Alakai Swamp Trail
Photo by Wasabi
Leading across the Alakai Swamp in Koke`e State Park, this trail offers glimpses of native plants and bird watching as it passes through rain forest and bogs on its way to Kilohana. When the weather is just right, the views from this vantage overlooking the Wainiha Pali are amazing. No water. No facilities.
Things To Bring
- Water
- Sun Protection
- First Aid
- Appropriate Footwear
Cool Because
It offers an unparalleled view of the island at the lookout when weather allows.
Topography
Partial dirt trail and partial boardwalk through bogs and native rain forest leading to edge of the Na Pali's Kilohana vista.
Not Good For
Those that do not have strong endurance and are not in good physical condition.
Hazards
Wet, slippery and very muddy trail. Be prepared for rain or sun. Stay hydrated.
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
LENGTH
3.5 Miles (one way)
User Rating
Click a star to vote
3.0 / 5 (48 votes)







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Let's Discuss (21 comments)
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Jun 06, 2007 12:03PM
This trail is a blast. It's long, but not too exhausting and the view at the end of the trail is priceless.
Justin Britt
Jun 08, 2007 2:05PM
My first memory of hiking this trail was way back when I was in Hanalei elementary school. We took a field trip up to Kokee with Mr. Nitas 6th grade class.
All of us (the students) were sliding through the mud puddles and having a blast. When we got to the end of the trail, the view was absolutely amazing.
I still enjoy this hike. It is long, but something that a child can do. And the outlook at the end of the trail is worth every step on the way there.
Jun 10, 2007 7:25AM
I just wanted to add that not everyone gets the awesome view the last two comments referred to. All I've ever seen has been thick clouds at the end of the trail. The hike is still amazing, but anyone going on the trek should know that if you get the view it's a gift, not a given.
Jun 18, 2007 10:30AM
This is a fabulous hike, although, I am not sure why it states only 3.5 miles. Round trip from the Kalalau lookout it is about 10 miles. There is a one mile fairly boring walk down the paved road to the Pu\'u o Kila lookout (since the road is closed), two miles on the Pihea trail and two miles on the Alakai swamp trail to the Kilohana lookout: total 5 miles there and 5 miles back. If you have 4WD you can take the rough 4WD Mohihi Road to the Alakai Swamp Trail by Sugi Grove campground, which makes a 6.4 mile round trip hike or take Mohihi a little further to the southern end of the Pihea trail, connecting to the Alakai Swamp Trail, making a 7.5 mile round trip hike.
A rain poncho is recommended as it can be rainy in the forest and misty on the uppper Alakai Swamp Trail. The boardwarks are really fun and the walk on the upper Alakai Swamp Trail to the lookout is worth the extra distance. After the Pihea Trail intersects the Alakai Swamp Trail, there is an amazing staircase in the forest down to a stream.
Take lots of water, snacks and have fun!
Jun 18, 2007 10:49PM
Good post Barbie - and you are right that accessing from the Kalalau lookout side is a much longer hike. About 10 miles from there round trip while from the official Mohihi road trail head it is marked 3.5 miles each way. We just launched this trail section and will be tuning up the content - posts from hikers like you really add to the site. Mahalo!
Jul 03, 2007 4:53PM
My wife and I hiked the Alakai Swamp Trail on 6/30 and enjoyed the beautiful, cloudless view of Hanalei Bay. We hiked it via the Pihea Trail. The only thing better than this hike would've been an extension of the trail down the cliffs to Haena!
Sep 02, 2007 5:38PM
is the road to Pu'u o Kila open now? thanks
Kauai Explorer Staff
Sep 03, 2007 7:33AM
The road was open last time I went to Kokee.
Nov 20, 2007 1:26PM
we are currently in kauai with our 2 year old daughter. we brought a kelty backpack carrier for her. we are in relatively good shape but have not yet hiked with her in a pack. would you recommend this hike for us with her or is there an easier trail you might recommend for us to try out first?
Apr 27, 2008 1:30AM
I hiked this about one month ago on a day that was moslty sunny at the top of Kokee. The swamp trail boardwalk was still holding up nicely adn was indeed a great addition to the trail. The songbirds along the way were amazing, and one in particular would have been a most welcome sound while one falls asleep at night. Going in I did not appreciate the trail due to its apparently flat and unchanging landscape, but the Kolihana vista at the end is worth every mile of the hike in. Fortunately I arrived when I did because about twenty minutes later a cloud settled in the valley, obliterating the view. I felt bad because a couple had just arrived to the spot! The hike back out was different. I finally noticed the fluctuating fog hovering over the swamp, and noticed more flora. Of course, the birds sang my way back out. I had planned on trail running back out, but I decided to enjoy the hike. I even stopped at the one stream and cooled my feet in the water. Nice hike.
