Hanakapi'ai Trail

Jun 11, 2007 7:44PM

My favorite hike on Kauai. Even if you only go 1/2 mile it is worth it. Do not wear white gear and be ready for some serious climbing right off the bat. Know that the beach is only at Hanakapiai in the summer because big winter surf pulls all of the sand offshore (October through April).

Jun 26, 2007 1:42PM

>>>Filter all water.<<<

Is it true you must filter the water because of the danger of Leptosperosis and Flesh-Eating bacteria?

Jul 15, 2007 12:10PM

Just as a point of clarification, Leptospirosis is a bacteria, not a virus. Lepto is primarily contracted from open wounds being exposed to FRESH WATER on Kauai. Also, you should NEVER drink unpurified water from any source no matter how pure it may look. There are many other bacteria and parasites that can be present in unpurified water, so just don't drink it all. As far as the "Flesh eating bacteria" goes, Group A Streptococcus primarily infects open wounds and does not cause any gastrointestinal illness. As with the case of Lepto, any open wounds or sores should be bandaged and cleaned frequently to prevent infection.

Rob

Jul 18, 2007 12:53PM

After reading about this hike I was a bit concerned going with my girlfriend, as she is not an experienced hiker at all. However, I was surprised to see so many people on the trails, all ages, shapes, and sizes. Most are in sandals or slip ons, and several very out of shape and over 60. The trail is a bit strenuous in areas coming back, (but I am 27 and in decent shape at best), but not too bad if you take your time and drink plenty of water. My concern wasn't the physical part, but more the danger of the trail. At no point did I find the trail or hike dangerous, so if this is your concern do it! The trail and views speak for themselves, absolutely amazing. Just a little disappointed in the crowds. You have to yield for other hikers every few minutes.

Aug 10, 2007 7:23PM

My husband and I did this trail on our honeymoon in July. We LOVED this hike! Although I would recommend being prepared for rain (it poured the first 2 hours of our hike and the trail was pretty slick during this time). The beach is excellent, so definitely try to go this far (it 2 miles one way) and the waterfall is incredible if you've got the energy and start early enough. I was glad we made the effort to go that far. Although, the trail is not well marked on the way to the waterfall and I'm pretty sure we accidently wound up on some side trails at times, so definitely give yourself plenty of time in case this happens to you! Otherwise a beautiful trail, beach and waterfall & a great experience!

Aug 14, 2007 1:44PM

I hiked to the waterfall with my nine year old son last week. It was definitely a highlight of our visit to Kaua\'i -- lush green, rippling sunlight, creaking bamboo stands, fragrant guava, rushing water, clambering over rocks to sit at the edge of that final beautiful pool. I probably would not have attempted the hike with my son if I had known the difficulty ahead of time, but he was able to handle it and he enjoyed proving it.

I\'m curious about one aspect of the waterborne bacteria mentioned. I saw a few people swimming in the pool at the base of the fall. Is that ill advised because of the bacteria?

Aug 18, 2007 5:20PM

we are hoping to do the hike and then make a wedding at 4pm. i am not in great shape ( 37yo) but can walk. how long do you think it will take us?

Aug 29, 2007 11:10AM

My Wife and I did the hike in June...little word of advice...don\'t wear boardshorts and then swim...esp if you are not wearing boxers...the return hike can be painful.

Besides that this hike was great!

It was really muddy the second half of the hike to the beach, but the sites out weighed the mud!

shawn

Sep 04, 2007 2:04PM

My wife and I mostly hike the mountains of So. Cal. and we usually use trekking poles, would you recommend them for the Hanakapiai falls hike, mid September.

Sep 14, 2007 4:22PM

What is the best time of day to hike to the falls? Is earlier better?

Oct 01, 2007 1:28PM

My husband and I just got back from hiking this trail. We went all of the way to the falls after debating if we should. After the beach, first 2 miles, which took us an hour and a half, the second 2 miles to the falls took us an hour. Both us not being experienced hikers, but in pretty dencent shape in our mid-thirties, I was pretty proud of us. The hike to the falls after the first 2 hours is definitely tough, but seeing them and swimming in them is definitely worth the work. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. A must do before you die kind of thing.
I was surprised about some of the people and the gear they had. One guy was running back from the beach with his surf board and had "crocs" on his feet. I couldn't believe it. The rocks were very slippery and I was slipping with my hiking shoes. Another girl was skipping across everything with her purse over her shoulder for the full 4 hour hike.

Oct 23, 2007 10:34AM

Planning on doing this hike in Jan-first week of March, is this a good time, is the weather make this totally out of the question?

Oct 25, 2007 8:13AM

Breathtaking views and worth every ounce of sweat... you will not regret hiking to the beach and if at all possible make the trip to the falls. It is absolutely surreal the beauty and serenity you'll experience there. We went yesterday and were on the trail by 8:00 am. Including breaks for myriad photo opportunities, exploring the beach, hiking to and then relaxing and swimming at the falls - we were back at our car by 3:00 pm. Make sure to bring the right shoes!!!! Boots or hiking tennies are best, though I saw plenty of flops and bare feet. We met some extremely nice folks along the way and ingratiated ourselves to some couples by asking if they would like us to take a picture of them both.
Finally, Go...even if it's the only physical thing you do on your trip - you will not regret it
Aloha,
Thomas

Nov 05, 2007 8:07AM

Coming to Kauai in mid-Jan'08 with my wife and two boys, 9 and 10, all in good shape. Would like to do hike to Hanakapia`ai beach and possibly on to the falls. Have read the beach won't be there in winter? Will this be the case when we are there? What about the falls? Thanks...Dean

Nov 13, 2007 10:52AM

Great hike! Hiked it on Nov 7th - the beach was still accessible - got to see some of the local surfers ripping the waves. Breathtaking views all the way! Slippery and tough at some parts. Bring plenty of water and dry clothes if you plan on swiming at the fall. Don't forget your camera!

Dec 03, 2007 6:56AM

My wife and I have hiked a bunch of trails on Kauai. We\'ve been to the island 5 timess and hike on each trip. I have to say that the Hanakapi\' ai trail is the most beautiful of the trails we\'ve hiked. I won\'t belabour the point. I think someone else (above) said it best when they said it falls into the category of things one must do before you die. If you are not an avid hiker, then just go part of the way to Hanakapi\'ai beach. You only need to get about 15 minutes into the hike before you start seeing unforgetable views overlooking Ke\'e Beach (to the east) and of the Na\' Pali coast (due west). If you have the energy, go all the way to Hanakapi\'ai falls. We got to the beach and were a little confused as to where the trail to the falls began. The long and short is you have to cross Hanakapi\'ai stream and then hang an immediate left to begin the uphill hike to the falls. You will go through a bamboo forest and will cross back and forth across teh stream three or four times on the way up. Becareful on the rock crossing the stream, as they can be slippery at times. But once you stand at the pool before the falls, you will see what all they hype is about. At that moment it will strike you that you are standing in a spot that only a few, relatively blessed, number of indiviudals get a chance to see with there own eyes. Some don\'t see it because they can\'t afford to get to Hawaii. Some don\'t see it because they don\'t have the energy, will, or physical ability to hike the trail. But if you do have the econominc ability to get out to Kauai, and the physical ability to mmake this hike (all teh way to the falls), then it really is something you should do at least once in a lifetime...and ever afterwards consider yourself blessed.

Dec 18, 2007 2:00PM

Hi, I am planning to hike Kalalau trail to the end (11 miles), spend a day there and come back. What would be the safest place to leave my rental car for these 3 days?
Thanks.

Dec 22, 2007 7:17AM

W. Is this trail closed?

Coming the end of December and was realy looking forward to this hike.

Thanks for all your help! This website rocks.

Dec 24, 2007 6:06AM

W. I can't thank you enough for all this information. It makes planning a trip like this so much easier and helps you do things you might not have known about.

How long will it take for a casual hiking grew to get to the falls. We want to take our time and really enjoy the experience. This of course is approximate time. Surely I understand everyone has a different pace of hiking. Just trying to figure out how early we should start.

Also in another thread I asked about surfing the beach break at Wailua. Is it glassy in the morning?
Or do the winds pick up pretty early.

I've surfed Puerto Escondido, which is also a beach break that blew out all day but was glassy in the morning and at sunset.

Thanks again. Do you need anything from the mainland that will fit in a suitcase?

Jan 01, 2008 9:35AM

Love your site! My husband and I will be visiting Kaui next week and will be staying in Poipu area. What is the best why to reach the trailhead for this hike and where do we park our veh?
Thanks,Nancy

Jan 02, 2008 8:22AM

I was wonder what you would suggest for a two night three day back packing trip in Kauai?
Thanks Eddie

Jan 03, 2008 8:14PM

Excellent hike. My boyfriend and I did this hike to the falls starting early in the morning. It started to rain, but we were lucky it only lasted a few minutes. It was long but some of the things you see on the way make it worthwhile. There are beautiful brief views of the coastline, a bamboo forest that makes you feel like you are in a martial arts movie, a nice beach that isn't very occupied, and if the season is right, you can eat the guava off of the trees. The falls are beautiful, but the water was oh so cold! The farthest I could get in was my toes. This is probably one of my favorites hikes. The second part around the river was confusing...there wasn't really a defined trail, but eventually every trail leads to the falls. I don't reccomend this hike for people with weak ankles...I sprained mine on the way back from the falls. Other than that be prepared for lots of climbing and a good time!

Jan 04, 2008 8:58AM

What kind of footwear do you recommend for hiking to the falls? I generally prefer hiking boots with lots of support. In your experience, would you rather have a waterproof shoe or one that will breathe? I will be in Kauai in mid-March. I am also concerned about ruining nice boots with all the mud I'm sure I'll encounter; so I wonder if old tennies would be better.

Thank you! Your site is great and has been a huge help in planning my trip.

Heather

Jan 04, 2008 7:05PM

My wife and I will be on Kauai February 4-11. She will be 9 weeks pregnant. She's 34 and in good shape. Is the hike to Hanakapiai too dangerous for her?

Is it a good idea to do one of the catamaran cruises along the coast as well? If so, can you recommend any?

Jan 06, 2008 7:09PM

I am plannin our hike for the middle of January. I have been told by some locals that I know that the ocean in that area at this time of year is very rough. I dont care to swim in the ocean but will the river pools and tide pools be nice enough to take advantage of. I want to get the most out of the hike. What should I plan for and what should I plan to avoid? Thank you
Aloha
Ron

Jan 12, 2008 10:41PM

We will be arriving in late January and are looking for a great hike. I would like to try the Hanakapia`ai trail, but my only worry is that I have a pretty severe fear of cliff heights from a previous fall. Can anyone tell me how close to the edge of the cliff the trail is or give me an idea of weather I should even attempt it?

Thanks!!!

Jan 13, 2008 9:52PM

Just did the hike - good experience. For those concerned about the difficulty: I am in good shape, but an inexperienced hiker. The 4 miles to the falls was easier than I expected and I moved very fast - I rarely breathed hard. However, on the last 2 miles of the return, my legs were very sore and it was painful to get down the rocks, so if you are not used to hiking, it may be best to take it easy on the way in.

Also, for what its worth, I found the first mile on the way BACK from the waterfull to be a bit confusing. The main trail is not marked and there are other "trails" that led to dead-ends and almost got me quite lost. Obviously, all you need to do is follow the river back, but that is tough to do unless you are on the correct trail. In retrospect, I would have paid more attention on the way in.

Jan 18, 2008 9:04AM

I am trying to get driving directions to Hanakapiai trail from east side of island in Kapaa. I used your drive directions from this website and confused about what it is showing me. It shows directions from HI-50 to Waimea Canyon Dr. I thought trail (from map) starts north of island near Haena State Park. What would be best way to go.

Jan 23, 2008 5:11AM

I've been wanting to hike this trail for awhile now. I have a few days off in feb. Are there any transportation services to this area? how will it work to park my car at one end and hike out the other end? Do most people hike the 11 miles in and then hike the 11 miles back?
thanks

Jan 27, 2008 2:42AM

My wife and I are planning a trip to Kauai in April. We are experienced hikers from beautiful Oregon. We are planning on hiking to Kalalau Valley with a side trip to Hanakapi\'ai Falls on the way in. I have four questions... 1. Are there camping opportunities between Hanakapi\'ai Falls and Kalalau Valley? 2. Are we likely to have any sense of remoteness at Kalalau to set up our tents? 3. Ocean waters/currents can be dangerous in Oregon also... but plenty of people swim in our frigid waters. Should the warnings be taken to mean \'stay out of the water - because you\'ll probably die if you don\'t\' :-) or \'be careful in the water because there are riptides and strong waves\'? And finally.. 4. If we wanted to save time on this trip so that we can hike more of Kauai, could we charter a boat to drop us and our gear off at Kalalau Valley and hike out?

