Alakai Swamp Trail

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!

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Dec 22, 2008 6:06PM

We are coming to Kauai on a cruise stop in March. What is best way to get to the trail from the cruise dock. Is it possible to do this in the time we will be in port?

Dec 27, 2008 1:32AM

do you know any thing about the Mohihi- Waialae trail could you do it in one day or is it an over night trip.

Dec 31, 2008 9:00PM

Mohihi- Waialae I want to fish the river down there is there a better way to do this than the camp 10 trail or is there another good spot for this kind of hike. day trip great fishing,we love wildlife and photo's an out of the way place would be great. we are from seattle and do some tough hike out here. but we don't want to get lost safety first.
Thanks for the advice.

Jan 05, 2009 4:32AM

Although this is probably obvious to many, it wasn't to my husband and me when we hiked this trail last week. Don't cross the stream/river at the bottom of the staircase (very large you won't miss it) if it is raining!! We crossed it on the way up and it was about knee deep, 10 feet wide. On the way back (about an hour later), it was chest high, 25 feet wide. Needless to say, we nearly died getting across! Although it's hard to stop before you reach the end of the trail, don't cross the stream/river if it's raining!

Jan 19, 2009 3:45AM

We hiked the trail in full sunshine today, with the great view at the end. If you do this hike, notice the old telephone poles along the way on the last mile or so. They were the 'backup' communication system for the island put up during WW II. However, we didn't see any of the old road machinery referred to in the "Ultimate Guide to Kauai", bogged down in the swamp. That is a very good book to have, by the way (I am not affiliated with them in any way). My wife and I are in our mid-50's, in fair shape, and it took, us 3 1/2 hours round -trip.

Jan 25, 2009 7:14PM

Aloha Everyone,

My wife and I have done three hikes since we have been on Kauai..Pihea Trail: muddy, slippery but very beautiful ridge trail...Kukie Trail: dry and well worn in top section, awesome views of canyon, then you enter the forest where it turns quickly into super, super muddy, overgrown grass up to head and bugs..still pretty cool but not for the faint of heart..there was dead pig stuck up in a tree and the locals told us it was put there by locals to mark territory and scarce away tourists, we would do the section down to the jungle and then turn around and the the last we did was Kalalau to the Hanakpiai beach, the trail was great, alittle mud here and there, incredible views the whole way, alot of people and the beach was all rock since it appears it is only there in summer time, but not a big issue since the hike was great, we came back and hand a bottle of wine at Kee Beach and then to The Beach House to celebrate the hike. All in all the hikes have been great and we are planning our next one for today.

Feb 10, 2009 2:07AM

I hiked this trail Jan 31, 2009 and found it abosolutley great. The Pihea ridge part of the trail offered spectacular views in the morning but was clouded up on my return. I would suggest you take the opportunity for photos when available! The overlook was mostly clear when I arrived around noon. Watching clouds form as the air was uplifted was worth the trip in itself. Be carefull on the boardwalk as there are some broken boards. One individual stepped in what he thought would be shallow water and went in over his knee. Also expect to encounter some hunters with dogs. I only ecountered light rain for less than a 1/2 hour. Not enough for me to put on a rain coat but I did bring one along. I am 51 years old, moderatly good shape, and did not find it overly taxing. It took me around 5 hours to complete at a relaxed pace with lots of stops to take pictures and looks at plants.

Feb 21, 2009 3:03AM

My wife and I hiked the trail February 1st, and found it in pretty good shape. Weather cooperated, and the view from Kilohana Lookout was stunning. Met hikers from Germany and Illinois there and had a nice lunch with them. Started our hike from the \'real\' Alaka\'i Swamp trailhead off Mohihi Road. A 4WD vehicle - and experience driving one - is necessary to access this trailhead. There is a nasty landslide on a fairly narrow point on the ridge just a short ways from the trailhead - hikers who are too curious risk a nasty fall. The boardwalk continues to deteriorate in spots - but how would you fare in those conditions? Hikers should watch for spots where the wire mesh has come loose and in some cases is sticking up. Easy to trip. There are also more rotten boards every year. A few of them can make for rather spectacular surprises. Try to keep one eye on the incredible landscape and one on the trail. For the young man who dubbed the staircase \"the stairway to heaven\", there are 269 steps. I\'m having trouble picturing the stream (a little tributary of Kawaikoi Stream) as the raging torrent one hiker described. I\'ve never seen it more than a pleasant trickle. All I can say is one heckuva rain must have preceded your hike - and thank heavens you made it out OK! Finally, as the Kaua\'i Explorer Staff correctly states, the mileage from the Mohihi trailhead is officially posted as 3.5 miles each way.

Feb 26, 2009 8:12PM

My son (24), my daughter (22) and I (52) hiked a few miles of this last week, starting from a lookout point past Kokee Park where the sign said it was 1.7 miles to the swamp trail. We never made it into the swamp from there, and neither did anybody else we encountered on the trail that day. We all turned back at the same extremely steep and slick part. From the comments posted above, there are other access points to the swamp that would have been better to use. It was misty/cloudy up there and not exactly ideal conditions. Very slippery and muddy and some steep parts that required climbing up with the aid of tree branches and roots. This would have been a lot more fun if it weren\'t so slippery and muddy, we had better hiking footwear than sneakers, and we had better visibility. I also wished I had a walking stick, it would have made things go a lot faster when climbing down the slippery round rocky parts where there was nothing to hang onto. We all got pretty muddy. Even so, it was a great experience and we are glad we went. The views on the road up were spectacular.

Feb 28, 2009 6:54AM

Me and a buddy hiked this trail circa 1970. It was fog and rain the whole time. The ground was like walking on wet sponges. One thing that I’ve never forgot is that trees that grow to 60 feet on other parts of the island only grew to about 15 feet in the swamp due to the extreme rain fall. At the trail head it was cool and cloudy. About a half a mile down the trail we ran into fog and rain, and it stayed that way for the entire day til we were about half a mile from the trail head on the return hike. I remember it being a long hike, but for a couple of 20 something year olds in extreme physical condition, the only difficult part was sinking into the sponge like ground. I haven’t thought about that hike for a long time till I saw this page today.

Mar 01, 2009 1:12AM

I love this trail and the swamp! I've done it on 3 different occasions, and each time the Kilohana lookout has been clouded in. I've sat at the lookout for a long periods of time, from 1-2 hours hoping to get a glimsp of the north shore. Any suggestions on what time of day is best for "clear" weather? Or what kind of weather conditions onisland are best suited for this hike? I'll be on Kauai in a week and would like to try this hike again, with hopes for a view at the end.

Apr 26, 2009 1:56AM

Itinerary question...

We are lucky enough to have 3 days on Oahu, then 8 nights/9days on Kawaii on our 1st trip off the continental US!!

We love to hike, but my better half can’t handle sitting in the car too long with her bad back, so we want to stay in the Kokee area after we arrive, then later hit the North Shore, as we also want to snorkel,surf and kayak our hineys off.

We will do both light and some strenuous hiking (the 2 kids and I will leave Mom with the bad back on her own to relax when we do strenuous hiking).

We also want to kayak down a river, or tube down the irrigation ditches (?) that I heard about, and do not want to do this from the North Shore area, if the starting point is closer to Waimu/Kokee due to the distance.

Awa'awapuh is a must, and lengthy, so we figured after getting to our lodging in the evening, we might need the next 2 full days and next 2 nights to really enjoy the Kokee area, but every day we spend there is one day less at the North Shore.

So any advice as to whether that 3rd night should be spent? i.e., will 2 full days in this area be enough, or should we we do a 3rd night in Kokee, and then have 5 nights with 5 1/2 days in North Shore?

Sorry so picky, but it’s my 1st time out of the US, and I am 44, so I am very excited.

Apr 29, 2009 8:13PM

In reading the descriptions about the various trais, this one looks like one 3 women could do that's not too easy of difficult. I just have a few questions from anyone who's taken this hike: What time would you suggest starting out, are the trails normally busy with other hikers and what safety measures are in place in case of an emergency? Thanks.

Aug 21, 2009 1:40AM

Hi. We are taking our almost 5 year old daughter with us to Kauai next month. She went with us to Costa Rica in April and was great with the hiking. Can you recommend some trails for us that she could handle? Would appreciate it!

Dec 04, 2009 7:06PM

My wife and I hiked this trail in February 2008, and it was a highlight of the trip, second only to the Nualolo-Awawapuhi loop. While not as dramatic as some trails, the terrain and local ecology are fascinating; the boardwalk through the swamp is otherworldly; and the view to Hanalei and beyond, at the end of the swamp, is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. We're coming back in February 2010 - so it might be a twice-in-a-lifetime treat.

Jan 04, 2010 2:56AM

For those with a little one on your back; be in shape. Most of the hike is pretty easy but the section into the valley with a child on back can be tough. Especially if you have a kid like mine was at that age and rather liked the words "double time dad" when going up the hill. Also, there isn't many things more unique than hiking a 4000 foot swamp.

The view at the end of the hike is one of the worlds best. Hang out for awhile, eat lunch, hopefully you are dressed warm, and wait for it. It comes and goes but is worth the wait.

Jan 10, 2010 12:34AM

Hello all!
My husband and I are heading to Kauai in about two weeks on our honeymoon,and are looking for an easy-moderate day hike, that will take us to some falls or canyon look-out points. We are both in good physical shape but are NOT avid hikers, so we do not want to get ourselves in over our heads. We are staying in Hanalei Bay area for one week starting January 24th. I am also a photograpy enthusiast so would like a hike that offers great photo opps. What do you recommend?

Jan 31, 2010 5:38PM

We are traveling to Kauai next week and staying until March 8. We would like to hike the Alakai Swamp trail and look for native birds. We have attempted, during our previous 2 visits to get to Alakai by way of the Pihea Trail but it has been extremely muddy during February-March and by the time we have reached the Alakai trail head we have needed to turn around because it is too late in the day. (We have driven in from Hanalei) Is there a way of getting to Alakai without hiking Pihea? What are the conditions of the Mohihi road? What is it like? Is there a way of getting to the Sugi Road Campground (with a guide or group or alone) so that we can hike Alakai?