2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Muddy in spots so wear proper shoes. Awa'awapuhi Trail. Mud, forest, shade, all leading to awesome views! I do workout a lot on a peloton but my wife does not. Use caution and do not go too close to the edge as some of the viewpoints are eroded. Some people go beyond the official end of the trail (unmaintained trail - pass at your own risk) for an epic view. The trail is quite rocky at the start and we heard that it is very slippery if its rained. The hike isn't too bad and wasn't muddy when we went. Took me 1.75 hrs down, had a 30 minute break enjoying the Na pali coast view i had seen by boat yesterday then 1.25 back up. Beware, however . Did this hike yesterday. Awaawapuhi Trail (Kekaha) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Trailhead Location: Kokee Road in Kokee State Park. Incredible views! I loved being in the tropical rainforest and seeing the view at the end of the trail was amazing. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Awaawapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, is a single track hike not for those with a fear of heights. The farther you go, the more exposure you get and the better the view. 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 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 can ask about the condition of the Cliffs trail before you start. Difficulty: Moderate. Kaua'i - Awa'awapuhi Trail Side Ridge (GoPro POV) - YouTube It is before the Kalalau lookout but still takes well over 30 minutes to reach there from Waimea Town. Its mind-blowing to stand at the lookout and take it all in. 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. DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. 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. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. They had live music playing and this was a great spot to unwind, refuel, and cool off before visiting more sights along in Kokee and Waimea State Parks. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. From the edge of the trail, there are drop-offs to the canyon below. Do I need a permit/ reservation to enter the park (or just to park my vehicle)? Find out more about me here! You dont want to be on a rocky overlook or narrow, muddy trail in the middle of pouring rain. The photo below shows the location of the Awaawapuhi Trail vista point. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a spectacular hike, with the most magnificent views of the Na Distance: 6.5 miles, round-trip Location: West side, Kohe e State Park Difficulty: Moderate. You get your first glimpse of the Awa'awa'puhi Valley at about 1.75 miles. Be sure to take your time and be extra cautious when going through these areas. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Its a bummer to see peoples toilet paper, orange rinds and plastic on the trail! I recommend choosing between the Awaawapuhi Trail OR the Nualolo Trail. The Awa\'awapuhi trail (3 miles) was in relatively good condition and it wasn\'t muddy with most of the path well-defined. It gains about 1,950 feet of elevation along the route. Even though rainy/foggy at top, gorgeous down at bottom! The hike goes gradually downhill for 3 miles primarily through the trees (but with some scenic outlooks), before ending at a ridge with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Napali Coast, and the Awa'awapuhi and Nualolo Valley. Im not going to sugar coat itthis next two miles is a slog on an overgrown trail. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Those over 60, i highly recommend a helicopter trip instead. Carla Herreria Russo. Crawley Magistrates' Court Results January 2021, Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year. Great hiking - Trail was 7 miles round trip but we did little over 10 miles with all the deviations. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. Are you a dessert first person? This is a moderate one way trail in Hawaii. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Im glad we did it, Im glad we got to share this with Tyler and Kara, and I am also glad that we can share with you what we learned. Kinda boring except for the view at the end. 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. Not too much to see but the view at the end is spectacular! Scrooged Frozen Guy Gif, The park will REOPEN by 3:00 PM on Friday 3/3/23. Slippery to start on the way down, but got much better after first mile. There was no view whatsoever. Awa'awapuhi Trail Distance: 6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 4 hours Nua'lolo Trail + Nua'lolo Cliffs Trail + Awa'awapuhi Trail (the Full Loop) Distance: 11.9 miles Total Ascent: 3,200 feet Starting Elevation: 3,700 feet Highest Elevation: 4,100 feet Lowest Elevation: 2,300 feet It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast. However, if you plan to hike that loop, we recommend you hike down Nualolo and back up Awa'awapuhi. 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 Its $5 per person to enter the state park, which is generally open from sunrise to sunset, so try to be off the trail before dark. Also, try to pick a sunny day (as much as possible). Luke Mcnally Fifa 21, It took me 2 hours to get back up with frequent stops to rest. N Ala Hele Trail and Access website Its easy to wander off the trail here and you can double check your position with the GPS. [KAUAI] Kkee State Park - Beginning TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, road repair work will be conducted along Kkee Road between the meadow/lodge area and the first Kalalau Lookout. Found in Koke`e State Park this trail winds through a highland forest with occasional ridge top views. Growing up in the small town of Norwalk, on the outskirts of . Good shoes and a hiking pole or stick (which can be found leaning against a tree about 100 ft in on the trail) are helpful for navigating slick downhill sections. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. First off my family of four did the trail after much reading about it, it was very hard for all of us who do not hike on a regular basis. If you decide to take all the connecting trails, you're looking at a 9-mile trek. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. But photographer Scott Sharick upped the ante for the vertigo-inducing trek when he decided to hold a GoPro stick while walking along . Covid-19 Protocols: Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and be respectful of others. Waimea Canyon West Side The Nualolo Trail is the tougher of the two. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. You can hike each trail separately or combine them into one big day hike, by connecting them with the Nualolo Cliffs Trail. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. The trail is quite wide in most parts and even though it had been raining a lot, the trail was in good condition. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. These landscapes are what thousands of people travel to Kauai for. Mud!!! Posted By : / yamaha fg series history / Under : . Great when dry. 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. At this point, you have hiked 6.6 miles. is that right?? Not much to see until then. Nu'alolo Trail / Cliffs / Awa-'awapuhi Grand Loop Hike Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Here at GuideofUS- Hawaii, we have explored on our own and with some of the best-guided tours available. We took it to be our run for the day, and jogged the flat trail portions. Not for those terrified of heights. It genuinely surprised every time we passed the half-mile trail markers. There is a sign on either side of the trail at this point marking the start of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. Mahalo! And this time around, we could share the experience with our kids. Outside Magazine - By: Alexandra Gillespie 3h. The look out does have a small trail that I would recommend going down but not for the faint of heart. Awaawapuhi Trail Information, Photos & More - Hawaii Guide * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. muddy but doable. The trail will lead you through rain forest, high desert like terrain and to some of the most awe inspiring vistas on Kauai's Napali Coast. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Huddersfield Town Shirt Sponsor 20/21, It only takes about an hour and a half each way along the total of six miles out and back journey. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kaua'i - September 6, 2015 What an amazing view in Kaua'i. Best Defenders In Premier League 2019-20, Awa'awa'puhi gets off to a slow start but picks up steam about halfway. First 3.7 miles there has some slick muddy patches you navigate while going downhill. Thanks, Mehek! When Jason Momoa was 15 or so, a group of adult climbers invited him on an ice-climbing trip. There is shade on this trail but you will spend enough time in and out of the sun that you will need sunscreen. Kauais Awa'awapuhi Trail is a moderately difficult hike which starts in Kkee State Park and traverses the gorgeous Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. Chilly if you start early, but toasty on the return. The only lookout is at the end. Kauai's beautiful Na Pali coast. Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet. Its a hot hike and you will sweat a lot. The views along Nualolo are reputed to rival Awaawapuhi. 4- Awaawapuhi Trail. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! The trail is very muddy right now. It has the LARGEST pool in all of Kauai with beautiful, natural-style landscaping throughout the pool areas. Enjoy! After about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. Heading down the Awaawapuhi Trail might give you some false confidence about how easy the hike will be. 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. I have a 12 year old and 16 year old daughters and myself and my wife who are in a mid 40's. Logistics: The Nualolo Ridge Trail is a 7.5-mile hike inside the Kokee State Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There is no cell reception on the mountain. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. And of (All equipment on The Awaawapuhi trail is a heavily trafficked hike to a viewpoint of the famous Na Pali coastline. Its all easy to the grassy point that oversees the sheer cliffs of Awa`awapuhi and Nualolo valleys resting 2,000 feet below.Awaawapuhi Trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. Distance: 6.2 miles out and back. We got to the trailhead decently early, but even so, the main parking area was full and we had to park at the next one down and walk back to it. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. The trail starts near mile marker 17 at a parking area and takes . We found the trail to be fairly muddy and we took our time going down as it was rather slippery. I slipped several times but was able to catch myself. 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. Awa'awapuhi Trail - Na Pali Coast Kauai - Ten Digit Grid Awa'awapuhi Trail. The hike to the viewpoint is downhill, so prepare yourself for the thigh burner on the way out. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. This is a good spot to take a break, drink some water, and refuel before hiking up the trail. Took us around 5 hours RT. We chose the Awaawapuhi Trail, and Im glad that we did. Most people stop on the grassy/sandy cliffs at the turn-around point for lunch as they offer great views of the coastline. Ride ONLY on designated trails and obey all traffic controldevices. 16 Beautiful and Best Hikes in Kauai, Hawaii | The Planet D Kokee State Park is in the northwest of Kauai; the closest popular tourist area is Waimea, to the south. 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. 6.5mi Dec 9, 2018 Amanda Jo. Congrats! Hi. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Like a lot of Kauai hiking trails, you'll follow a ridgeline with continuous views of the Na Pali Coast. The restaurant literally looks out to the waves, which is an awesome spot to start your day with breakfast. I love your hiking tips. Awaawapuhi Trail 4.5 218 reviews #7 of 15 things to do in Kekaha Hiking Trails Write a review What people are saying By DlB824 " Breathtaking views " Oct. 2022 This is a good hike it's listed as a moderate hike it's 3.25 miles the the vistas. 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. An elderly man reportedly fell 30 feet head first off the Mariner's Ridge Trail Sunday during a club outing. Havent read you mentioning it so i just want to confirm. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. There isn't one, but if type it in on an iPhone it will take you to the parking lot. In the evening, head to Luau Kalamaku for the best Polynesian dance show in Kauai. 360-degrees of pure Kauai magic! The hike out was almost all uphill but our footing was better and we made better time. 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. We didnt mind ending with the walk along the road. The trail skirts the upper rim of the precipitous Nualolo Valley and permits a "loop" route from the head of Awaawapuhi Trail to Kokee State Park Headquarters or vise versa. I could not do the third as it looked to risky however it would have been amazing. This trail goes by Honopu Ridge Trailhead. Even when we returned their was no parking. Must do in Kauai! Archaeological Sites in camping areas are protected by law. We wanted a shorter day hike that would provide us with expansive views of the Napali Coast of Kauai. Change), You are commenting using your Google account. So when there is a fresh rain you will want to go slow or you have a good chance of wiping out. KAUAI: Plan your visit to Kauai with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Kauai. These valleys are part Going up Waimea Canyon and into Kokee State Park, the trail starts at a small parking area right at mile marker 17. Awa'awapuhi is a bit shorter, not as steep and you don't get any views until right at the end. Know before you go. Awaawapuhi Trail Kauai Found in Koke`e State Park, Kauai, Hawaii.A trial winds through highland forests with infrequent ridge top views. It was a steady climb back to the car, but easier footing. All rights reserved. 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!). Route The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. Its because you spend the entire time hiking down 1500ft. Start early: This will help you avoid any potential afternoon storms. Waimea - Koaie Canyon Trail | Kauai.com You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. When kids went ahead it was sunny and bright. Nualolo Trail + Nualolo Cliffs Trail + Awaawapuhi Trail (the Full Loop), Best Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Doors Off Helicopter Tour of Kauai: Everything You Need to Know. The view from here is very nice, but its not nearly as good as that from the Nualolo Trail. Its also more crowded than the Nualolo Trail. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. .Stunning views. I believe it was a little over 6 miles round trip. Please Note: Due to erosion, Nu'alolo Cliff Trail is occasionally closed near the junction with Nu'alolo Trial. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Unfortunately for us when we reached the end of the trail at the outlook, fog had rolled in off the ocean and there was no view to be seen. 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. Any confident hiker can make the journey to the top. 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. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. 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).