Thank you for your great site.

Jan 27, 2008 8:51PM

Aloha,
I hiked this trail by myself, almost on accident for about 2 hours about four junes ago and it was one of the most memorable outdoor experiences of my life!. Now I am returning with my significant other who has never been to Kauai. This will be our first trip alone without being pregnant or with a child. Our last two trips to Hawaii were with our our child, first at 7 months and then at 18 months. We love bringing her the islands. HOwever this time we want to be able to Kayak, Snorkle, and Hike so we are leaving her behind in cold Utah. I found your incredible website by accident when I was looking for water temps by month. This will be my ninth trip to Hawaii and I have been many times of the year. We are coming in Febuary and last year when we were there (Oahu and Maui) the water was cold. So some questions.
1. Was this just a fluke and can we just go to another beach if this is the case? Would you recommend the south kayak trip or just renting some? We are not big kayakers and I would like to see some sights this way, I realize we can do Na pali this time of year. Can we still hike it if it not raining?
Also, I realize that you don't provide lodging recommendations, but is the Hilton in the right part of the island for surfing or snorkling this time of year ( I understand the south/north Poipu/Princeville) thing but not hte west/east).
2. We always use Hotel Points when we come, but another thing we have not done since becoming parents is camp. The last time I was there I saw a great camp site by the beach to the trailhead to this hike. How is camping in Febuary? If we want ocean type camping is there one sight you would recommend for this time of year? What gear would we need (we live in cold moutains and have never beach camped). Is is difficult/expensive to rent so we don't have to bring our gear for two nights?. How hard is it to get camping permits this time of year? I have looked at the official websites but these questions are not really answered. Also, I have had stuff stolen from rental cars in Oahu, so I know that whole risk, are there suggestions for this when camping? Without a hotel room I guess you just carry valuables on hikes etc./ but what if you are in the water? Is this less of an issue in Kauai?
3. I know you are not weather genie's but is it a lot more likely to rain there than oahu this time of year?
Mahalo!

Jan 30, 2008 5:17AM

We are planning on making the hike soon. I heard there is kind of a clothing optional rule at the end of the hike. Is this still the case?

Feb 06, 2008 7:09AM

Can you recommend any good guidebooks for hiking and snorkeling on Kauai? We are staying at the hostel in Kapaa in February. I have read about the Kokee State Park trails on the internet and want to start there. I want to study all the trails and make a list before I arrive.

Feb 08, 2008 10:22PM

Hi,
My future wife and I are visiting Kauai in mid May. I was wondering if the Hanakapi‘ai is going to be back open by then. We aren\\\'t experienced hikers but we are physically fit and work out many days a week. This hike sounds very exciting!

Feb 10, 2008 11:54PM

Any news on when the trail will be re-opening? Weather-related? My wife and I are here in Kauai thru Feb 15. Bad timing. :(

Feb 15, 2008 8:47PM

You said, "At this time, camping permits for Hanakapi‘ai are not being offered." Why is that? It means that in order to hike the trail and see all the sites along the way, I would have to hike 10 miles before I could camp at Hanakoa on my way to Kalalau (2 miles to Hanakapi'ai; 4 miles R/T to Hanakapi'ai Falls; and 4 miles on to Hanakoa). That's ridiculous.

Is the "no camping at Hanakapi'ai" rule enforced? If so, how rigorously? Does the DNLR sweep through Hanakapi'ai Valley and clear people out of there at the end of the day? Would the ranger take a $100 bill to look the other way?

Feb 16, 2008 7:59AM

Wow - what a great resource this website is! Thanks for all of the information.

My wife and I will be there in March and I hope to hike this trail with her. We have done some hiking her in Montana and she can occasionally be a little fearful of heights. As Dawn asked above, could you please elaborate on the trail width during the "scary" parts? Is there a "mountainside" or similar that you can hug when near a dropoff? I guess I should also ask how often it is that someone actually falls. Thanks again for any information!

Feb 16, 2008 9:17PM

I recently (about three days ago) went hiking here. I wore Converse and slipped in the mud two times. Upon finishing the hike I noticed a horrible pain in my right toe, I went in to the hospital today and I fractured it badly.
So, in the end, great hike but do NOT wear converse shoes and be careful on the rocks.

Mar 01, 2008 4:37AM

Aloha! I would love to hike this trail with my wife and 7 year old son this coming week at least part of this ( will be in Princeville area between March 5-8) Hope the trail will be open by then. Thanks for all the advice.

Mar 05, 2008 2:50AM

We are coming out in late April, do you think we will be able to swim on the beach that time of the year?

Mar 23, 2008 11:01PM

My husband and I are planning a trip to Kauai in September. I would like to go on this hike. We are staying on the south shore, and are planning on renting a car. Is the island relatively easy to get around on? How long does it take to drive from the South shore? Thank you

Mar 27, 2008 9:17PM

Plan to do the trail to the Hanakapiai Falls sometime between April 13-17th. Is there a # or website that has daily updates on the trail conditions? I heard that if it has rained a lot the day before the river could be flooded and I'd hate to drive all the way there to find out that the river is too high to cross!

Thanks! (great site!)
Jen

Mar 30, 2008 2:45AM

this site has been very informative. My husband and I will be hiking this trail sometime the first week of May. I don\'t see anything above regarding mosquitos but a co worker who grew up in hawaii told us to be prepared. Do you suggest a particular type of repellant? Also, will the first of May be a safe time for a Na pali kayak adventure? Heard elsewhere that waters would be rough. I live and hike in upstate NY along rocky gorges with lots of up and down. Has anyone hiked in the Ithaca area? Wondering if we will be prepared for the difficulty level.

Apr 01, 2008 12:20PM

This is the information I have been looking for- the whole site is terrific. We are planning a trip to Kauai from August 18-25 \'08 and wondering which side of the island we should stay on? We want to definitely do this hike and also snorkel. Also, where can we go \"body-surfing?\" We are two adults(50+) and one 20 year old and a 14 year old.

Apr 02, 2008 4:53PM

We are coming into Kauai in the beginning of September this year on the Pride of America. We are planning on renting a car and leaving early so we can do this hike. My question is how long does it take to get from the pier to the trailhead and how long should we plan on the hike taking (we will only be hiking ot the falls and back)? We are in pretty good shape, but not avid hikers specifically. I'm just concerned since we also want to have some time to see Waimea canyon and stop at some of the lookouts. Thanks!

Apr 09, 2008 6:33AM

You gotta hike to the falls! I'm not a strong hiker, but believe me, the falls is definitely worth it--you're halfway there when you hit the beach so go for it! We did get lost a few times as we approached the falls--we could hear it, but we couldn't figure out where the trail went, then we realized we had to go across the large boulders in the river...definitely an adventure I would do again. Although to be honest, the hike back from the beach seemed a little bit too long:)

Apr 09, 2008 5:09PM

It's Katy again (from 4/2 posting). We only have 1 day and can't decide between hiking the Hanakapiai trail to the falls and back, or seeing Waimea canyon via the Kukui trail. Which would you suggest? Since we really want to see both, do you think it is enough to simply stop at the Waimea Canyon lookout for some photographs and then move on to the Hanakapiai trailhead? Or...do you think we'd be missing out on Waimea? It's become obvious to us both that we need to come back to Kauai soon! Website is great and thanks for your quick responses!

Apr 15, 2008 9:22PM

We'll be on Kaua`i this weekend (4/18-20) and planning to hike Hanakapi`ai trail. I just checked the weather for Kaua`i on the Advertiser website, which calls for showers through Saturday. We're both about 30 years old and in good shape with some hiking experience. Will the trail be too muddy and/or dangerous for us? Based on the weather, do you think Sunday would be a better day to go than Saturday? Any advice will be appreciated!

Apr 17, 2008 6:43AM

Hi Cheryl

My wife has very little hiking experience, we did hanakapai last august, it rained most of the way out on us. Was it slick, yes. Did we have a blast, absolutely! Good clothing/shoes + slowing down and you'll have a great time

Enjoy!

Apr 17, 2008 7:51PM

Hi. Great site. Thanks for all the info. Doing the hike in July and can hardly wait. Two questions, I know camping is not allowed at Kee Beach, but is at Haena Beach Park. If one needed a place to crash the night before starting the hike, would it be better to do it at the Haena campground or hike in two miles to Hanakapiai? Also, how far is Haena Beach Park from the trailhead? Any assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Apr 22, 2008 10:45PM

I plan to do the 4 mile trek to the Falls at the very beginning of May. Should I expect rain, and is there a certain time of day that it usually rains? I can't wait! I hope that my old tennis shoes will be adequate since I dont really want to buy hiking shoes. The beach is back by now, right? If the beach is gone, can you still get to the Falls?

Apr 22, 2008 10:52PM

Oh, and I\'m kind of a weeny about cold weather... What\'s the temp like at the beach/Falls? Do you recommend that I bring a sweatshirt?

Apr 25, 2008 5:35AM

When people are mentioning mud - how deep are we talking? If I wear low cut hiking shoes am I going to be swamped?

May 06, 2008 1:18AM

Jim, my wife and myself just hiked up to the falls last week and it hadn't rained in four days when we did it. We aggressively hiked the trail which made it a little more muddy but alot more fun. We both walked out looking like we had stuck our legs up to our knees in mud. We saw alot of people walking out with only a little splatter on their feet/legs. If you stay slow and watch your step I guess it won't be too bad but we had a ton of fun hitting the trail hard jogging a good part of it. The hike is as much fun as you want to make it, we had a blast and got a ton of great photos. I hope anyone that has a free morning in Kauai takes advantage of this great free adventure.

Pat

May 11, 2008 1:11AM

We plan to have friends drop us off at Ke'e Beach before our hike. Can you please tell me if there is good cell phone reception there so we can phone our friends to pick us up when we return from the hike?

May 16, 2008 8:58AM

Hiked to the Falls yesterday morning... mostly inexperienced hikers with common sense ...started trail at 7 a.m. and were back before 1 p.m. with plenty of time to enjoy the sights and sounds. Well worth the effort. Saw only two other people going in. Saw more than 50 coming back from falls to beach... too many to count from beach back to Kee. Water in pool is VERY cold... get in right away or not at all, because your sweat starts to dry and the breeze and mist will make you cool anyway.

May 21, 2008 11:43AM

Hi,

My boyfriend and I are going to Kilauea for three days, so only really have one day of hiking. What would you recommend? We would like a trail that incorporates most of the things that Kauai has to offer. We will have a car and don\'t mind an early start, we are both reasonably fit (him more so!) but not that experienced hikers, although are up for a challenge. Ideally we would like some great views and somewhere it is possible to swim.

May 29, 2008 3:40AM

Aloha, I am anxiously awaiting the weekend to arrive when I will hopefully do the hike to the Hanakapi`ai Falls on Saturday or Sunday. I am a bit worried about the muddiness of the trail coming from Ke\'e beach and from Hanakapi`ai beach inland towards the falls. Have you a recent report of how much rain has fallen over the last few days and the trail condition/mud factor? I've never done any hiking in a wet climate like this and am a bit worried about how messy this is going to be. I have a decent pair of Vasque hiking shoes that are supposed to be water proof (and appropriate rain clothing just in case), however I have never tested them out and would really rather not wade through ankle high mud. I am hoping someone will do an anti-rain dance or something that will keep things reasonably dry until after this weekend so that this dry climate hiker will be able to better enjoy this island paradise.

May 30, 2008 11:43AM

My husband and I will be hiking in Kauai next May 2009 and I was wondering what type of shoe was better.. A quick drying light hiker or a waterproof gore-tex hiker. Any advie would help. Thanks

May 31, 2008 2:57PM

My husband and I (both 40) and our boys (11 and 15) hiked to the beach in Dec 07 (half the hike in a total downpour. It still rates as the most spectacular hike we have ever taken. Even in the rain every view was incredible. We\'re bringing a group of 25 boy scouts and adult leaders to Kauai for summer camp in 2009. We wanted to hike out to Hanakapi\'ai beach day 1, to the falls and back day 2, and hike out on the morning of dAY 3. It looks like we can only camp 1 night at Hanakapi\'ai and then we are required to move on. Is this correct? Do you have any recommendations on a better plan for our hike. I was concerned about coordinating a hike any further out the trail with so many people. Any ideas?

