Nā Pali Coast
Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach (First 2 Miles)
The most iconic trail in Hawaiʻi. The full Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles from Keʻe Beach to Kalalau Beach and is permit-only beyond Hanakāpīʻai Beach. The first two miles — to Hanakāpīʻai Beach — are open to day hikers without a camping permit and deliver a concentrated version of the trail's drama: cliffs, jungle, switchbacks above the Pacific, a waterfall visible from the lookouts. The beach itself is dangerous for swimming (powerful shore break year-round) — come to see it, not to enter it. Advance park reservation required through gohaena.com.
- **Distance**: 4 miles round trip to beach · **Elevation gain**: 800 ft · **Difficulty**: Moderate · **Time**: 2.5–3 hrs
Kalalau Trail — Full (Permitted Overnight)
The complete 11-mile route traverses five valleys and ends at Kalalau Beach, one of the most remote and beautiful beaches accessible on foot in the United States. Camping permits required; available 90 days in advance through Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi. The trail is graded but almost never flat — it crosses sea cliffs, drops into valleys, and climbs out again repeatedly. Plan 2 nights minimum to do it without rushing. The payoff is proportional to the difficulty.
- **Distance**: 22 miles round trip · **Difficulty**: Strenuous · **Time**: 2–4 days
Awaʻawapuhi Trail (Kōkeʻe State Park)
The finest ridge trail on the island — a 6.4-mile out-and-back through native forest to a knife-edge viewpoint 2,500 feet above the ocean on the Nā Pali Coast. The final viewpoint looks directly down into the fluted valleys that make the Nā Pali famous. Exceptional. Strenuous on the return, which is all uphill.
- **Distance**: 6.4 miles round trip · **Elevation gain**: 1,500 ft · **Difficulty**: Strenuous · **Time**: 3–4 hrs
Waimea Canyon & Kōkeʻe
Waimea Canyon Trail (Canyon Trail)
The primary canyon trail runs 3.6 miles along the rim, with a detour to the top of Waipoʻo Falls — an 800-foot cascade visible from the lookouts across the canyon. The views of the red-rock canyon layers are remarkable from close range. The canyon itself receives far less rain than the north shore; expect dry, warm conditions.
- **Distance**: 3.6 miles round trip · **Difficulty**: Moderate · **Time**: 2–3 hrs
Pihea Trail (Kōkeʻe to Alakaʻi Swamp)
A 3.8-mile trail from the end of the highway at Puʻu o Kila Lookout into the Alakaʻi Swamp — the world's highest tropical swamp (4,000 feet elevation), home to rare native birds found nowhere else on Earth (ʻapapane, ʻiʻiwi, pueo). The trailhead viewpoint overlooks the Kalalau Valley. Long and often muddy — wear gaiters.
- **Distance**: 7.6 miles round trip · **Difficulty**: Moderate · **Time**: 3–4 hrs
Nualolo Trail — Nā Pali Rim (Kōkeʻe State Park)
Nā Pali cliff views with half the traffic of the Kalalau Trail — the trail ends at a vertiginous overlook 3,000 feet above the coast. Mostly downhill to the viewpoint, then a sustained uphill return, so save energy and water for the way back. Can be combined with the Nualolo Cliffs Trail for a 9-mile loop with a knife-edge ridge traverse. Start by 8 AM — afternoon clouds regularly obscure the views.
- **Distance**: 7.5 miles round trip · **Elevation gain**: 1,500 ft · **Difficulty**: Strenuous · **Time**: 5–7 hrs · **Permit**: No
North Shore
Hāʻena State Park — Keʻe Beach & Reef Walk
The beach at the end of the highway — where the road literally stops — is one of the most beautiful on the island. A calm reef lagoon in summer creates a protected snorkeling environment with excellent visibility. In winter, the water is rough and the reef is for looking, not entering. Reservations required. Arrive early.
Surfing — Hanalei Bay
The most beautiful bay in Hawaiʻi is also one of the best places to learn to surf. Summer (May-September) brings small, consistent swell with warm water and long slow rides — multiple surf schools operate from the pier end with two-hour lessons. Winter swells (November-March) make this an expert-only break; come to watch, not paddle out.
- **Difficulty**: Easy (summer lessons) / Expert (winter) · **Time**: 2–3 hrs · **Permit**: No
South Shore
Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail (South Shore)
A coastal walk along Kauaʻi's most intact stretch of undeveloped shoreline — lithified sand dunes, tide pools, an ancient sinkhole, and views of the rugged Māhāʻulepū coastline that most visitors never see. The trail begins past the Grand Hyatt at Shipwreck Beach and follows the coast southeast past Punahoa Point to Māhāʻulepū Beach. Easy terrain on packed sand and rock. Access through CJM Country Stables gate; closes at dark.
- **Distance**: 4 miles round trip · **Elevation gain**: minimal · **Difficulty**: Easy · **Time**: 1.5–2 hrs
East Side
Snorkeling — Lydgate Beach
Two protected lava rock pools create calm, clear snorkeling regardless of ocean conditions — the safest r...