It is considered a moderate hike on paper, but it can be difficult due to the elevation gain and loss. You can get by with a good pair of walking shoes or running shoes but I recommend wearing hiking shoes if you have them. Very helpful. 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. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? The scenery along the three-mile, downhill hike . The Awaawapuhi Trail will take you on an ultimate journey as you descend from 4,070 feet elevation in the Kokee State Park to the valley rim of Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. Now, its a 1.8 mile walk along Kokee Road back to your car and its mostly downhill from here. These views are great but they do not compare to those from Kalaua or Nualolo. The trail offers a moderately-challenging hike with amazing views of the surrounding landscape, including waterfalls, cliffs, tropical forests, and the stunning Na Pali Coast. If you hike early youll have plenty of time to check out the rest of the parks stunning viewpoints. The hiking I am used to mainly start by walking upwards, but this is a 5km downhill walk from about 1255 masl, descending almost 500m. The trail is quite rocky at the start and we heard that it is very slippery if its rained. Be smart and be safe for the safety of all. And this time around, we could share the experience with our kids. The grassy area at the end of the trail is a popular place to picnic and enjoy the views. On our recent visit to Kauai, we wanted to hike this trail again. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You dont want to be on a rocky overlook or narrow, muddy trail in the middle of pouring rain. The trail leads you through a range of different plant life as you slowly head down in elevation for just over three miles. The first part of this hike is relatively easy since its pretty much all down hill. 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 Awa'awapuhi valleys at 2,500 feet. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The trail starts off with a short, steep climb through the woods but it doesnt last long. Its a hot hike and you will sweat a lot. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. We had to turn back at the 1mile mark because of a heavy downpour and the conditions deteriorating. If it has recently rained, the descents on the clay can be very slippery. 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. NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: Permit holders and trail users are advised to comply with any and all NYS COVID-19 Executive Orders/Mandates. When we did this, the Nualolo Cliffs Trail was overgrown in many spots, making progress very slow. The trail is much wider than the Nualolo Trail and the Nualolo Cliff Trail, so no more thorny bushes on your legs or tree branches whacking you in the face. And of (All equipment on The Awaawapuhi trail is a heavily trafficked hike to a viewpoint of the famous Na Pali coastline. Awaawapuhi Trail is my favorite hike in the Kokee State Park. Lots of people. The Awa'awapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is breathtaking, offering gorgeous views of Kauai's famed Na Pali coast. For best results, use the customized Trip Planning Widget for Awa'awapuhi Trail Parking on your website.It has all the advantages mentioned above, plus users to your site can conveniently access it directly on your site. Absolute favorite hike on the Hawaiian islands. Awesome!! The trail meanders through a wet cloud forest before making some steep descents down muddy terrain. Crawley Magistrates' Court Results January 2021, Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year. Nice hike out to the overlook of the Na Pali Coast. If you only plan to hike the Nualolo Trail, you will retrace your steps back to the car from here. That had to mean the weather was clear enough for helicopter tours, right? 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. is that right?? Sections with roots and loose rocks. The view from the end of the trail is beautiful. Summed Up The 6.5-mile, out-and-back Awa'awapuhi Trail The scenery and foliage along the way are well worth it. Breaking News In Yuba County Spoiler. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. The restaurant literally looks out to the waves, which is an awesome spot to start your day with breakfast. 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. Check the forecast: Dont even think about attempting the trail if theres any significant rain in the forest. Thanks, Mehek! thanks for the magical weekend @ciarabarsotti @jamisonbarsotti , country roads (that we didn't take. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Awa Awapuhi Single Track: Kauai bike trail in Wiamea. At 2.25 miles, the vegetation begins to thin out and you start to get your first views of the coast. For the majority of the first part of this hike, you will be descending as you hike out towards the coast. Awa'awapuhi Trail Location: Koke'e State Park, Kekaha, Kauai, HI Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Distance: 6.7 miles When to go: June to August Awa'awapuhi Trail is 3.3 miles (one way) well-marked hike descends 1,200 feet to a truly amazing vista of the cathedrals of the Na Pali Coast. Recommend that you use good traction devices especially if it's wet. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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." Awa'awapuhi Trail Overview. None of us are obese, nor do we work out regularly. Know before you go. more, Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Fall Hike Adventure, Kauai's Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure, Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour on Kauai, Half-Day Kayak and Waterfall Hike Tour in Kauai with Lunch, Guided Secret Falls Tour with Snacks and Drinks, LUCKY LADY - Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour, Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours, Kauai's Ultimate Guided Shore (NO BOAT) Snorkeling Adventure, A challenging hike leads to gorgeous views. 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. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument IsCLOSED due to high winds and heavy rain. We arrived at the official viewpoint and were blown away by the view. Worth the hike with breathtaking views at the end where you see the Napoli coast line and the mountain ridges. Thanks! Bring a minimum of 3 liters of water per person, although 4 liters is better. The man, reportedly in his 70s, was near a scenic outlook when he fell onto some boulders. Make sure you have plenty of water and wear cloths that you don't mind getting muddy, that means shoes. Its been a wild ride. The way to the left is where the Nualolo Cliff Trail links with the AwaAwapuhi Trail. 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. One of our favorites is the Awa Awa'apuhi trail. If you have any questions about how to hike the Nualolo Trail and Awaawapuhi Trail Loop, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. He was thrilled. A beautiful overlook at the end! The end of the trail leads to cliffs on the sea side. Are you a dessert first person? Ill be in Kauai on April 7-12. Kokee State Park is in the northwest of Kauai; the closest popular tourist area is Waimea, to the south. How was it on our second hike? .Stunning views. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Hi - Your review is quite "glowing" for this trail in terms of the view. Chilly if you start early, but toasty on the return. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Awa'awapuhi Trail Details. Its a 6.4-mile round trip, with an almost 2,000-foot elevation change each way, but the payoffs are incredible. Tim and I were visiting Hawaii on our honeymoon and this was the first real hike each of us had ever done. Marvel at the views of the sea as you approach the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail. It takes you on a route along the south side of Koaie Canyon, with good scenery, wildlife and swimming holes. Take your time and watch your step; in some of the narrower sections you could slip and fall off of the trail. Between November and March, some areas may become inaccessible due to high rainfall. You can get by with running shoes (I did the first time I did this but I slipped a lot) but hiking or trail running shoes with good traction will make your life a lot easier. [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. Clean your shoes off with the brushes and spray provided at the trailhead. We wore shorts and short-sleeved shirts and were fine, but I did have a bumpy, itchy rash on my legs for the next 24 hours. This was as far as I could make myself go without letting vertigo sink in. 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. Don't forget to check ourKokee State Park Hikingpage for information on all the incredible trails inside the park. You can read more about the "loop" on our Nualolo Trail entry. The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. This is a TOUGH day hike and for the average person, I would not recommend doing the full loop. Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. I dont care what the other websites say; hiking theAwaawapuhi Trail for 6.7 miles round trip is not easy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These will give you extra traction, which is very important if it has recently rained and the trail is muddy. This trail goes by Honopu Ridge Trailhead. The hike is mostly through shaded forest and ending at the overlooks with some great views. If all that sounds like fun, then by all means go for it. Its safe to do solo and there should be a fair amount of hikers on the trail. The park will REOPEN by 3:00 PM on Friday 3/3/23. The reason why I love this trail and what makes it my favorite out in the west is because of the magnitudeof the dropoffs and the gorge. As other have mentioned, not much to see in the way of views until the end, but interesting flora. Heading into Kauais interior and remote terrain offers dome of the most beautiful backdrops on the world. For a nice day hike, you can backtrack to the Nualolo junction and continue along the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the Nualolo Trail which ends at the Kokee State Park headquarters. Located in the Hawaiian highlands of Kokee, the Awaawapuhi trail is a spectacular trail that stretches 5 kilometres. The trail getting there is not necessarily anything to write home about but the views at the end are incredible. Huddersfield Town Shirt Sponsor 20/21, Awesome hike. There isn't one, but if type it in on an iPhone it will take you to the parking lot. This trail starts about a half mile up the Waimea River from the bottom of Kukui Trail. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. This is a good hike it's listed as a moderate hike it's 3.25 miles the the vistas. Please Note: Due to erosion, Nu'alolo Cliff Trail is occasionally closed near the junction with Nu'alolo Trial. 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. Longitude: -159.6486396. Hawaii's official trail and access website administered by the N Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop is a 11 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Waimea, Hawaii, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Muddy in spots so wear proper shoes. And the views at the end were spectacular. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Don;t worry too much and carry what you need but don't load yourself down as it is a long day. After the first mile-and-a-half the forest begins to thin out and the rugged Napali coast comes into view as well as glimpses into the Awaawapuhi Valley. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Awaawapuhi Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the Koke'e Park and subsequently has a large, signposted parking lot. 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. There were several groups of older hikers and it seemed to be the trail that was being attempted by all types of tourists. By. You can read more about the "loop" on ourNualolo Trailentry. Because the Awaawapuhi Trail drops you so low, you feel like you are almost down in the valley looking up towards the top of the other ridges. We are older and wiser and there was something very nostalgic about returning to a place where Tim and I first hit a hiking trail together. But you will hike up and over hundreds of tree roots. Ride ONLY on designated trails and obey all traffic controldevices. Similar to the Nu'alolo Trail, you'll begin by hiking through the woods for several miles. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Weird Things is proudly powered by My wife and I (both 57) and our 22 year old daughter hiked the trail in late October 2020. The walk through the forest was really interesting as we viewed the different vegetation and listened to the various birds. The end of the trail leads to cliffs on the sea side. This trail is muddy and step although I consider myself in shape I was very sore for about 3 days after and my wife just had to push through it and swore to me that she would never do this again. Enjoy the awesome views from here. Maybe thats just because we have done so many hikes around the world that our standards are a bit different now. [OAHU] UPDATED 3/2/23: Keawa Heiau State Recreation Area Aiea Loop Trail isCLOSEDdue to high winds and heavy rain, the heiau area is OPEN. Show 16 More Check-Ins Feb 24, 2019 Daniel Alba. What time of day did you hike? The trail has a fairly steady and moderate grade all the way down to the viewpoint, which is great, given the aforementioned extreme mud. The entire trail is also forested, with only a few hints of a view before you reach the end of the trail. There are pesky trail markers at every 0.25 miles, which is mildly infuriating, showing you your slow squelchy progress through mudpit after mudpit . Theres a small parking lot near the trailhead on Kokee Road. Awa'awapuhi Trail. Expect delays in reaching the upper areas of the park, including Awaawapuhi Trail, Kalalau Lookout, and Pihea Lookout and Trailhead. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. Luke Mcnally Fifa 21, Awa Awapuhi Single Track: Kauai is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Wiamea, Hawaii. It starts in Koke'e State Park and snakes down and back up the steep walls of the N Pali Coast Forest Reserve and offers stunning views of the shoreline and the ocean, given there's no cloud cover. But keep your eyes up: there are some tricky parts of the trail, including steep sections and a few slippery sections due to mud, especially in the first mile. If you have hiked Kalaua, I was just wondering how the views compare - because for me that hike was life changing. Just a short distance from here is a large parking lot for the Kokee Museum, restrooms, and the Kokee Lodge (a great place for cold drinks and food once finished the hike). SeeSand Island site for updates. Dramatic green cliffs set against a deep blue sea. If you have little time and have to choose one trail, then this is your trail!Getting ThereFrom Lihue, take Kaumualii Highway 50 to Waimea. This trail starts in Kokee State Park at 4100 ft of elevation and winds its way through heavy jungle down to 2,500 feet. Of the two, I think the Nualolo Trail is the better choice. 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. Permit must be permanently & properly adhered to the machine in a front-facing and visible manner. Young And Dangerous 2 Netflix, Awa'awapuhi Trail. We had lunch at the Kokee Lodge. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. It only takes about an hour and a half each way along the total of six miles out and back journey. It gains about 1,950 feet of elevation along the route. This is pretty much your view the entire hike. The Awa'awapuhi Trail starts at 4,120 feet and descends gradually to 2,500 feet over 3.25 miles to the viewpoint, and returns uphill. Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet. From the endpoint of each of these trails, you get spectacular views of the coastline. I hiked all over Kauai for over a month and documented all of my adventures. The settlement, reached just before a damages trial was to begin next week, must be approved by the Legislature. 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. Impeccable views due to sunny weather with blue skies. I would be covered in mud by the end of the hike, no matter what. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic. DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Overall I would say do it if you can. Seeaosite for updates. This hike is straight down then straight back up, yet it's so pretty. At 3.75 miles, you reach the end of the trail. Well worth the 6 mile round trip hike. Here are some of our favorite Kauai guided tours, as well as helpful maps to get you oriented. And trust us when we say that with a guided tour, you get to see and experience things in a way you simply cannot do independently. Going back is tougher since it is uphill. For more information read our privacy policy. Its drop is a massive 2,425ft whereby contrast Niagara Falls only drops 156ft. Its a boring walk and dangerous, so stay close to the shoulder of the road. Youll hike through tall brush, slip and slide on wet, muddy ground, and be a hot, sweaty mess at the end of this hike. The hiking I am used to mainly start by walking upwards, but this is a 5km downhill walk from about 1255 masl, descending almost 500m. Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour on Kauai 287 Recommended from $125.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Half-Day Kayak and Waterfall Hike Tour in Kauai with Lunch 211 Recommended Adventure Tours from $130.37 per adult Kauai ATV Backroads Adventure Tour 234 Half-day Tours from $379.06 per group (up to 2) LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Muddy but vista is epic. The hike back up wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. Our best chance at hiking to a view of the Napali Coast would be hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail from Waimea Canyon. Walking through the trees the rest of the time. Not too much to see but the view at the end is spectacular! Any confident hiker can make the journey to the top. It also begins to get noticeably warmer. We had a group of 7 middle aged folks with college kids and allotted 4 hours for the hike but ended up being close to 6 hours with 3 of them barely making it back. PRO HIKING TIP: If you are afraid of heights, this trail could be very challenging. The Garden Isle truly is a marvel of Mother Nature there are so many sights to see, trails to hike, and adventures to be had. If you decide to take all the connecting trails, you're looking at a 9-mile trek. Distance: 6.2 miles out and back. Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 5 Year,