Vacation Rental in Princeville Kauai

and Kauai Travel Guide

©B.Pruitt 2009-2011

Hiking on Kauai

Take a Walk on the Safe Side

East Side Trails

North Shore Trails

Na Pali Trails

Koke‛e Trails

Camping on Kauai

North Shore Trails

Powerline Trail

Distance (one way)  10.5 mi.   

Duration (one way)  4.5 hours

Difficulty   Strenuous

Starting Altitude  555'

Ending Altitude   521'

Maximum Altitude  2118'

Climbing Elevation  2195'

Descending Elevation  2229'

Average Grade   6

Map    Kîlauea/North East Trails

Coordinates   Start  N22° 11.060', W159° 27.419'

                         End  N22° 4.293', W159° 25.099'

The Powerline Trail follows the right-of-way of the hydro-electric powerlines that run south from the power plant in the Wainiha Valley.  The trail's northern trailhead is at the end of Po‘oku Road, across the highway from Princeville.  At the south end of the trail, the other trailhead is situated close to the Keahua Arboretum, six miles west of Wailua.  Hikers can walk the length of the trail by arranging a car-shuttle, or they can walk in and out from either end.  The trail's rate of incline is gentler from a northern start.  Because the pathway is wider than regular trails, this is a good trail for mountain bikers as well.

To find the northern trailhead, turn mauka shortly after the Kuhio Highway's 27 mile marker onto Po‘oku Road.  After a mile and three quarters the paved surface degrades to a 4WD road.  There is a parking area there but passenger cars should have no trouble traveling the first 300 yards of the 4WD road to another parking area next to the water tank.  If you have an off-road vehicle you could drive another 1.5 miles.  Hunters use the Powerline Trail on weekends and Mondays.  Be aware also that hunting dogs often get lost in the brush here and that some hunters are replacing the traditional hounds with pit bull terriers.

After half a mile of walking a gentle grade and being enclosed by thick growths of ferns, guava and hau trees, a view opens on the west side to the Hanalei Valley.  The flatland bordering the Hanalei River is the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.  Look north above the taro fields and the river and you can see the highway slice across the hill as it rises to the plateau of Princeville.  At the Hanalei Valley viewpoint next to the highway, there will assuredly be many sightseers gazing back in your direction.

Another view opens to the west one mile from the trailhead.  From there you can look across the Hanalei Valley to the steep green face and peaks of Hihimanu.  From the highway, Hihimanu appears to have twin peaks that resemble the fins of a manta ray, but from this perspective the peaks bracket the ends of an extended ridge.  South of Hihimanu is Namolokama.  At 4,421 feet, it has the highest peak in Kauai's northern watershed.  Intermittent waterfalls will appear on the steep face of Namolokama after a rainfall.  Look down and to the left and you will see a waterfall farther up the ridge that you are ascending.  Be careful not to step too close to the edge of the ridge.  Thick vegetation covers a steep drop.

In another half mile the 4WD road ends and the rest of way must be made on foot or on two wheels.  The trail continues to rise and follows the center of a broader ridge.  Views now open to the east and the highlands covered with ohi‘a lehua trees.  The greenery is marked with the twisted gray stumps of dead trees victimized by Hurricane Iniki.  Dominating the skyline to the east is the sharp peak of Mt. Namahana.

As the trail steepens, eastern views of the Makaleha Mountains come

closer.  Six miles from the northern trailhead, Kualapa Ridge marks the trails highest elevation.  More great mountain views are in store as the trail descends.  To the southwest you will see the highest ridge on Kauai.  The peaks of Wai‘ale‘ale on the north end and Kawaikini, one mile south along the ridge, will likely be shrouded in clouds.  

At 7.4 miles from the north trailhead or 3 miles from the south trailhead, look through a clearing in the brush on the west side of the trail.  To the north are two waterfalls.  Kapakaiki Falls are the lower falls to the right.  Kapakanui Falls, higher and to the left, drop 280 feet.

Frequent rain and hikers have combined to erode the trail badly.  Large puddles and deep gullies will have to be negotiated.  The trail ends at a hunter's check station next to a 4WD road.  Turn left at the road to find the parking area next to the Keahua Arboretum.  After fording Keahua Stream, the road heads east past small farms to become Kuamo‘o Road, ending at the Kuhio Highway, next to the Wailua River.

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