May 31, 2008 4:24PM

Hello from Canada. Coming to Kauai next week for a conference but arriving early to do some hiking. I'm travelling alone. Is it safe or busy enough to do this trail or Kalalau alone? I probably only have time to do part of one of these hikes. If not, are there guided tours, or a way to meet a hiking buddy at the trailhead?
Your website is great :)

Jun 07, 2008 1:53AM

This is a follow-up to my earlier message. I just wanted to say thank you for providing this informative website. Not only was my hike last Saturday DRY and wonderful, it was an awesome workout. The treat to be found at Hanakapia Falls definately makes the 8 miles invested worthwhile. I hiked it alone, but certainly did not feel alone. There were plenty of folks going in both directions so as not to feel isolated, although not too many to feel crowded. I packed and drank almost all of 4 liters of water and had a nice lunch at the falls. I did overpack for this hike however and would definately go lighter next time as the weight I carried made it tougher than it should have been. At no time along the trail did I feel the trail was dangerous. There were a few wet spots with mud on rocks that you have to be more careful about, and crossing the stream several times was not too difficult either, granted, there hadn't been much rain. All in all, a great time, and would do it again and recommend it.

Jun 25, 2008 7:57PM

We are coming to Maui next February and my husband and I are debating spending the second week of our trip in Kauai. I have read most of the page and have gained a good amount of information, thank you! My questions is this-because we are coming in the Winter months of the year will much of the hiking and kayaking and other activities be closed? I realize the beach portion of the hike would be under water, however, I would still like to go and see the waterfall and I would love to be able to Kayak the Na Pali. If not, are the many other options during this time of year?

Jun 26, 2008 2:30AM

Hi there, planning on hiking the trail up to the falls this week. Hiked Nevada Falls in Yosemite Ntl Park two weeks ago, wich one is the hardest? Anyone done both?

/Robert

Jun 26, 2008 2:30PM

Thanks for this discussion. It gave me and my husband, each 50 years old, the confidence to do the Falls hike. We had 2 goals. First to get there and back safely, which we did, and second to take our time and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We stopped high on the cliffs to watch the dolphins play in the crystal clear water below. We sat with our feet in the river before continuing inland to the falls. Had a great picnic at the falls and played in the brackish water behind the sand bar where the river meets the ocean. Each 2 mile segment took us an hour and a half, which was a peaceful and comfortable pace. I encourage other "old" people in good shape to try it. Wear good shoes, take a lot of water and be careful. It's worth it!

Jun 26, 2008 2:31PM

Aloha! My husband and I loved the hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls on our last trip to Kauai. We are considering getting a day permit to make the hike to Hanakoa Falls and back...how does this leg of the trail compare to the Hanakapi'ai Falls portion? Do you encounter much of the steep/narrow terrain that many folks mention about the latter portion of the Kalalau trail?

Jul 05, 2008 1:16AM

I have hiked this trail twice just to the beach, but after reading about it think I will leave earlier and go to the falls this time. I am 52 but at 40 I hiked to half dome so Nevada Falls was on the way...Robert I am sure you are back by now and hope you went. If you did Nevada Falls you can do this trail.

I just found your site today and love the info. Thanks. We will be in Hanalei area mid july.

Rose

Jul 09, 2008 2:43AM

My husband and I just recently started hiking and we hiked Vernal Falls in Yosemite a few weeks ago. I was wondering if you could give me an idea of the difficulty level of this hike compared to Vernal Falls before we attempt it. we will be in Kauai July 7- 14.

Jul 09, 2008 10:36PM

What is the camping at Hanakoa like? I've seen pictures and it looks like there's no beach. My boyfriend thinks the trek all the way to Kalalau might be a bit much. We're fairly in shape, mid twenties- is it really that exhausting? Thanks for the help in advance!

Jul 13, 2008 4:22AM

Wow! Great site! Deb and I are hiking in Aug. We are breaking in lightweight Vasque hiking boots with the Gortex tops. Seem to be light and waterproof yet stay cool. I saw a comment about some type of footwear for crossing streams and wading. What type of shoes or slip-ons were these? We were going to take a light weight backpack with water/protein bars or fruit snacks/miscellaneous necessities…insect spray, sun block, camping towel, pocket single use rain poncho, dry socks, small light…Is this over kill? It all easily fits into a small pack and we want to be prepared if something happens. What about toilet areas? Probably a stupid question but I wouldn’t want to hurt the environment or anything. How does that work? Find a tree? Are there any people dangers…crazies on the trail? Your site is very cool. I figure I’ll get some great suggestions. I’ve learned a lot and will look forward to sharing our experiences.

Jul 29, 2008 3:15PM

We will be doing the hike to Hanakapiai Beach in late August, no exact day yet. I was hoping to choose the ideal day for this 2 mile hike. Is there a website to get accurate weather conditions for the Na Pali coast? I must admit, we are inexperienced hikers, probably will be wearing walking shoes and water shoes, lots of water and food, sunscreen, bug repellant, hats. Are walking sticks recommended? If so, where can we get these? Can we pack along plate lunches? There should be trash cans along the way, as we wouldn't want to leave our trash anywhere. A GREAT WEBSITE!!!! I will definitely post my experience after.

Aug 18, 2008 1:19AM

Hi! We are coming in the middle of October to backpack the 22-mi round trip! (yes, we have the permits!) Can't find any trail guides or books that spell out how much water to bring, how many streams we will encounter along the way, or what the temp overnight will be in October on the beach at Kalalau...can you please help me? BTW--we are 36 and 42, both in good condition, can hike 6 miles/day no prob with camelbacks and small day packs. We are just concerned about carrying REAL packs and having enough water on the trail. What's your best advice?

Aug 21, 2008 8:43PM

Lots of questions...Based on the current conditions of this and Na Pali being closed, do you know if they will be most likely opened by Sep2-11? Also, how safe is it to hike these trails with small children (1&2) in backpack carriers? Some of the descriptions make it sound really scary with the narrow paths so close to the edge of the cliff. We're all in decent shape and enjoy taking long walks/moderate hikes.

Finally, we'll be staying in Hanalei - does anyone know a place to rent the baby backpack carriers in or around town (rather than the rental place that delivers)? Are there other hikes in that area to consider?

Aug 22, 2008 5:18PM

Hello. I was wondering what the minimum age is that you recommend for this hike. My children are 2, 4, and 7; however, we are not planning to do the hike for another couple of years. We regularly go on day hikes and are all in good shape. do you think they will be old enough at 4, 6, and 9? thanks, Ruth

Aug 25, 2008 5:26PM

We did this hike last weekend(Aug 17). It was a lot of fun and the falls were beautiful. On the way back my wife and I along with 25 others became stuck at Hanakapi`ai beach due to a wild fire that had crossed the trail. The smoke was very thick and we were getting ash and live embers dropped on us. After several hours the fire dept was able to send a zodiac but were unable to land because of the rough waves. We had to swim out in pairs of two. They took 12 of us at a time and brought our gear in garbage bags. In the end we were safe and had a heck of an adventure on our honeymoon.

I have a photo of the fire at the following address:
http://www.websitesalaska.com/scvolz/Hawaii_434.jpg

Sep 09, 2008 6:54PM

Great site! A friend and I are planning to hike to Kalalau beach in mid-February 2009 and I\'m having some difficulty gauging what the trail is likely to be like at that time of year. Can you help? Any other pointers you can provide for hiking during the winter months would be greatly appreciated, too. Thanks!!!

Oct 15, 2008 10:28PM

Hello. My husband and I will be in Kauai next week and plan to do a lot of hiking, including this trail. I saw a post above where you said you prefer not to use hiking sticks on this trail? We were planning to bring our poles, but I'm wondering if we'd be better of without them? We are also planning on doing one or more of the ridge top hikes up in Waimea Canyon.

Thanks for all the helpful advice you give here.

Nov 13, 2008 5:52PM

Another person looking for ""strenuous"" comparisons.Were both 50ish and have hiked a few mountain trails in the rockies with 3 or 4000 feet vert. and have been down Bright Angel trail at the grand canyon.Was looking for Seira club ratings but havent found any> thank for any info

Nov 19, 2008 7:01PM

I am thinking about going to kauai and take this trail in two weeks.
Do you think that the weather conditions would be appropiate and that the trail status would be ok too?
Is it possible to swim in the waterfalls in this season?
I wonder also what is the best place for cheap accomodation near this trail.
Thanks very much for your advice!

Nov 20, 2008 7:01PM

Will be in Kauai next week. Plan on making the hike with the family to the falls (very excited). Have you been to or heard of the status of Hanakapi`ai beach and overall trail conditions since the recent weather?

Great website! Keep up the good work.

Nov 26, 2008 5:42PM

My husband and I will be vacationing in Kauai next May and want to do a lot of hiking. What would be the best book to buy that has trail maps and information? Thank you

Dec 03, 2008 2:11AM

Thank you so much for all of the great info. My husband and I went on this hike in September. It was a hard hike to the falls, but definately worth it. The falls are amazing, and all of the views and pictures were increadible!!Thank you again!!

Dec 16, 2008 12:28AM

We're going to be in Kauai mid January. Both my boyfriend and I have pretty good endurance, but I'm looking to avoid narrow paths alongside cliffs. Is this a hike I should skip (with that in mind)? And do you have suggestions for other good northshore hikes?

Thank you for your help!!

Can't wait-
Lea

David K

Dec 17, 2008 9:38PM

My wife and I hiked the Kalalau Trail and the Hanakapiai Trail to the waterfall almost 10 years ago with a paid guide. We will be back in December 2008. Do you have a list of current guides who may take us back to the Hanakapiai Falls? Thx.

Dec 23, 2008 6:19PM

summer 09 i am hoping ot hike this trail and then possibly hook up with a group so I can kayak back? is such a trip possible? it is my 50th birthday gift to myself...

Dec 29, 2008 3:33AM

Great Site. My wife and I will be in Kauai at the end of January and want to do the hike all the way to the falls. We are fairly experienced hikers, but I know this time of year is the rainy season and I was wondering about flash floods. Is it common to get \"stuck\" on the wrong side of the river for a prolonged time when a flood occurs? If a heavy rain starts do you generally have to turn around and scratch doing the hike at this time of year?

Dec 30, 2008 12:28AM

We will be honeymooning in Kauai for a week at the end of January 2009. We are both in fairly good shape. Since we will be staying in Princeville we plan to do the Hanakapi'ai but what other trails for day hikes are recommended?

Thank you very much!

Jan 03, 2009 3:51AM

We are in Kauai right now. We have been hearing that the Hanakapiai is not really accessible right now because of the rain. Do you have any advice on this?

Jan 03, 2009 1:34PM

Hi, My fiance and I are on our way to Kauai mid January 2009. We are awaiting our permits and hoping to camp and hike the Kalalau trail in 3 days. I am an experienced hiker and I am in great shape but I will be 22 weeks pregnant at the time (4+months). I am not carrying big or even showing now and we will take our time to do it over 3 days. I am concerned about the cliffs -- like everyone else -- but are the concerns about flesh eating bacteria and other viruses real or dangers I haven't anticipated?

Dave Hillier

Jan 05, 2009 11:03PM

I did the Hanakapiai trek last Friday Jan 2 2009. 0815-1415 (6hrs). Lots of picture stops and lunch beside the falls. Very rainy but one of the most beautiful trails I've been on. Well worth the journey. Came across a 4"spider, a giant bullfrog, and what looked like a Lynx but could have been a Domestic. Ran very fast.
Leave early though and give yourselves lots of time!! I was surprised at the amount of people trying to get to the falls leaving late afternoon from start point. (Not very smart).
Thanks Kauai! Dave

Chuck

Jan 07, 2009 4:30AM

There is a lot of good information and comments here. I would like to caution and point out that the trail becomes very undefinded at times. Should I go that way or that way?? You have to watch closely to make sure you are traveling on the trail especially around the water crossings. It\'s not hard to stay on the trail but everyone should be aware that this trail is not like the one you just left... the Kalalua Trail. I would definately not miss this hike if you have time. The picture above is a great one! I also have more pictures and videos of the trail on our website. Thanks for your forum.

