Because it rains nearly every other dayyou will encounter mud and slippery leaves and mud holes upto 4" deep. Is the Nualolo Trail and Awaawapuhi Trail Loop Worth It? If you dont have hiking shoes please purchase one unless you want to discard your shoes after the trip.Those with any kness, lower back or ankle issues please be careful you will slip and fall so a trekking pole is highly recommended especially for those who are older.Also, the heat and humidity is quite intense and it will make this trail alot more difficult than it actually seem based on specs. The look out does have a small trail that I would recommend going down but not for the faint of heart. Start early: This will help you avoid any potential afternoon storms. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a 3 mile blue singletrack trail located near Waimea Hawaii. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They are NOT available at the camping locations or pavilion site. If you are in average condition (maybe exercise for 2-4 hours per week), the climb back up is VERY difficult. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. As other have mentioned, not much to see in the way of views until the end, but interesting flora. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. Here are some of our favorite Kauai guided tours, as well as helpful maps to get you oriented. I towered over the view, soaking in the sounds of the waves crashing and watching waterfalls slither down the folds in the cliffs. Even though it rained all night last night, the hike was totally do-able. Similar to the Nu'alolo Trail, you'll begin by hiking through the woods for several miles. It was muddy as there was rain for the previous 4 days. First off my family of four did the trail after much reading about it, it was very hard for all of us who do not hike on a regular basis. 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. Also pack out what you packed in! At the 10 mile point, you reach the trailhead for the Awaawapuhi Trail and Kokee Road. 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. No, you do not need a permit for the Nualolo Trail. Discover this 9.7-km out-and-back trail near Kekaha, Kaua'i. I just had to see those cliffs by the ocean in real life. Here are my travel essentials. Its all easy to the grassy point that oversees the sheer cliffs of Awa`awapuhi and Nualolo valleys resting 2,000 feet below.Awaawapuhi Trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. Clean your shoes off with the brushes and spray provided at the trailhead. For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. Best Defenders In Premier League 2019-20, Clouds and rain were an obvious given here, but thats part of the wonder of this beautiful island. I think it was actually both the height of the cliff and the accomplishment of making it to the lookout that made me weak in the knees. This photo gives you an idea of how narrow the trail can be in some sections. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. mobile app. Photo: David Nemecek/Shutterstock, There are a few tips that can help you make the most of your experience on the Awa awapuhi Trail and in Kokee State Park. This is not a hike that I would recommend for newbie hikers. We also heard helicopters in the distance above us. You decend close to 2000 ft we got up early and hit it before too many people showed when getting there we were the third car there when leaving there was 20-25 cars and no more parking if you do it go early. The trail out towards the lookout took just under an hour and a half and was in shade most of the way. The dramaticdrop-offs on either side of the Awaawapuhi ridge were something you dont see anywhere else in the world. Hi, caricenzerbush. Permits cost $35 per person per night and must be reserved ahead online. Awa'awapuhi Trail Overview. Our Kauai hike on the Awa'awapuhi trail to the Na'Pali Coast. For the Awaawapuhi Nualolo Lookout continue straight ahead to the end of the trail for spectacular panoramic views and great picnic area. A woman at the Kokee Museum told us this was the best of the hikes to the west. Return hike is easier without slipping but it is all uphill. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Awa'awapuhi is a bit shorter, not as steep and you don't get any views until right at the end. 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. The first mile of the trail can be muddy and slippery after recent rain. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a 6.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Kekaha, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as mod. trying to illustrate the steep drop-off on the unofficial extension trail and.. mostly failing? The Awaawapuhi trail is in Waimea Canyon, specifically Kokee State Park, on Kauais west side of the island. I used them last year while in oahu and next week I'll be heading to kauai. You can ask about the condition of the Cliffs trail before you start. By. Awa'awapuhi Trail Details. And the views at the end were spectacular. We hiked 2/3/23, trail was very muddy but do able. It only takes about an hour and a half each way along the total of six miles out and back journey. Don't Look Down! Way back, I checked out the Nu'alolo Cliffs trail to the stream crossing 0.3 miles in - hoping to frolic in a waterfall. There is a sign on either side of the trail at this point marking the start of the Nualolo Cliff Trail. Trail goes all the way down to view point and comes back" Waipo'o Falls via Pu'u Hinahina and Canyon Trail, Pu'u Hinahina Trail, Canyon Trail, and Cliff Trail, Nu'alolo Trail and Awa'awapuhi Trail Loop. Its a tough, uphill hike in spots to get to this trail. because they were covered in ice), Hiking Kauai: Waimea Canyon and Cliff trail from canyons to clouds, Hiking Kauai: Kalalau trail to Hanakapiaifalls, Hiking Kauai: Waimea Canyon and Clifftrail. 3. I have a 12 year old and 16 year old daughters and myself and my wife who are in a mid 40's. Walk-ins permitted. The Awa'awa'puhi Trail is yet another Kokee trail which promises sweeping views and a trek through dense jungles and dry landscapes. Julie Last updated: January 27, 2023 United States 2 Comments. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a spectacular hike, with the most magnificent views of the Na Distance: 6.5 miles, round-trip Location: West side, Kohee State Park Difficulty: Moderate. Its safe to do solo and there should be a fair amount of hikers on the trail. Don't try this -- ever. Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The walk through the forest was really interesting as we viewed the different vegetation and listened to the various birds. Not for those terrified of heights. Change), You are commenting using your Google account. Some reviews called this an easy to moderate hike. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kaua'i - September 6, 2015 What an amazing view in Kaua'i. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. (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! The settlement, reached just before a damages trial was to begin next week, must be approved by the Legislature. A 2.1-mile footpath connecting the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi trails, the Nualolo Cliff Trail lets hikers forgo any tedious retracing of steps. Without a GPS, you risk stumbling off the trail on the Nualolo Cliff Trail, where it is very overgrown. You find mile markers by each quarter mile, that seems to make the hike easier for us. Going to Kauai in 2 weeks and looking to hike the Napali Coast and the Awa'awapuhi Trail in particular. Awaawapuhi Trail is my favorite hike in the Kokee State Park. If you're a regular person who doesn't exercise regularly.the heat, humidity, mud and slippery footings will get to you.Other than that the view is spectacular. Layers and water helpful! We have our permits for the Kalalau Trail for mid July and are so bummed we wont be able to hike it due to damage. Another way to do this hike is to park in the Awaawapuhi Trail parking lot. How to Hike the Sliding Sands and Halemauu Trail Loop | Haleakala NP. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. I made my way as about halfway down the spine to the end point before stopping. Kaua'i - Awa'awapuhi Trail Side Ridge (GoPro POV) 94,875 views Jun 19, 2010 298 Dislike Share Save dgcpinoy 3.31K subscribers June 17, 2010: I went back to hike Awa'awapuhi Trail to a vista. You can hike each trail separately or combine them into one big day hike, by connecting them with the Nualolo Cliffs Trail. Hiking to the end of the Awaawapuhi Trail on the island of Kauai is a pretty terrifying experience. The one portion of the Cliffs trail that connects the Nualolo and the Awa'awapuhi is narrow--it is a very short section. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Awa'awapuhi Trail, Hawaii You couldn't have the best hikes in the USA without including one from . If you have hiked Kalaua, I was just wondering how the views compare - because for me that hike was life changing. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Since this is a loop, you can hike these trails clockwise or counterclockwise. Found in Koke`e State Park this trail winds through a highland forest with occasional ridge top views. The views along Nualolo are reputed to rival Awaawapuhi. 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. Both will require walking along Kokee Road at some point. Good shoes and a hiking pole or stick (which can be found leaning against a tree about 100 ft in on the trail) are helpful for navigating slick downhill sections. 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. The end of the trail provides rim views down into the Nualolo and Awaawapuhi valleys. 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. It is narrow in spots and can be slippery. The end of the trail leads to cliffs on the sea side. The trail does need some clearing done at the end of the trail. The state was found at fault last year in the case . Our best chance at hiking to a view of the Napali Coast would be hiking the Awaawapuhi Trail from Waimea Canyon. Due to the extremely muddy conditions we found it a most difficult hike. Nice hike out to the overlook of the Na Pali Coast. The beginning of the trail is a relatively mellow stroll through the high forest. Im going to recommend five places to stay on Kauai. The trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2,500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer palis (cliffs) into Awaawapuhi and Nualolo Valleys overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I will say that we recommend several things before you head out. Awa'awapuhi Trail in Kkee State Park - Hawaii This trail is located near Kekaha Hawaii on the small island of Kauai (famous for its beautiful mountains!). The sheer cliffs of the Napali Coast may look daunting from the ground but that's because they are best viewed from the summit of the Awa'awapuhi Trail. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There is no cell reception on the mountain. 37 reviews of Awa'awapuhi Trail "Great 6-mile round-trip hike with a very rewarding ending. Other hikers had seen the coastline, so we probably would too. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. I recommend parking in the large lot for the Kokee Museum, which is 0.2 miles from the trailhead. Welcome to my world. Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet. 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. [KAUAI] UPDATED 3/2/23: Polihale State Park Is CLOSED until further notice due to an electrical outage that has put the water pump out of service. The 3.25 miles down to the valley is almost all downhill. The path itself is beautiful but it does not boast views, as you are deep inside the trees and tall grasses. Google Maps Link NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: Permit holders and trail users are advised to comply with any and all NYS COVID-19 Executive Orders/Mandates. Points of Interest & Landmarks Historic Walking Areas. In consideration of being permitted to use the OHV trails promoted and maintained by Lewis County, I expressly acknowledge: PARK UPDATES: 4/30/21 - [OAHU] - The Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and parking lot at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline will be CLOSED May 4th through May 6th (Tuesday-Thursday) from 7:00am to 11:00am for maintenance of the trail. Thanks! Read all of our articles about the United States in our. We had the viewpoint all to ourselves for a bit. Silent Beauty Synonyms, the trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2, 500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer cliffs into awaawapuhi and nualolo valleys overlooking the pacific ocean. That way, you can use the restroom before and after the hike, and grab a bite to eat once finished the hike. Its longer, its steeper, it can be muddy after it rains, and the trail is overgrown in spots. We arrived at the official viewpoint and were blown away by the view. For more experienced hikers I could see this being done in 3 hours. Be smart and be safe for the safety of all. I am 66 y/o, in good health but I don't do specific condition training. My blog has a post with pictures that you can check out. There honestly is nothing fun about this trail, but it definitely feels like an adventure. [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. There will still be many steep descents, sometimes on a sandy trail and at other times on muddy dark red clay. Loved this hike! The Awaawapuhi Trail Hike 94% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Awa'awapuhi Trail is a spectacular hike, with the most magnificent views of the Na Distance: 6.5 miles, round-trip Location: West side, Kohe e State Park Difficulty: Moderate. What restaurants are near Awaawapuhi Trail? Route The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. Also, try to pick a sunny day (as much as possible). The hike would be out of the question for the length of our trip. Hawaiis Awa awapuhi Trail is an incredible experience for anyone lucky enough to have a day to spend hiking in Hawaii.