Vacation Rental in Princeville Kauai

and Kauai Travel Guide

©B.Pruitt 2009

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

Koke‘e Trails

 

Awa‘awapuhi Trail

 

Distance (one way)  2.6 mi.

Duration (one way)  1.5 hr. going, 2 hr. returning

Difficulty   Strenuous

Starting Altitude  4060'

Ending Altitude   2754'

Maximum Altitude  4060'

Climbing Elevation  201'

Descending Elevation  1507'

Average Grade   12

Map    Kôke‘e Trails

Coordinates:    Start N22° 8.449', W159° 38.990'

                          End  N22° 9.111', W159° 40.572'

 

The Awa‘awapuhi Trail begins at a marked trailhead, 1.5 miles past the turnoff to the Koke‘e Museum.  After a short uphill start, the trail descends faithfully to the end, balanced on the spine of a ridge.  Dry forest encloses the trail for most of its length.  Some of the plants along the trail are identified with signboards.  Shortly before the end of the trail, a connecting trail, called Nu‘alolo Cliff Trail, branches to the left.  It connects hikers with the Nu‘alolo Trail, which leads back to the road on another ridge.  The lack of views along Awa‘awapuhi Trail is more than compensated for at the end.  You are treated to a spectacular view down into Awa‘awapuhi Valley on the right and Nu‘alolo Valley to your left.  The sight down to the floors of these rarely visited is truly memorable.  Green, fluted canyon walls contrast against the deep blue of the ocean.  This is a great place to eat your packed lunch before heading back.  Be sure to stay behind the metal railings.  The cliff edges crumble easily and as wonderful as this view is; you don't want it to be your last.  

 

Nu‘alolo Trail

 

Distance (one way)  3.6 mi.

Duration (one way)  1.75 hrs. going, 2.25 hrs. returning

Difficulty   Strenuous

Starting Altitude  3627'

Ending Altitude   2124'

Maximum Altitude  3737'

Climbing Elevation  397'

Descending Elevation  1,900'

Average Grade   12

Map    Koke‘e Trails

Coordinates:   Start N22° 7.744', W159° 39.587'

                         End   N22° 9.043', W159° 41.829'

 

Nu‘alolo Trail takes hikers through mostly endemic Hawaiian forest to broad views of the Nu‘alolo Valley and the cliffs along the Nâ Pali coast.  The challenging trek begins at Koke‘e Road, several yards before the turnoff to Koke‘e State Park headquarters.  From the trailhead you will ascend sharply for the first quarter of a mile as you enter the Kuia Natural Area Reserve.  The rest of the trip is a steady descent.  Between one and two miles in you will notice the forest change from wet to dry.  The trail bends to the left and back to the right as you descend a broad ridge top.  This part of the route is called the Nu‘alolo Bench Trail.   

 

Three miles from its start and after a very steep section the trail meets with Nu‘alolo Cliff Trail on the right.  The cliff trail connects with Awa‘awapuhi Trail, creating a lengthy loop trail back to the road.  If you don't plan on making the loop you can still walk a short distance on the cliff trail to see a view down into Nu‘alolo Valley.  Shortly after the junction with the cliff trail another spur trail branches to the left.  Keep to the right to follow Nu‘alolo Bench Trail to the end viewpoint, called Lolo Vista Point.    The last half-mile to the viewpoint means walking on a narrow, steep-sided ridge that is exposed to wind and rain.  An awesome view of the Nu‘ololo Valley awaits.  Below the almost vertical cliff you will see the silver sliver that is Nu‘ololo Stream flowing to a rugged beach.  The only access to Nu‘ololo Beach and the valley is by boat.  The edge of the ridge is covered with slippery, gravel-sized rocks.  Be sure to admire the view at Lolo Vista Point from behind the metal railing.

 

Nu‘alolo Cliff Trail

 

Distance  (one way)  2.0 mi.

Duration (one way)  1 hr.

Difficulty   Strenuous

Starting Altitude  2889'

Ending Altitude   2505'

Maximum Altitude  2889'

Climbing Elevation  751'

Descending Elevation  1135'

Average Grade   18

Map    Kôke‘e Trails

Coordinates:   Start (from Awa‘awapuhi Trail) N22° 9.114', W159° 40.492'

                         End (at Nu‘alolo Trail) N22° 8.696', W159° 41.450'

 

High endurance hikers can use Nu‘alolo Cliff Trail to connect Nu‘alolo Trail with Awa‘awapuhi Trail to make a loop trail that connects with Koke‘e Road.  You can also walk partway onto the cliff trail for a view into Nu‘alolo Valley and return by the same trail you came in on.  The views from the cliff trail are intermittent as the trail passes through sections of forest.  To make a loop out of the three trails will result in a total hike of 10.5 miles including 1.6 miles along Koke‘e Road to return to your starting point.  If possible arrange for a car shuttle between the trailheads to shave some time and distance off the totals.  Koke‘e Road is not good for walking at this section where it is narrow, winding and devoid of shoulders.  Check with the attendant at the Koke‘e Museum on the latest condition of Nu‘ololo Cliff Trail.  It is eroded in places and is poorly maintained.  