Feb 06, 2009 6:02PM

We did this hike on Sunday 2/1. One couple, experienced hikers, one couple, not so much (me and my husband), and 4 kids (13,11,10,9) My only regret is that we did not leave earlier. Started at 1pm, got to the beach (1/2 way) at 2:50pm and continued up the river, toward the falls. It's a shame there are no markers (we didn't see any), as you get close to the falls, as we had to back track a few times, when we lost the trail. We could see the falls in the near distance but did not quite make it, as we had to turn back (4pm) for fear of losing daylight (sunset 6:30pm). We arrived back at 6:25, just in the nick of time. It was a mentally challenging hike...no daydreaming allowed. We had to watch each and every step (muddy/slippery rocks, protruding tree roots, crossing rivers)....It was the experience of a lifetime! And I hope to return to Kauai, so I can do it all over again! The views were amazing, as were the micro climates.

Take plenty of water
wear the right shoes
pack power bars and bananas/snacks
give yourself plenty of time
enjoy God's creations!

Feb 10, 2009 3:40AM

im going to take the trail to Hanakapiai beach by myself. the last week of feb,,,is the beach gone right now,,and how long will it take me.im in good shape

Feb 15, 2009 5:24PM

A most wonderful experience enjoying God's creation. My wife and I hiked the trail on February 1, 2009 and we took the suggestions offered on this forum. We left Ke'e beach about 8:30 AM and really enjoyed the hike, taking every opportunity to take in the majestic views, enjoy the diverse and beautiful flora and fauna. We left the swimming at Hanakapi'ai beach to some experienced surfers who seemingly were very careful. The danger is very obvious, yet the beauty to watch the surf at this small rock beach is great fun. The trail from the beach to the falls is not always marked and one has to find one of a few ways that people have gone before, yet that makes it even more so a wonderful adventure. The impressions of sounds range from joyful serenades of elaborately decorated tropical birds, to waves majestically splashing five hundred meters below against the cliffs, the endless surf pounding on the rocks of Hanakapi'ai beach, the mysterious squeaking of the large bundles of bamboo, the soft gurgling of the Hanakapi'ai river, the continuous thunder of the falls, and the occasional rain falling softly on the canopy of leaves above. The fragrances range from lush wet tropical forest smells, to delicious sweet Guava fruit gardens, rich flowery perfumes, and a fresh salty sea air.
The water at the falls is nice and cool, even cold, but it is so much fun to swim under the falls and stand on the rocks behind it. At this time in January and February the falls are just about all the time in the cool shade, but a little hike back down the valley provides ample of sunshine. The recommended sunscreen helped us from getting burned and be able to sit in the sun without worry. Unless you wear a hat, don’t forget to protect the top of your head, where your hair parts. We had some rain and good shoes help a lot with navigating the muddiness as well as climbing over the slippery rocks and logs of the Hanakapi’ai river trail. A dry place for your camera and other electronic equipment is important and zip-lock bags do very well. A backpack is handy, since it keeps your hands free. Make sure to haul your own trash out. It would be shameful to deface such pristine beauty. We only found a pile at the helicopter emergency landing place and it did look and smell bad.
If one is not used to drinking much water, it is essential to drink at timed intervals, so dehydration won’t be suddenly coming upon you. We drank throughout the hike and by the end of the day five liters (about five quarts) had helped us to still feel great. Fruit is another great tasting energy food that made our hike a great experience.
We returned to Ke’e beach around 6:00 PM after a good steady hike, with many enjoyable breaks at the most picturesque places, and that even in time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset at Ke’e beach. We met several people that started the trail later in the day who hiked the trail in haste missing many opportunities to enjoy the lovely scenery, as to make it back by nightfall, while others, who left in the afternoon, barely made it to Hanakapi’ai beach or even turned around before making it there due to the rain showers and/or inadequate footwear.
Thank you for the helpful information on your site. We were blessed and we hope that many other will be able to enjoy this hike likewise. If we ever return to Kauai, we’ll surely plan other hikes like this. It definitely was a life enriching experience.

Feb 16, 2009 6:42PM

My wife and I did this hike on 1/29/09. What a great experience! We got to the trail early (about 8:30 AM), because we wanted to eat lunch and take lots of pictures, plus my wife hikes at a slow but steady pace. Including all the stops, lunch at the falls, and about 15 minutes for a wrong turn it took us 8 hours round trip (back to car by 4:30 PM). The falls were incredible, and it was a great but challenging hike. Conditions were muddy and slippery as expected, but eventually you to get a point where you embrace the mud and plow right through it. I\'d guess we were on the slow end of hikers that day, and that in general it was taking between 6-8 hours to do the roundtrip in those conditions. It was very helpful having a pair of crocs for the stream crossings when there wasn\'t an easy path to jump rocks and having a hiking stick as a third balance point for slippery sections. One note of caution, a woman fell and hurt her knee at a stream crossing near the falls. She didn\'t have a hiking stick or the right shoes and it looked like she wasn\'t ready for this hike. We talked to a ranger for a while and I really felt bad for the search and rescue folks who would have to carry her 1.5 miles to the helicopter landing zone near the beach. The part to the falls can be dangerous if you don\'t have the right equipment or aren\'t in descent shape. That being said, if you prepare for it, is the experience of a lifetime.

Feb 24, 2009 2:52AM

We just hiked the first 2 miles of the Hanakap\'ai trail with our 5 month old in a \"baby bjorn\" carrier. No problems or worries. We would not hesitate to do it again. Actually, we saw three other children (2-plus years old) in back pack carriers! We also talked with another couple that did not bring their 20 months old and regretted it after completing the hike!

Feb 27, 2009 6:11PM

Just stumbled onto this website, and felt like leaving a comment. I was one of those 1960's hippies that lived back in Hanakapi`ai Valley back then. Me and a buddy almost got killed in the most horrifying rock slide I’ve ever seen at Hanakapi`ai Falls. The sound of the boulders, and the snapping off of trees as the boulders fell was something I’ll never forget. The boulders were almost all the size of small pickup trucks. The air was filled with dust and smoke afterwards. The rocks came from above the falls. We used to hike into the falls a couple times a week, but I only hiked in once after that, and only because we had a friend visiting who wanted to see the falls. I was too scared to walk up to the pool that day. I’d heard of people being killed up there before, and poo pooed the stories till that day.

I was in my early 20's at the time, and I have no recollection of muddy trails, but then again, I was it extreme top physical condition, and I have slept since then. Hanakapi`ai Valley is an extremely beautiful place. In heavy rain times, the river can be difficult to get across, but then again, maybe bridges have been built since then. All my photos from then have been lost over the years. All I have are fond memories, and the smell of guava all over the valley in September when the ripe guavas fall off the trees and break open on the ground. A very sweet smell I’ll never forget. Hanakapi`ai Valley is a piece of heaven.

Mar 04, 2009 2:31PM

My friends and i are planning on hiking up to the falls.Is the trail really muddy at this time.and if forecast says showers can we still go??
we are coming from Kapaa..what is a good starting time.
Thank you so much

Mar 09, 2009 2:48PM

My wife and I are on Kauai until 3/12/09 and had planned on taking the Hanakapi`ai Valley hike today (3/9) but just heard Hanalei bridge is closed due to flash flooding. If rain stops today, how long before the trail/river crossings will be safe to hike?
Thanks!

Mar 19, 2009 11:26PM

My husband and I are planning a trip to Kauai the last week in April. We are both very active and in good shape but are not fond of camping. We are experienced day hikers (our longest being about 20 miles around the Lake Tahoe rim trail). We plan to hike to Hanakapi'ai falls but I was wondering if it would be possible to hike to Hanakoa falls and back out a day?

Mar 20, 2009 11:52PM

Thanks!! This site is great and the Nualolo to Awaawapuhi loop is the plan for our other full day hike. Any shorter (less than 3 hour) can't miss hikes?

Mar 21, 2009 7:31AM

was wondering if anyone knows what the elevation gain is, for the first part (2 miles to the beach), as well as the full 4 miles to the falls? thanks!

Apr 09, 2009 2:42PM

I hiked to the waterfall many years ago and can't wait to do it again! One thing I regret about my initial trip was being poorly prepared - my hiking boots got wet & heavy, my swimsuit chafed me, I ran out of water on the way out, etc. I would greatly appreciate someone giving me a quick rundown of the essentials. (the "Things to Bring" at the top is vague) For instance, what is the appropriate footwear? Is a water filter good enough, or should I bring a purifier?

Thanks in advance!

Apr 09, 2009 9:38PM

Thanks for all the great info! It really helped us. We hiked to Hanakapiai Falls on Tuesday March 31. It was wet and muddy with periodic showers but also several long stretches of hot sunshine. Overall it was a beautiful day and the scenery was amazing. It was by far the best of several hikes we did on Maui and Kauai during our visit. The river was running pretty good but crossing was not that difficult -- once you know where to cross. Warning for first timers -- the three main river crossings (there are were also a number of little stream crossings) on the hike to from the beach to the falls are not marked with any kind of signs and can be confusing if you cannot see exactly where the trail picks up on the other side. We got lost once because we crossed to early and could not find the trail on the other side and then we had to retrace our steps and try again (a 20 min delay), as did several other people we saw that day. Given the volume of hikers -- why no "Trail" signs at the crossings?

Apr 17, 2009 9:15PM

Hello - is this trail well-marked, and/or are maps available anywhere near its start?

Apr 29, 2009 10:56PM

Hi, we will be in Kauai at the beginning of May and this trail seems to be one of the closest to Princeville. After reading the stats and comments, it does seem a little intimidating to inexperienced hikers, so being a little skeptical, I have a few questions: Is there any restrictions on how early you can start and how long will it take if you do the entire hike? I would rather go when other people on on the hike. Also how often do you come across the composting toilets especially if you\'re going to be drinking a lot of water? And finally if you don\'t swim that well, is it advisable to steer clear of the falls or is it shallow enough for inexperienced swimmers?

May 02, 2009 7:12AM

Just returned from an amazing week on the North Shore (sunshine every day?!), during which my 66 yo father & I hiked to the Falls together. He wasn\'t convinced it\'d be \"worth the effort\" going in, but fared great and declared it one of his favorite all-time hikes. It was a 4.5-hr RT and testament to the accessibility of the trail. May not be for everyone but for those with decent fitness and determination, it\'s well worth it. One note - river crossings are the only place picking up the trail can be sketchy. We met a group of 4 that were headed down but thinking they were taking the most direct route to the top after a river crossing. They wheeled around and made it up fine -- after a few laughs. Thanks for the continual updates & great forum, W.

May 03, 2009 8:41AM

I started the hike today with 2 other people @ about 10:30a but initially wanted to arrive around 8:30a. We had another engagement to attend @ 3p, so I knew we wouldn\'t make it to the falls, but thought we definitely had enough time for the beach.

The hike kicks right off with rocks and an incline so we had to take a deep breath and adjust ourselves accordingly. One person in our party had to stop continuously to take breaks because they weren\'t in the best physical condition and told us to go ahead. The other person wanted to stop continuously to take pics.

As we moved on, around 11:45a, the person with me wanted to turn around and go back because they feared we wouldn\'t make it back in time even though other hikers told us we were about 15-20 mins away. I was HOT!!! I felt like the hike was in vain. We made it back around 1p with a couple of hours to spare. Word of advice...if you are a serious hiker, either go alone or make sure everyone in your party is on the same page as far as making it at least to the 2 mile mark.

This was a beautiful day, the trail was muddy at only a few points, but great otherwise. My friend did report that an elderly lady slipped and hurt herself which is easy to do if you lose your footing. Saw hikers with sandals and even barefoot...NOT RECOMMENDED. My leg muscles feel great.

May 08, 2009 1:34AM

The hike to the falls in great. We went during the last week of April. The first part to the beach is challenging but not too bad. The second part to the falls is tricky but not as difficult. My only suggestion is the right shoes. I think trail running would be the best. Hiking boots to heavy - running shoes not enough traction. I was fine in trail shoes but my husband had a hard time in regular running shoes.

May 12, 2009 1:38AM

Hi there. A group of us are headed to Kauai overnight on the 26th. (We live on Oahu). We have one young child with us for the hike. She\'s 4 years old. We\'ve hiked with her before, lifting her over some inclines and such, but not sure if we should consider this hike. We\'d all love to go, but wondering about her. We realize we\'d have to do some carrying, and are considering a hiking backpack to carry her in. Your experienced perspective on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

May 16, 2009 4:30PM

Thank for supporting this website. It has provided a lot of great information. My wife and I are planning to hike the Na Pali Coast the last week of May, however, we are wondering if you have any recommendations about transportation to the trail head. We are flying into LIH and would like not to purchase a rental car while we are camping. Do you know of any good shuttle/bus/taxi services that we could look into? Thanks!!

Jun 04, 2009 5:39PM

Hi, My Girlfriend and i are only going to be in Kauai for 3 days so only 1 day are we going to go hiking. We are both in great shape and hike back home. We are thinking of hiking Hanakapi'ai Trail but if you had to pick 1 trail that depicts the most beuty of the island which one would it be?
Thanks!!

