Do I need a permit/ reservation to enter the park (or just to park my vehicle)? Do i need a permit? When I visited Kauai last fall, I had a chance to hike a few trails in Koke'e State Park on the west side of the beautiful Garden Island. Consider hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail instead. Take trekking poles or find a good walking stick in the woods (this is what we did), it really helps. I was one part excited about seeing the view and one part anxious that if there was indeed a view today, it might not be as clear the following day when we were scheduled for our helicopter ride. My mind filled with doubt about the end view at the Awaawapuhi Lookout. Impeccable views due to sunny weather with blue skies. It has incredible drop-offs and epic views down to the Na Pali Coast. Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour on Kauai 287 Recommended from $125.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Half-Day Kayak and Waterfall Hike Tour in Kauai with Lunch 211 Recommended Adventure Tours from $130.37 per adult Kauai ATV Backroads Adventure Tour 234 Half-day Tours from $379.06 per group (up to 2) LIKELY TO SELL OUT* 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. Not for those terrified of heights. It was muddy, but less of a problem than other hikes we went on. Entries (RSS) If it's muddy to start it will only get worse so it's best if there have been a few dry days before you set out. We didnt mind ending with the walk along the road. We learned a lot, not just about the trail, but about hiking in general, which carried on through later experiences. The trail is in Kokee State Park on the island of Kauai and is a moderately-challenging hike with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Starting at 4,120 feet youll descend to 2,500 feet to the trails endwhich concludes at a cliff with broad views of the valleys and the immense Pacific ocean. The views of the Napali Coast from the trail are amazing!! From the edge of the trail, there are drop-offs to the canyon below. Most areas of the Appalachian Trail do not require fees or permits, but a few do. Awa Awapuhi Single Track: Kauai is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Wiamea, Hawaii. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. We had lunch at the Kokee Lodge. Wear bug spray and good hiking shoes. Breath taking Views - Tough trail if you are a beginner. Are there many hikers there? Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. The crisscrossing of trails and 4x4 roads can be confusing at first, but once you select your routes, it's not too bad. Its also more crowded than the Nualolo Trail. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. It genuinely surprised every time we passed the half-mile trail markers. I will say that we recommend several things before you head out. As it is an easier trail it is also a bit more crowded. Took me 1.75 hrs down, had a 30 minute break enjoying the Na pali coast view i had seen by boat yesterday then 1.25 back up. 87 Followers, 108 Following, 30 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Awaawapuhi trail (@awaawapuhitrail) Hey yall! Awaawapuhi Trail Kauai Found in Koke`e State Park, Kauai, Hawaii.A trial winds through highland forests with infrequent ridge top views. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. My father and I had were sitting on the porch of our condo looking over the Hanalei Bay, trying to decipher what we should do for the day. As user akeldamach87who hiked the trail in 2009shares in a comment, its up to hikers to keep themselves safe: 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. Description Kauai's Awa'awapuhi Trail is a moderately difficult hike which starts in Kkee State Park and traverses the gorgeous Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. the trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2, 500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer cliffs into awaawapuhi and nualolo valleys overlooking the pacific ocean. The trail is known for its views and its diverse terrain, which includes muddy parts, rocky parts, and some sandy parts. Clouds started to sock us in around 2pm. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. I recommend choosing between the Awaawapuhi Trail OR the Nualolo Trail. The Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more moderate difficulty hikes in Kokee State Park. Permits are not needed to hike this trail and the best time to visit is spring and summer. I hiked on a Sunday afternoon and only passed people in the opposite direction. Im going to recommend five places to stay on Kauai. We arrived at the official viewpoint and were blown away by the view. 50 inches. 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. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Sections with roots and loose rocks. Distance: 7.6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 2,200 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 3 to 5 hours, Distance: 6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 4 hours, Distance: 11.9 miles Total Ascent: 3,200 feet Starting Elevation: 3,700 feet Highest Elevation: 4,100 feet Lowest Elevation: 2,300 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours. The Nualolo Trail is worth the extra effort to have this view. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. When we did this, the Nualolo Cliffs Trail was overgrown in many spots, making progress very slow. Photo [] We wanted a shorter day hike that would provide us with expansive views of the Napali Coast of Kauai. 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. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. As of March 11, 2014, the Kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase. If you're the active type, avoid the urge to stop at the scenic lookouts and start the day with the Awa'awapuhi Trail, where a rocky ledge from which incredible views of the Na Pali Coast is waiting for you. On this trail, you will hike in and out of the trees, and by midday, this part of the hike can feel very warm. The walk through the forest was really interesting as we viewed the different vegetation and listened to the various birds. For more experienced hikers I could see this being done in 3 hours. Change), You are commenting using your Google account. A bit hard packed and slick on the way down, with occasional muddy spots, but easy going as long as you take it slow. The trail leads you through a range of different plant life as you slowly head down in elevation for just over three miles. Not too much to see but the view at the end is spectacular! What time of day did you hike? The trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2,500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer palis (cliffs) into Awaawapuhi and Nualolo Valleys overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We have been doing the Awaawapuhi trail when we come here. That way, you can use the restroom before and after the hike, and grab a bite to eat once finished the hike. I have a 12 year old and 16 year old daughters and myself and my wife who are in a mid 40's. This itinerary gives you great views of both Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast and can easily be done in 8 hours, without doing a massive day hike. The weather in Kauai changes every 20 minutes there was certainly no way of controlling that. [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. Permits for A.T. long-distance hikers are available by self-registration on the Trail at the parks north and south entry points. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. This is a small parking lot and there are no restrooms. As of now, the trail is closed for the foreseeable future. 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). If you are in average condition (maybe exercise for 2-4 hours per week), the climb back up is VERY difficult. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. The first time we did this hike, Tim and I had run out of water long before this point, and doing this part of the trail hot and dehydrated is torture, not to mention dangerous. We are a bunch of 60 year olds who think were fairly fit. The trail is quite wide in most parts and even though it had been raining a lot, the trail was in good condition. After about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. Plus, the parking lot was completely full at the Kokee Museum so we did not have to wait for a parking space, since our car was already here. 3 miles into the hike, the views really start to get good. and 1 hour back up. Awa'awapuhi Trail. Lots of people. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. The trail starts near the 3.0 mile point on the Awaawapuhi Trail and meets the Nualolo Trail between the 3 mile and 3 1/4 mile markers. 360-degrees of pure Kauai magic! Clean your shoes off with the brushes and spray provided at the trailhead. It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast. The Awa'awapuhi trail is a great option for those who want to enjoy the N Pali Coast but don't feel like braving one of the most dangerous trails in the world to do that. Know before you go. The look out does have a small trail that I would recommend going down but not for the faint of heart. Not much to see until then. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. An elderly man reportedly fell 30 feet head first off the Mariner's Ridge Trail Sunday during a club outing. The Nualolo Trail + Awaawapuhi Trail Loop. Muddy, quiet forest hike to an amazing and rewarding view! You can get by with a good pair of walking shoes or running shoes but I recommend wearing hiking shoes if you have them. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my travel essentials. Thanks! [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. This 6.2 mile out-and-back hike offers amazing views from cliffs of Awa'awapuhi and Nualolo Valley. You will have to hike the full distance (0.9 miles) to the trail junction. Rivalling the more popular Na Pali Coast Trail, the Awaawapuhi trail allows you to see the gorgeous nature of Hawaii.And because of the trails altitude, which rests between 4,000 and 2,500 feet, you will get a spectacular vantage point throughout the hike. Both will require walking along Kokee Road at some point. Continue straight ahead (to your right) to the end of the trail and a spectacular view from your 2,500-foot perch. Awaawapuhi Trail is my favorite hike in the Kokee State Park. Those over 60, i highly recommend a helicopter trip instead. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Kekaha Beach Bungalow FREE WIFI, 2 min walk to the beach. Kaua'i - Awa'awapuhi Trail Side Ridge (GoPro POV) 94,875 views Jun 19, 2010 298 Dislike Share Save dgcpinoy 3.31K subscribers June 17, 2010: I went back to hike Awa'awapuhi Trail to a vista. Awaawapuhi Trail, Kekaha: Address, Awaawapuhi Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. Awa'awapuhi Trail. The hike to the viewpoint is downhill, so prepare yourself for the thigh burner on the way out. My only question was. Most of the trail is in a forest, so its shady most of the way. And the views are nice, but not nearly as stunning as those from the Nualolo Trail. The view from here is very nice, but its not nearly as good as that from the Nualolo Trail. Also pack out what you packed in! Its a short, easy, downhill walk to the viewpoint at the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail. The hiking I am used to mainly start by walking upwards, but this is a 5km downhill walk from about 1255 masl, descending almost 500m. And the views at the end were spectacular. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a spectacular hike, with the most magnificent views of the Na Distance: 6.5 miles, round-trip Location: West side, Kohee State Park Difficulty: Moderate. This trail starts in Kokee State Park at 4100 ft of elevation and winds its way through heavy jungle down to 2,500 feet. There definitely were some muddy spots, and one person in my group fell twice while going downhill, so be careful! The Grand Hyatt Resort Best Family Resort:With the bestkids clubon the island,wildlife talksin thelobby, and a five-acrepool complexthat includes an enormouslazy-river pool, awaterslide, and a saltwaterlagoonbig enough forkayaking, the Grand Hyatt is unbeatable for keeping kids busy and parents happy. I took 2 hours going down (muddy and slippery but doable with a pole and decent shoes), 1 hour at the viewpoint (solo picnic!) DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! I dont care what the other websites say; hiking theAwaawapuhi Trail for 6.7 miles round trip is not easy. Its $5 per person to enter the state park, which is generally open from sunrise to sunset, so try to be off the trail before dark. We were standing in the Napali Coast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. However, if you plan to hike that loop, we recommend you hike down Nualolo and back up Awa'awapuhi. You decend close to 2000 ft we got up early and hit it before too many people showed when getting there we were the third car there when leaving there was 20-25 cars and no more parking if you do it go early. We completed this trail on the 24th. Similar to the Nu'alolo Trail, you'll begin by hiking through the woods for several miles. Its easy to wander off the trail here and you can double check your position with the GPS. 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. Awaawapuhi trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker off 550. this forest reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. The way to the left is where the Nualolo Cliff Trail links with the AwaAwapuhi Trail. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. It also begins to get noticeably warmer. Don;t worry too much and carry what you need but don't load yourself down as it is a long day. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. The rocks can be very crumbly and no step is certain on the ridges out in Kokee State Park. Enjoy the awesome views from here. 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. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. Check it again.Takes about an 90 mins down and lots of time will be spent trying to secure a footing. If you dont like back tracking you could take the Nualolo Cliff Trail junction on your way out, but it will add 5 miles to your trip and you will have to walk the road back to your car. There will still be many steep descents, sometimes on a sandy trail and at other times on muddy dark red clay. Heading into Kauais interior and remote terrain offers dome of the most beautiful backdrops on the world. Awa'awapuhi Trail Overview. Mud, forest, shade, all leading to awesome views! But it also makes for a longer journey. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauais Napali Coast. Save your energy for the trip back as its mostly uphill to get back to the trailhead. If you are doing this hike as a loop, you will need to backtrack up the trail for 0.9 miles until you get to the Nualolo Cliffs Trail. You may run into a few fellow hikers on your way, as mountain goats like to cling to the steep slopes. Dont rush if you dont have to. Bring lots of water because youll need it for the incline on the way back. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauais Napali Coast. The park will REOPEN by 3:00 PM on Friday 3/3/23. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kaua'i - September 6, 2015 What an amazing view in Kaua'i. For the majority of the first part of this hike, you will be descending as you hike out towards the coast. The dramaticdrop-offs on either side of the Awaawapuhi ridge were something you dont see anywhere else in the world. It takes about three hours to hike this West Kauai trail and it has many incredible viewpoints. The path itself is beautiful but it does not boast views, as you are deep inside the trees and tall grasses. Weird Things is proudly powered by You can also start at the Awaawapuhi Trail trailhead, but this parking lot is small (it can hold about 15 cars) and there are no facilities. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The path itself wasnt too challenging up to this point but it is clay dirt over rock and tree roots, so there are lots of places that get extremely slippery in the rain. Honestly just an ok view unless you're willing to hike the last .1 mi sketchy section. Please familiarize yourselves with our refunds and changes policies prior to purchasing your permits. Awa'awapuhi Trail. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There honestly is nothing fun about this trail, but it definitely feels like an adventure. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. The one portion of the Cliffs trail that connects the Nualolo and the Awa'awapuhi is narrow--it is a very short section. When we refer to Wailua, we will include the surrounding Wailua River State Park, and a few waterfalls that are in short driving distance from town. amazing view at the end. At the 10 mile point, you reach the trailhead for the Awaawapuhi Trail and Kokee Road. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a great alternative to the Kalepa Ridge Trail because it offers some of the best views of the Npali Coast. The view point is worth the trek! Jan 12, 2023 H awaii's Awa awapuhi Trail is an incredible experience for anyone lucky enough to have a day to spend hiking in Hawaii. Magnificent vista at the end! 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. Length 11.0 mi Elevation gain 3,461 ft Route type Loop. The Hilton has a beautiful pool, has private beach access and hot tubs so you are still getting an awesome value and the resort experience. 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. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a 3 mile blue singletrack trail located near Waimea Hawaii. For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. Very helpful. Downhill 1600 feet slipping and sliding, we all took a tumble. Hilton Garden Inn Value Pick: The Hilton Garden Inn is your number one choice if you are on a budget but still need comfort. I do workout a lot on a peloton but my wife does not. Vegan Activist T-shirt, Visitors to your site will appreciate you FEES Entrance or parking fees are collected at some national and state parks that the Trail passes through. The Awa'awapuhi Trail is about a 6 mile out and back hike through Kokee State Park on the Island of Kauai. Bottom line: loved it but would do a longer but flatter hike next time. You dont see any in our photos because we started very early but we saw a bunch of hikers on the return part of the hike. Its a bummer to see peoples toilet paper, orange rinds and plastic on the trail! Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Do not underestimate the effects of heat and humidity and it only takes one fall to hurt your back, hips or anything else. awa'awapuhi trail permithow does khalil explain thug life. We arrived at 9am and the parking lot was almost full. This is a six-mile, out-and-back trail in Kokee State Park on the island of Kauai. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. The restaurant literally looks out to the waves, which is an awesome spot to start your day with breakfast. Awaawapuhi Trail. For a shortlist of shorter hikes on Kauai, you can check out my Easy Hikes Guide for Kauai. Awaawapuhi Trail Details. A walking stick is a great help and you are sure to find them at the trail head, it took us 2 hours to the lookout, we stayed about an hour which did help with rest then it took us 3 hours to get back out we were passed many times by young fast hikers. The 3.25 miles down to the valley is almost all downhill. Chilly if you start early, but toasty on the return. How was it on our second hike? I hiked all over Kauai for over a month and documented all of my adventures. That had to mean the weather was clear enough for helicopter tours, right? Looks tough but not too hard and I am 65 with minor health issues. Definitely slippery going down but fine, especially if you have poles. They had live music playing and this was a great spot to unwind, refuel, and cool off before visiting more sights along in Kokee and Waimea State Parks. Most people stop on the grassy/sandy cliffs at the turn-around point for lunch as they offer great views of the coastline. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Starting at 4,120 feet you'll descend to 2,500 feet to the trail's endwhich concludes at a cliff with broad views of the valleys and the immense Pacific ocean. Another way to do this hike is to park in the Awaawapuhi Trail parking lot. Small lookouts along the way feed your motivation to reach the end. Kauais Awa'awapuhi Trail is a moderately difficult hike which starts in Kkee State Park and traverses the gorgeous Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. The views from the end of the trail are just as they sayspectacular. You get your first glimpse of the Awa'awa'puhi Valley at about 1.75 miles. Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the Koke'e Park and subsequently has a large, signposted parking lot. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. If you have hiked Kalaua, I was just wondering how the views compare - because for me that hike was life changing. The final 0.75 miles are mostly along a cliff. So when there is a fresh rain you will want to go slow or you have a good chance of wiping out. The hike is moderately difficult and traverses the Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. The farther you go, the more exposure you get and the better the view. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. We went on a day when it said cloudy with little chance of rain. We had a group of 7 middle aged folks with college kids and allotted 4 hours for the hike but ended up being close to 6 hours with 3 of them barely making it back. It was so unbelievably beautiful and we decided that this was a must-see for us. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We walked the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, on the north end from Ke'e Beach. Its longer, its steeper, it can be muddy after it rains, and the trail is overgrown in spots. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. The view was special and now that were done with it we fell a sense of accomplishment, however in the heat of survival on the trail none of us can say we actually enjoyed it. " Awesome hike with breathtaking views of the Na Pali coast " Aug. 2022 Prefer your gain before the pain? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you soo much foe this post. 1.Awa'awapuhi and Nu'alolo Loop. The Awaawapuhi Trail is just over 6 miles round trip and safer than the Nualolo trail, though the mud adds a degree of excitement. The first mile of the trail can be muddy and slippery after recent rain. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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