after the first mile the rest is far less muddy, and you're treated instead with a variety of Jurassic Farm animals - wild goat herds, piggies, and a plentiful amount of chickens. This jungle-y area is lush and verdant, and starts to reward you with early-bird views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. After 3 miles of trekking, you'll be rewarded with one of the most awe-inspiring views of any coastal view you can imagine. Massive Napali cliffs dropping dramatically into the sea - pictures don't even remotely do this justice. For what it's worth, we did this hike the first time in January, and were rewarded with crystal clear views at the end. Then, a few years later, doing it the second time in July, we had major fog and minimal visibility. See my attached pics front the hike and the nearly night and day difference in visibility. Still dramatic and breathtaking, but in a different way. If you go when it's foggy, do give the overlook a solid 15-20 minutes as the fog ebbs and flows and sometimes clears up to reveal more of the coast. Unfortunately, when we started, it was really bright and sunny, but then thick fog rolled in - unfortunately, there is no real way to predict whether or not the coast will have good visibility.n Tips: bring lightweight ponchos (easily available at ABC stores/Longs Drugs), wear good hiking shoes, brings snacks, and of course, a fully charged camera! And poles of course. read more

One of the most amazing views I've ever experienced. The hike itself wasn't very scenic as your mainly walking through the trees, covered by them. That actually works to your advantage to keep you cool and means that the hike itself didn't involve any crawling or require any teetering on edges. You hike 3.25 miles down which is the east part but as you know, what goes goes up must come down (or vice versa in this case). The hike up isn't steep at all but is a bit grueling. 3.25 all uphill. As explained before, none of it is very steep and requires no teetering but 3.25 miles of it does test your endurance. Honestly, the reviews did scare me a bit but it's totally doable even for ppl who aren't in great shape like us. We only stopped 2-3 times but the path is very wide, shaded, with plenty of space to stop off to catch ur breath. The view at the bottom before you go back up is one of the best I've ever seen. You are 2500 ft up with a view of the western part of the Na'pali coast. The ridges in the mountains are so scenic and dramatic. You can barely see where the ocean ends and the sky begins. Words and pictures simply can't describe it. We got lucky and there was literally no rain the day before or the day of. We encountered close to no mud or slipperiness for the whole hike. I did the hike is completely worn down running shoes and haven't hiked in years. In my opinion, almost anyone can do this hike when dry. When wet, it's a whole new ball game and I can imagine it taking 3-4 times as long. You'd definitely need good hiking boots for that and a ton of patience. You'll need some luck with the weather as with all outdoor activities. Distance: 6.5 miles Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5 Top tip: The first mile of the trail can be muddy and slippery after recent rain. Always check the weather before doing this hike. read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - Hiking Near Me

Amazing hike! You start downhill for 3.1 miles. During the hike down, there are post that tells you how far you've gone. (.25, .5, .75, you get the point) Right before the end, the trail narrows a bit. Keep going! Then the trail opens up and you're greeted with lush mountain ridges with deepest blue waters. Take it all in. Once you collected your cool the hike back is no problem. So 3.1 miles in and 3.1 out. read more

See all

An amazing hike with so many great views. It is a long hike (3.25 miles one way so 6.5 miles round trip). It does have some up and down for the elevation but more than half the hike is covered. Highly recommend at least a liter of water for this hike, take your phone or camera, and at least one snack. Obviously some may take a break especially after 2 miles but some can do it with no break. Everyone will enjoy the end of the hike that you oversee the far end of the Na Pali Coast (I honestly think we oversee way beyond Na Pali Coast so it's beyond the 11-mile hike). The view of the valley is breathtaking! You will see and hear helicopters at the end of the hike almost every 10 minutes or so. Take a lot of photos as the mountain ridges, ocean and green and brown just makes you realize how beautiful Kauai is. Did this hike once, but I would do it again. My friends and I did this hike around 8-12 as we landed in Kauai around 6 am. read more

See all

Amazing trail with a crazy scary view at the end! Loved and hated it at the same time. Fairly easy on the way down. Uphill climb most of the way back but worth it. read more

See all

I lived here all my life and not only did i play here i also was born right down the road from here! I remember running around like super m an.I have so much memories here its amazing how time flies!!!My AIINA!!!MAHALO!!! read more