Jun 14, 2009 12:09AM

Thanks for all the good info on this site. We're coming to the No. Shore next week and REALLY want to do the Hanakapiai hike. A few concerns...
1. Although I was a regular hiker, after a broken leg a few years ago, my ankle is not in the best shape. I still do some hiking, but always go slow and steady. Is this hike doable if we take a slow, careful pace? 2-We have 2 kids, 14 and 9, who are both in good shape, but the younger bounds ahead and is very inquisitive. Is this hike too dangerous for a child like this?
Thanks for your help?

Rick Jacobs

Jun 16, 2009 2:49AM

Ok, I have a couple of things to say here. NUMBER ONE: Last night I read a comment from a guy who was complaining about doing the hike in his surf board trunks. He mentioned not having any underwear and I didn't get it. He was trying to say (wink, wink) that the lining in ones swimming suit can be very like a cheese grater. Well, my winkie wishes that he had been more to the point, or tip as it were. I did the hike today (6/15/09) and I got grated in my swim suit. Gentlemen beware! Other than that, great hike through the jungle. Amazing views. Lots of friendly people. I am 54 and thiry pounds overweight. My wife is 45 and we are both average condition. It took us two hours to get there but we took many photographs and my wife stopped often to check her blook sugar and eat a little candy (diabetic). We really enjoyed the cool river water at the beach and walking through the ocean cave. WARNING: There are lots of signs saying to "Stay out of the ocean." I went in about 5 yards and the undertow was scary strong. I did not play in the ocean. We spent 1 1/2 hour comiing back and had a very pleasant rain sprinkle to keep us cool. We each drank (3) 20oz bottles of water during the trip and had a snack of apples, cheese, ham, and carrots at the beach. No doubt, we will sleep well tonight.

Jun 17, 2009 9:36PM

Aloha,
Hey in this next week, My mother, sister, and friend Alex are coming to Kauai. Alex and I are swimmers and need to keep in shape for a swim meet when we come back. Would this be a good hike we are in great condition, and would running shoes be good for the hike? Also one more thing if someone had a few scrapes would that be bad if they went in the waterfall pool? Oh, and one more thing how far is the start of the trail from Princeville?
Mahalo
Emily

Jun 19, 2009 6:38PM

Hi everyone- love this site. My wife and I will be honeymooning on Kauai and plan to do this hike. We're semi-experienced hikers and in very good shape. I've always boiled my water if I can't carry all I need, and I've never hiked in a tropical location because I tend to go hiking in the mountains in Upstate NY to beat the NYC heat and smog. Used to mud and slop and streams, floods, rocks etc, but not tropical heat and humidity. So I'm guessing we won't be able to carry the amount of water we'll need for a whole day on the trail. What do you use to treat water? And, less importantly, where's a good place to get breakfast before the hike?

Jul 11, 2009 5:13PM

Hello -

I was planning to hike to Kalalau in early September - however the state is clsoing the trail for goat hunting for a few days. I would still like to do a day hike to Hanakapi`ai Valley, do you know if this trail will be closed as well?

Thanks,
Tom

Jul 13, 2009 1:43AM

Are there any good places where I can jump off rocks or cliffs, similar to black rock in Maui???

Jul 23, 2009 8:51PM

how is the trail today after the rain?

my fam of wife 35, me 39, children 7 and 10 are considering going tomorrow early just the 4mi rt. we did the Pihea trail a couple of days ago without much problem (7yr old a little whiney) any comparison..btw Pihea trail was awesome and clear view (no clouds) in Kalalau Valley..INCREDIBLE!!

this sight is great

Jul 25, 2009 12:16AM

WOW!!! Thanks for all the information-- I am revved and ready to hike with my husband for our 10th anniversary (October 30)! I'm hoping you can answer two questions for me: What is the most direct route to the trailhead from Po'ipu and approximately how long will it take?
Thanks for a great website!

Jul 28, 2009 10:49AM

Aloha! Thanks to all for the great posts, very interesting =), my question is if you have small cracks in between your toes or small scratches on your body, should you stay out of the fresh water holes completly?

Aug 06, 2009 7:12PM

My wife and I just hiked this trail two weeks ago on our honeymoon and it was one of the best experiences of our stay. The falls are amazing and the cliff views breathtaking.

One thing I have yet to see on these forums is a proponent for Chaco sandals. My wife and I both wore them and were by far the best choice (for us) of footwear for hiking and splashing through the river and streams. Get some Chaco’s (with the toe loop) and prepare for one of the best hikes of your life!

Aug 08, 2009 5:35PM

WOW! Just got back from Kauai. You live in an amazing place!!! We did this hike but only to the beach had lunch there and some fruit and waded in the fresh water pools.) Best spot on the trail is after the first incline you can see Ke\'e to your right and the Na Pali to your left and all the wind from the north side of the island is whipping around the mountain at like 25mph. Really cool spot on the trail.

A word of advice to folks used to hiking on the main land. There is no dirt on this trail (or anywhere in HI for that matter). It\'s either sharp, uneven rock that is really slippery when wet or shallow flowing mud. We also saw several people with only one 12oz bottle of water (some people with no water!). You need A LOT more than that, it\'s really hot and humid once the sun gets over the mountain. We (2 people) carried 2 liters each and we ran out at right at the end. Probably could have used more and would have needed more had we gone to the falls.

Also saw several trail runners, wow those guys are diesel.

All in all an amazing trip for us, thanks to this site for all the advice!

Aug 14, 2009 9:20PM

Hi, we're planning on doing the 8 mile round trip (4 miles till the falls and then back 4 miles) with a 5 year old in mid October. We've all done day hikes of upto 7 miles with very steep inclines and managed fine and my husband is an experienced marathon runner. Is this trail going to be too muddy and wet for a 5 year old to manage? And I'm a bit apprehensive of any steep slippery descents.
Should we just consider the 4 mile roundtrip to the beach instead?

Aug 16, 2009 8:05AM

Doing the hike to the Falls tomorrow (8/16). Heard it was an amazing hike can\'t wait. After that the next hike is off to Kalalau, heard that was one of hardest trails around. Always up for a challenge.

Aug 19, 2009 6:15PM

Great hike but plenty strenuous. My girlfriend and I (both in our late 50's) did the first section up to the beach and back. We found the trail to be very steep, rocky and/or "rooty" at times, and because of that, pretty slow going. Travel in wasn't too bad, but the heat of the afternoon made the trip back pretty difficult. Would recommend plenty of water, reasonably good physical condition, doing the hike earlier in the day, and a good pair of hiking boots would do wonders in navigating rocks and roots. Thanks for the information though. It is invaluable for our stay here on Kauai.

Aug 25, 2009 3:19AM

is there a charge to hike this location?

Jarrod

Aug 28, 2009 4:03PM

Great Site. My wife, three kids and I are coming next June for four days on Kauai (Three on Oahu first). This site is going to be an amazing resource. Trails such as this one will most likely just be my 18 year old son and myself while the girls sunbathe, slackers!...I am a photographer as well as a hiker...and simply cannot wait to see this beautiful place.

Sep 08, 2009 3:57PM

My wife is not much of an outdoor advocate but I have been working on her to embrace a little bit of hiking while we are in Kauai (this January). Given that I will have to pick my battles very carefully, should I just go the 1st 2 miles to the beach and back or is it really worth it to go the remaining distance to the waterfall? Are the best sights between the trailhead and the beach or between the beach and the waterfall?

I was also wanting to do 1 more trail while we are there and was thinking Awa' awapuhi...is that a good game plan?

Sep 10, 2009 7:59AM

Thanks to the staff and everyone else who has posted here. Great info! My wife and I are in our mid-thirties and in good shape. We did some decent hikes in the Mojave Desert and in Maui, but nothing like this. We\'re eying this hike for the 11th. We\'re planning on 3L water total. Is this enough to get to the falls and back? Also, if anyone has been lately, is the beach still there? Should we go super early? We\'re excited but a little nervous!

Sep 10, 2009 8:23PM

Thanks to the staff and everyone else who has posted here. Great info! My wife and I are going tomorrow, and are SUPER excited! Has anyone been recently? Are the conditions okay?

Sep 11, 2009 12:36AM

My spouse and I are planning to hike to Kalalau Beach and camp one night for our 25th wedding anniversary later this month. I just talked to State Parks, and they told me that no permits are available for the date I want. How regularly are permits checked? Is it reasonable to do the trip without a permit?

Sep 11, 2009 4:49PM

My wife and I will be there in about a week and plan on doing this hike. At least to the beach and probably the falls. What's the trail conditions like lately? Any problems following the trail from the beach to the falls? I hear that it can be tricky?

Thanks

Sep 14, 2009 5:58AM

After reading this site, I really must hike to the Hanakapiai Falls in a couple weeks when we are there. Only problem is that I have to do it alone. I am 60, but I hike 5 days a week, an hour at a time, on mountain bike trails, using poles. Because of this,I am confident I can handle it physically,but it sounds kind of tricky to navigate the way when you head for the falls. Do you think I should fork out $100+ for a tour or just go for it myself? I will be staying at the Marriott Kauai Beach Club so I will have a pretty long drive too. Thanks for you input.

Sep 14, 2009 7:35PM

My fiance and I hiked to Hanakapi'ai Falls on September 1st. We started from Ke'e Beach about 7:30 AM. We stopped often to take pictures because the scenery was so breathtaking. We took a total of 1 liter of water and this was fine for us. The hike becomes VERY CHALLENGING up into the Hanakapi'ai Valley once you cross the stream the first time. We crossed in a more difficult place then we had too, and then it was hard to pick up the trail again, but then we made it. The last quarter mile to the falls felt more like climbing then hiking, but the reward of arriving at the falls is not to be missed. I swam on by back in the pool to underneath the falls. It was an experience I will never forget! The water was surprisingly ice cold, but was very therapeutic for the legs! We returned to Ke'e Beach much faster with less picture taking and finding the easier way to cross the stream with a nice overhead branch to hold on to while stepping big rocks. Back down I did not put my water shoes on and made it with no weet feet. My fiance was not so lucky. We definitely did the water shoes back at Hanakapi'ai Beach. I highly recommend this beautiful hike. Start early in the day and be prepared for 6-8 hrs when soaking up all the beauty and when calculating stream crossings several times further up in the Hanakapi'ai valley. Enjoy!

Sep 16, 2009 12:57AM

Ray, don't pay for a guide. There are MANY people on this trail, even to the falls. It only thins out after the first 2 miles heading to Kalalau beach. Sounds like your are in shape for hiking and ready for it, no problems, or worries about your age. Go with a friend, or buddy up with others hiking.

Sep 16, 2009 3:26AM

Explorer staff-You asked "Who quoted $100"? Actually I said $100+.Kauai North Shore Tours is the only service I can find & they say $168. Probably worth well over $100 if, as you say, I can be more relaxed. Are you able to recommend any services?

Sep 22, 2009 11:38PM

I'll be there with my best friend who will be getting married in less than 3 weeks, and they really want their friends coming with them to hike this trail. They're 10 years younger than me (I'm 49) and I occasionally have difficulty with any strenuous knee bending (climbing or descending) but I walk a lot and am very sturdy. I looked at the virtual route and am a little concerned about the climbing-especially if it's muddy. Are they more gradual than the virtual route suggests? One thing I didn't see anyone mention was any toilet access. I realize this is a hike, but I know there are enough people on the trail that going off in a bush is probably not good for one's privacy or the environment. Suggestions?

Sep 28, 2009 7:42PM

I was wanting to get out there in May because school will be out...will I still be able to hike the trail??

Oct 15, 2009 5:06PM

My husband and I did this hike on our honeymoon two weeks ago. The scenery along the Kalalau trail was breathtaking and the waterfall was awesome! It was refreshing to take a dip under the waterfall after such a long hike!

Christopher Baus

Oct 19, 2009 7:08AM

My gf and I just got back from Kauai. Great trip. It lived up to everything I\'ve heard about the island.

We did this hike on Friday. I\'ve lived in Tahoe for ~10 years and thought we would just fly up to the waterfall based on the descriptions we read. I was wrong. I kept thinking about the \"famous last words\" in my gf\'s guide book. \"This is nothing, I\'m from <insert mountainous region here>\"

I\'ve never seen a marked trail anything like the hike from beach to the falls in Tahoe (Horsetail falls might be an exception). It reminds me of some of the trails in the White Mountains of NH after a lot of rain. Tight, muddy, and at times technical. The trail forks off numerous times and sent us back tracking through the stream. At times it has you hanging about 10 feet above the stream with poor footing, wondering if you are still on the trail, which is amazing considering the amount of traffic the trail sees.

