Beautiful views, but the waterfall was much smaller than I thought it would be. Regardless, if…read moreyou're looking for a view of Waimea, I'd recommend it! I thought the hike was pretty easy. I'd give it a 2.5/5 on the difficulty scale, only because there is a lot of loose rocks and roots. My boyfriend (who is less active than me) a 4/5 on the difficulty scale.

Waipo'o Falls is an 800 foot waterfall and considered to be one of the most dramatic waterfalls in…read moreHawaii. I beg to differ. I believe it's a disappointment for the amount of praise it gets. Although I am just some one person expressing negativity about it, I can try to explain why... Waipo'o Falls is located within Waimea Canyon State Park - known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". And Waimea Canyon SP is the place every tourist visits if you're coming to the island of Kauai. Now...Waimea Canyon offers a bunch of different vista points and observation overlooks of its beautifully colorful canyon landscape. And...at Waimea Canyon Overlook (Mile Marker 10), the most popular of them all, you can see Waipo'o Falls in the distance, but BARELY! I was in disbelief how far away the falls were, like a little blip on the radar. Seriously, bring binoculars with you. That's how far away it is. In reality, Waipo'o Falls is practically nonexistent from any viewpoint within Waimea Canyon. You see a small trickle at best. And yet, Hawaiian Guides who know the island up and down, and back and forth say this Waimea Canyon Overlook is "spectacular" for catching the falls! Are they being fully transparent? Or am I living in an alternate universe? Experts also claim that Pu'u Ka Pele Lookout (near Mile Marker 13) is remarkable for photo opportunities of Waipo'o Falls. Really? It's still the same tiny glance as if you're standing at Waimea Canyon Overlook. Grrr, frustrating. One more thing...according to my research, Waipo'o Falls can actually be reached by hiking the Canyon Trail from Pu'u Hinahina Lookout. And so...when I arrived at Pu'u Hinahina Lookout, everyone seemed prepared to hike the 1.8 mile (each way) Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls. At the time, I was excited to do this thinking I was getting to experience a rewarding waterfall moment. 1.8 miles to see it? I was amped up! But of course, Canyon Trail and getting to Waipo'o Falls is not what you're going to receive. Just a fair warning, lol. Along the way, Canyon Trail is a hike through a rainforest setting which would be pleasant for a lot of people. But, here you are...allocating a lot of time out of the day and since Waimea Canyon is connected directly with Kokee State Park (its neighbor), you really need to pick and choose what sights, stops and activities you'd like to make, all within one day, to feel satisfied, from my pov. Unless you're returning for a Day 2, which I'd suggest doing. But regardless, Canyon Trail is all downhill for the 1.8 miles, which means returning back up to the trailhead can be somewhat difficult for casual hikers and obviously all uphill. Finally, going as far as I could (even in a torrential downpour of rain which really muddied up the trail), I still couldn't find Waipo'o Falls. I did arrive at a rock wall with two small waterfalls splashing into a pool of water, but where was Waipo'o Falls? I couldn't find the answer. Eventually, I returned back up towards the trailhead at Pu'u Hinahina Lookout. What a letdown and waste of time. Because along the way on Canyon Trail, there's not much to see. It's boring, especially considering how you get undisturbed views of Waimea Canyon from all the various viewpoints along the main road of the park and now here, you're working hard not to feel rewarded at the end. Here's what I learned about Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls... - Speaking with other hikers (and I could be wrong about this), you're actually standing on top or at the beginning stages of Waipo'o Falls. Those two little waterfalls eventually merge into a pool and begin the grand start of the 800 foot drop. - So if you're standing on top of Waipo'o Falls, how then do you get to the bottom of it, to then admire looking up at it? From what I observed, there was no clear marked trail down the side of the cliff. What, you repel? Or, you must be an advanced hiker/climber and continue on what eventually is an unmaintained path through the forest to get a side view of the falls? I still don't understand to this day as I'm writing this, lol. - Lastly, there were no signs about Waipo'o Falls along the Canyon Trail pathway. You're at on your own discretion to discover your way, even if the trailhead sign at Pu'u Hinahina Lookout specifically stated..."Canyon Trail crosses Kokee Stream and ends at Waipo'o Falls". And, there's no Visitor Center at Waimea Canyon to ask questions where you may have gone wrong. In the end, I apologize for being downbeat at Waipo'o Falls. And I guess, I'm writing this to share my confusion and relay to others that you may need to temper your expectations no matter how enthusiastic professionals out there claim Waipo'o Falls to be.

