The settlement, reached just before a damages trial was to begin next week, must be approved by the Legislature. At this point, you have hiked 6.6 miles. 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. Its because you spend the entire time hiking down 1500ft. 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. Im not going to sugar coat itthis next two miles is a slog on an overgrown trail. Here are my hiking essentials. Koloa Landing Resort Luxury (high-end): I was lucky enough to spend three nights reviewing Koloa Landing Resort and honestly the place is just phenomenal. Required fields are marked *. Hello Jovie. Weird Things is proudly powered by When you arrive at the overlook, the view is spectacular (although no camera will capture it so you cannot show off to anybody). 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! 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. See Hapuna site for updates. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Make sure you have plenty of water and wear cloths that you don't mind getting muddy, that means shoes. 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. Magnificent vista at the end! This was as far as I could make myself go without letting vertigo sink in. Once you get to the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail, you will be at your car and you do not have to end with the hike down the road. If you have a frightening fear of heights, like I do, it\'s scary, but not debilitating. For more accommodation recommendations you can check my favorites in the Kauai Where to Stay Guide. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Its important that you carry enough water because this part of the trail is hot and can be challenging. Its easy to wander off the trail here and you can double check your position with the GPS. The Nualolo Trail is the tougher of the two. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. 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. Also arrive early, once in Waima its still about 45 minutes up the mountain. Well worth the 6 mile round trip hike. Welcome to my world. Awa'awapuhi Trail in Kkee State Park - Hawaii This trail is located near Kekaha Hawaii on the small island of Kauai (famous for its beautiful mountains!). We are a bunch of 60 year olds who think were fairly fit. 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. This trail starts in Kokee State Park at 4100 ft of elevation and winds its way through heavy jungle down to 2,500 feet. Not much to see until then. Luke Mcnally Fifa 21, 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. Route The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. 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 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 Nualolo Trail is worth the extra effort to have this view. Even when we returned their was no parking. Worth the hike with breathtaking views at the end where you see the Napoli coast line and the mountain ridges. 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. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. It is considered a moderate hike on paper, but it can be difficult due to the elevation gain and loss. 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 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 Muddy, quiet forest hike to an amazing and rewarding view! I used them last year while in oahu and next week I'll be heading to kauai. Also, try to pick a sunny day (as much as possible). The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. We walked the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, on the north end from Ke'e Beach. Be smart and be safe for the safety of all. Kauai's beautiful Na Pali coast. Save your energy for the trip back as its mostly uphill to get back to the trailhead. The speed limit on all off-road vehicle trails is 25 miles perhour. I would describe our conditioning as slightly better than average. Most of the trail is in a forest, so its shady most of the way. Small lookouts along the way feed your motivation to reach the end. Our best chance at hiking to a view of the Napali Coast would be hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail from Waimea Canyon. You can view the loop trail by opening Google Earth and viewing ourNualolo and Awaawapuhi Loop Trail map. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. 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. The trail starts at approximately 4,120 feet and ends at the lookout around 2,500 feet; so be prepared for the climb out. It boasts amazing coastlines and lush valleys filled with waterfalls. We learned a lot, not just about the trail, but about hiking in general, which carried on through later experiences. 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 trail leads you through a range of different plant life as you slowly head down in elevation for just over three miles. Awa'awapuhi Trail. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you only have time for one hike on the west side of Kauai, this is your trail. 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. Its also more crowded than the Nualolo Trail. Downhill most of the way uot and be ready for gradual climb the whole way back. You can get by with running shoes (I did the first time I did this but I slipped a lot) but hiking or trail running shoes with good traction will make your life a lot easier. Even though it rained all night last night, the hike was totally do-able. Aside from the coastal views, the trail offers a great chance to observe endemic wildlife such as birds, lizards, and frogs. Take trekking poles or find a good walking stick in the woods (this is what we did), it really helps. 