[OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. Logistics: The Nualolo Ridge Trail is a 7.5-mile hike inside the Kokee State Park. I dont care what the other websites say; hiking theAwaawapuhi Trail for 6.7 miles round trip is not easy. Hawaii's Awa Awapuhi Trail Is a Must-Do Hike on Kauai Can i possibly get a guide? This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Awaawapuhi Trail is my favorite hike in the Kokee State Park. Like an address I can punch in my GPS to start the hike. GPS lat 22.1414 long -159.6487. Slippery to start on the way down, but got much better after first mile. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. The trailhead for the Awa'awapuhi Trail is off Kokee Road. Points of Interest & Landmarks Historic Walking Areas. Learn about how to take a doors off helicopter rideand how to hike the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail. Turn left here to head out to the vista point. Once you reach the end we recommend that you DO NOTventure beyond the railings, since there are precipitous drops on both sides and the ground can be deceptively slippery even when dry, as the small red rock scree erodes easily. We chose the Awaawapuhi Trail, and Im glad that we did. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? 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. Best Defenders In Premier League 2019-20, This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Chilly if you start early, but toasty on the return. Awa'awapuhi Trail - Na Pali Coast Kauai - Ten Digit Grid Breaking News In Yuba County Spoiler. There is also a restaurant that serves burgers, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, cocktails, and beer. I towered over the view, soaking in the sounds of the waves crashing and watching waterfalls slither down the folds in the cliffs. Do I need a permit/ reservation to enter the park (or just to park my vehicle)? It is considered a moderate hike on paper, but it can be difficult due to the elevation gain and loss. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never travel without. When Jason Momoa was 15 or so, a group of adult climbers invited him on an ice-climbing trip. It is going down the trails, it could be slippery(with rain) if you are not careful. NUALOLO CLIFF TRAIL ON KAUAI, HAWAII - Journey Era, [] way to continue to the lookout. Awaawapuhi Trail Details. awa'awapuhi trail permit - Radomin.pl 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. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! It was a steady climb back to the car, but easier footing. The Nualolo Trail is worth the extra effort to have this view. Or would recommend for the Awaawapuhi Trail as far as the best views. Other hikers had seen the coastline, so we probably would too. 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). There is shade on this trail but you will spend enough time in and out of the sun that you will need sunscreen. Incredible views! This is pretty much your view the entire hike. For a shortlist of shorter hikes on Kauai, you can check out my Easy Hikes Guide for Kauai. Adelphi Women's Soccer, 50 inches. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. Due to the extremely muddy conditions we found it a most difficult hike. Of the two, I think the Nualolo Trail is the better choice. 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. Crawley Magistrates' Court Results January 2021, and 1 hour back up. Theres a small parking lot near the trailhead on Kokee Road. On our recent visit to Kauai, we wanted to hike this trail again. SeeSand Island site for updates. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. This is a must do if you have the time! In consideration of being permitted to use the OHV trails promoted and maintained by Lewis County, I expressly acknowledge: PARK UPDATES: 4/30/21 - [OAHU] - The Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and parking lot at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline will be CLOSED May 4th through May 6th (Tuesday-Thursday) from 7:00am to 11:00am for maintenance of the trail. What time of day did you hike? Wailua is a city on Kauai located on the East side of the island, near the airport. Below is a photo of the end of the Nualolo Trail and vista point. The restaurant literally looks out to the waves, which is an awesome spot to start your day with breakfast. We chose to do this loop in a clockwise direction, starting at the Nualolo Trail trailhead. 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. However, if you plan to hike that loop, we recommend you hike down Nualolo and back up Awa'awapuhi. The view from here is very nice, but its not nearly as good as that from the Nualolo Trail. Top 3 Hikes in Kauai - Our Beautahful World You can get by with a good pair of walking shoes or running shoes but I recommend wearing hiking shoes if you have them. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a 6.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Kekaha, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as mod. 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. If you only plan to hike the Nualolo Trail, you will retrace your steps back to the car from here. And of (All equipment on The Awaawapuhi trail is a heavily trafficked hike to a viewpoint of the famous Na Pali coastline. There will still be many steep descents, sometimes on a sandy trail and at other times on muddy dark red clay. We had the viewpoint all to ourselves for a bit. Discover this 9.7-km out-and-back trail near Kekaha, Kaua'i. It takes about three hours to hike this West Kauai trail and it has many incredible viewpoints. 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. I slipped several times but was able to catch myself. Located in Kokee State Park in Kauai, the Nualolo Trail and the Awaawapuhi Trail are two separate trails that head out along the ridgelines of the Na Pali Coast. The only lookout is at the end. I will say that we recommend several things before you head out. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Weird Things is proudly powered by 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. My only question was. 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. In my opinion,these are the 15 best hikes on Kauai! 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. The trail is easy to follow and well maintained. Shaded and muddy trail . Awa'awapuhi Trail. On this trail, you will hike in and out of the trees, and by midday, this part of the hike can feel very warm. It's a steady descent along a narrow path through a jungle. 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. 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. A beautiful overlook at the end! 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. If you want to get on the trail early, consider camping at Koke'e State Park. For Days 1 and 2 click here. PRO HIKING TIP: If you are allergic to grass or sensitive to coming into contact with plants, consider wearing or bringing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. All uphill on the way back. [Kauai]. Awa'awapuhi Trail & Napali Coast access? The end of the trail leads to cliffs on the sea side. There were no signs or other indications of the closure. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). But the views are much better than those from the Awaawapuhi Trail. 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. Mahaulepu Heritage Trail: Map, Photos, & Is It Worth It? There are a few steep sections but for the most part, its a gradual climb. The Awaawapuhi trail is in Waimea Canyon, specifically Kokee State Park, on Kauais west side of the island. I tip-toed around the muddy trail with my brand-new hiking sandals at first. N Ala Hele Trail and Access website Wear bug spray and good hiking shoes. I love your hiking tips. The hike out was almost all uphill but our footing was better and we made better time. Here at GuideofUS- Hawaii, we have explored on our own and with some of the best-guided tours available. Not for those terrified of heights. 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. Everything To Know About Hiking Hawaii's Awa Awapuhi Trail I would describe our conditioning as slightly better than average. Now, its a 1.8 mile walk along Kokee Road back to your car and its mostly downhill from here. 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. Its longer, its steeper, it can be muddy after it rains, and the trail is overgrown in spots. 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. We found the trail to be fairly muddy and we took our time going down as it was rather slippery. 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. Worth the hike with breathtaking views at the end where you see the Napoli coast line and the mountain ridges. I do workout a lot on a peloton but my wife does not. Clouds and rain were an obvious given here, but thats part of the wonder of this beautiful island. Walk 0.2 miles south on Kokee Road to the trailhead. 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. The path itself is beautiful but it does not boast views, as you are deep inside the trees and tall grasses. The Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is breathtaking, offering gorgeous views of Kauai's famed Na Pali coast. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. Don't Look Down! Crawley Magistrates' Court Results January 2021, Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year. A long climb awaits. :) Enjoy this AMAZING hike! Hawaii's official trail and access website administered by the N Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop is a 11 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Waimea, Hawaii, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Kaua'i - Awa'awapuhi Trail Side Ridge (GoPro POV) - YouTube 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. The best time of year to visit and hike the Awa awapuhi Trail is between April and October when temperatures tend to be milder, which makes midday hiking more pleasant. Momoa was working at an outdoor shop in Des Moines, Iowa, and after he agreed, the crew packed into vans and headed off. Save your energy for the trip back as its mostly uphill to get back to the trailhead. Beware, however, that the Nualolo trail was closed when we were there. Awa'awapuhi Trail Details. Kokee State Park is in the northwest of Kauai; the closest popular tourist area is Waimea, to the south. Ill be in Kauai on April 7-12. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. If theres any vista proving that pushing to the end of a hike is always worth it, its the Awaawapuhi Lookout of the Napali Coast. Division of State Parks | Nualolo Cliffs Trail - Hawaii Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The hike to the viewpoint is downhill, so prepare yourself for the thigh burner on the way out. Awesome view of Na Pali and Forest reserve. The trail starts near mile marker 17 at a parking area and takes . Youll hike through tall brush, slip and slide on wet, muddy ground, and be a hot, sweaty mess at the end of this hike. Great hiking - Trail was 7 miles round trip but we did little over 10 miles with all the deviations. All rights reserved. Trail goes all the way down to view point and comes back" 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. If you have any questions about how to hike the Nualolo Trail and Awaawapuhi Trail Loop, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 46 min to complete. Mahalo! Weather permitting, you should get a breathtaking view of the lusciously green Awa'awa'puhi valley and Nualolo Aina Valley. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is a small parking lot and there are no restrooms. We had to turn back at the 1mile mark because of a heavy downpour and the conditions deteriorating. After the first mile-and-a-half the forest begins to thin out and the rugged Napali coast comes into view as well as glimpses into the Awaawapuhi Valley. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Its mind-blowing to stand at the lookout and take it all in. 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. At 3.75 miles, you reach the end of the trail. 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. It does have 3 little sections, after you go to the first landing you can venture out to a second then a third. How to Hike the Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop | Kauai If you get lucky, maybe some nice person will drive you back to the Kokee Museum parking lot. The scenery along the three-mile, downhill hike . Go early before the trail gets too muddy from foot traffic. You dont want to be on a rocky overlook or narrow, muddy trail in the middle of pouring rain. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. Heading into Kauais interior and remote terrain offers dome of the most beautiful backdrops on the world. The 2.5-mile climb up to the 2563ft summit of Lanilili Peak is steady and not overly strenuous. Honestly just an ok view unless you're willing to hike the last .1 mi sketchy section. The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. This was as far as I could make myself go without letting vertigo sink in. A 2.1-mile footpath connecting the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi trails, the Nualolo Cliff Trail lets hikers forgo any tedious retracing of steps. The Honopu Ridge trail is not well kept, so it is somewhat more difficult to follow, moderately strenuous but much shorter in length. Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year, At the 10 mile point, you reach the trailhead for the Awaawapuhi Trail and Kokee Road. For a nice day hike, you can backtrack to the Nualolo junction and continue along the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the Nualolo Trail which ends at the Kokee State Park headquarters. 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. Muddy, moderate workout totally worth it! Magnificent vista at the end! The trail does need some clearing done at the end of the trail. All five of these spots are in great locations but each one is a little different. Check it again.Takes about an 90 mins down and lots of time will be spent trying to secure a footing. There was no view whatsoever. The trail meanders through a wet cloud forest before making some steep descents down muddy terrain. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. " Awesome hike with breathtaking views of the Na Pali coast " Aug. 2022 It is before the Kalalau lookout but still takes well over 30 minutes to reach there from Waimea Town. 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. Absolute favorite hike on the Hawaiian islands. The views along Nualolo are reputed to rival Awaawapuhi. Don't try this -- ever. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic. My blog has a post with pictures that you can check out. What restaurants are near Awaawapuhi Trail? Awa'awapuhi Trail. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Walking through the trees the rest of the time. Awaawapuhi Trail DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! It is a peaceful hike. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kaua'i - September 6, 2015 What an amazing view in Kaua'i. 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). For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. Waimea Canyon + The Awaawapuhi Trail, Kauai Kauai's Awa'awapuhi Trail is a moderately difficult hike which starts in Kkee State Park and traverses the gorgeous Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. 3 miles down with nothing to see but trees and bush but it's worth it at the end of you are not afraid of heights and go past the gates. The Awaawapuhi Trail is shorter, less steep, and better maintained. Hi, caricenzerbush. Between November and March, some areas may become inaccessible due to high rainfall. Entries (RSS) In mid-January, Schuyler, David, and I took a trip to Kauai, the un-official hiking island of Hawaii. 16 Beautiful and Best Hikes in Kauai, Hawaii | The Planet D We arrived at 9am and the parking lot was almost full. How To Avoid Hotel Quarantine In Canada, We are older and wiser and there was something very nostalgic about returning to a place where Tim and I first hit a hiking trail together. Thanks, Mehek! Because the Awaawapuhi Trail drops you so low, you feel like you are almost down in the valley looking up towards the top of the other ridges. It has incredible drop-offs and epic views down to the Na Pali Coast. Awaawapuhi Trail, Kekaha: Address, Awaawapuhi Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. This hike is straight down then straight back up, yet it's so pretty. 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. You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. Definitely slippery going down but fine, especially if you have poles. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Kauai's 10 Best Views - Fodors Travel Guide At about the three mile mark is the junction of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. And the views at the end were spectacular. We slogged the 3.2 miles to the end, but it was Way more difficult than normal. Entire family made it all the way to the top. 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. Honop Ridge Trail | Outdoor Project For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. 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. Hi - Your review is quite "glowing" for this trail in terms of the view. Beach gear to use! Your email address will not be published. The end of the trail provides rim views down into the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. If you have hiked Kalaua, I was just wondering how the views compare - because for me that hike was life changing. The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. Awaawapuhi trail Discovering Kauai Days 3 and 4. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. The hike is moderately difficult and traverses the Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. Awesome view of Na Pali and Forest reserve. awa'awapuhi trail permithow does khalil explain thug life. My mind filled with doubt about the end view at the Awaawapuhi Lookout. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Awaawapuhi Trail Kauai Found in Koke`e State Park, Kauai, Hawaii.A trial winds through highland forests with infrequent ridge top views.