Kauai hiking trails are perhaps the best way to experience the beautiful natural assets of the Garden Island. There are many beautiful trails all over the island of Kauai, each with their own unique vistas. On Kauai hiking trails you will find waterfalls, tropical rain forests, remote beaches, the world’s highest swamp, and stunning precipices with jaw-dropping views. There are hikes along coastlines, and trails into the green interior of Kauai. Some trails require virtually no hiking experience, while others are known as some of the most dangerous hikes anywhere in the world. With so many hikes on the island, you could spend months on the trails and not experience them all. Kauai hikes, certainly, are one of the island’s main attractions.
While hikes on Kauai are uniquely beautiful, they can also be uniquely dangerous. Frequent rains make many of the trails super slippery. Overgrown vegetation can mask precipitous drop offs. Rogue crashing waves can knock you into rocks and drag you out to sea. Exposed roots and rocks can trip you up, while overhead, low branches can cause bumps to the head. Strong currents at river crossings can sweep you downstream, while the clear, cold waters can contain leptospirosis, a harmful bacteria to humans and animals.
You will want to prepare for Kauai hiking adventures accordingly. Research trails beforehand. Bring the appropriate items for the specific trail. Items that should be considered include water, insect repellent, sunscreen, hiking poles, rain wear, moisture-wicking clothing, and appropriate footwear. Crampons can assist on slippery trails while tabi water shoes can be helpful on stream trails. Bring a whistle in case you need to signal for help. And bring a trash bag for your trash and any trash you find hiking out.
Below is a list of Kauai hiking trails. The listings start in Kokee State Park and proceed counterclockwise around the island.
Kauai Hiking Trails
Alakai Swamp Trail
Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate to Difficult (depending on the weather)
Area: Kokee State Park
Discover the world’s highest swamp on this trail that is often shrouded in fog and mist. A substantial part of this trail is on boardwalks to allow access and to protect the fragile alpine blog environment. The trail ends at the Kilohana Lookout with an otherworldly view of Kauai’s North Shore. More info…
Pihea Trail
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Area: Kokee State Park
Scenic trail has multiple breathtaking views of the Kalalau Valley and connects to the Alakai Swamp Trail for more adventures. The trail is steep in portions and can be very slippery and muddy. The trail head begins at the Puu o Kila Lookout. More info…
Kalepa Ridge Trail
Why you should do it: Stunning trail is perhaps the most beautiful on Kauai, and one of the most scenic in the entire world.
Trail Length: 1.6 miles (one way)
Area: Kokee State Park
Difficulty: Moderate when drier, difficult when muddy and during rains.
Kauai’s Kalepa Ridge Trail is perhaps the most beautiful trail on Kauai, and that’s saying a lot on this stunning island. The trail follows the left (western ridge) of the Kalalau Valley as seen from the famous Kalalau Lookout. The lookout is often regarded as Kauai’s most scenic spot, and the Kalepa Ridge Trail offers even more spectacular views of the valley and the Na Pali Coast. More info…
Kaluapuhi Trail
Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Kokee State Park
Starting near the Kalalau Lookout and heading inland, this easy forest trail features ohia trees and the occasional redwood tree along with birdwatching opportunities. More info…
Berry Flat Trail (Puu ka Ohelo)
Length: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Kokee State Park
Scenic nature trail with birdwatching opportunities leads through groves of California redwoods, Japanese sugi pine and native koa and ihi’a lehua.
Water Tank Trail
Length: 1.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Kokee State Park
Forest hike starts near the Kokee Discovery Center and connects to the Berry Flat Trail.
Waininiua Trail
Length: 1.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Waimea Canyon
Forest trail connects to other trails. The trail head is at Waineke Road and ends at Kumuwela Road.
Kumuwela Trail
Length: 1.0 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: Waimea Canyon
Unmaintained and overgrown trail is used mostly by hunters. The trail head is near the end of Waineke Road and ends near the end of Kumuwela Road and lookout. To the left of the lookout is the end of the Canyon Trail.
Awaawapuhi Trail
Length: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate to Difficult
Area: Kokee State Park
Mostly forested trail leads to a famed precipice with stunning views of the Awaawapuhi, Nualola and Honopu Valleys on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. This out-and-back trail drops 1,300 feet from the trail head, and rises 1,300 for the return trip. More info…
Nualola Cliff Trail
Length: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Kokee State Park
Starting near the Kokee Museum, this trail drops 1,400 feet in the first mile, eventually ending at an elevation of 2,234 with a spectacular view of Nualola Valley on the Na Pali Coast. Connects to the Awaawapuhi Trail.
Kawaikoi Stream Trail
Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Kokee State Park
Loop trail starts at the Sugi Grove campsite and follows the Kawaikoi Stream in a beautiful forest setting that includes Japanese sugi pines and oiha trees. More info…
Poomou Canyon Ditch Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: Waimea Canyon/Kokee State Park
Little known trail offers grand views of Waimea and Poomau Canyons, along with much greenery along the way. At the trail end is a dramatic 270 degree view of Poomau Canyon along with several waterfalls. More info…
Canyon Trail
Length: 1.8 miles from the highway
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: Waimea Canyon
One of the more popular Kauai hiking trails, the Canyon Trail takes hikers along the edge of Waimea Canyon to the top of Waipoo Falls. The trail offers dramatic views of Waimea Canyon, though the big draw of the trail is the epic experience at the top of the falls. More info…
Cliff Trail
Trail Length: .08 miles to Halemanu Road, 1.8 miles to Waipoo Falls
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: Waimea Canyon
The forested Cliff Trail near Waimea Canyon connects the Puu Hinahina Lookout and Halemanu Road, with a connection to the Canyon Trail that leads to Waipoo Falls. There are rare glimpses of portions of the canyon rim from the trail. More info…
Black Pipe Trail
Length: 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: Waimea Canyon
With a connection on the Canyon Trail, this overgrown and lightly-used trail offers additional hiking in the area. There are several spots along the trail with nice views, but terrain and trees limit many views along the route.