I remember one spot in particular where there was literally not a flat spot to put a foot and we passed over it by holding on to a nearby tree. With all the traffic I kept thinking, \"people must get pulled out of here all the time.\"

If the trail was graded smooth, I would rate it as a moderate hike, but with the technical footing from the beach to the falls I would rate it strenuous.

We were surprised by the number of people headed out late in the day. I\'d hate to be hiking down from the falls after dark. I wouldn\'t start this hike after lunch unless you consider yourself very experienced and fast at trail navigation. Start early and bring plenty of water.

The falls are amazing though. Never seen anything like it.

Oct 31, 2009 7:26AM

Hi there, this seems like a great site, and sorry if you answered this already above but:

1. can you start at Hanakapi and hike through the end of Kalalau (and then camp there) in one day?
2. do any of these trails close because of inclement weather or are they open all the time?

Thanks!

Nov 09, 2009 7:34PM

I am planning a trip for my 10th wedding anniversary, which is in May. I have heard that May is a sort of down time before the summer travel picks up. Is this true?

Nov 12, 2009 9:46PM

Is the Hanakapi'ai camping site still closed indefinitely? We'll be there this weekend.

Nov 13, 2009 8:05AM

We hiked up to the falls today. There was a sign posted noting that due to the very high levels, post storm conditions that stream crossings should be avoided. We went anyway.

Arrived at 8:30am and made it to the main beach by 9:30 and to the Falls by 11:30. Conditions on the trail were fair in the morning but very sloppy on the return after being torn up by the majority of traffic to the beach. Only 4 other couples encountered at the falls on the way up and down and we had the falls all to ourselves. This is the benefit on poor forecasted conditions on the news, warning of washouts, etc. We had to cross 4 streams and had to remove our shoes and wade through up to our knees, both up and down to the falls. The falls were spectacular with more water than usual as seen in other pictures. Thus when I swam out there was about a 1 foot chop and I ended up swallowing a lot of water, and am sort of concerned about that as people have mentioned Leptosperosis. Going barefoot into the water was very difficult as the rocks are very sharp and the water does not drop off right away, and when it does, it is uneven. The morning smells were incredible and changed every 500 ft or so into something completely new. Cannot even describe but it was amazing and of course cant be translated. These smells were gone by early afternoon and replaced by steaming mud. Go early!

A perfect day that was only spoiled by the occasional helicopter tours that were far overhead. Its a real shame, but those people will never know what they missed, and thats why this hike is so sacred and shared by those who climb it. Trail is in great shape, and even though it gets mucked out, we had torrential downpouring the past two days and I'm forever going to cherish this amazing day. Much else to see during the climb, but you have to climb it to see. I can't share it all.

Nov 15, 2009 8:11PM

I want to do it November 26th. As we speak it rains pretty bad in those areas, I hope it'll clear up enough by then. Same time last year it rained so badly you couldn't see your hand in front of you. Any ideas of the current conditions and amount of people on the trail this time of year? Mahalo,

Nov 23, 2009 9:40PM

We will be visiting after the Thanksgiving holiday. I read the comments earlier of someone with 9 yrs old. I got 6 yrs.old son. Do you think he is too young to make in on this hike?

Dec 01, 2009 9:51PM

We are definitely no experts regarding hiking the Kalalau trail, but since my wife and I have done the 2 mile Hanakapi’ai beach hike more than 2 dozen times, the Hanakapi’ai waterfall hike 4 times, and the Kalalau beach hike twice, I thought that people might like to hear about our experiences and the things that we’ve learned from all those hikes. We’re both in our mid 50’s, in pretty good physical condition, and just started serious hiking about 3 or 4 years ago. We also just did the Hanakapi’ai waterfall hike again a week ago during the Thanksgiving week. It usually takes us about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Hanakapi’ai beach from the trailhead at Ke’e beach and another hour and a half to two hours to get to the Hanakapi’ai waterfall, including photo stops, swimming, and lunch; in other words, taking our time. The trail from Hanakapi’ai beach to the Hanakapi’ai waterfall is usually fairly sloppy with mud, but it always gets much sloppier on the way back after many other people take the same trial.

I was reading the various posts about footwear and I agree that you should wear something that fits and works well for you, but the first time we did the Hanakapi’ai beach hike we used regular hiking boots and socks. Never again. It’s terrible slogging around in wet socks for the rest of the hike getting blisters, and they WILL get soaked, not to mention the thick mud on any of these hikes. I now use Teva hiking sandals and my wife swears by her Tabies, but we use these with two trekking poles which make all the difference in the world. We find the use of the two trekking poles and the Teva’s and Tabies to be the best combination for us for the various trail conditions including dry dirt, bouldering, sloppy 3 inch deep mud, scree (loose marble like rocks), and stream crossings up to our mid-thigh. The two trekking poles actually help to reduce or eliminate any blisters or twisted ankles since if you use them properly, and make a conscious effort to step flatly on the ground, they will tend to stabilize your feet if you get imbalanced rather than having to use your feet to regain your balance.

The Hanakapi’ai waterfall trail can be challenging for a first-timer as the trail is not well maintained and the last couple of stream crossings may not be all that obvious (we’d missed them before). And this will cause you to miss the trail to the base of the waterfall. But persevere and you’ll make it. Just allow yourself some extra time for mistakes.

Although it can and does rain most any time of the year, during the summer months, if it rains, we tend just to continue on without worrying about it. In fact it’s often a welcome relief to cool us off from the heat of the hike. But in the Winter with the cooler air temperatures, it can get a bit chilly if it rains so we carry with us a couple of one-time-use rain ponchos for $1.99 apiece from Kayak Kauai and they weigh almost nothing. Also a lengthy stay at the base of the Hanakapi’ai waterfall in the Winter can be quite chilly even if you don’t go into the pool beneath the falls, due to the wind it creates and the spray that comes off of it.

Just a few words about the “Hippies” that often reside at Kalalau beach; some people like them, some people don’t. Our experience with them is that they are some of the nicest, friendliest, and helpful people around.

Our first time hiking into Kalalau Beach direct from Ke’e took us 11 hours, but hiking out it took us only 8 hours, then the next time we did it, it was only 7 hours. So we seem to be improving. I guess my reason for pointing this out is to recommend that you start this hike at first light; don’t even wait for sunrise if you’re going to do the entire 11 miles in one day, especially in the Winter. It’ll also be cooler by starting early. We usually park the car at Haena beach and I walk from there to the trailhead. I’ve clocked it to be just about one mile. So far we haven’t had any problems with the car being parked there overnight for a couple of nights.

The 7 mile point that everybody says is so bad, is a bit more “hairy” than the rest of the hike, but it’s not really all as bad as people say it is. But watch out for the blast of wind that usually seems to occur just around the bend from one valley into the next at the end of the 7 mile point. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.

You’ll want to carry water with you, but you’ll also need either a filter or a water treatment kit or both. We used both due to Leptospirosis which the filter supposedly won’t get rid of. Also to quench your thirst, sometimes you can find really good oranges and mangos in the Kalalau valley, but often the easy to reach fruit has already been taken; you may need to do some climbing.

While you can go in one day and come out the next, we recommend staying at least one full day at the beach, preferably more, as there are so many off trails to explore up the valley, to the ginger pool, etc. Also you may need time to recuperate after the 11 mile hike in. Our personal feelings about Kalalau beach after you’re there for a couple of days are that it’s a “magical experience”. There’s something about the seclusion, the remoteness, the serenity, the massive effort required to get there, the beautiful sunsets and scenery, and the hippies that all make it almost a spiritual experience; one that can only be felt after being there for a day or two.

Try to pack light. I know, it is difficult to actually do that and have everything with you that you think you’ll need. But if you do manage to keep it light, you’ll have a much happier hike. Realize too that you can’t carry a gas bottle for a camp stove with you on the airplane so you’ll have to plan on picking one up on the island before you do the hike. Again you can usually get these at places like Kayak Kauai in Hanalei.

Dec 04, 2009 12:36AM

SCARY STORY. My buddy and I hiked it a month ago. Heavy rains made the trail was very wet, muddy and slick. About halfway back from the beach he slipped from a rock about and was lucky and quick enough to get grab onto a tree root about 3 feet down the face of of the clift. There he hung upside down looking back up at me like as if to say now what? Lucky he never looked down and I was able to hang my legs from a tree, reach down to help him up. Hikers were all very friendly and rushed to help but there was little more that could be done. He survived with just a few bumps and a broken ego from what could have been a devastating fall. On the other hand a man behind us slipped and cut is face open on a broken branch sticking out toward the trail. He looked much worse.

Dec 24, 2009 8:03AM

Just hiked the trail to the beach today with our 9 and 11 year old boys. They handled it just fine. They are active kids and had no issues along the trail.

It had not rained in the past two days, but the trail was still slippery for about 30-40% of the hike, but passable. Traction in those areas varies, with the worst reducing your footing to about 40-50%.

It took us 80 minutes to get there and just about the same to get back. There were a bunch of people on the trail, which slowed us a bit. Ages ranged from about 7-65. We saw VERY experienced hikers to couples who looked like they were on their first hike and prepared for a stroll on a sidewalk on a hot sunny day. There were people wearing flip-flops, Tevas, hiking boots, running shoes, and even their bare feet. Only saw one person having trouble the entire trip out to the beach and it was the slippery surface she was concerned about.
We took our time up the rocks and had no problems.

Tevas worked great, a hiking stick would've helped out on the slippery rocks. The views were amazing. We had done a helicopter ride the day before (and still highly recommend it), but being out in nature and seeing the sheer size of the Na Pali Coast from foot was worth the trip. If you have any doubts about if you can do this hike, you can. Take your time and go slowly.

Dec 25, 2009 3:45AM

I hiked the Nounou trail yesterday and am thinking of hiking the Hanakapi'ai tomorrow. I am a novice hiker and hiked the Nounou with little difficulty. Do you think Hanakapi'ai is the right trail for beginners like me?

Dec 30, 2009 9:10AM

we are bringing our 18 month old this coming March and would like to camp for 10 days in a theft-free, safe as possible area. We will bring our tent, and get a permit first, but wonder if anini beach or salt pond beach are safe enough. Which is closest to the hanakaipi ai trail? Thanks!

Jan 01, 2010 7:07PM

Is there a guided hike tour for the enitre 11 miles, and back in a day? If yes then what's the website or contact info?

Jan 04, 2010 2:51AM

We have made this hike many times. Early start is the best bet. If it has been rainy don't wear clothes you don't want to get stained, because it can be slick in the morning, and you will likely slip at least once unless you know the trail like the back of your hand.

I always chuckle when I see this rated as a strenuous hike. It has it's moments but doesn't strike me as strenuous for the average hiker. Moderate to advanced at best. Save for some slick altitude gains, and a couple of stream crossings, this isn't bad.

Finally.... it is a great hike if you do the half mile, go to the beach, or go to the falls and back. I personally can only do it all the way to the falls and back. But that is just me.

Jan 15, 2010 10:53PM

There are 6 of us that will be in Kauai at the end of April (16-24) and are wanting to do the hike to the beach and on to the falls. I have read a lot on this site that says the beach is gone in the winter months and water is rough. Is the end of April still a good time to go? Rain doesn't bother us and we are all in good shape and familiar with hiking.

Jan 17, 2010 9:03PM

We are planning to hike the 11 mile trail in March. Where is the best place to leave the car, can you reccommend a shuttle service.

Jan 20, 2010 7:18PM

My husband and I are planning on coming this February (end of the month) and being an avid photographer I would love to hike this trail. We are both in good shape - my only concern is walking on the edge off a cliff...how wide is the trail? Is there anyone else who has done this trail with a fear of heights?