This was our first time in Kauai and we really wanted to do one of the main hikes here. The round trip hike is 7 miles, if you go beyond the view point. So before we did this my husband showed me a blog by an idiot who basically said you go down hill for a mile, 'clamber over some rocks' and you're there! That's what I was going on! Well it turns out he was absolutely wrong! It's basically 3.5 miles of going downhill, you descend about 1600 feet total . A lot of the hike is rocky, the parts that aren't rocky are muddy because it rains all the time! The way there is nothing special, in fact I kept thinking that the end better be worth this hike down! It was! Before you reach the end there's a lookout that's nice, especially when there's a rainbow to look at! When we got to the end of the trail there was actually a way to get right to the end of the mountain we were on. You have to clamber across a path of rocks to do that and when I got there, looked around and saw how high we were ( about 3000 feet ) I thought 'CRAP! I'm gonna die here!!' I didn't, God thankfully has other plans for me! The view from up there is just SPECTACULAR!!! We were so high up that if someone fell ( God Forbid! ) they would have an unpleasantly long time for their life to flash by I thought! If you're adventurous I'd recommend you go all the way to the end. The exhilarating feeling you get there is just unrivalled! The view is so beautiful. You can hear mountain goats but can't see them! The way back was a killer for me because of my back pain and sciatica. I literally had to stop every few feet because of the pain. So if you have either of these I recommend you do your back exercises and stretches for a few weeks-months before you go! The worst feeling is watching people 40 years older than you zip by you on your way up!! And yes, even with that excruciating pain that lasted a few days I would STILL do it again but I'll be better prepared! read more

See all

This hike is always a fun story to tell. My husband and I camped in Koke'e Park on our trip. We only had the time to do two hikes and me being the crazy one I heard how insane the hike and the views were so I wanted to do it. We did our research checked to make sure the trail was open because there had been some closures due to flooding. We get to the trail head and there are two pick-up trucks with hunting dogs and the full set up to get some wild boar. They tell us the area is closed because it's hunting seasons. I checked with all the offices and state websites and never saw it even mentioned as a hunting ground. Maybe we are reckless but we did the hike anyway. Here where it gets fun, so one of this guy's hunting dogs followed us. THE ENTIRE trail. Literally was out on the side of a cliff trying to chase mountain goats and about fell off. We were they only people on the trail and everything was fine. We go out to the end of the trail on the ridge line in the middle of the valley. It was awesome! We saw tour helicopters come in below us and fly in the valley. I personally hated the fact that you have to do all the work heading back up and out. I'd rather do all the hard work up front so just reserve some water and snacks. The hike was pretty easy though until the very end where you get to the ridge. We started heading back about 1/3 the way back this dog starts lunging through the underbrush/bushes and chases a boar out. She pushed it away from us but it was really surreal to be that close. Then we saw little piglets later in too. We get back and reunite the dog with her owner and he tells us her name is "Gypsy." Which I thought was very fitting considering she just wandered of with strangers for a few hours. I know people are gonna think we were stupid or that we got lucky. Maybe we did but I never felt like I was in danger. It was a very memorable experience. I know this wasn't much of a review on the trail or the hike but it was easy and mostly shaded until the very end. Hoping to comeback and further explore the area. read more

See all

Hands down. Best hike ever. The trail, the environment, the end view. It's about a 6 mile hike. 3 miles in and 3 miles out. This hike will be a must for my bf and myself when we're back on Kauai. You can park on the road if the dirt lot is full. We parked right under the "Awa'awapuhi Trail" sign on the road. My bf and I had one of the most airhead experience at the beginning of the hike. So let me tell you guys the story... lmao. We were packing our backpack for this hike, and saw a family crossing the road to start their hike. When we crossed the road, we saw a couple of local guys walking out from behind the trees that is straight ahead (not even looking to the left.) We assumed that is where the trail starts. I mean, it's Hawaii. The start of the trail can be as jungle-y as it can get. We climbed through the trees and struggled maybe like 300 feet in. The ground was so muddy but yet we saw footprints. We were trippin' out, "OMG where did the family go?! How did they get pass the mud so fast?! This is insane." And i'm telling you, we're sliding through the mud and getting cuts and scratches from the tree branches. We just thought, there is no way we can finish this hike before sunset if we only got in 300 feet into the "trail" within 20 minutes. We climbed back out and that probably took us another 15 minutes. Not that we are give-uppers, we just thought it was impossible to do! When we got back up to the dirt lot, I kid you not. The entrance to the trail, is literally to the right that reads "Awa'awapuhi Trail Head DLNR DOFAW." Try to avoid what we did, and open your eyes! Look for the sign. If there is no sign, look for a path that at least carves a trail. We still laugh about this experience til this day. BUT in the end, it was all worth it. The hike is beautiful. I mean, it was very jungle-y. You can hear birds chirping. You can hear the wind blowing and the rain. You should also grab a walking stick. There is a bunch right before the trail starts. Kauai rains alot, so the trail is muddy and slippery. I documented this hike on my YouTube page if you guys are interested. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/tmRwW2iF8UA Enjoy! read more

