It is before the Kalalau lookout but still takes well over 30 minutes to reach there from Waimea Town. In this guide, we cover the full loop (the Nualolo Trail to the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the Awaawapuhi Trail) and what we recommend doing instead, if you dont want to do the full loop. Unlike the neighboring Awa'awapuhi Trail, there are no facilities or even trailhead signs. Most people stop on the grassy/sandy cliffs at the turn-around point for lunch as they offer great views of the coastline. The final 0.75 miles are mostly along a cliff. 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. So when there is a fresh rain you will want to go slow or you have a good chance of wiping out. 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. Waipo'o Falls via Pu'u Hinahina and Canyon Trail, Pu'u Hinahina Trail, Canyon Trail, and Cliff Trail, Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop. Breaking News In Yuba County Spoiler. Enter "Awa'awapuhi Trail Parking" in Google Map. You will hike in and out of forests, through fields of grass that were taller than Tim, and on sketchy forest trails that are overgrown with thorny bushes and small trees. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. This trail isnt too difficult, won't take up too much of your day, and it brings you to breathtaking views, overlooking the Nualolo and Awa'awapuhi valleys. 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. 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. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you dont have hiking shoes please purchase one unless you want to discard your shoes after the trip.Those with any kness, lower back or ankle issues please be careful you will slip and fall so a trekking pole is highly recommended especially for those who are older.Also, the heat and humidity is quite intense and it will make this trail alot more difficult than it actually seem based on specs. 4- Awaawapuhi Trail. [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. The Nualolo Trail is worth the extra effort to have this view. Between November and March, some areas may become inaccessible due to high rainfall. This once joined the official Nualolo Cliffs Trail but it is now closed. On thatpage, we've also posted a map of the entire area (Kokee and Waimea State Parks) for you to download and print out at home. Congrats! I would not go so far as buy cleats but if you have them then they would be a great plus. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a great alternative to the Kalepa Ridge Trail because it offers some of the best views of the Npali Coast. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. This is not a hike that I would recommend for newbie hikers. The scenery along the three-mile, downhill hike . Breath taking Views - Tough trail if you are a beginner. The rocks can be very crumbly and no step is certain on the ridges out in Kokee State Park. The Garden Isle truly is a marvel of Mother Nature there are so many sights to see, trails to hike, and adventures to be had. The trail meanders through a wet cloud forest before making some steep descents down muddy terrain. You can view the loop trail by opening Google Earth and viewing ourNualolo and Awaawapuhi Loop Trail map. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Absolute favorite hike on the Hawaiian islands. Its a tough, uphill hike in spots to get to this trail. I loved being in the tropical rainforest and seeing the view at the end of the trail was amazing. A bit hard packed and slick on the way down, with occasional muddy spots, but easy going as long as you take it slow. Backcountry Permit: While there is no charge for permits, they are required of all backcountry campers. Julie Last updated: January 27, 2023 United States 2 Comments. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. It tends to get very muddy and foggy along the trail and has an overall elevation gain of 1,180 feet. But one intrepid hiker and photographer, Scott Sharick, kicked it up a notch by going beyond where the trailhead ends and walking out onto a horrifyingly narrow ridge with a GoPro in hand to capture the moment. We have our permits for the Kalalau Trail for mid July and are so bummed we wont be able to hike it due to damage. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. .Stunning views. 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. Check it again.Takes about an 90 mins down and lots of time will be spent trying to secure a footing. Dont rush if you dont have to. Awaawapuhi Trail is my favorite hike in the Kokee State Park. Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios: Clap Your Hands (Frederick Alonso Remix), Aqua, Desert Storm, Isar Flowing, Freedom Is Timeless, Drunken Butterfly (Reto Ardour Remix), Sundays Best (Funtom Remix), Lives And The Evenings, Ma House's Deep [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. Similar to the Nu'alolo Trail, you'll begin by hiking through the woods for several miles. Tried this 10 years ago and got to the end to see a cloud from the inside. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Hawaii You couldn't have the best hikes in the USA without including one from . 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* Awa'awapuhi Trail Location: Koke'e State Park, Kekaha, Kauai, HI Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Distance: 6.7 miles When to go: June to August Awa'awapuhi Trail is 3.3 miles (one way) well-marked hike descends 1,200 feet to a truly amazing vista of the cathedrals of the Na Pali Coast. 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. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. We didnt mind ending with the walk along the road. 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. 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. Any confident hiker can make the journey to the top. Dec 16, 2015, 04:52 PM EST. Seeaosite for updates. Don't forget to check ourKokee State Park Hikingpage for information on all the incredible trails inside the park. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. 