 

 

Pihea Trail

 

Distance (one way)  1.1 mi.

Duration (one way)  0.5 hrs.

Difficulty   Moderate

Starting Altitude  4118'

Ending Altitude   4178'

Maximum Altitude  4178'

Climbing Elevation  351'

Descending Elevation  291'

Average Grade   10

Map    Koke‘e Trails

Coordinates:   Start  N22° 8.839', W159° 37.917'

                        Junction to swamp N22° 9.244', W159° 37.109'

                         End  N22° 9.305', W159° 37.046'

 

Pihea Trail starts at Pu‘u o Kila Lookout, at the end of Koke‘e Road.  The trail leaves the lookout of Kalalau Valley as a deeply eroded clay surface that was a road cut for an ill-conceived plan to build a road through the Alaka‘i Swamp.  On your left side are views of the Kalalau Valley even better than from the official lookout.  Stunted ohi‘a trees grow on the edge of the Alaka‘i Swamp on the other side of the trail.  Pihea Trail degrades to a muddy pathway with deep cuts made by running water and hikers' boots.  At some points it is necessary to grasp branches and tree roots while climbing through knee-deep cuts in the slippery clay.  Wear old clothes as they are sure to be stained dirt red.  A hiking pole is a definite asset.  A fork splits the trail one mile from its start.  The trail to the right is described in the following hike.  The short spur trail to the left leads to Pihea Lookout, the destination of this hike.  Expect even steeper and muddier trail conditions on the final ascent to the lookout.  Weather permitting, the view from Pihea Lookout will be from the highest point along the rim of the Kalalau Valley and tree top views of the Alaka‘i Swamp to the north.  

 

Pihea Trail to Kilohana Lookout

 

Distance (one way)  3.7 mi.

Duration (one way)  1.75 hrs.

Difficulty   Moderate to Strenuous

Starting Altitude  4118'

Ending Altitude   3931'

Maximum Altitude  4138'

Climbing Elevation  812'

Descending Elevation  999'

Average Grade   9

Coordinates   Start  N22° 8.839', W159° 37.917'

                        Fork to Alaka‘i Swamp N22° 9.244', W159° 37.109'

                       Alaka‘i Swamp Junction  N22° 8.803', W159° 37.063'

                       End  N22° 9.343', W159° 35.624'

Map    Koke‘e Trails

 

This hike starts at Pu‘u o Kila Lookout at the end of Koke‘e Road and follows Pihea Trail as described in the previous hike.  One mile from the start, take the right fork at the junction and begin the section of the hike through the Alaka‘i Swamp on a boardwalk.

 

Incessant rainfall has created about 20 bogs within the Alaka‘i.  Together they make a series of unique biological communities that scientists say are the most fragile ecosystems in the state.  Low growing plants and shrubs dominate the bogs.  Ohi‘a trees that grow to 50 feet in the forest stand a foot high in the swamp—fully mature but stunted by excessive moisture.  Bog plants such as native primrose and geranium are extremely imperiled.  Some species are down to just a few remaining individuals or clusters.  The Alaka‘i oozes a primordial and mystical presence.  Ghostly clouds float among moss-laden plants; shafts of sunlight highlight twisted trees; breezes blow mist across the faces of hikers.  

 

Pihea Trail tracks through the swamp covered by a boardwalk.  Concerned about the growing damage to the native forest from hikers, state foresters started building a system of wooden boardwalks on Alaka‘i trails in 1990.  Hurricane Iniki sidelined the project for a few years in 1992.  Volunteers joined the effort in 1995, helping to complete the boardwalk in 1998.  You climb and descend many stairs on the boardwalk for seven tenths of a mile until you reach a junction.  A sign post at the junction points to destinations in four directions.  A sharp left, onto the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail will lead to the destination of this hike, Kilohana Lookout.  Continuing on the Pihea Trail will lead to Kawaikoi Camp and connect with 4WD Mohihi Road.  Turning right at the junction will follow the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail south to Mohihi Road, the destination in the following hike.

 

After the sharp left turn, Alaka‘i Swamp Trail descends sharply.  The boardwalk ends at a stream crossing and is picked up again after the trail rises from the stream's valley.  Two miles from the trail junction, the trail ends on a wooden platform at the Kilohana Lookout.  Here, on the edge of Wainiha Pali, you look down cliffs cloaked in rainforest to the valley of the Wainiha River.  The Wainiha River, one of seven rivers to drain the Alaka‘i, empties into the ocean on Kauai's north shore.  Above the songs of rare birds you can hear the river rushing, thousands of feet below.