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. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. There is also a restaurant that serves burgers, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, cocktails, and beer. Because it rains nearly every other dayyou will encounter mud and slippery leaves and mud holes upto 4" deep. Find out more about me here! I slipped several times but was able to catch myself. Impeccable views due to sunny weather with blue skies. 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. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. It genuinely surprised every time we passed the half-mile trail markers. The 6-mile round trip hike is" On our recent visit to Kauai, we wanted to hike this trail again. My blog has a post with pictures that you can check out. 1.Awa'awapuhi and Nu'alolo Loop. It was so unbelievably beautiful and we decided that this was a must-see for us. Tim and I were visiting Hawaii on our honeymoon and this was the first real hike each of us had ever done. This is a must do if you have the time! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. The crisscrossing of trails and 4x4 roads can be confusing at first, but once you select your routes, it's not too bad. ALL PERMITS REQUIRE A FEE - THERE IS NO FREE CAMPING IN HAWAII STATE PARKS OR FOREST RESERVES. 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. They are NOT available at the camping locations or pavilion site. The photo below shows the location of the Awaawapuhi Trail vista point. Discover this 9.7-km out-and-back trail near Kekaha, Kaua'i. The Appalachian Trail is intended for foot travel only. After my first slip into the mud, I decided to just own the experience. 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. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a great alternative to the Kalepa Ridge Trail because it offers some of the best views of the Npali Coast. and Comments (RSS). 60 Likes, 6 Comments - AdventureSeekerUS (@adventureseekerus) on Instagram: "Awa'awapuhi trail. Its a hot hike and you will sweat a lot. I wanted to write a review about this trail since much has been written about it. You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. 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. Start early: This will help you avoid any potential afternoon storms. Just a short distance from here is a large parking lot for the Kokee Museum, restrooms, and the Kokee Lodge (a great place for cold drinks and food once finished the hike). Archaeological Sites in camping areas are protected by law. When we did this, the Nualolo Cliffs Trail was overgrown in many spots, making progress very slow. 7 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Lookout "There are 2 ways to get there. Marvel at the views of the sea as you approach the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail. And of (All equipment on The Awaawapuhi trail is a heavily trafficked hike to a viewpoint of the famous Na Pali coastline. The view point is worth the trek! Below is a photo of the end of the Nualolo Trail and vista point. The trail getting there is not necessarily anything to write home about but the views at the end are incredible. Its a short, easy, downhill walk to the viewpoint at the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail. Posted By : / yamaha fg series history / Under : . By Nualolo Trail (between cabins and Kokee Lodge), or Awaawapuhi trail near 17 mm (past Kokee Lodge). Muddy, moderate workout totally worth it! " Awesome hike with breathtaking views of the Na Pali coast " Aug. 2022 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. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! This is my Journey Era. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. Check it again.Takes about an 90 mins down and lots of time will be spent trying to secure a footing. It is a peaceful hike. We took it to be our run for the day, and jogged the flat trail portions. A woman at the Kokee Museum told us this was the best of the hikes to the west. (LogOut/ The trails in Kauai are often slippery and muddy. See our full list in our Hiking Guide. 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. Not much to see until the very end, but absolutely magnificent when you reach it. If you are young and healthy, it is probably only mildly challenging. The trailhead is on the left of the parking lot. This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. But it also makes for a longer journey. 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. We briefly stumbled off the trail twice and I have heard of others doing it too. 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. We had lunch at the Kokee Lodge. Breath taking Views - Tough trail if you are a beginner. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Slippery to start on the way down, but got much better after first mile. For the majority of the first part of this hike, you will be descending as you hike out towards the coast. slippery down hill, check weather, long hike for fog. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Please familiarize yourselves with our refunds and changes policies prior to purchasing your permits. It gains about 1,950 feet of elevation along the route. Still, it was enough to make my legs wobbly and fill my stomach with butterflies. Beware, however . Adelphi Women's Soccer, But you will hike up and over hundreds of tree roots. is that right?? and 1 hour back up. However, be forewarned - it's a tough hike. My only question was. Difficulty: Moderate. All five of these spots are in great locations but each one is a little different. That way, you can use the restroom before and after the hike, and grab a bite to eat once finished the hike. This is not a hike that I would recommend for newbie hikers. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. This is a small parking lot and there are no restrooms. Google Maps Link Logistics: The Nualolo Ridge Trail is a 7.5-mile hike inside the Kokee State Park. There is a sign on either side of the trail at this point marking the start of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. 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. The Honopu Ridge trail is not well kept, so it is somewhat more difficult to follow, moderately strenuous but much shorter in length. Recommend that you use good traction devices especially if it's wet. Awaawapuhi Trail Details. The final 0.25 miles is the best, when you are walking on a trail along the cliff, with awesome views north along the Na Pali Coast. It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast. awa'awapuhi trail permit. 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. Prefer your gain before the pain? Its a bummer to see peoples toilet paper, orange rinds and plastic on the trail! The first mile of the trail can be muddy and slippery after recent rain. [KAUAI] UPDATED 3/2/23: Polihale State Park Is CLOSED until further notice due to an electrical outage that has put the water pump out of service. 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. Theres a small parking lot near the trailhead on Kokee Road. Permits are not needed to hike this trail and the best time to visit is spring and summer. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. The trail has a fairly steady and moderate grade all the way down to the viewpoint, which is great, given the aforementioned extreme mud. The entire trail is also forested, with only a few hints of a view before you reach the end of the trail. There are pesky trail markers at every 0.25 miles, which is mildly infuriating, showing you your slow squelchy progress through mudpit after mudpit . Clean your shoes off with the brushes and spray provided at the trailhead. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. 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. 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. Dramatic green cliffs set against a deep blue sea. Loved this hike! The Worlds Most Dangerous Footpath Is Now Totally Safe To Hike, Abiqua Falls Is a Secret Waterfall Hidden Deep in the Oregon Forest, The 13 Best Places To Go Hiking in Hawaii, Best Hikes With Stunning Views in the Ozark Mountains, 7 Easy Hikes on Oahu, Hawaii, That Are Perfect for Kids, Heres How To Visit Niihau, Hawaiis Forbidden Island, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood. Then Awa'awapuhi Trail is your cup of tea. Downhill 1600 feet slipping and sliding, we all took a tumble. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I could not do the third as it looked to risky however it would have been amazing. The look out does have a small trail that I would recommend going down but not for the faint of heart. Seeaosite for updates. You need to keep an eye out for a small sign with cars parked on the left side going to Koke SP, after the campground. It doesnt have a designated parking lot but there is a spot 50 yards past the trailhead [], 15 BEST HIKES ON KAUAI, HAWAII - Journey Era, [] CLICK HERE to read the full blog post about Awaawapuhi Trail []. If you decide to take all the connecting trails, you're looking at a 9-mile trek. If you are looking for another hike to do, consider hiking the Waipoo Falls Trail. 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. Perhaps it is the view of the folding spires of NaPali that makes this trail so exceptional. If you get lucky, maybe some nice person will drive you back to the Kokee Museum parking lot. A beautiful overlook at the end! Both will require walking along Kokee Road at some point. Even though rainy/foggy at top, gorgeous down at bottom! Most people stop on the grassy/sandy cliffs at the turn-around point for lunch as they offer great views of the coastline. The first part of this hike is relatively easy since its pretty much all down hill. Beach gear to use! After around 90 minutes of awe-inspiring and downhill hiking, the trek culminates at the official viewpoint. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. But the views are much better than those from the Awaawapuhi Trail. If you're a regular person who doesn't exercise regularly.the heat, humidity, mud and slippery footings will get to you.Other than that the view is spectacular. Turn left here to head out to the vista point. The sheer cliffs of the Napali Coast may look daunting from the ground but that's because they are best viewed from the summit of the Awa'awapuhi Trail. I love your hiking tips. 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. 360-degrees of pure Kauai magic! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We also heard helicopters in the distance above us. Read all of our articles about the United States in our. Like a lot of Kauai hiking trails, you'll follow a ridgeline with continuous views of the Na Pali Coast. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? This trail also heads along the cliffs. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. Hi - Your review is quite "glowing" for this trail in terms of the view. Entire family made it all the way to the top. I hiked on a Sunday afternoon and only passed people in the opposite direction. Awa'awapuhi Trail. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. We were looking at helicopters passing way below us but they were still high up. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK.