East Side Trails
Nounou Ridge (Sleeping Giant)
Kuamo‘o-Nounou West Nounou East Nounou
Distance (one way) 2.1 mi. 1.0 mi. 1.4 mi.
Duration (one way) 2.25 hr. 1.75 hr. 2 hr.
Difficulty Moderate Moderate Moderate/Strenuous
Beginning Altitude 289' 304' 127'
Ending Altitude 1046' 1046' 1046'
Climbing Elevation 1127' 788' 1206'
Descending Elevation 370' 46' 288'
Average Grade 14 16 22
Map Kapa'a/Wailua Kapa‘a Kapa‘a
There are three hiking trails on Nounou Ridge, culminating at the Sleeping Giant's
chest. Approaches are from the east, west and south. The south trail, called the
Kuamo‘o-Nounou trail connects with the west Nounou trail, which in turn meets with
the east Nounou trail at the crest of the ridge. The reward at the top is a wonderful
view of Kapa‘a, Wailua and the Pacific Ocean to the east, Wai‘ale‘ale to the west
and the formation called the Lihu‘e Depression to the south.
The trailhead for Kuamo‘o-Nounou trail is a mile past the Opaeka‘a Falls viewpoint
on Kuamo‘o Road (Highway 580). If you are carrying a GPS receiver, the coordinates
here are: N22° 3.09', W159° 22.05'. A sign across from Malia Road indicates the
starting point. The trail contours along the base of the west side of Nounou Ridge,
passing thickets of hau, scattered hala trees and rows of planted Norfolk Island
pine for nearly two miles before joining the west Nounou trail at coordinates: N22°
3.98', W159° 21.39'.
Starting the ascent on the west Nounou trail will take you to the junction of the
Kuamo‘o-Nounou trail in just under half a mile. To find the west trail's start,
head up Kuamo‘o Road for 2.8 miles and turn right onto Kamalu Road (Highway 581).
This is about half a mile past the Kuamo’o-Nounou trailhead. Continue on Kamalu
for 1.2 miles. The trailhead is a grassy right-of-way on the right, between two
houses, at telephone pole no. 11. Coordinates for the west trailhead are: N22° 4.11',
W159° 21.77'. The trail leads up through a thick stand of guava and meets with the
Kuamo‘o trail at the rows of planted Norfolk Island pine. Head uphill, between the
parallel rows of pine trees. As the trail steepens, it switchbacks to the ridge,
where you'll get glimpses of the east shore. At 1.4 miles from the start, the trail
joins the east Nounou trail, at coordinates N22° 3.83', W159° 21.23', and continues
up the ridgeline to a picnic shelter. The joined trail forks on the way to the shelter.
The right fork is the easier route. Coordinates for the shelter are N22° 3.80',
W159° 21.26'. The covered shelter will provide protection from the rain or shade
from the sun while you rest and enjoy the views. The peak of Nounou to the south
interrupts a 360-degree view. An unofficial trail rises to the peak, however it
is covered with loose, crumbling rocks and has steep dropoffs.
The east Nounou trail is longer than the west trail but not as steep. It is also
more open and affords more views during the hike than the west trail. If you can
arrange for a pick-up, you can go up the mountain on one trail and down on the other.
To find the east Nounou trailhead, turn mauka on Haleilio Road, which is the next
road north of Kuamo‘o Road on the Kuhio Highway. Drive for one mile and park at
the lot just past telephone pole no. 38. Its coordinates are: N22° 3.68', W159°
20.77'. The trail soon leaves the cover of trees as it switchbacks up the brush
and grass-covered mountainside. As the trail becomes steeper it skirts around the
side of the cliff exposed to the south, and leads west until it joins with the west
trail. As one trail, the route continues south along the ridge to the shelter.
Kuilau Ridge Trail
Distance (one way) 1.5 mi.
Duration (one way) 1 hr.
Difficulty Moderate
Starting Altitude 525'
Ending Altitude 999'
Maximum Altitude 1023'
Climbing Elevation 669'
Descending Elevation 195'
Average Grade 10
Coordinates Start N22° 4.296', W159° 24.992'
Picnic Shelter N22° 5.157', W159° 24.780'
End N22° 5.613', W159° 24.741
Map North East Trails
Kuilau Ridge Trail is popular because of its wonderful views along the lower levels
of the ridge that extends down from east Kauai's Makaleha Mountains. The trailhead
is on Kuamo‘o Road, 6.6 miles from where it joins the Kuhio Highway at Wailua. A
few parking spots are available at the marked trailhead. If they are taken there
is more parking available 100 yards farther along the road at the Keahua Arboretum.
Footing is good along the trail as it starts out with side-by-side paths. Views
are blocked in the early part of the trail by the ridge on the right and by trees.
There is a remarkable diversity of trees and plants along Kuilau Ridge. Towering
eucalyptus and monkey pods are the most common trees, with guava, hala, lantana,
thimbleberry and ‘ôhi‘a lehua represented as well. After a half mile of moderate
rise, views to the west open from the trail. The almost vertical rise of Wai‘ale‘ale
can be seen to the southwest—likely cresting in clouds. Kawi Stream's valley slopes
below you, its forest cover highlighted by light-green splotches of Kukui trees.
One mile into the hike, eastern views open to the Sleeping Giant Ridge, four miles
to the east, and the ocean. A short while after that the trail crosses an open grassy
knoll where a picnic shelter and two tables are located. This is a great place to
rest and eat lunch with green views of Kualapa Ridge and the Powerline Trail to the
west and to the northwest, the sharp peak of Kapehua‘ala, high point of the Makaleha
Mountains.
Kuilau Ridge Trail continues for a quarter mile past the picnic shelter. It descends
slightly as it switchbacks. Ti plants grow eight to ten feet high along the side
of the trail. As the trail follows the crest of the narrowing ridge you will be
able to see views from the ocean on the east coast inland to the heart of the island.
A wooden bridge at Opaeka‘a Stream marks the official end of Kukui Ridge Trail.
The bridge also marks the end of the Moalepe Trail, which began 1.5 miles to the
east.