 

Pihea Trail - Alaka‘i Swamp Trail

 

Distance (one way)  3.2 mi.

Duration (one way)  1.5 hrs.

Difficulty   Moderate to Strenuous

Starting Altitude  4118'

Ending Altitude   3679'

Maximum Altitude  4138'

Climbing Elevation  453'

Descending Elevation  892'

Average Grade   8

Coordinates   Start  N22° 8.839', W159° 37.917'

                        Fork to swamp N22° 9.244', W159° 37.109'

                        Alaka‘i Swamp Junction  N22° 8.803', W159° 37.063'

                        End  N22° 7.802', W159° 37.670'

Map    Koke‘e Trails

 

In this hike follow the directions given in the preceeding hike to the junction of the Pihea and Alaka‘i Swamp trails, 1.7 miles from the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout.  At the junction, turn right to head south.  The destination from here is 1.5 miles away at the Alaka‘i picnic area on Mohihi Road.  As the boardwalk transits the south edge of the swamp you will come across fallen telephone poles, abandoned vestiges of a WW II communications project.  The trail widens into a lane bordered by evergreens and ends at a grassy field about 300 yards from Mohihi Road.  Across the road is a shelter and picnic area overlooking Po‘omau Canyon.

 

The hike can also begin at this trailhead or a shuttle from the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout can be arranged.  Mohihi Road is a 4WD road that begins at Kôke‘e Road.  Take the first right after the Koke‘e Museum turnoff, across from the campground, onto a dirt road and follow it for 3.1 miles to the Alaka‘i picnic area.

 

Po‘omau Canyon Lookout Trail

 

Distance (one way)  0.2 mi.

Duration (one way)  10 minutes

Difficulty   Easy

Starting Altitude  3476'

Ending Altitude   3301'

Maximum Altitude  3476'

Climbing Elevation  12'

Descending Elevation  187'

Average Grade   18

Map    Kôke‘e Trails

Coordinates   Start  N22° 7.255', W159° 37.334'

                        End  N22° 7.217', W159° 37.515'

 

Mohihi Road has only two canyon vistas, one is at the Alaka‘i picnic area and the other is at the end of Po‘omau Canyon Lookout Trail.  Follow the directions in the preceding hike to locate Mohihi Road and follow it for 4.6 miles.  Look for the trail sign two tenths of a mile after the Wai‘akoali picnic area.  The Po‘omau Canyon Lookout Trail starts on the right side of Mohihi Road.  A short walk over a footbridge and through groves of Norfolk and sugi pines and koa trees will take you to a viewpoint at the head of Po‘omau Canyon.  From your viewpoint you can see Po‘omau Stream flowing to meet the Waimea River.  Together, the Waimea River and Po‘omau Stream form the second longest waterway on Kauai after the Wailua River.

 

Kukui - Waimea Canyon Trails

 

Distance (one way)  2.3 miles

Duration (one way)  1.75 hrs. down, 3 hrs. up

Difficulty   Strenuous

Starting Altitude  2927'

Ending Altitude   686'

Maximum Altitude  2927'

Average Grade   24

Map    Koke‘e-Waimea Canyon

Coordinates   Start  N22° 3.102', W159° 39.595'

                        End  N22° 3.778', W159° 38.523'

 

Steep Kukui Trail is the only access to the floor of Waimea Canyon from Koke‘e.  Prepare for a difficult and hot hike.  The temperature rises noticeably from the cooler conditions of the upcountry to the canyon floor where the sun's heat is re-radiated off the canyon walls.  The trailhead for Kukui Trail is marked with a sign shortly before mile marker nine on Highway 550.  Hikers can take a short diversion through the Iliau Nature Loop situated at the start of Kukui Trail (see Waimea Canyon-Koke‘e Sights chapter).

 

After passing a picnic pavilion, the trail starts switchbacking down the grade.  As well as the ever-closing view of the Waimea Canyon, hikers can look to the northeast into Wai‘alae Canyon, a view mostly obscured from Waimea Canyon Lookout back at the highway.  Standing out from the red and earth-toned canyon walls are the light-green canopies of kukui trees.  About one-half mile and one mile along the trail, benches give you a chance to rest and take in the views.  As the trail descends into the depths of the canyon it takes you under a dense cover of kukui, silk oak and swamp mahogany trees.  The trail emerges from the forest at Wiliwili Camp, where a dark-red cliff on the other side of Waimea River looms above.  Wiliwili Camp provides a pavilion, picnic table and a pit toilet.

TOP