See all

The view payoff is jaw dropping literally. only a few places we've been to rate that high in our book (Swiss alps, Yosemite) The view is an 11, The hike is very strenuous unless you are fit, run or jog regularly. Many thick roots to trip and bang your toes on. Wear toe guarded and good tread foot wear. Can be muddy too. 3.25 miles one way but 90% is downgrade going which means climbing out, and it WILL get you sweating hard, bring lots of H2O. and START EARLY, before 9am. . tough but worth it in the end! read more

Roundtrip is 6.2 miles. But you can convince people to hike it by telling them it's a hike that's only 3.1 miles long. And then once they get to the vista at the end of the trail they'll realize it was 3.1 miles one way and they'll have no other choice but to hike the 3.1 miles back. Mwahaha The hike is through a mountain jungle. Some people describe it as a forest but the temperature is more like a jungle. Hot and humid. Ideal times to hike it are in the early morning right after the sun rises or late afternoon right before the sun sets. Midday it gets too hot but it's still doable. It's a reversed hike. Downhill on the way to the lookout and uphill on the way back from the lookout. Downhill gets slippery but a hiking stick helps with that. Difficulty level is moderate. Definitely not easy but some might consider it hard. I had to rest a few times on the uphill parts to catch a breath and one of the times that I did I overheard a late 20s early 30s couple that didn't see me ahead of them somewhat arguing about the difficulty of the hike. Woman: I'm not saying I don't like this hike. Man: What are you saying? Woman: This isn't fun to be- And that's when they caught up to where I was resting, saw me, and stopped their little argument. The woman was probably tired and complaining to her boyfriend/husband/fiance. Keep in mind that people can hear you through the jungle and you're not completely alone. I would do this again. It wore me out and I couldn't do anything productive for the rest of the day. But that's the point of good hikes right? read more

See all

Do you like mud? Then this is your jam. I didn't expect so much mud in May, but I guess that was naive since Kauai is a pretty wet place. Pro tips to make a more enjoyable experience: - Wear hiking shoes. Tennis shoes are going to get totally soaked through with mud and are pretty slippery. It's a miracle I didn't eat it (poor hubby did fall but he was going faster than me - I took the "slow and steady" turtle approach). - Go early: fewer people and less heat - Bring layers and sunscreen. The start of the hike was cool, shaded, and breezy, but by the time we hoofed it back up, between the sun and physical activity we were pretty hot. - Leave a change of shoes (and maybe even clothes) in your car, along with a trash or plastic bag for your muddy shoes. - Water, of course, would be sensible. - Grab a sturdy walking stick, it'll make balancing through the mud easier. - Be careful on the last few yards of the hike. Ask yourself if you really need to risk it for the 'gram or if the view from the railing is just as worthy (I think so). The hike down was not physically, but rather mentally exhausting. I felt every step had to be so careful to navigate the mud that it became quite tiresome after an hour or so. Thankfully, the last 1-1.5 miles let up on the mud. The hike back up is almost all uphill but seemed easier. This was probably because we were already so muddy we didn't care anymore and it was actually easier to balance hiking uphill in the mud. I did this hike because 1) I wanted some physical activity to replace my normal non-vacation routine and 2) I wasn't sure if we were going to see the Napali Coast another way. It certainly delivered on the first point: in addition to gym time, we do a hike every weekend of at least 5 miles and I found my calves sore the next day or two after this hike. We ended up also seeing the Napali Coast by helicopter, which was, not surprisingly, even more beautiful with its variety of views, and a hell of a lot easier. If you're going to enjoy the hike I think you really need to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Yes, the view is breathtaking, but it's only a fraction of your time investment. read more