Feb 04, 2010 7:02AM

My parents and I are coming to Kauai for the first 2 weeks of may and I really want to do the hike out to the falls and back, but they don't seem enthused about the length of the trip. On a typical day are there enough people on the trail that it would be safe for me to go it alone? I don't have a ton of hiking experience, but I am 18 and in pretty good physical shape to make up for it :)

Feb 05, 2010 5:59PM

The Kalalau Trail should be given much thought prior to attempting. Physical fitness and safety are the minimum requiremts. Weather is another...if raining during the first half-mile, then ONLY walk the first quarter just to say you at least tried. Slippery when wet! Erratic showers provide a pleasant cooldown on a sunny day. You will be enveloped by clouds, caressed by the breeze and pampered by the view! Take breaks frequently. You can get dangerously close to the edge, as your heart will stop you and your motion(nothing else will). On inclines, IF RAINING, look for SMALL puddles of water(dips in the soil which can be used as steps) Flat surfaces are slippery & can\'t hold water in the rain. In some areas, ONE FALL, THAT\'S ALL! So take my walking tips to heart, & ALWAYS wipe ANY mud from shoes to maintain grip. Kaua\'i mountain rains come & go too quickly, so patiently enjoy them, but respect the increased danger & thought that it ain\'t worth the risk! On a good day, IT IS THE MOST SPECTACULAR VIEW YOUR SENSES WILL EVER BEHOLD...nearly a mile above sea level and a view that stretches the imagination!!!

Feb 17, 2010 6:06PM

I love rugged trail runs and judging by some of your comments- you do too......Can you trail run to Hanakapi\'ai and back without dealing with a permit?
Any other good trail runs out of the Hanalei area?
Thx for the info...

Feb 20, 2010 8:05AM

Wondering if anyone can comment on current condition of the first 2-miles of the trail to the beach. We would love to do it with our kids over the next few days--ages 11, 9. 6--but don't want to do anything stupid. They are good hikers, but risking injury isn't worth it. I remember doing this hike as a young child--my memories are of it being very difficult and then wonderful once we arrived (summertime--sand on beach). Many thanks for any input!

Mar 05, 2010 12:24AM

Aloha,
We would like to hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls next weekend. Is the trail open? Mahalo for your site & information!

Mar 06, 2010 6:49AM

Mahalo :)

Mar 07, 2010 6:33AM

Aloha.. my 11 yr old daughter and I will be finishing up the zip line tour at Princeville at 1030ish.. Afterwards thought to perhaps hike a little ways, not the entire 2 miles.
is starting a hike at about noon on this trail a reasonable idea? after reading so much about the majestic beauty, would really love to hike even a bit :)

Mahalo!

Mar 08, 2010 5:06AM

Went for the hike today - the river was not impassable but definitely not safe for us with a 16 month old in our kid pack. We along with many others chose to end our hike at the "beach" today and I feel like we definitely made the correct decision. One girl was hiking the whole trail, fell in the river and as onlookers there were 2 or 3 of us about to jump in after her...luckily she righted herself got back out and then on the 2nd attempt made it (although still looked rather uneasy). Go with GOOD hiking poles and a friend for that part.

Mar 12, 2010 5:12AM

Great information! This is our first trip to Kauai. We plan to do some great hikes. As for one excursion, would you recommend the helicopter tour, the boat tour off Na Pali, the paddle tour up the Wailua River, or a day of exploring Kauai on horseback? (We raise horses back home). Thank you again for all your advice!

Mar 14, 2010 10:52PM

We hiked the first 2 miles of this trail on March 9th--to the beach--and loved it. I am really posting to thank everyone who recommended hiking poles for this trail. I was a little skeptical but bought some anyway, and I cannot tell you how glad I was to have them. The trail was incredibly muddy and slippery and we really needed those poles. I agree with other posters that they are a must-have for this and other Kauai trails such as the Pihea trail. I don't think I could have done those trails without poles. We loved every minute of our time on Kauai, especially these amazing trails. Enjoy!

Mar 16, 2010 9:18PM

I will be visiting Kauai in two weeks - is this trail ok for my nine year old? At least to the beach? Thanks

Mar 19, 2010 10:38AM

On the hike, do you recommend wearing socks under one's trail runners? And boxers under one's light, quick-drying shorts? Thanks -- awesome site.

Mar 19, 2010 7:18PM

We hiked on March 16th. The trail was awesome. Great experience. The river in front of the beach was until my waist (I am 5'11) and was pulling very hard. I would not advise crossing it if it is that high. It is very rocky and quite dangerous. If you are really thinking of camping out and continuing on the trail I would definitely advise bringing rope to secure crossing this section.

Mar 20, 2010 3:41AM

Will be visiting Kauai this month. Expect to hike some trails if can link up with some hikers since wife not into any serious hikes. With lot of camera gear incl. tripod, will have to be circumspect as to which hikes I take. You have an excellent, informative site and should be proud of the help it provides to others. Mahalo, Joe D.

Mar 23, 2010 4:42PM

We are in Kauai in March and our hotel concierge advises us not to attempt this hike before summer saying that it is \"too dangerous\" because it is too wet. We are experienced hikers with good footwear and poles. Is the trail currently in reasonable condition?

Mar 25, 2010 10:35PM

I am a novice hiker who did the trail to Hanakapiai Beach this past January...beautiful all the way along and certainly worked up a serious sweat. As a novice, took me about 90 minutes (pictures and the occasional breather) to get to the beach and about the same to get back.
However the purpose of my post is to mention the post-hike wet/dry caves to be explored, found around Tunnels and Ke\'e Beach. We went swimming in one after our hike and it was as great experience as the hike was, not to mention a great reward after workout hike. The dry caves were interesting as well as you felt like you were on Mars.
Any comments from Kauai Explorer? (Of course if the cave swimming is frowned upon, feel free to delete my post)...thanks for the great site

Apr 01, 2010 4:34AM

We are heading to Kauai in a couple weeks and are planning a day hike the first 4 miles of the trail to the waterfall. We are staying in Kapaa and are wondering what time we should leave Kapaa to make sure we are to the waterfall at the best time. How long does it take to get to the trailhead? We have read that you want to be at the waterfall between 11 & 1. This sounds great to us. Should we start the hike around 9? About how long to hike the first 4? Is 3 hours a good allotment?

Thanks so much for your help. We are so looking forward to this hike.

Apr 01, 2010 4:37AM

I too would be interested on some more information on the cave swimming. Rob, that sounds fabulous. Just like something we would love to do. Is it well marked so we could find it on our way back from our hike?? Any info is great. We are heading to the island in two weeks and are so excited to do a lot of swimming and exloring.

Apr 13, 2010 9:34PM

Hi i love this site but i will be visiting kauai in THe last week of april. I am very fit, i live at 9,000 feet elevation, and have lots of experience in moutains and hiking. Will there be a beach in late april at hanakapi\'ai\'. Also since there will be alot of oxygen down there and i am fit do i really ned to bring a water filter or could i get away with a couple bottles of water if i just hike to the each and back? Also it makes me sick that some people will leave there trash in unspoiled natural habitat. it happens in the rockies to. And finnaly are the mosquitoes that bad there? thanks for the very informative website.

Apr 18, 2010 5:56PM

Hi everyone, my boyfriend and I will be arriving in Kauai at the end of May on a Sunday. Being from Ohio, we are 6 hours ahead of Hawaii time. My bright idea is to go on the 8 mile hike to the falls the first day we are there, since we will already be waking up way ahead of schedule. Is this something that makes sense? I have never ever hiked, I do workout, but am worried about all kinds of things...bug bites, if tennis shoes will be ok, even going to the bathroom! (ah!) I just don't want to do this our first day and have something go wrong where we end up miserable for the rest of our trip. I am doing this for my boyfriend and as a challenge to myself. I kind of hope it feels like i'm in an episode of LOST! But, does the timing make sense? What time is sunrise there?

Apr 21, 2010 8:58PM

I am planning to hike to Kalalau in early September, spend the night and hike out the next day. I have hiked as far as Hanakapiai on a previous trip and have dreamed of returning to do the entire NaPoli trail.
I have just read a book called Kauai Trails by Kathy Morey. She says the hike is difficult, dirty and dangerous. I was surprised to read this as I didn't have that experience on my hike to Hanakapiai. What's your take on this?

Apr 22, 2010 6:30AM

There were plenty of hikers today even in the rain. The trail is muddy and wet but quite doable with a bit of care. The warm rain and air kept the wet hikers warm. All ages made the trip in sneakers and sandals. Sadly, the rains had swollen the river to the point at which wading across became risky and so I declined. Something for another day...

Apr 22, 2010 2:59PM

captain zodiac use to do drop off at Na Pali coast is any Co. doing it now?

Apr 24, 2010 1:57PM

Hello, when is the rainy season? We will be in Princeville May 7 and look forward to hiking. Thanks!

Apr 25, 2010 10:58PM

I'm planning on being in Kauai this next week (4/28-5/3). I want to hike to the falls, as I hiked to Hanakapiai with friends last year but left too late to continue to the falls. I'm a bit nervous as I will be doing this hike solo - is the trail to the falls well-marked (I am geographically challenged) and safe for a woman to hike alone?

Apr 28, 2010 8:06PM

Response to Breann-
We were in Kauai last April and live in Florida. I considered the same questions you are asking. We ended up doing the trail on our second day and I think it was the right move. After all of the travelling and time change I think you will be better off just relaxing on the first day, get a feel for the island and check out some beaches. The second day you will feel more refreshed and can still take advantge of an early start. We used some bug spray and had no problems. Make sure you take plenty of water and some snacks. The trail is strenuous, but not crazy. There is no one part that is particularly hard, just eight miles of walking and climbing. Your legs will probably be a little sore the next day, but it is worth it. This hike is one of the most memorable things I have ever done. For shoes we made a great choice. We bought New Balance 920 from their website. Wear them with some thin running socks and you will not even need to take them off when going through the stream. We did the entire 8 miles without taking them off, they drain great, we did not have to stop and did not get blisters.

May 01, 2010 7:07PM

my parents, sister, and i are all going to kauai this year. my sister and i really wanted to find a hike that we could do together. my parents werent too thrilled but once i found this trail and saw the pictures they were on board.
my questions are:

a) we dont want to use the bathroom in the woods. would it be that long of a hike that, since we would keep rehydrating ourselves, we would need a bathroom?

b)the crowds- the falls are so beautiful that i anticipate that many people will want to see it. the pictures online are amazing and deprived of people. i like taking pictures that dont take away from the beauty of it all... aka- no people. are there alot of people that go to the falls at one time? if so, when would be the best time of the day to go?

May 01, 2010 11:00PM

My boyfriend and I are going at the end of June, and I definitely want to get to the falls.

Rob and/or Kauai Explorer, - Is there any more information about the wet & dry caves? I love cave exploring, but assumed there are none in Kauai until I came on this site.

Jessica

May 06, 2010 6:12AM

We plan to hike to Hanakapiai beach tomorrow. Will comment after. Taking our 6 year old son. I'm expecting a lot of whining but hopefully will be worth it and not so bad since we're a fairly active family.

May 09, 2010 8:06PM

Hiked to Hanakapiai Falls last week on May 5th. I had read all of the comments on the site and was well prepared for the hike to the falls. The first third of the trail starts rather narrow and was very muddy as you gain elevation into the valley. You can hear the stream below you as you descend. Be careful when you reach a spot where there is a trail on the other side of the stream. A couple of groups in front of us crossed and hiked some extra distance. As of May 5th there are orange ribbons that mark the way when you come to tricky spots and there was a ribbon at the false crossing the pointed you further upstream. You continue several more minutes before you make your first crossing. The stream crossings...I can't remember the exact number, but there were at least 7 of them with 3 or 4 that require boulder hopping or wading through the stream (we did both). The second third of the trail is wider and involves several of the stream crossings. The last third is the most difficult and gets very technical with several climbs over boulders. Nothing you can't handle, but there were a lot of them as you get closer to the falls. It can be a little slippery and you are pretty high above the stream. After a final climb you will be at the falls and they are spectacular. Well worth the effort to get there. Some final thoughts...we each drank 3 bottles of water for the hike and had one hiking pole. We started at 8:00 a.m. and got back to our car around 3:30 p.m. with breaks at the beach coming and going, at the falls and for picture taking along the way. It isn't an easy hike, and everyone I saw coming and going to the falls looked relatively fit (not the same for the first 2 miles on the Kalalau Trail). Bring lots of water and lunch to enjoy at the falls.

May 11, 2010 3:13AM

I was planning to do the 2 mile hike to Hanakapi`ai Beach at the end of May. Is the hiking path easy to follow? Do hikers ever get lost trying to find Hanakapi`ai Beach? Are there mile markers? My husband and I are inexperienced hikers but are in our mid-twenties in very good shape. Also, should we wear water shoes or sneakers?

May 11, 2010 3:49PM

Katie, the 2 miles to the beach are easy to follow, but there aren't any mile markers. You will make several climbs along the way and the start is uphill which will give you a good flavor for the trail. You don't need water shoes for the trail, but whatever shoes you wear will get muddy. I wore trail running shoes and they worked fine. You will see people in hiking boots, flip flops, barefoot and sneakers. Enjoy the hike and take lunch to enjoy when you reach the beach. By the way as soon as you sit down at the beach the local cats will show up looking for some food.

