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.