A bit of a drive to get there, but worth it. It's pretty much straight uphill 1.2 miles with some…read moreareas moderately steep. There are two viewpoints - one at about the half way mark, and the other at the summit. You'll get a feel for how much uphill you conquered on the way back! (On the way up, try not to think about it.) I'm not usually into hiking for hours on end, let alone for continuous uphill climbs, but this hike is fairly short (about forty five minutes to the top) which is just about right for a straight uphill situation. As with most Kauai hikes there will be muddy areas and you will need to wash clean your hiking shoes well when you get home.

Nice view, if you're not afraid of steep, then continue to the second part. It's less than a mile…read more My daughter asked this man came down how long it took to get to the next view from where we're at. He told her another hour which discouraged her to continue. My and I continued and it's only took us about 20 minutes. However, it's straight up and can be slippery if it's raining or after the rain. There's a rope with knots to help you pull up and come down at the top, which was very helpful (thank-you to whoever so thoughtful). We're lucky there's no rain for a week so it's pretty dry up there. I was actually slipped and sat on my butt when we got down near the exit (lol). It's shaded and the ground still wet at the beginning of the trail. It's worth for a hike. Don't forget to grab a good reliable stick at the entrance.

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.

Some reviews say this is an easy and good "family" hike. It is a nice hike with many nice views…read more However, it is also strenuous with about 4 steep downhills and therefore 4 steep uphills. it is only 1.8 miles in each direction but it took us about 3 hours including a 20 minutes rest at the falls. I recommend it but be prepared with a fair amount of water, good footwear, and to spend 3 hours or so unless you're a seasoned hiker and so is your party.

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.

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.

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

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.

From Kapaa (6.1 miles roundtrip)…read more Let me begin by letting you know what you might want to pack: 1. Bug Spray 2. Long Pants, Long sleeve shirt. 3. 3 pairs of socks 4. 3L of water minimum 5. A machete 6. A good sense of direction This trail was, in my opinion one of the toughest on the island currently. Reason being, besides the monster elevation gain, the fact that aside from a .3 mile section that was chainsaw cleared, there is not enough traffic through this trail to keep it well blazed...so you do the blazing. The first .25 is a cake walk up a cobble hill the width of a one lane road, and you think huh, my pick up could have done this section. Then at the top of the hill reality sets in, where someone tried to get up here and obviously got stuck leaving two huge ruts that have swelled with water and it wreaks like the zoo. Once you expertly craft a way around this you are greeted with a few banana trees. You might want to think twice, hack the fruit off with your machete and turn around and go home, seriously, consider it. For those of you like me and my wife, the bananas will be reward if and when you pass them on your way out. So you're in! The next quarter mile is bushwhacking through ferns, oversized grass, reeds, prickers, and anything and everything with thorns! Things yout didn't realize had thorns, and your happy you listened to me and are long pants and long sleevin it up! When you hit the .5 mile mark you will think you hit jackpot as this section is cleared via chain saw, like some one got airlifted in and paved your way. But suddenly, at the .75 mark (btdubs, no mile makers or trail markers on this bad boy) you realize that what was cut away was overgrown trees and limbs and such, and ferns, grass, prickers, they all grow back, fast! So now you are in it, and unless you are hiking it tomorrow, right after me, the odds of you moving quickly are slim, regardless of experience. Some have said boots are good, something water proof, I think, slow and steady wins here, picking your footing, being mindful of surroundings, enjoying the chaos of nature destroying what was once a road...sort of. So from .75 to about 2.50, you will be bushehacking, clearing up the trail, with your feet and a stick, or with that machete I told you to bring. But, if you packed all things on my list, you will be comfortable. At the 1.5 mark you pass a hillside to its right and snake down to where the trail is just about unrecognizable, move down further to you right, push through the tall weeds and just past this at the 1.7 mark (all these mile marks are "roughly") there is what I would consider a helicoper landing area. This is a nice spot for a rest, some great photos, and to strip down from your attire and air out, as though the full body coverage is necessary, it's also pretty darm warm. Move past this section to continue blazing your own trail, passing over around and though bogs, river beds and what looks like a trail, occasionally mistepping and trading out socks because you were wise ans brought a few pairs. Remmer that there are so many opportunities for great photos that it doesn't matter that it took you two hours to move two miles. Clear views of waialeale and kawaikini, direct un adulerteated shots of lihue, kapaa, sleeping giant, the hone steads. Waterfalls off to your right, valleys you have never seen before erupt in front of you. At about 2.5 the "road" seems to appear and you have degraded red dirt river bed with huge ditches and divots, slippery sections, pools of water that you want to avoid. You will slip at some point. Try like me to catch it on video, or as you are videotaping...don't worry my phone is okay. NOTE to self: get that gopro. The next section rises up quite a bit in elevation, in direct sunlight, but wide open with little debris. To your right you will see powerline T139. My guess, it's the 139 tower. Take this to the top of the hill, right around 3.1 miles and turn around. You will be blown away. Snap a pic, turn around and do it all over! Don't forget the bananas! Mahalo and Namaste

Can't wait to complete the trail. Looks like a lot of fun. Big slippery ruts and inclines. Would…read morerecommend aggressive tires at a lower psi for some parts. I'll be back when I find a tow truck that's willing to snatch me out just incase