May 13, 2010 7:15AM

My family and I just completed this hike yesterday. It was definitely challenging but well worth the stunning views! Amazing! It was exactly as you describe it on your website, so we were prepared with good shoes (hiking boots and tevas), lots of water, lunch and bug spray. With your information, we will be doing the awaawapuhi trail tomorrow. Thanks for the website and thanks for sharing your beautiful island home with us!

May 14, 2010 10:38AM

I just want to know if we can still hike this trail late september. Is it also closed?
Originaly I was planning to hike the Kalalau trail, but it will be close between labor day and novemeber I think. Is it the same with the Hanakapi`ai trail?

thank you
Kathleen

May 16, 2010 4:24PM

Katie, the two mile hike to Hanakapi'ai is very easy to follow, not to mention the fact that it is a very popular trail so there will be plenty of people around you. We wore hiking shoes and purchased some cheap water shoes at K-Mart for crossing the stream.) My girlfriend and I are in our 50's and like you and your husband, had never hiked before (Although we are fitness buffs) so we thought it would be a good way to experience the islands. We were not disappointed. We ended up taking 10 hikes on three islands (Kauai, Maui and Hawaii) The Canyon Trail in Waimea canyon was my personal favorite. You may wish to try the Awa'awapuhi trail since you are on Kauai as well, not as scenic, a little more challenging (6.5 miles with a higher elevation gain) but equally enjoyable. Unlike the Kalalau, we had both of these trails almost entirely to ourselves. (We never ran into anyone on the Canyon trail until we returned to the parking lot.) We brought along bug spray, but never used it on any of the ten hikes. If you are visiting any of the other islands I might recommend the Pipiwai trail on Maui. It is a three and a half hour drive along the road to Hana (which is an experience in itself)to the trail head. So start out early. Enjoy!

May 16, 2010 9:42PM

My family is going to Kauai in June. we found this trail and the pictures were absolutely beautiful. we just have a problem with probably having to ust the bathroom while on he trail... and in some of the pictures, there were lot of people there. when is the best time to start?

May 18, 2010 7:04PM

Hi, I'm really enjoying reading all the comments here. It's certainly getting me excited about of first trip to Kauai this coming August.

My concern is regarding how difficult it will be to follow the trail from the beach to the falls and back. It sounds like the trail might not be well-marked. Should I be concerned about getting lost or will there be enough folks around in mid-August to follow or at least point us in the right direction?

May 19, 2010 9:40PM

Thank you for the comments everyone!

Some people have recommended that we continue on after Hanakapiai Beach to the Hanakapiai falls. I hear the falls are 2 miles past the beach, which would make the trip 4 miles each way. Is the hike from Hanakapiai Beach to the falls easy to follow? I hear the hike itself is strenuous, but are there dangers of getting lost? We're beginner hikers, but I've been encouraged to try to get to the falls anyway. If anyone has advice, please let me know.

Thank you!

May 21, 2010 12:21AM

Hello Hikers! We walked to the falls and loved every minute of it! We did go into the surf at the beach, and no problems. We saw a lot of different body types and footwear and I would definately recommend sturdy shoes you don't mind getting muddy and being in fairly good shape. I saw a few people I didn;t think would enjoy the strenous workout and saw a few people in flip flops. The day before we hiked (May 8 I think) three people had to be rescued from the trail! So have fun, be prepared and be sure to take lots of water!

May 21, 2010 6:15PM

Katie, look at my post above your original post, because I tried to include some info on the trail. There was only one tricky place on the way to the falls where a trail led down to the creek, but if you looked straight ahead there was an orange ribbon to guide you further ahead to the crossing. The ribbon may not be there, so don't go for the first crossing you see. After that there weren't any difficult decisons for us and we got there.

The overall hike to the falls and back is 8 miles and it will tire you out. Start early and enjoy the picture taking opportunities.

David

May 22, 2010 7:31PM

please! answer these questions for me!i\'m going to kauai this june with my family and i need these questions answered before we go.

1) me and my sister aren\'t thrilled bout possibly having to use the trail as a bathroom, do they have port-a-potties? or will you even need to?

2)in the pictures that i saw, there were alot of people. when is the best time to go?

thank you so much!

May 30, 2010 9:30PM

Looking to visit the North Shore in the first two weeks of October. What should I expect: all rain/some rain? How about the Hanakapiai Hike? Doable in a day by a couple of prepped 40-year-olds?

Jun 09, 2010 4:59PM

Just got back from our first trip to Kauai (late May) and the hike to Hanakapi\'ai Falls was top of the list! We are very active and fit in late 40s early 50s but agree the hike can be difficult. It was hot at times, rained once, was muddy and slippery. Yet there were people of all sorts hiking, from kids, elderly to moms with babies on their backs (!) to very pregnant women. I was impressed! Anyway, it was simply amazing! Loved it! Can\'t wait to come back!

Jun 17, 2010 12:29AM

I read some comments on this, so apolgize for the question being asked.

Are their falls in the first week of September? Is it worth the hike in that time? besides seeing nature and the beauty...i have small obsession seeing waterfalls. lol...thanks.

Jun 17, 2010 6:54AM

We just went on the Hanakapi'ai hike a few days ago. We started a bit late (9:45 am) and the trail was pretty busy. My husband is in his late 20's and I am in my mid 20's and we are both in shape. With that said, this hike was pretty difficult! There are a few steep switch backs that were brutal in the blazing hot sun on the way back. We should have packed a few more water bottles (only brought 3). The signs say at least 1 liter per person (I would suggest more). I've never sweated so much in my life! The main beach was separated by a shallow 'river.' The only people that were on the main beach walked through the river and got their shoes soaked. My husbands shoes afterwards were solid mud! We are throwing them out before we leave....they are beyond saving. Great views...take lots on the way to the beach, you won't want to take the energy to stop on the way out :-)

Jun 18, 2010 3:05AM

We are planning on doing this hike in July. Do you need a permit if you want to hike all the way to the Waterfall?

Jun 18, 2010 5:56PM

My husband and I did this exactly 1 year ago today. The best experience of my life!

6.18.2009

Make sure to carve your initials into the bamboo! The waterfall is an excellent place for a cooling dip, and picnic! Tip: Run 4 miles on a treadmill and see how much water you drink. x that by 8 servings. That's how much water you need minimum for the Kauai heat & hiking. We only had 2 water bottles and finished those like 1/4 way in. Yikes. Thank god we ran into hikers with a water filtration kit so we could filter out new water from the river! :)

It's an 8 mile round trip hike but 100% worth it. Do not go to Kauai for vacation or honeymoon and not go on this hike. Not for children! Fit teens or Fit Adults only.

Jun 29, 2010 7:45AM

My boyfriend and I did this hike on Friday 6/25. It was AMAZING! Weather was perfect, sunny and clear with a nice breeze the whole day - dry for all but the last .5 mile when it rained lightly. I took 2 liters of water for myself, and for lunch we brought whole wheat pitas and filled then with pre-cut cucumber/turkey slices/tomatoes and hummus spread at the falls. Apples, trail mix, yogurt pretzels were also good snacks.

Tips - DEFINITELY bring a hiking pole. You will need it. I didn't think I'd want it, but SO glad I did. Bring a change of clothes for after swimming in the falls (cold but worth it). Might be good to bring snorkel gear and leave it in the car so you can take a dip, if you're back early enough. A Camelback is the best for hydration, it allows you to keep moving when you're thirsty without slowing down. Bring, wear, and most importantly, REAPPLY bug spray - I got eaten alive. We got a little lost on the way out, so try and count the river crossings on your way in. The pink and orange trail markers were a life saver - use them.

We got on the trail around 9:30 or 10, spent an hour at the falls, got off the trail in time to see the sunset.

I'm a highly active amputee (right below the knee) and I was able to do this hike without any major issues. I never felt like heights were a problem at any point. Just take your time, leave yourself plenty of time to get out there. If you're trying to get to the falls, be on the trail by 9:30 at the latest. Aim to get to the falls by 12 or 1.

Do this hike. I can't stop dreaming about this place, and hope I never will!

Jun 30, 2010 6:01PM

My wife and I have done this hike several times... we got engaged on the Na Pali coast, honeymooned here and now have a 7 year old.

Kayla did the entire hike by herself... she's a strong little one with a lot of heart. If you are thinking about bringing a child make sure they know how long the hike is... it's a day adventure. and can't carry them back to the car!

We left at 10am, spent and hour at the beach. Hiked to the water falls (2 hours from the beach to the falls), went swiming for another hour. Hiked all the way back. Finished at 7:30pm. We were prepared but could have used a little more snaks on the way back. Each person had their own camelback with water.

It's a hike she will not soon forget.

I'm looking forward to doing it next year!

Jul 04, 2010 3:46AM

Hi! Me and my soon to be husband will be honeymooning in Kauai at the end of October. I\'m a HUGE hiker and REALLY excited about this hike after reading all the reviews! Just a quick question...will the beach likely still be there in October? Can we swim there or are the waves too big this time of year?

Jul 05, 2010 7:24PM

my family and i just got home from hawaii and we loved it! one of the days we were on kauai we went on this hike, (btw its pronounced (hana-ka-pee-eye).) deffinetly bring a lunch and TENNIS SHOES!! you WILL be sore after this hike for a week or more. the four of us (my family and i) drank about three waters a person on the way there and back so bring lots of bottles! there is one port-o-pottie on hanakapi'ai beach which is half way through. it is NASTY!!! big some toilet paper or wet wipes because when i went there, there was none. you will have to cross a creek a few times and alot of people feel like they have to jump on the rocks to get over but its more dangerous. its just easier to walk through the water and it will cool you off. the closer you get to the falls the rockier it will get. there was one part when we had to climb almost completly vertically upward. when you get to the falls, it will take your breath away! i was one of the few people that swam in the falls and it was freezing cold! but if you dont care like i did make sure you bring some water shoes, because there are big and sippery rocks before the swimming part, and bring an underwater camera, if you swim out about halfway to the falls and float on your back, look up and take a picture... its the most beautiful thing ive ever seen. i am glad i did this hike!!

Jul 13, 2010 7:50PM

Aloha. Can you recommend a couple hiking trails with campsites that will be on the way to Hanalei from Waimea? (with trailheads accessible by foot. we don\'t have a car). I guess we can go through the Waimea canyon for the first night (we have three nights to spend). Where would you go from there? Really appreciate your advice and this site!

Laura

Jul 13, 2010 11:34PM

I am coming to Kauai in August for four days and want to hike. Is it ok to hike this trail alone? I would be staying in Poipu so is it easy to drive up to this to start the hike early morning?

Jul 16, 2010 7:55PM

TO LAURA: The Hanakapi'ai beach hike (first 2 miles of the trail) is usually very busy especially in August, so hiking alone should not be a problem at all. If you are talking about going further than Hanakapi'ai beach, toward Kalalau Beach, then be aware that there is MUCH less people traffic, but I've read several reports of women doing it alone without a problem. On the other hand, the people you do meet after you pass Hanakapi'ai beach are typically more friendly, being less day hikers/tourists and more serious backpackers.

The drive from Poipu to the trailhead will likely take you at least 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic through Kapaa. The only problem you may encounter is that the later you get to the trailhead, the harder it is to find parking. Parking shouldn't be too difficult if you arrive between early and mid-morning, but later than that and you may have to wait for people to leave to find a parking space.

Jul 17, 2010 6:39PM

what's the elevation or climb amount from the where you park to get the falls? (the 8 mile trip)

Jul 19, 2010 7:03PM

I just got some Really bad news from some dweeb on the WikiPermits website concerning the Kalalau trail to the falls. I have planned my honeymoon for over a year now and the 22 mile hike was going to be our highlight. My trip has been scheduled for 7 months for Sept 12th, 2010. I just talked to the parks deptartment last week about the hike and NO ONE mentioned to me that the trail would be closed for "rock mediation" from Sept 7th until November 1st. I am so sad I could cry, and so mad that the parks dept did not bother to post this on their site. If anyone can confirm this I would appreciate it. Also, if this IS true, can someone please give me suggestions for multi-day hikes that are close to as beautiful on Kauai? Or maybe a couple 1 day hikes with sites we can stay at in between hikes?

Laura Milstein

Jul 25, 2010 1:37PM

What about bringing a DSL camera on these hikes? I was hoping to bring my camera and am curious regarding the water,etc.
I am only going the 8 miles.