May 11, 2008 9:02PM
Hello,
I am planning to do the out and back hike to the Pihea Overlook conecting with the Alakai Swamp trail to the Kilohana overlook when I am in Kauai (about 2wks from now). Any one have any idea of the elevation change an how long to plan on for this hike?
Kauai Explorer Staff
May 12, 2008 9:34PM
Aloha Burt. Definitely give yourself the day to enjoy this strenuous and incredible hike. As far as elevation change specifics, you may want to tune in with the Kokee Museum, which offers detailed hiking maps and can answer more questions about the area of Kokee. http://kokee.org/ Enjoy! J
May 18, 2008 4:09PM
Burt, my sister and I did the exact same hike you just talked about-Pihea to Alakai swamp to Kilonha outlook and back again. It was AMAZING! Not to bad for elevation changes, lots of steps on the boardwalk in some parts. Be prepared for some mud and long leg stretches on the Pihea part, especially if it's raining. It took us most of the day, but we took a long time looking, pausing, resting and so forth. We only caught a glimsp of Kilonhana overlook, it was clouded in. But it was such an amazing hike, it really didn't matter that we didn't see the outlook and we weren't disapppointed. We are both coming back this summer and this is one of our favorite day hikes, we'll be on the trail again in June/July. We are also doing a 6 day/5 night trek into Kalalau, with permits, of course.
Jun 03, 2008 2:07PM
We are going to try and a hike next Monday in the Waimea Canyon or Kokee St. Park area. We have a snorkel cruise out of Hanapepe that afternoon at 2:00. What trail would you recommend to do with our time issues. We are in good shape and can get an early start.
Kauai Explorer Staff
Jun 03, 2008 7:10PM
Hi Roland. Kokee is so magnificent, you don't really want to be rushing through a hike. Honestly, I'd recommend giving Kokee your whole day. All of the trails we've highlighted on the site in Kokee are all day excursions.
You may want to check out the Berry Flats Trail - maps are at the Kokee Museum. It's a fairly short loop that could take a few hours, roundtrip. Also take into account the drive to Kokee in your schedule. It's about 30 minutes from Waimea.
Enjoy! J
Jul 23, 2008 1:23AM
I was wondering if you could help me. My wife and I were in Kauai 15 years ago. We are returning this week with our 14 year old daughter. Over the years we have told many friends about a wonderful hike we had on our last trip. We started out in the forest where it was raining and hiked from the wet side of a mountain over to the dry side. The dry side had cactus and of course a wonderful view of the canyon at the end. It was so amazing to hike through a wet forest and end up in desert conditions all in a short hike. A truly awesome experience. I wonder if you could tell me if it was this trail or not. We would love to share that same experience with our daughter. Thanks.
Kauai Explorer Staff
Jul 23, 2008 5:09PM
Hi Mike. Based on your description, I'm not quite sure which trail your referring to. You may want to contact the Kokee Museum with your question. They have maps for trails available in their gift shop and their website lists them as well.
http://kokee.org/hiking.html
Enjoy! J
Aug 18, 2008 10:30PM
Hi,
I have read somewhere that one should wear old shoes that can be thrown away afterwards. Is this true? Will the shoes get very muddy, and is the mud difficult to remove?
We usually hike in good hiking boots - would it be unadviseable to wear those on the Alakai Swamp Trail? Might there be situations where the mud could get in the boots?
Thanks for your answer!
Brigitte
Aug 18, 2008 10:53PM
First off I would like to say how much I appreciate the information you post here. I find it very helpful. Keep up the good work.
My 11 yr old son and I did this hike on Saturday morning. It was spectacular. I am in moderately good shape and had not trouble with the hike at all. We did not get a clear view at the overlook, but I did not feel that was really important after enjoying the flora and fauna during the hike. I used a GPS and clocked the distance at 6.6 miles, which we did in 3 hrs and 13 minutes with photo stops and a 10 minute snack break at the overlook. The only part that was remotely difficult was the "stairway to heaven" (so dubbed by my son). Aloha and Mahalo for your effort here.
Kauai Explorer Staff
Aug 19, 2008 10:26PM
Aloha Brigitte. The Explorer team definitely advocates the 3R's, so we would not advise throwing shoes away at the end of a hike unless they were completely unusable. You can expect to encounter mud on many Kauai trails, especially on this hike. There are long stretches where a boardwalk has been placed on top of the earth, in order to keep hikers from sinking in the mud. If it's pouring rain during your hike, you may get more muddy than on a sunny day. Prepare to get a little dirty but your hikers should be fine. After you hike it, feel free to let the users of the forum know about how it went.
Enjoy! J
Kauai Explorer Staff
Aug 19, 2008 10:29PM
Mahalo for the feedback Ivan. We also appreciate you contributing to the forum about your hiking experience with your son. It is an amazing hike.
Aloha! J
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