KAUAI: Plan your visit to Kauai with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Kauai. 106 Likes, 12 Comments - Eric Chen (@cheneric924) on Instagram: "Awa'awapuhi trail is hands down my favorite trail of all time now. This trail starts about a half mile up the Waimea River from the bottom of Kukui Trail. The end of the trail leads to cliffs on the sea side. The Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is breathtaking, offering gorgeous views of Kauai's famed Na Pali coast. Wailua's mix of adventure and city makes it a great first stop! I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. The Awaawapuhi Trail is shorter, less steep, and better maintained. The trail is 3.25 miles one way, with about 1600 feet of descent (yep, this is a DOWN then UP trail ughhhh). The trailhead is easily google-able (and google actually takes you to the correct location) and is on the main road through the park. There is a decently sized dirt lot and no payment stall (so parking is free, we presume? We didnt get a ticket, at any rate). For this hike you will want to arrive early to get a spot in the lot and a little solitude while hiking. We started around 9:30am and the trail was lightly trafficked, and we had the viewpoint at the end of the trail almost to ourselves. By the time we were hiking back up to the parking lot, the trail was a zoo and the parking lot and surrounding roadside were completely parked up. The 3.25 miles down to the valley is almost all downhill. Trail goes all the way down to view point and comes back" Download your copy of our This was a moderately difficult hike but 110% worth it for the view of the NaPali Coast and ocean. This is pretty much your view the entire hike. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never travel without. It starts in Koke'e State Park and snakes down and back up the steep walls of the N Pali Coast Forest Reserve and offers stunning views of the shoreline and the ocean, given there's no cloud cover. Tim and I reached the end of the trail, exhausted and dehydrated, and learned the very valuable lesson of carrying enough water on a hike. The trail meanders through a wet cloud forest before making some steep descents down muddy terrain. Small lookouts along the way feed your motivation to reach the end. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. The permit can be obtained at visitor contact stations during business hours. You can view the loop trail by opening Google Earth and viewing ourNualolo and Awaawapuhi Loop Trail map. Other hikers had seen the coastline, so we probably would too. All downhill on the way out, all uphill on the way back (opposite of what I'm used to) and oddly not as bad as I thought it would be. The Nualolo Trail is the tougher of the two. Photo: David Nemecek/Shutterstock, There are a few tips that can help you make the most of your experience on the Awa awapuhi Trail and in Kokee State Park. Located in the Hawaiian highlands of Kokee, the Awaawapuhi trail is a spectacular trail that stretches 5 kilometres. I recommend choosing between the Awaawapuhi Trail OR the Nualolo Trail. If you only have time for one hike on the west side of Kauai, this is your trail. As you are heading back, you might notice a spur trail to the left about 0.3 miles from the endpoint. Another way to do this hike is to park in the Awaawapuhi Trail parking lot. It does have 3 little sections, after you go to the first landing you can venture out to a second then a third. It is going down the trails, it could be slippery(with rain) if you are not careful. There was no view whatsoever. Not for those terrified of heights. If you are looking for another hike to do, consider hiking the Waipoo Falls Trail. It was so unbelievably beautiful and we decided that this was a must-see for us. For best results, use the customized Trip Planning Widget for Awa'awapuhi Trail Parking on your website.It has all the advantages mentioned above, plus users to your site can conveniently access it directly on your site. Any confident hiker can make the journey to the top. Find the parking lot near mile marker 17 along Koke'e Road and suit up for one of the most amazing views on the whole island. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The plant life growing along the trail was very overgrown in spots when we did this, so expect to push your way through if it hasnt recently been bushwhacked. Hi, caricenzerbush. 50 inches. muddy but doable. The walk through the forest was really interesting as we viewed the different vegetation and listened to the various birds. This trail goes by Honopu Ridge Trailhead. Heading down the Awaawapuhi Trail might give you some false confidence about how easy the hike will be. thanks for the magical weekend @ciarabarsotti @jamisonbarsotti , country roads (that we didn't take. Its all easy to the grassy point that oversees the sheer cliffs of Awa`awapuhi and Nualolo valleys resting 2,000 feet below.Awaawapuhi Trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast. Return hike is easier without slipping but it is all uphill. I look forward to hearing back from you - THX Cari. If you are in good shape and up for a challenge, there is the option continuing onto the Nualolo cliff trail and then Nualolo trail, making the total hike 10 miles. There is a sign on either side of the trail at this point marking the start of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. If you are in average condition (maybe exercise for 2-4 hours per week), the climb back up is VERY difficult. Be sure to spray and wipe your shoes before and after at the trailhead to do your part in mitigating Rapid Ohia Death! I would describe our conditioning as slightly better than average. When you reach the vantage point for one of the most breathtaking views I've seen. In the gif, the intrepid hiker appears to be at the end of the 6-mile trail, overlooking the Awaawapuhi Valley on the left and the Nualolo Valley on the right (and almost certain death on both the left and the right). The trailhead is on the left of the parking lot. Mar 3, 2019 Matthew Henderson. Here at GuideofUS- Hawaii, we have explored on our own and with some of the best-guided tours available. Points of Interest & Landmarks Historic Walking Areas. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Keawa Heiau State Recreation Area Aiea Loop Trail isCLOSEDdue to high winds and heavy rain, the heiau area is OPEN. It was sunny and dry when we walked. For the Awaawapuhi Nualolo Lookout continue straight ahead to the end of the trail for spectacular panoramic views and great picnic area. You'll seea series of marked plants along the trail and if you pick up the "Awa'awa'puhi Botanical Trail Guide" at the Kokee Museum it will guide you through the maze of native and introduced plants. It gains about 1,950 feet of elevation along the route. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. I tip-toed around the muddy trail with my brand-new hiking sandals at first. See our full list in our Hiking Guide. The Nualolo Cliff Trail ends at the much wider and better maintained Awaawapuhi Trail. You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. We slogged the 3.2 miles to the end, but it was Way more difficult than normal. We had to turn back at the 1mile mark because of a heavy downpour and the conditions deteriorating. Enter "Awa'awapuhi Trail Parking" in Google Map. The settlement, reached just before a damages trial was to begin next week, must be approved by the Legislature. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic. So for hikes in Hawaii the immense vistas of Waihe'e Gorge, tumbling waterfalls and the wild northern coast of Maui makes the Waihe'e Ridge Trail a must-do. 6miles round trip. The Appalachian Trail is intended for foot travel only. The trail descends sixteen hundred feet over three miles through a rainforest to the rim of the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. The view from here is very nice, but its not nearly as good as that from the Nualolo Trail. They are unique and they are absolutely incredible! If you have a frightening fear of heights, like I do, it\'s scary, but not debilitating. Thanks, Mehek! If you want to get on the trail early, consider camping at Koke'e State Park. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you ascend from 4,120 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awa'awapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. Because of the slick condition of the trail, the return ascent was actually slightly easier, but by the end of the 6+ mile hike my wife, daughter and I were spent and sore. Marvel at the views of the sea as you approach the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail. The photo below shows the location of the Awaawapuhi Trail vista point. " Awesome hike with breathtaking views of the Na Pali coast " Aug. 2022 Longitude: -159.6486396. Kauai Shores Hotel Luxury (but value also):A luxury feels with the resort-style property, palm trees, and a beautiful pool area. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Hikers follow the trail under a large tree limb at the back of the parking area and must keep on the lookout for ribbons marking the way. After around 90 minutes of awe-inspiring and downhill hiking, the trek culminates at the official viewpoint. The trail skirts the upper rim of the precipitous Nualolo Valley and permits a "loop" route from the head of Awaawapuhi Trail to Kokee State Park Headquarters or vise versa. Dec 16, 2015, 04:52 PM EST. It really helps to have a GPS device here that has the trail map on it, whether it is a Garmin GPS device, a hiking watch, or All Trails. Dont rush if you dont have to. Please Note: Due to erosion, Nu'alolo Cliff Trail is occasionally closed near the junction with Nu'alolo Trial. Our website uses cookies. The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you ascend from 4,120 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you ascend from 4,120 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. The Kalalau Trail can be visited as a day hike for the first 2 miles, beyond that, you'll be required to get a camping permit whether or not you camp. Awesome view of Na Pali and Forest reserve. Absolute favorite hike on the Hawaiian islands. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. That way, you can use the restroom before and after the hike, and grab a bite to eat once finished the hike. During summer only (May 15 Sept 7) kayak landings are allowed ONLY with a valid camping permit. The hike goes gradually downhill for 3 miles primarily through the trees (but with some scenic outlooks), before ending at a ridge with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Napali Coast, and the Awa'awapuhi and Nualolo Valley. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. We wanted a shorter day hike that would provide us with expansive views of the Napali Coast of Kauai. This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you have little time and have to choose one trail, then this is your trail!Getting ThereFrom Lihue, take Kaumualii Highway 50 to Waimea. For these reasons, I kept my camera tucked safely in my backpack to keep it from getting damaged and dont have any photos documenting the trail! You start above the clouds and hike down under the clouds to the viewpoint and then the way back is the strenuous uphill. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). As of now, the trail is closed for the foreseeable future. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Its a 6.4-mile round trip, with an almost 2,000-foot elevation change each way, but the payoffs are incredible. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year, The trail is much wider than the Nualolo Trail and the Nualolo Cliff Trail, so no more thorny bushes on your legs or tree branches whacking you in the face. After taking in the views from our narrow perch and witnessing many, many, MANY helicopter tours flying by (tranquil, it was not), we finally decided to head back to the viewpoint and partake in some serious snacking before the climb back up. We were joined by roosters begging for food, tiny adorable mice begging for food, and red-crested cardinals begging for food (Im sure these little buggers are fed from hiker scraps all day long). But the views are much better than those from the Awaawapuhi Trail. I took 2 hours going down (muddy and slippery but doable with a pole and decent shoes), 1 hour at the viewpoint (solo picnic!) Beach gear to use! This is a view looking down the Nualolo Trail (towards the coast) and the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail (which branches off to the right where Tyler is crouching under the fallen tree). But photographer Scott Sharick upped the ante for the vertigo-inducing trek when he decided to hold a GoPro stick while walking along . I towered over the view, soaking in the sounds of the waves crashing and watching waterfalls slither down the folds in the cliffs. GREAT HIKES FROM AROUND THE WORLD: For more great hikes, check out our article listing the 20 Best Day Hikes in the World. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. Water and snacks. There were no signs or other indications of the closure. While the end viewpoint can get quite dangerous and steep if you venture down, the majority of the trail is well defined and quite straightforward. The Awaawapuhi trail is in Waimea Canyon, specifically Kokee State Park, on Kauais west side of the island. Even though it rained all night last night, the hike was totally do-able. My wife and I (both 57) and our 22 year old daughter hiked the trail in late October 2020. On this trail, you will hike in and out of the trees, and by midday, this part of the hike can feel very warm.

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