Highly recommend this hike! It's 3 miles downhill to the most amazing lookout! Someone had left walking sticks at the trailhead, which were very handy. Most of the hike is heavily shaded and there are signs for the first mile with the names of the native trees as well as mile markers every .25 mile. We did the hike on a dry day, but there was 3-4 large muddy areas to navigate. There are a few peek-a-boo views as you near the lookout and you'll think they're amazing...until you get to the actual lookout! Lush cliffs, waterfalls, birds soaring, bright blue skies, waves crashing on the black rocks. I die! The 3 miles back up are just that...up. We're in relative good shape and found it to be moderate difficulty. Total hiking time was 2 hr 45 min. This hike is best on a clear day, not only for the best views, but for navigating the trail. Enjoy! read more

See all

By far the best hike we did on the island. It was quite an experience. I would have to read it among one of our greatest hikes in terms of the view read more

See all

This hike is awesome! It's about a 6 mile round trip hike with 2000 feet of altitude change. Definitely bring a couple bottles of water, hiking shoes and a camera. The hike starts off all with a big elevation drop in the first 1.5 or so which is so nice, but remember you have to climb back up later! When you get to the end you can either take your pictures behind the railing or be a little adventurous and go to the left down the side and take pictures along the narrow ridge. Be very careful, but the view is so worth it! Now enjoy the hike back up! read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - Worth the 2000 feet of altitude climb back up! - Hiking Near Me

As long as you know you can do a 6.5mi hike (round-trip), this one is not terribly strenuous. There is a 2000 foot elevation gain on the way back but the trail really isn't terribly steep throughout. It was SUPER muddy however so recommend you wear boots, and expect to be covered in mud mostly to your ankles by the end. The mud quickly becomes one of the charms of the hike and there is a pile of walking sticks to choose from at the trailhead. The hike wasn't very crowded, there is lots of great vegetation to look at (tons of wild ginger), and the views at the end are worth the trip. Would definitely do this hike again. read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - Hiking Near Me

See all

Breathtaking lookout at the end of a moderate hike. Our views were foggy but still worth the hike. This hike was terrific! I read other posts about downhill the whole way there and uphill the way back. Do not let that scare you! It is not a difficult uphill. it's very gradual and very doable. This hike took us 3 hours. It rained on us the entire way there, still worth it!! have fun! read more

For how strenuous the hike is the view is not an absolute must see. It is still incredible but there are equally difficult hikes in Kauai with much more amazing views. What I loved about the view is that you essentially look down two valleys, one of each side. You honestly do have to go past the railing to get the best view but you do it at your own peril as falling would mean certain death (stay safe!). Past the rail is easy enough for someone who has a stable gait, and normal musculature and joints. I wouldn't recommend going past that narrow rock pathway to the rock arch vista though. The views aren't that much different and you take a big risk for little gain. This hike is moderate and is even more difficult in the rain. Go early, go early, go early. Once the fog sets in, you lose your view completely and it is disappointing to hike 3.25 miles only to look at nothing but fog. read more

This is the first trail we did when we came. We did an early hike so we got great parking, they just cut the grass/plants on side of the trail so it was easy to find. Do not underestimate this hike. It starts mostly descending so going to peak was easy but going back was a lil challenging as it goes uphill like a never ending stairs. 3.2 miles each way read more

See all

This was a great hike! Kauai is a rainy island so be prepared for mud. It didn't *rain* on this trail but it was misty, however this trail is full on mud. you will get damp, you will get muddy, and your shoes will not be the same. It's worth it though. The trail is a bit over 3 miles and is downhill which leads to the lookout and ridge. The lookout is breathtaking and the views of the valley and the ocean are crazy gorgeous. IF you choose to go all the way out across the ridge, be warned that it is NARROW, it is WINDY, and it is SLIPPERY (i fell, but not in the super narrow part). It's pretty sketchy walking across that 1 foot ridge with a straight shot to your death on either side, but it's worth it. (go on all fours!). the hike back is all uphill. I recommend a lunch and lots of water. The good part is, if you are there when it's hot and maybe a little warm.. the trail is all shaded being as how you are in forest conditions. It also slightly protects you from the wind.. it's window 4000 feet up!! This is also way less crowded than the Kalalau Trail. read more

Stunning views! plenty of wild guava trees! Highly recommend! We didi the whole hike in about 2.5 hrs - and when we arrived back at the trail head from our hike our SUV was broken into!!! The passenger side back window was smashed into and they have taken a bag with some valuable documents. So watch out for your soundings and do not leave ANYTHING in your cars! Only after the hike while speaking to the police we were told that this is fairly common at those secluded trailheads at the Waimea canyon. read more

