Kuilau Ridge Trail Kauai

Kauai’s Kuilau Ridge Trail is a moderately easy trail that takes hikers into the lush, vibrant and green tropical interior of the island.

Why you should do it: See Kauai’s many shades and layers of green on this nature walk across the heart of the island.
Area: Wailua / Kapaa
Trail Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Location at Google Maps

The Kuilau Ridge Trail is a scenic and moderately easy trail that starts near the Keahua Arboretum. The trail has amazing views of lush tropical greenery, the Makaleha Mountains and Mount Waialeale. The trail distance is 2 miles to where it connects to the Moalepe Trail, then continues for another 2.25 miles where it ends at Olohena Road. A round-trip hike totals 8.5 miles (both trails).

The starting elevation point at the Kuilau Trailhead is 500 feet and ascends gently to 1,140 feet at the 1.5 mile marker (for an elevation gain of 640 feet). There is a picnic shelter located at about the one mile marker with views of lush valleys and streams. Located to the east is Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant) with views of the ocean.

There are no restroom facilities along the trail. The nearest facilities are at the arboretum.

The trail is located just before you get to the Keahua Arboretum, near the end of Kuamoo Road (Hwy 580), past Opaeka’a Falls. There is parking for about three vehicles. Additional parking can be found at the arboretum.

We are often asked what is an easy trail on Kauai that has amazing views, that is totally worth it, that is not steep or scary, and is also kid-friendly. And our answer is most often the Kuilau Ridge Trail!