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. Awa'awapuhi Trail Overview. The trail offers a moderately-challenging hike with amazing views of the surrounding landscape, including waterfalls, cliffs, tropical forests, and the stunning Na Pali Coast. Photo [] When you arrive at the overlook, the view is spectacular (although no camera will capture it so you cannot show off to anybody). The Awaawapuhi Trail is just over 6 miles round trip and safer than the Nualolo trail, though the mud adds a degree of excitement. Loved this hike! First off my family of four did the trail after much reading about it, it was very hard for all of us who do not hike on a regular basis. Crawley Magistrates' Court Results January 2021, We went on a day when it said cloudy with little chance of rain. The hike is moderately difficult and traverses the Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. It was muddy, but less of a problem than other hikes we went on. 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. Other hikers had seen the coastline, so we probably would too. I look forward to hearing back from you - THX Cari. PRO HIKING TIP: If you are afraid of heights, this trail could be very challenging. Then Awa'awapuhi Trail is your cup of tea. Im glad we did it, Im glad we got to share this with Tyler and Kara, and I am also glad that we can share with you what we learned. We got to the trailhead decently early, but even so, the main parking area was full and we had to park at the next one down and walk back to it. Although I cant compare it to the Kalalau Trail, the Awaawapuhi Trail was a major highlight of our Kauai trip and led to one of the most beautiful coastal views Ive ever seen. The treacherous trail felt agonizingly long for the first 1.5 miles. Here are my travel essentials. The Koke'e Lodge and Museum will also have maps available, but we'd definitely advise you to go ahead and review the map and become familiar with the area. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. is that right?? [OAHU] UPDATED 2/28/23: Kaena Point State Park Mokuleia Section The vehicle access road will continue to beCLOSED due to heavy rains and saturated road conditions. The views from the end of the trail are just as they sayspectacular. Weather permitting, you should get a breathtaking view of the lusciously green Awa'awa'puhi valley and Nualolo Aina Valley. You can buy snacks, cold drinks, and ice cream from the general store here. DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Not too much to see but the view at the end is spectacular! GPS lat 22.1414 long -159.6487. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Like an address I can punch in my GPS to start the hike. 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. The trail leads you through a range of different plant life as you slowly head down in elevation for just over three miles. If I did it again, heres what I would do: Park at the Kokee Museum and hike the Nualolo Trail out-and-back. :) Enjoy this AMAZING hike! Return hike is easier without slipping but it is all uphill. The permit can be obtained at visitor contact stations during business hours. One of the best here. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. In my opinion,these are the 15 best hikes on Kauai! By. The first mile of the trail can be muddy and slippery after recent rain. There is no cell reception on the mountain. Your email address will not be published. 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. Our Kauai hike on the Awa'awapuhi trail to the Na'Pali Coast. 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. This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. Length 11.0 mi Elevation gain 3,461 ft Route type Loop. Permit must be permanently & properly adhered to the machine in a front-facing and visible manner. The 6-mile round trip hike is" But it also makes for a longer journey. 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. These photos were taken on the helicopter ride we did two days before this hike. Mar 3, 2019 Matthew Henderson. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. We are a bunch of 60 year olds who think were fairly fit. I will say that we recommend several things before you head out. Impeccable views due to sunny weather with blue skies. 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. Maybe thats just because we have done so many hikes around the world that our standards are a bit different now. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Some reviews called this an easy to moderate hike. We learned a lot, not just about the trail, but about hiking in general, which carried on through later experiences. 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. Or would recommend for the Awaawapuhi Trail as far as the best views. This is my Journey Era. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/kauai/awaawapuhi-trail Awaawapuhi Trail Kauai. If all that sounds like fun, then by all means go for it. The end of the trail provides rim views down into the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. If you think you will have trouble with this, its not worth hiking the Nualolo Trail in my opinion, since you need to hike this narrow trail to get to the best views. 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. Hilton Garden Inn Value Pick: The Hilton Garden Inn is your number one choice if you are on a budget but still need comfort. More Stats for Awa'awapuhi Trail hike trail trail Altitude change -1,612 ft Altitude min 2,453 ft Altitude start 4,064 ft Altitude end 2,454 ft Grade -10.7% Grade max -59.5% Grade min 21.8% Distance climb 1,115 ft 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. and Comments (RSS). To get to the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail (and Kokee Road), it is a 3 mile hike and the majority of this will be uphill. You can read more about the "loop" on ourNualolo Trailentry. This trail gives you a clear overview on the west side of the Na Pali Coast and the Waimea Canyon area. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Awa Awapuhi Single Track: Kauai bike trail in Wiamea. Each of these trails can be done individually but the loop is amazing. This trail gives you a clear overview on the west side of the Na Pali Coast and the Waimea Canyon area. When we did this, the Nualolo Cliffs Trail was overgrown in many spots, making progress very slow.