This hike would be amazing during the summer! We hiked in March, which we totally knew it could be pretty bad conditions. The ENTIRE trail was literally mud. You are walking through mud down hill the whole way there, so you are slipping and sliding all over the place. I highly recommend getting a walking stick from the start of the trail....it saved me from many falls. The saddest part about this hike was that we got there and it was completely foggy. We couldn't see a thing....waited for an hour and saw a few breaks in the fog to see the mountains. A little disappointing but overall a good workout and fun experience. I would go as early as possible in the morning to avoid the fog! read more

This hike suprised me..! Who would suspect you could do a forest hike in Hawaii. I expected lots of rock and lots of sun. Instead I enjoyed a tree canopy above with a nicely marked forest trail to follow below. SUPRISE It is 3.25 miles to get to the cliffs on the ocean. Downhill all the way. You end up in the middle of 2 valleys. Awa'awapuhi Valley on your right and Nualolo Valley on your left. If conditions are right, ie... dry with good footing...you can even go down to a platform where you can look down into both valleys. Your heart may be in your throat crossing the rock bridge to get to the platform though. Not a good idea on a windy day or after a rain shower. Finding this trail is quite easy. Start by heading to Waimea. Waimea Canyon Road starts right after the fire dept. building on the main road through town. Turn right and follow the road. On the right side of the road you will find a marker with every mile travelled. When you get to mile 17 look to your left and you will see a clearing to park your car. That is the trailhead for your hike. A note of caution; this isn't a trail that I would want to be doing on a rainy day. it would become very slick and tough to travel on. You will be going uphill on the way back for 3.25 miles. If the trail turns to mud, it will suck bad. A walking stick might help keep you upright. All in all, this is a good cardio hike with a breathtaking view at the end. I used this one as a tuneup for harder hikes on the north shore. Next time that I am back on Kauai I will be doing this one again. read more

See all

http://youtu.be/czopGet_hLY (Check that video out to see how narrow of lookout you will be experiencing) 3.1 mile trail into the lookout mainly downhill, not much to see till the end then BAM you see why everything was worth it. You get to see the valley view side of the Napali Coast. 3.1 trek back is very tiring. Start very early and make sure you are well rested! We started hike at 7 am and it was perfect. Loved this hike! I'm not scared of heights but if you do have a phobia u may need to skip on this one. At the lookout there were some points where I experience slight vertigo! View is awesome you will not regret it ...unless you fall... read more

See all

Great hike. Not too many look outs until complete. Once at end, high vegetation to see over. Not for the weak. Getting to the end was ok, but the three plus hike back-mostly up hill was very hard for us. read more

3 miles of tree roots and mud means you have to keep an eye on the trail in front of you really all the way. I actually enjoyed the hour and 50 minutes it took to arrive at the 3.25 mile marker. But my wife wouldn't let me go the last 150 feet past the Hazardous Cliff warning. "Ground may crumble..." So that somewhat defeated the purpose! I missed the view down to the beach 2,500 feet below. The hike back up was 2 hours and a good workout for this 71 year old. The vegetation and tree species varied from jungle to ferns. But I can't give the hike more than 3 stars because so much of it was tramping through mud and tree roots. 20 cars at the trail ahead when we arrived at 9.15 a.m. 30 including overflow on the road when we got back 4 hours later. read more

Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. But if you have a fear of heights, I would advise not continuing beyond the official overlooks because parts of the extended trail are as few as 2 feet wide and a 2,000 foot drop on both sides. read more

Awa'awapuhi Trail - End of the official trail - Hiking Near Me

Best hike in Kauai! The trail is down hill all the way, the way back is strenuous but the view was definitely worse it!! Will do again when I come visit Kauai read more

This long trail is well worth the view at the end. It's pretty much all down hill on the way there, but you really get an uphill work out on the way back. We are both physically fit and enjoy the outdoors, but we do not consider ourselves serious hikers. With that said, as long as you are in relatively decent shape and the trail isn't too muddy, you probably won't find this trail to be too difficult. We completed this in about 3.5 hours including a 20 minute break at the end. The views during the trail are limited but the last 100 yards or so make up for that. The end of the trail opens up to a spectacular view of the canyon and the ocean. We highly recommend this hike, but suggest you start early. read more