We did this activity on our second day in Kauai and t'was a pretty day when we went there,…read moregoodness! It is located in Wailua - East side and has a distance of 2.25 miles each way. Depending in your pace it was just a short easy to moderate hike. But once it rained, it's a different story. It can be really muddy and according to locals it can suck you down so prepare a really muddy shoes & dirt everywhere. Kuilau Trail connects to an east route that meets up with the Moalepe Trail. Further down the trail will come to a wooden footbridge which crosses the Opaekaa Stream. The view is not too much but the green lush vegetation will still make you feel refreshed & relaxed at some point. It is a friendly-hike to do so kids or old folks can definitely enjoy this. Please don't forget to bring your water and do wear proper hiking clothes. I advise to wear good hiking shoes & bring quarter zip as temperature can drop any moment. Do not forget that Kauai got more rain in most places in the US so I suggest you bring your rain jacket in case you need it. And most of all practice LEAVE-NO-TRACE POLICY all the time. Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow Yeeps.

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Lihue…read moreLength: 4.4 total miles Elevation Gain: 700 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Duration: 2.5 hours Season: Year-round The Kuilau Ridge Trail begins at the Keahua Arboretum and climbs a forested ridge in the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve. Along the way, panoramic views open up across the rolling hillsides and picturesque valley to Mount Waialeale to the west, the Makaleha Mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the east. This trail can be combined with the Moalepe Trail for a one-way, 4.6-mile shuttle hike.

We did a sunset hike at the awa'awapuhi trail and it was wonderful! It's 3 miles down hill and back…read more3 miles essentially uphill. I thought it was an easy-moderate hike for someone who likes to hike/exercise. The parking lot was not super crowded for a sunset hike. It's a generally safe/mapped out trail, on the last mile, there are small stretches of a thin path so be careful! You cannot really see the amazing views till the end. You're in a dense forest and once you complete the 3 miles you will open up to a gorgeous view! It started to rain, so we didn't go down the last little bit to the edge, it's a very thin path to the edge with little to no buffer so be safe! If you go for the sunset hike, bring some headlights for the hike back. It was def worth it!

