Proper Footwear There are a variety of footwear options to choose from.Don not expose open wounds or cuts to river water. First Aid It is important to know that cuts in tropical climates should be monitored closely.Weather Check the weather before you set off on your hike.The hike out is much easier when you provide your body with enough calories to support the extreme physical activity you are engaged in. Food Carry high-energy, salty snacks as well as meals.Make sure if you are drinking water from any streams or fresh water sources you purify your water with a purifier is certified to filter microbial leptosporosis or giardia (not all do). Carry your water bottle in your hand and drink small amounts often. Water Drink one-half to one full quart of water or sports drink each and every hour you are hiking in the heat.Hiking Plan Always tell someone where you are hiking (name and location of trail) you plan to hike and when you plan on returning.By doing a little planning and being prepared you will make your hiking trip one of your best Kauai experiences. Heading into Kauai’s interior and remote terrain offers dome of the most beautiful backdrops on the world. If you don’t 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.įor the Awaawapuhi Nualolo Lookout continue straight ahead to the end of the trail for spectacular panoramic views and great picnic area. At about the three mile mark is the junction of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. 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. The Napali Forest Reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native plant species that thrive here. Awa’awapuhi Trail is a continual downhill hike from the trail head to the grassy clearing overlooking the valleys. 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. Make sure you have sturdy and supportive footwear and bring a light sweater to layer up as the weather can be unpredictable.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. It’s not necessary to pack lunch, but I’d recommend having some snacks. The whole hike probably took us about 3.5 hours including the time spent at the overlook. I wouldn’t recommend this hike if it will be or has been raining, as it can definitely get really slippery. Make sure to check the weather forecast before heading on this trail. The trail may feel easy on the way down, but you will certainly feel that 1,600 feet of elevation change as you head back up to the trailhead. It was perfectly dry when we went, and I still felt wary walking along this ridge with 2,000+ foot drop offs on either side. I definitely would NOT recommend doing this if it is wet or slippery, or if you don’t have proper footwear. If you decide to venture past the railing at the end of the trail, you are doing so at your own risk. The view at the end of this trail is probably the most awe-inspiring view I’ve ever seen in my life. As the forest starts to thin out, you’ll get some brief views of the Napali Coast.Īfter about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. ![]() For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. Trailhead Location: Kokee Road in Kokee State Park And to top it off, it takes you to the most breathtaking views, overlooking the Nualolo and Awa’awapuhi valleys on the Napali Coast of Kauai. Overall, this trail isn’t extremely difficult and won’t take up too much of your day. We were really looking for a shorter day hike that we could do the same day that we explored the Waimea Canyon, so we ended up choosing the Awa’awapuhi Trail (other options can be found here ), and I’m really glad that we did. While this sounds absolutely amazing, we just didn’t have the time and resources for this on our 2 week vacation to Hawaii. It’s a very difficult 11 mile trail (one way) that requires overnight camping permits that aren’t easy to obtain. ![]() The Kalalau Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the world, and it allows you to experience the Napali Coast by foot. But don’t underestimate the thrill of walking along a ridge between two sheer cliffs with panoramic views of the turquoise Pacific ocean. Most people see this rugged coastline via air or boat. The landscapes of the Napali Coast are part of the reason that millions of people travel from all over the world to visit Kauai.
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