Iliau Nature Loop
Length: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Waimea Canyon
A short nature loop with easy access from Kokee Road features the endemic Iliau plant (in bloom May-June) and views of Waimea Canyon. Shares a trail head with the Kukui Trail (next). More info…
Kukui Trail
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Waimea Canyon
This steep trail drops 2,000 feet to the bottom of Waimea Canyon. Camping is available by permit only. Bring plenty of water for this hike.
Koaie Canyon Trail
Length: 3.0 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Waimea Canyon
In Waimea Canyon, this trail starts about a half-mile up the Waimea River from the bottom of the Kukui Trail. The hike features swimming holes, canyon scenery and two backpack campsites (Hipalau and Lonomea) for use by permit only.
Waimea Canyon Trail
Length: 11.5 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Waimea Canyon
Starting at the bottom of the Kukui Trail in Waimea Canyon, this lengthy trail follows the Waimea River downstream to the town of Waimea. Expect to wade through water, hop on boulders and navigate slippery rocks as this trail crosses the Waimea River several times. Caution is urged as this trail is prone to flash flooding.
Glass Beach Coastal Trail
Length: .25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Port Allen
There is a short trail that follows the coastline of Kauai beyond Glass Beach. For lack of an official name, we are calling it the Glass Beach Coastal Trail. The trail offers nice views of the unique lava rock coastline, especially in the late-afternoon hours near sunset. More info…
Mahaulepu Trail
Trail length: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: South Shore / Poipu
A different kind of trail for Kauai, the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail showcases lithified sand dunes and sandstone pinnacles among the crashing waves of Kauai’s sunny south shore. The geological features provide unique and interesting scenery along the rocky coastline. More info…
Wailua Falls Hike
Trail length: .3 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Central/Lihue
The Wailua Falls Hike is a short, steep and prohibited trail that takes hikers to the bottom of Wailua Falls. The trail is inherently dangerous and there are signs from the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources that say “Danger Keep Out Hazardous Conditions!” More info…
Sleeping Giant Trail
Difficulty: Easy at lower elevations, becoming Intermediate to Difficult at higher elevations.
Area: Wailua/Kapaa
Sleeping Giant Trails (there are three) on Nounou Mountain lead hikers through a rather traditional forest before heading upwards for dramatic views of Kapaa, Mt. Waialeale, the Wailua River, the Makahela Mountains and other parts of eastern Kauai. More info…
Kuilau Ridge Trail
Trail Length: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Wailua / Kapaa
See Kauai’s many shades and layers of green on this nature walk across the heart of the island. Starting near the Keahua Arboretum, the trail has amazing views of lush tropical greenery, the Makaleha Mountains and Mount Waialeale. More info…
Powerline Trail
Trail Length: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Wailua / Princeville
The Powerline Trail is a hardscrabble, overgrown trail that cuts across a swath of the island from the Keahua Arboretum to Princeville. Due to the condition of the trail, it is one of the most difficult trails on the island and is only recommended for those seeking a tough challenge. More info…
Jungle Hike (to the Jurassic Park Gate)
Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: Wailua
When the road is serviceable, many visitors to the Jurassic Park Gate drive to the location. The dirt (and muddy) road is known as the Jungle Hike for those who hike to the location. More info…
Moloaa Bay Ranch Coastal Trail
Trail Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Area: East side, between Anahola and Kilauea
Nice coastal walk with birdwatching opportunities and unique views of Moloaa Bay. More info…
Hanalei River Jungle Hike
The Hanalei River Jungle Hike trail, located at the end of Ohiki Road in Hanalei, is a seldom-used, overgrown trail in the dense underbrush of the upper Hanalei River area. More info…
Okolehao Trail
Trail Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate (strenuous climb) to Difficult (last 1/2 mile)
Area: North Shore (Hanalei)
If you’ve ever been in Hanalei and wondered what it was like to be in the mountains overlooking Hanalei, then this is the trail for you. The Okolehao Trail takes hikers into a verdant jungle and mountain wonderland overlooking Hanalei Bay and beyond. More info…
Club Med Ruins
Difficulty: Easy
Area: North Shore
A short hike will take you to the beautiful grounds of the Old Hanalei Plantation overlooking Hanalei Bay. Today, the overgrown concrete remains from a failed 1980s hotel development can be explored with a stroll around the property. More info…
Hanakapiai Trail
Trail Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: North Shore
The Hanakapiai Trail comprises the first two miles of Kauai’s Kalalau Trail and links Ke’e Beach with Hanakapiai Beach. The trail is popular with locals and tourists alike, and is renowned worldwide for its views of the Na Pali Coast. More info…
Hanakapiai Falls Hike
Trail Length: 2 miles (4 miles from Ke’e Beach)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Area: North Shore
From Hanakapiai Beach, head inland for another two miles into Kauai’s lush tropical forest to reach the magnificent Hanakapiai Falls. More info…
Kalalau Trail
Trail Length: 11 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Area: Na Pali Coast / North Shore
Kauai’s premier hiking trail follows the island’s famed Na Pali Coast for eleven epic miles. At the end of the trail is remote Kalalau Beach, an almost Eden-like place cherished by hikers, hippies and free spirits. More info…
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