This hike begins at the parking lot of Ke'e Beach at the Northern most point you can drive to on the island. Statistically, the trail weaves its way in and out of dozens of valleys and hills, contains 50+ switchbacks, and has a combined elevation gain of 5,000 feet which, in turn, correlates to 10,000 feet since you’re doubling back on this trail as an out-and-back. Paddling the Na Pali Coast on a kayak is by far the most strenuous way to explore the coast, but makes for an epic adventure. Hiking the Napali Coast is a must whilst backpacking Kauai. One more mile through the forested Kalalau Valley and along the sandy trail that leads to the beach, and you have reached paradise, otherwise known as Kalalau Beach. If you are searching for the world's most challenging and breathtaking Kauai hiking experience, look no further than the Garden Island of Kauai. I went solo and I feel like no one believes me when I say I found actual utopia. Just be carful because it's worth it! Many hikers will continue hiking an additional 2 miles into Hanakapi’ai Valley to see an amazing waterfall. Kauai Hiking | Kalalau Trail and Hanakapi'ai Trail (Nā Pali Coast). Permits become available 90 days in advance however in the summer, permits sell out within minutes. Mud. Since this trail starts and ends at sea level, it often leads people (myself included) to believe that the trail can’t possibly be that strenuous. Here’s how to do it best. Be s... Backpack the Na Pali Coast via the Kalalau Trail. A valid camping permit for Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is required for anyone that wants to continue hiking beyond Hanakāpī‘ai. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The first 2 miles of this trail is highly trafficked and extremely well maintained. Campsites are also available at Hanakoa Valley, and make for a great first night stop. In the course of this program we’ll visit Kokee State Park and hike magnificent Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. In mid-April, a record-setting rainstorm flooded the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate and closing the Instagram-famous Na Pali Coast State Park, home to the sea-cliff-topping Kalalau Trail.The closure is indefinite, and state officials say that they expect it to continue for a while as they assess and repair the damage. The trail traverses the untouched, rugged Na Pali Coastline in Kauai and gives access to Kalalau Beach, often said to be the number 1 beach in the world. Kalalau Beach is stunning and is by far one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Hawaii, if not the world. This is where the Kalalau Trail begins. My summer was crazy busy so, despite Josh mentioning on a few occasions that I should look it up online, I simply put it on the back burner until the very last minute. Tamarack Resort is a place where connection and interaction still mean something... ABOUT THE AUTHORS Robyn and 19 year old daughter, Gabi are the authors and creators behind nomadswithapurpose.com. Please explore responsibly! If someone in your group is not doing the trek, they can drop you off and pick you up. This is also the first portion of the Kalalau Trail. :). Also note that ALL trash must be packed out. Hiking Kalalau requires a bit of planning and general conditioning. The Kalalau Trail has grown to become a world famous backpacking trip and something that all outdoor enthusiasts should add to their bucket list. Hey! adventures and follow local regulations. The mile markers are a teensy bit off but even still, it helps to know how far you have to go. Also be aware that camping is allowed only behind, not on, Kalalau Beach and that there is a 5-night maximum for camping. It is the most lush of the islands. The falls is only 0.5 miles off trail, so may be your best bet if you have the desire to do some waterfall exploring. The trek can still be done in the rain but it gets sketchy. If you continue on to mile seven, you'll reach the notorious Crawler's Ledge, which sounds slightly more daunting than it actually is, but should be taken with a little precaution, especially in adverse weather conditions. Much. Bring some chocolate, tobacco or coconut oil for trading with the locals living in the hills. And I hope you go. It all depends on what you want to do. Hiking in the sunny summer and fall months is beautiful and often usually free of any storms. The forest is basically trying to encompass the trail. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Public parking, bathrooms and showers are available at Haena Beach Park located west of Tunnels. It was then that we decided that on our next trip to Kauai, we just had to find out what lay further down the coast of Kauai, in the depths of the Na Pali coast wilderness. Named by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful trails in the world, this 11 mile out-and-back trail wraps its way around the jagged outer edges of the island's North side, at times coming within reaches of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a trek you will never forget. It’s almost worse than hikes where you just go straight up a mountain and back down because you’re constantly shifting gears between up and down. At mile marker 6 (about 3-4 hours in), you’ll reach the second of the three main valleys, Hanakoa, where there are more compost toilets and a stream to fill water. Trekking poles are necessary. Fortunately, getting a permit does not currently require a random lottery but you do have to plan in advance. Kauai is its home and you can see the coast by foot, boat, helicopter, or kayak - there are no roadways or vehicles allowed. Climber, surfer, and outdoor adventurer, Gabi, is a 19 year old entrepreneur and the co-creator of Nomads With A Purpose. The 11-mile Kalalau Trail, the area’s only thoroughfare, is by reservation only. The first two miles of the trail are the busiest, as no permits are required to hike this section, and often many families like to hike this stretch to get a taste of the Na Pali coast, and see Hanakapi’ai Beach and waterfall. na pali coast boat tour--kaua'i The Nā Pali Coast is probably the most well known and iconic area on Hawaii's oldest island of Kaua'i. This is where the Kalalau Trail begins. The Kalalau Trail is no walk in the woods. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Na Pali Coast State Park. A very special place. A family ski trip to Tamarack Resort is sure to be an experience that will create memories of a lifetime! While views from your tent aren’t particularly beautiful, it’s the views seen from the water’s edge that make this hike so famous. Basically, it’s very strenuous and just because it’s Hawaii doesn’t mean you should underestimate this backpacking trip. Kalalau is a literal paradise within a paradise. She has been a blogger since she was in 9th grade and has been seen in media such as HuffPost. Thank goodness there is a camping option halfway through the hike if you need to break it up into two days. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It's worth the trip. Ultimate Backpacking Pack List: Everything You Need to Hit the Trail, Reserve overnight parking permit here (must be done after obtaining camping permit), 12 Best Hikes in St George, Utah [Hidden Gems Outside of Zion], Ski + Ride Whitefish Resort, Montana: Winter Travel Guide, Family Ski Trip to Tamarack Ski Resort, Idaho, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho: What to Do + Where to Stay, Middle Teton Hike Via Southwest Couloir Route, 11 Epic Hikes On The East Coast USA To Add To Your Bucket List, 5 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park: Easy, Moderate, and Strenuous Day Hikes. This development is what generated the permitting system in addition to improving the trail conditions. From there, you immediately start hiking upward, with great views of the beach down below. Posted on August 29, 2019 January 18, 2020 by Sean McCabe. In short, it was one of the most rewarding experiences in recent memory. You can drive your own vehicle to and from the trailhead but you’ll need to reserve and overnight parking permit for the trailhead. Each mile is marked with paint on obvious rocks for the whole trail (except for mile 10 where there is no marker as of 2020 due to trail reconstruction). I often daydream about returning; hopefully in 2018. The Na Pali Coast Trail. I solo hiked this back in October. I would recommend leaving the trailhead early in the morning (like 6-7 am) to have a few hours to take in the beauty of the beach before dark. This will be the first stream crossing, and often the most dangerous. In the wintertime, it’s really all luck. A hike like this a constant mental roller coaster that varies from “Why the heck am I doing this? Take the side hike up to Big Pool and allow yourself to get lost in the valley (always easy to follow the river back down to the beach). In this blog, we’ll cover all the best hikes in St George outside of Zion National Park and why you should go explore these gems on your next trip to Southwest Utah! You may want to also join us on Instagram and follow our travels.. This stunning rugged coast line is made up of soaring cliffs, endless waterfalls, unreal hiking trails and more. The last one was the size of an Olympic swimming pool, filled with still, clear water. There are 3 primary river crossings with fast-flowing water that are most ideal for filling fresh water: Mile 2 at Hanakapi’ai Beach, mile 6 at Hanakoa Valley shelters, and mile 11 just half a mile before Kalalau Beach. While these Kauaʻi hikes can be muddy, slippery and strenuous, you will be amply rewarded for your effort with sweeping views of the most dramatic middle sections of the famous 17-mile-long Nāpali Coast – from unique vantage points that can only be accessed from the cliff top ridges of Kōkeʻe State Park. Trail conditions is something most people don’t talk about. At the bottom of this final valley, you’ll cross 1 more river and a short 15 minutes walk from that river and will bring you to beautiful Kalalau Beach. The next day, with a lighter pack, a couple of hours brings you to the saddle of … On the positive side, winter permits are much easier to get. Very slippery and unstable rocks at some points, as well as mud. Napali Coast is a 16 mile (26 km) coastline stretching from the remote and wild Polihale Beach on the west to Kee Beach on the north shore of Kauai. Also note, this is great place to stop and refill a water bladder. You have a few options to go by boat to see this enchanted ter... Makua, aka Tunnels, is known for its incredible mountain scenery. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Here you can opt to take a 4 mile (roundtrip) detour to the popular Hanakapi’ai Falls, otherwise, continue on the Kalalau Trail where you’ll now enter the permit-only hiking section. Backpacking Waimea Canyon. This was my first backpacking trip and I did it solo. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bath... Hanakoa Falls is one of two large waterfalls along Na Pali Coast. So. We’ll hike to several of the island’s fabled waterfalls, explore the wild NaPali Coast and experience the magic of Hanalei. The classic approach to backpacking the Na Pali is to backpack to the half way point at Hanakoa Valley and decamp. This doesn’t really help you, it’s simply just a warning because the whole bathroom deal is unexpected. It feels as though you're on the set of a Jurassic Park movie, hiking through lush forests with gaping views of towering waterfalls and the majestic Na Pali cliffs. Hiking the Kalalau Trail in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is challenging to say the least. 16 miles of jaw dropping coastline featuring gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, sea caves, and colorful mountain ridges. Around mile 8, there is one more exceptionally exposed section located along a red dirt hillside. I was glad to have lightweight hiking poles, and I didn't need a sleeping bag or pad. It’s no wonder other tropical destinations don’t have trails, it’s just not natural to cut through a rainforest this thick. Though this is the section that doesn’t require any hiking permit, it is surprisingly one of the most beautiful sections of the whole Kaalalu Trail so be sure to soak in those coastal views. At this point, you can either hike two miles to Hanakapi’ai Falls, or continue on if you possess a permit. In the first 6 miles or so of the trail, mud is inevitable cause it rains a little every day. Like we mentioned earlier, the ledge is no narrower than the rest of the trail but the ocean swirling beneath your feet can be scary for some. Once you set up camp, take a stroll out on the beach and enjoy some of the best scenery this world has to offer. Also note, there is a perfect waterfall at the end for rinsing off in and obtaining water from. Nāpali Coast is one of the most recognizable and beautiful coastlines in the world. Hiking the Nāpali Coast. Kalalau Beach has a ton of picturesque, well located campsites. I know some people may guffaw at the idea but some may find it perfectly suitable and with how many tourists drive to Haena State Park every day, your odds are high of getting a ride. The most famous hiking trail on the Nā Pali Coast is the Kalalau Trail. Continuing on, you'll often be hiking on a very narrow, and muddy trail full of ups and downs. If need be, there are dozens of other small streams and rivers but they are more stagnant. The blues fade to teal and the teals glow with white. On top of that, due to the thick shrubbery and little tree coverage, there are very few places to go to the bathroom in nature. Kauai’s Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park is a hiker’s haven, with cliffs plunging to the Pacific and waterfalls hidden in narrow valleys. Key phrase is “THOSE AFRIAD OF HEIGHTS.” The trail here is truly no narrower than the rest of the hike but due to steep ledges that give way to the ocean moving below you, it’s more of a mind game than anything. Na Pali Coast (Kalalau) Trail is a 22 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Somewhere between the time where we visited Hawaii annually and the time that we got all adventurous, the Kalalau Trail started showing up in many major outdoor publications and ranked among lists of greatest backpacking trips in the world. Experience the Nā Pali Coast scenery face-to-face, a Kauai hiking experience to never forget. Day-use hiking permits are also required when continuing along the Kalalau Trail beyond the Hanakapi’ai Valley, even if overnight camping is not planned. Permits cost $20 per person per night. Na Pali Coast stretches fifteen miles along the north west coast of Kauai between Ke`e Beach in Haena State Park to Polihale State Park in Mana. There are only three ways to access these stunning sea cliffs – by air, land or sea – each offering a different perspective and experience than the other. One of the most common questions about the trail is “Do I need a permit?”. 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