This Awa'awapuhi Trail was recommended to me by a lifeguard I randomly chatted with at one of the…read morelocal beaches in Kauai. He swore by the hike, saying the ending viewpoint would be the highlight of my Hawaiian vacation! But, the lifeguard left out details. And I'm here to fill you in on the real Awa'awapuhi Trail and what to expect and be prepared for! Right away...this hike must be attempted FIRST THING IN THE MORNING! There you go, there you have the answer to everything! Because, at any moment in time, throughout the day, clouds can roll in while standing high above the Na'Pali Coastline and the dense covering can hang around for a while, no matter how long you wait for the skies to clear up. So...if you hike here early, early morning, the probabilities of you confronting that picture perfect setting is greatly enhanced. It's like the common law of physics (but I believe I failed physics in high school, lol)...when the sun rises, the air is cool and crisp, and there's no heat rising from the ground to create moisture early on. Grrr...that's why this lifeguard, he needed to warn me that if I hike this Awa'awapuhi Trail....MORNING TIME. MORNING TIME. MORNING TIME!!!! Instead, I arrived at 11am because I had a few other sights and overlooks I wanted to check out before trying out this hike and using up at least 4 - 5 hours of the day here. This is also important...I visited Kauai in the middle of August. The sun rises about 6:30am and fades in light about 6pm. You only have 12 hours of the day to make the most of your explorations. Depending on the amount of time you have visiting Kauai, whether 3 - 4 days, or maybe you're island hopping for a total of 10 days - 2 weeks, point is...you'll at least need half the day to hike this Awa'awapuhi Trail. Also, be prepared for it to be a strenuous hike too. It's 6 miles roundtrip. The hike down to the overlook vista point is a cakewalk. All downhill! Well, you know what that means. The trek back uphill to the trailhead is quite difficult. Along these 6 miles in total to and from the overlook, there is nothing to see. Basically, the hike is boring! I found myself daydreaming about the next activity, lol. You walk through the jungle each way. There's no glimpses or peaks through the forest of the coveted Na'Pali Coastline that you're easily afforded at roadside overlooks throughout Koke'e State Park. If you're short on time I'd suggest stopping at Kalalau and Pu'u o Kila Lookouts. If you have no time limits and are more adventurous, then this Awa'awapuhi Trail is for you. Remember, lol, it gets dark at 6pm! When arriving at the observation point, I briefly had a clear moment to enjoy the views. The Pacific Ocean was blue. The coastline was certainly evident. You could see helicopter tours flying in the distance. You definitely get a 180 panorama. But once the fogginess rolled in, it never left. And I waited 30 minutes, actually sitting down and praying for the the dreary cloudy covering to dissipate. But, it never did and it wasn't meant to be. That's why I'm reiterating...hike here in MORNING TIME. Like, 7am if possible! Some last things to mention. The parking lot at the trailhead was very small. When I arrived at 11am, it was full but I managed to squeeze my car into a space, though it was a makeshift job. I'd say the lot holds spaces for about 15 cars. And there's no shoulder area along Koke'e Road to park. Lastly, when making it to the Awa'awapuhi Overlook Point, there's a very tight pathway that'll lead down even lower alongside the cliff's edge. It appeared like a sheer drop down on either side of you as I watched others bravely venture on. If you have a fear of heights, there's no way you can attempt going past the primary viewing platform. I could understand, people like to push the limits or boundaries of risk, but I know when enough is enough, especially I was only hiking in casual tennis sneakers. It wasn't worth it to continue past the point of comfortability. Overall, this Awa'awapuhi Trail is just average and can be greatly disappointing if you have high expectations. Am I sour about my experience and the ending I left with? Absolutely! Lol Just warning...there could be clear skies at the trailhead, but when you show up at the overlook it could be a whole new narrative. Then you're held hostage to the conditions and since there's only 12 hours in the day, you sort have wasted half of it. And within Koke'e State Park and Waimea Canyon right next door, there are many quality stops, alternative hikes, places to explore and magical instances to be had. But if you're convinced about attempting this Awa'awapuhi Trail and you're not hiking it first thing in the morning, I believe you're doing yourself a disservice.

This is a must do lifetime bucket list. If you make it to this point two things are for sure. 1)…read moreYou are on the wettest place on earth. Fortunately it was not raining in this spot the 15 minutes I was here but chances are it will be 99 percent of the time. Its the most stunning view Ive ever seen in my life. 2) You will be inspired to the depths of your soul. It just looks unreal. If you can go to Kauai!

There are 2 ways to get there. By Nualolo Trail (between cabins and Kokee Lodge), or Awaawapuhi…read moretrail near 17 mm (past Kokee Lodge). We have been doing the Awaawapuhi trail when we come here. Awesome view of Na Pali and Forest reserve. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. YELP 365 - 244/365

What a magnificent journey and place! Nicknamed Secret Falls...I don't think it's much of a secret…read moreanymore. However, our afternoon tour kicked back and took our time and we ended up being the only group at the waterfall when we got there! Two mile kayak trip down the river, then about a mile hike to the falls. The hike isn't too bad. Some places you're crossing in knee-high water (it changes depending on conditions), mud, some bouldering, and some slick spots. The wooden planks for most of the trail are nice and make it way easier. My daughter and I both hiked in our water shoes and it wasn't too bad. The waterfall is secluded and gorgeous! The water is cold but so refreshing after that journey to get to it! Great spot to hang out, relax, have a snack, swim and just enjoy! Rest up for the mile hike and two mile kayak journey back home!

This is great. Took the Paddleboard on a trip down the river to see the falls. It's a bit of a…read morewalk from the area that you "park" your kayak or paddleboards, but it is also an easy well prepared hike. It was great for 2 kids that were 8 and 10 years old. The waterfall was nice, and you can def go swimming in it. Be prepared that the water in cold. We did the hike with water shoes, that wasn't ideal. I think I would have probably just worn sandals for the walk. You do need to cross through a couple small rivers, but it was nothing crazy. Glad we did this little excursion in Kauai on Father's day. It was great exercise, and being outside in paradise. It makes it even more special that you need some sort of water vessel to get there, or I guess you an take a helicopter. Good times!

The Puʻu o Kila Lookouts is located at the mile marker 19, the end of highway 550, within Kauai's…read moreKoke'e State Park, and it offers panoramic views of the Kalalau Valley and the Na Pali Coast. I think it's a better stop compared to the nearby Kalalau Lookout if you're running short on time.

The views were breathtaking!! We were treated by a full rainbow. My only complaint is the cost to…read morepark your car and see the amazing view. It's $10 per car and $5 per person for a spot you're probably going to spend 15-20 minutes.

Third trip to the Waimea Canyon, but this is the first time I have seen the Iliau Nature Loop…read more Drove 90 minutes from our timeshare exchange at the Lawai Beach Resort to the Kalalau lookout our first full clear weather day in Kauai. On the way back visited several of the Waimea Canyon side pull outs. Between the 8th and 9th mile markers is stop for the Iliau Nature Loop. You can't see the trail from the road. The only indicator is a sign, and the large number of parked cars along the roadway. We park the car, cross the road, and hike up a shallow rise. Beautiful panoramic view of a 0.3 mile loop trail below, with the Waimea Canyon in the background. I go clockwise, while the wife goes counterclock wise. 100 yard circular dirt path through dense vegetation to the outlook area directly over the Canyon. Sunflower like stalks of Iliau plants with spiky looking tops native to Kauai. The Waimea Canyon is as beautiful as ever on this clear day with temperatures in the mid 70s, even at 2500 feet elevation. Shades of orange dotted cliffs with horizontal changes of color, all covered with dense patches of green vegetation. Tourists take pictures of family standing on the edge of the 2000 foot drop into the canyon, despite the lack of safety barriers, and the brittle nature of the cliff edges. To paraphrase our ex governor, one wrong step and it's "hasta la vista baby!" I hike in my Chako hiking sandals on the loop, with a 40 foot elevation gain in the the last 100 yards, straight up the wet red clay trail. Only hiking or trail shoes here, not running shoes, as the red clay is very slippery. Audience of 4 old farts on the bench watching. Would not want to slip on the red clay and fall on my bottom, as am wearing white hiking shorts!

Very easy loop that took no more than 15min. Not very much to see, but there are some plaques for…read morethose interested in the local flora. I'd probably skip this the next time and just focus on the more strenuous but higher reward hikes.

I'm giving this place only 2 stars. The so-called "arboretum" has a smelly restroom at the top of…read morethe hill, and if you're expecting information about plants, flowers, or trees, you won't find any. It's not really an arboretum in the true sense -- more like a patch of forest with a few jungle trails. We walked up to the nearest trail entrance, but it was overgrown with tall grass, so we just turned back and left. Honestly, this arboretum isn't worth visiting during a week-long trip to Kauai.

If you want to see rainbow eucalyptus trees this is a must go! It's a beautiful area to walk…read morearound. Bring comfortable sturdy shoes. Wear sunscreen and insect repellant. No entry fee and plenty of parking.