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. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. But you will hike up and over hundreds of tree roots. Also, try to pick a sunny day (as much as possible). 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. Its a mostly uphill, challenging walk back to the trailhead. I hiked on a Sunday afternoon and only passed people in the opposite direction. Logistics: The Nualolo Ridge Trail is a 7.5-mile hike inside the Kokee State Park. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. The Nualolo Trail + Awaawapuhi Trail Loop. Going back is tougher since it is uphill. This is my Journey Era. This is the hike that will give you that Napali Coast feel that you want. The Awa Awapuhi Hike is a 6 mile out and back hike that brings you through the lush vegetation. 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. It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast. Awa'awapuhi Trail Hiking Trail - Kauai - Hawaii 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. They are NOT available at the camping locations or pavilion site. It was a steady climb back to the car, but easier footing. He was thrilled. I love your hiking tips. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. I have a 12 year old and 16 year old daughters and myself and my wife who are in a mid 40's. I used them last year while in oahu and next week I'll be heading to kauai. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Its also more crowded than the Nualolo Trail. Awa'awapuhi/Nu'alolo Trail--how scary is it? - Fodor's Looks tough but not too hard and I am 65 with minor health issues. The farther you go, the more exposure you get and the better the view. Welcome to my world. Its important that you carry enough water because this part of the trail is hot and can be challenging. Going to Kauai in 2 weeks and looking to hike the Napali Coast and the Awa'awapuhi Trail in particular. Hi - Your review is quite "glowing" for this trail in terms of the view. A long climb awaits. Adelphi Women's Soccer, This is not a hike that I would recommend for newbie hikers. The trail is quite wide in most parts and even though it had been raining a lot, the trail was in good condition. (LogOut/ The trail has a downward The climb back up was sweaty and squelchy and full of hikers heading down but otherwise uneventful. Kauai hike #1 in the bag! 7 Days In Hawaii Sample Itinerary | Hawaii Travel Guide The Grand Hyatt Resort Best Family Resort:With the bestkids clubon the island,wildlife talksin thelobby, and a five-acrepool complexthat includes an enormouslazy-river pool, awaterslide, and a saltwaterlagoonbig enough forkayaking, the Grand Hyatt is unbeatable for keeping kids busy and parents happy. These two trails could easily be done as day hikes within a short stay on Kauai. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. AWAAWAPUHI TRAIL ON KAUAI, HAWAII - Journey Era Awa'awapuhi Trail Overview. The Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is breathtaking, offering gorgeous views of Kauai's famed Na Pali coast. You get your first glimpse of the Awa'awa'puhi Valley at about 1.75 miles. You may run into a few fellow hikers on your way, as mountain goats like to cling to the steep slopes. However, Hawaii can experience sudden changes in weather throughout all seasons, so youll need to plan your hike for a day when the skies are mostly clear. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. I could not do the third as it looked to risky however it would have been amazing. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. 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. 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. Visitors will be treated to diverse tropical flora and fauna along the trail as well as spectacular views of the ocean and Napoli Coast. Its easy to wander off the trail here and you can double check your position with the GPS. At about the three mile mark is the junction of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. Of the two, I think the Nualolo Trail is the better choice. I look forward to hearing back from you - THX Cari. Found in Koke`e State Park this trail winds through a highland forest with occasional ridge top views. 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. Im going to recommend five places to stay on Kauai. The trail is very muddy right now. For a shortlist of shorter hikes on Kauai, you can check out my Easy Hikes Guide for Kauai. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Hawaii's Awa Awapuhi Trail Is a Must-Do Hike on Kauai If you are traveling with kids, are looking for an easier hike with views of the Napali Coast, or have a fear of heights, I recommend the Awaawapuhi Trail over the Nualolo Trail. The end of the trail provides rim views down into the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. Kauais Awa'awapuhi Trail is a moderately difficult hike which starts in Kkee State Park and traverses the gorgeous Npali-Kona Forest Reserve. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. please pack a frozen water bottle and chilled ones with a energy bar for those who dont regularly hike. There was no view whatsoever. This is the one good view along the Nualolo Cliff Trailmost of the time you are in the trees, brush, or tall grass. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. We chose the Awaawapuhi Trail, and Im glad that we did. When I visited Kauai last fall, I had a chance to hike a few trails in Koke'e State Park on the west side of the beautiful Garden Island. Distance: 7.6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 2,200 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 3 to 5 hours, Distance: 6 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 4 hours, Distance: 11.9 miles Total Ascent: 3,200 feet Starting Elevation: 3,700 feet Highest Elevation: 4,100 feet Lowest Elevation: 2,300 feet Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours. Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet. There were no signs or other indications of the closure. is that right?? The hike to the viewpoint is downhill, so prepare yourself for the thigh burner on the way out. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. awa'awapuhi trail permit how does khalil explain thug life If you only have time for one hike on the west side of Kauai, this is your trail. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. The trail descends sixteen hundred feet over three miles through a rainforest to the rim of the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. The first time we did this hike, Tim and I had run out of water long before this point, and doing this part of the trail hot and dehydrated is torture, not to mention dangerous. Our best chance at hiking to a view of the Napali Coast would be hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail from Waimea Canyon. 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 Awa'awapuhi Trail starts at around 4k feet in elevation and guides you through a brillant forest with sweeping views of the Na Pali Coast down to just below 2.5k feet. Maybe thats just because we have done so many hikes around the world that our standards are a bit different now. While the end viewpoint can get quite dangerous and steep if you venture down, the majority of the trail is well defined and quite straightforward. After the first mile the forest begins to dissipate, only making guest appearances once in awhile as the barren terrain of NaPali comes into view. A 2.1-mile footpath connecting the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi trails, the Nualolo Cliff Trail lets hikers forgo any tedious retracing of steps. mobile app. No lingering allowed within park areas. The Awaawapuhi Trail Hike If you have a frightening fear of heights, like I do, it\'s scary, but not debilitating. The trail is in Koke'e State Park on the island of Kauai and is a moderately-challenging hike with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Its a hot hike and you will sweat a lot. We are a bunch of 60 year olds who think were fairly fit. 11 Best Hikes in Kauai (2023 Guide) - Trips To Discover Awa'awapuhi is a bit shorter, not as steep and you don't get any views until right at the end. Hilton Garden Inn Value Pick: The Hilton Garden Inn is your number one choice if you are on a budget but still need comfort. Don't forget to check ourKokee State Park Hikingpage for information on all the incredible trails inside the park. Enjoy! I will say that we recommend several things before you head out. Make sure you have plenty of water and wear cloths that you don't mind getting muddy, that means shoes. Mahalo! AWAAWAPUHI TRAIL (Kekaha) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go Be sure to take your time and be extra cautious when going through these areas. From the edge of the trail, there are drop-offs to the canyon below. Awesome!! Free Flow | Kaua Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios Hiker Snaps Terrifying Selfie From 'Edge of the World' - EcoWatch Awa'awa'puhi gets off to a slow start but picks up steam about halfway. You can continue past the overlooks (even though you are cautioned not to) in order to get even more amazing views. This is a six-mile, out-and-back trail in Kokee State Park on the island of Kauai. However, if you plan to hike that loop, we recommend you hike down Nualolo and back up Awa'awapuhi. Hiking out, you'll no doubt respect each and every foot of that; especially if you're concluding this hike as a part of theNualolo Trail/Nualolo Cliff Trail"loop." Total hike time for us was 4 hours but we took our time. Continue straight ahead (to your right) to the end of the trail and a spectacular view from your 2,500-foot perch. Awa'awapuhi Trail. Even though this trail is fairly even, we recommend sturdy hiking boots since it gets quite slippery when it has been raining. We arrived at the official viewpoint and were blown away by the view. I would be covered in mud by the end of the hike, no matter what. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower.