I’ve hiked the Kalalau Path thrice now, and it’s one among my favourite hikes in Hawaii. It’s an epic coastal trek on the island of Kauai that’s normally achieved in 3 days and a pair of nights.
This journey has all of it: jungles, seashores, waterfalls, and the towering inexperienced cliffs of the Na Pali coast — the proper place to camp!
It’s additionally a notoriously lengthy and hard hike with some dangers concerned, so permits are required to do the path.
Even so, it’s a really particular expertise that’s price any of the effort which will stand in your manner.
On this weblog put up, I’ll clarify every part you should know concerning the Kalalau Path and how you can hike it!
Fast Stats*
- Distance: 22 miles (35 km)
- Elevation Acquire: 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
- Period: ~3 days
- Issue: Exhausting
*These are complete stats for the roundtrip trek
One in all my favourite components of the trek
Full Path Description: Step-By-Step
• Mile 0–2: Ke’e Seashore to Hanakapi’ai Seashore
The hike begins at Ke’e Seashore with a gradual climb alongside a rocky and muddy path. The beginning of the hike is definitely the muddiest a part of the entire path.
You’ll get your first good views of the Na Pali coast at roughly 1.2 miles, and generally within the winter you may even see whales spouting within the distance.
Early views on the hike
Subsequent, the path descends to Hanakapiai Seashore and crosses the stream.
Typically it’s higher to take your footwear and socks off, and wade by means of the streams, fairly than attempting to hop boulders; in any other case you run the chance of falling in and getting all of your gear moist.
After the stream, there’s an elective spur path to Hanakapiai Falls if you wish to see a tall waterfall and go for a swim.
That detour provides 3.4 miles roundtrip, so that you’ll in all probability need to save your power for the principle path, and take into consideration doing it on the best way again.
Stream crossing
Great Hawaiian surroundings
• Mile 2–6: Hanakapi’ai Seashore to Hanakoa Valley
There’s one other ascent, and the path turns into noticeably extra rugged and slender, with thick foliage on either side. The bushes could sometimes cover steep drop-offs, so don’t get too careless.
Alongside the best way, you’ll typically hear the thrill of helicopter excursions overhead. Seeing the Na Pali coast from above is a bucket record expertise if you happen to get the prospect to do it!
Finally you’ll move by means of a gate at House Rock, which is the best level of the path, after which there are two smaller stream crossings (Ho’olulu and Waiahuakua).
There’s a tenting space on the Hanakoa Valley, but it surely’s buggy. Then there’s one other stream crossing and an elective spur path to Hanakoa Falls that provides 1/2 mile roundtrip.
The landscapes are so unique
One other stream crossing
Helicopter view of the Na Pali coast. The path winds alongside this shoreline!
• Mile 6–9: Crawlers Ledge to Kalalau Valley Rim
The part after Hanakoa is without doubt one of the most treacherous components of the hike. It’s not technical, however could be scary.
There’s an ungainly descent on a slippery dust path, adopted by an notorious part referred to as Crawlers Ledge.
The trail is barely wider than an individual, with a rock wall on one facet and steep drop-offs into the ocean on the opposite. You’ll have loads of traction so long as you stroll slowly and hug the wall.
After Crawlers Ledge, the path continues throughout excessive ridges with expansive views of the Na Pali coast. There are just a few dust sections the place you should watch your step, particularly if it’s raining, however apart from that it’s principally secure.
Crawlers Ledge
One other steep part of the path
Welcome signal on the pink hill
First views coming into Kalalau
• Mile 9–11: Kalalau Valley Rim to Kalalau Seashore
At this level, the path begins a protracted descent towards Kalalau Valley, providing sneak peaks of the seashore far under.
These are one of the best views of the entire hike in my view, however fatigue actually units in right here and the path begins to appear endless.
There’s another stream to cross, and then you definitely arrive on the majestic Kalalau Seashore, which is surrounded by tall cliffs. Welcome to paradise!
In some ways, Kalalau is the last word place to camp, with loads of websites to pitch a tent or hammock among the many bushes. There’s even a bit of waterfall you should use to bathe, referred to as Ho’ole’a Falls. At evening, you sleep to the sound of the waves.
Whenever you’re achieved tenting at Kalalau, you retrace the identical path to return.
The little waterfall is ideal for baths
Kalalau is the last word tenting place
Tent tenting close to the seashore
Rest room on the camp
Map Of The Path
Right here’s a map from AllTrails that reveals the mountaineering route and elevation profile.
As you may see, it’s a reasonably easy route, but it surely’s lengthy and there are tons of ups and downs. It’s like mountaineering on a rollercoaster!
If you happen to join AllTrails Plus, you may obtain the map and use it offline whereas mountaineering. It’s very useful!
Video Of The Path
Right here’s an excellent 6 hour lengthy video on YouTube that reveals the complete Kalalau Path from begin to end, if you would like to have the ability to visualize every part.
Kalalau Allow System
A allow is required to hike and camp on the Kalalau Path, and solely a restricted quantity can be found per day.
In the course of the summer season months, permits can promote out very quick, so you need to act shortly and e-book months upfront to get one.
In any other case, it’s potential to hike the primary 2 miles of the path (to Hanakapiai Seashore & Falls) with a day use reservation from Ha’ena State Park, however anybody going previous Hanakapiai wants an in a single day tenting allow.
Bear in mind to avoid wasting a replica of your allow in your telephone, or print a replica and maintain it dry. You in all probability received’t be capable to pull up emails in the course of the hike, and also you want to have the ability to present the allow if any park rangers do a spot test on the path.
Ebook Now: Kalalau Camping Permits
Allow signal at Hanakapiai
These views are well worth the problem
Trailhead: How To Get There
The trailhead for Kalalau is situated at Ke’e Seashore close to Hanalei, on the north facet of Kauai.
If you happen to’re planning to discover different locations in Kauai, one of the simplest ways to get round is by renting a automobile. We’ve used DiscoverCars and may suggest them. Coming from the Lihue airport, the drive is simple however takes a bit of over 1 hour.
In any other case, if you happen to don’t have transportation in Kauai, you will get to the trailhead with Lyft or Uber, but it surely’s going to be costly.
There’s additionally a shuttle system from Princeville and Waipa, but it surely’s fairly restricted.
Trailhead
Services At The Trailhead
The trailhead has loos, out of doors showers, and ingesting fountains.
You should use these to get recharged or cleaned up, earlier than and after the hike.
Loos on the trailhead
Parking At The Trailhead
One other problem on the Kalalau trailhead is parking.
Even you probably have a tenting allow for the total hike, you want a separate allow to park in a single day on the trailhead. These can be found at Go Haena.
Car break-ins are quite common on the trailhead, so please don’t depart something invaluable or essential in your automobile.
If you happen to get to the trailhead by shuttle or another drop-off, you don’t want a parking allow for that.
Final time I did the hike, a relative dropped me off on the path after which picked me up after. A allow isn’t wanted for that so long as they don’t park or keep on the trailhead.
Cross these planks to succeed in the trailhead from parking
Mountaineering path close to Hanakapiai
What To Convey
- Backpack. I’ve all the time traveled gentle at Kalalau by utilizing my day bag, which is a 20 or 30 liter backpack. Nonetheless, many individuals will in all probability want to make use of a correct full measurement pack meant for backpacking, corresponding to this one from Teton Sports.
- Garments. I’d suggest a lightweight shirt and shorts for mountaineering within the warmth all day, plus perhaps a spare change of garments to sleep in.
- Hat. You’ll need a cap to guard your face from getting burned by the solar, or a wide-brim hat to cowl your ears and neck.
- Sneakers. It’s essential to have sturdy mountaineering footwear/boots with good traction and ankle assist. For mountaineering socks, I like Cloudline; they’re snug and don’t maintain scent.
- Sandals. Very useful for strolling across the camp when you get there. Belief me, your ft will likely be very sore after the hike, and also you received’t need to stroll barefoot on sticks and rocks!
The views are superb for nearly the entire trek
- Trekking Poles. This comes down to private choice, however lots of people discover trekking poles useful on the Kalalau Path.
- Waterproofing. I take advantage of a backpack cowl like this one, plus some plastic baggage or Ziploc baggage for issues on the within if wanted. Simply keep in mind to pack out something you pack in.
- Range. One thing like an MSR PocketRocket or Fire-Maple is nice for cooking freeze-dried meals on the camp. You possibly can lease these domestically in Kauai if you happen to don’t need to purchase one.
- Gasoline. You’ll want fuel canister(s) like this one for the range. Bear in mind gasoline can’t be introduced on planes, so that you’ll have to purchase it in Kauai.
- Meals. One of the best meals to deliver for tenting is freeze-dried meals like Mountain House or Backpackers Pantry. These are gentle and straightforward to cook dinner, and style fairly good. Bear in mind to deliver a spoon or spork for consuming! 🙂
- Snacks. Whereas mountaineering, it’s good to have small snacks for power/protein. I prefer to deliver path combine, beef jerky, or granola bars.
Crimson clouds within the sundown
- Water. I’d begin the trek with not less than 2 liters. It’s higher to have an excessive amount of than not sufficient. It may be useful to have a CamelBak or different hydration bladder, that manner you don’t should take water bottles out and in of your bag whereas on the path. You may additionally need to contemplate a collapsible jug to make use of on the camp website.
- Filter. That is important as a result of you may’t carry an infinite quantity of water. Some folks say the water is secure to drink from the streams at Kalalau, however I personally wouldn’t threat it unfiltered. You possibly can simply make it secure by utilizing purification tablets, a straw filter, a UV pen, or a filtered bottle. Boiling additionally works. Every of those strategies have their very own execs and cons.
- Drink Mixes. You’ll be sweating like loopy on the path, so it’s good to have hydration powder to switch your electrolytes. I like these mixes from Liquid IV, and so they’re sufficiently small to hold a bunch simply.
Ranger shack at Kalalau Seashore
- Sleeping Gear. For the camp, most individuals will deliver a lightweight tent or a travel hammock, plus a sleeping bag or blanket. I’ve all the time achieved the hammock, however if you happen to get unfortunate with climate, a tent is best.
- Bug Spray. I’ve by no means had points with bugs on the Kalalau Path, however you’ll need spray if you happen to plan to camp at Hanakoa.
- Headlight. That is an absolute should. You would possibly end up mountaineering after darkish, and also you want to have the ability to see the place you’re stepping. A light-weight can be useful for locating your manner round camp. I like this headlight from Bushnell or this one from Streamlight. Bear in mind to deliver additional batteries too.
- Toiletries. Small issues like journey measurement tissues, physique wash, shampoo, and many others.
Sundown at Kalalau Seashore
How Exhausting Is It?
Kalalau is a protracted, arduous hike with a ton of elevation achieve. There’s additionally the warmth and humidity, and the truth that you’ll be carrying a heavy pack for tenting.
It takes a full day of mountaineering (6-12 hours) to hike a method from the trailhead to the seashore, after which not less than as lengthy to hike again to the trailhead.
All in all, it’s one of many hardest hikes I’ve achieved. You need to undoubtedly practice for it earlier than you go. It’ll wreck you.
The lengthy pink hill
Ideally, it’s best to spend not less than a full day and two nights resting at Kalalau Seashore earlier than you hike again.
Final time I did the trek in 2 days and 1 evening, however that was even tougher and I wouldn’t suggest it except you’re brief on time.
Normally by the point I attain the camp on the finish of the path and flop right down to sleep, I’m so drained I may sleep on stable rock. Even the arduous floor feels gentle like a mattress.
Going again is a chore too. The ups and downs appear limitless, like a rollercoaster of elevation achieve.
If you should make the path simpler, you may break it up by spending an additional evening tenting at Hanakoa in both course, though that’s a buggy campsite with not a lot to see.
Epic sundown at Kalalau
Is It Secure?
Kalalau isn’t with out dangers. This can be a very climate dependent hike and the circumstances can change straight away.
I wouldn’t suggest this hike for younger youngsters, older individuals who aren’t in good condition, or anybody who isn’t surefooted and cozy with heights.
As of 2026, there have been 17 confirmed deaths on the path, and that’s if you happen to exclude drownings on the seashores, the place one other 59 have died.
I wrote an entire security information with extra data about these incidents, how they occurred, and how one can keep away from them. You possibly can test it out within the hyperlink under.
Learn Extra: Deaths & Security At Kalalau
This dust cliff could be scary when it rains
A pic from my second hike at Kalalau
Different Suggestions For The Trek
- Water Sources. There are many good water sources on the Kalalau Path. The primary streams are at 2 miles (Hanakapiai), 6 miles (Hanakoa), 9 miles (Kalalau Valley), and 11 miles (Ho’ole’a Falls). It’s a good suggestion to deal with or filter all water earlier than ingesting.
- Bathrooms. There are easy composting bogs on the trailhead (Ke’e Seashore) and all through the hike at 2 miles (Hanakapiai), 6 miles (Hanakoa), and 11 miles (Kalalau Seashore).
- Foraging. Typically you could find just a few completely different varieties of untamed fruit rising on the path, together with mangoes, guavas, papayas, lilikoi (passionfruit), and mountain apples.
Big plant alongside the path
- Bugs. There are mosquitoes on the Kalalau Path, however they aren’t identified to hold any ailments. They’re primarily current in damp, nonetheless areas like Hanakoa or Hanakapiai Valley. It’s extra uncommon to see them at Kalalau Seashore, and I feel the breeze there tends to maintain them away.
- Cell Service. From begin to end, there’s no cellphone service anyplace on the path; not even within the car parking zone. It’s good to have a break from life, but when you should keep in contact for issues like trailhead pickup or checking in with household, then the one solution to do it’s with a satellite tv for pc communicator such because the Garmin inReach. Some telephone networks like T-Cellular additionally provide plans with satellite tv for pc knowledge for smartphones. I used that on my final trek and it was useful for arranging my pickup afterwards.
- Provides. There’s an Ace {Hardware} and Walmart in Kauai if you should purchase gasoline canisters and different provides. You can too lease tenting gear from Pitch A Tent.
Chilling on the pink hill
Noni fruit
Finest Time To Go
The dry season in Kauai runs from April to September. You’re nonetheless not assured to have good climate in these months, however on the whole it’s one of the best time to do the hike. It’s going to be simpler, safer, and extra pleasing.
The wet season in Kauai runs from October to March, and the island is particularly moist from December to February. You possibly can nonetheless do the trek in these months, however you’ve a better likelihood of working into rain, mud, and cloudy climate.
Each time I’ve achieved Kalalau was within the wet season, simply because we want to go to Hawaii within the winter to flee the chilly on the mainland. One of many good issues within the winter is that it’s simpler to snag permits as a result of there’s much less competitors for them.
As you’ll count on, I’ve run into rain on most of my hikes at Kalalau, but it surely was nonetheless a blast and the hike remains to be very doable within the moist season so long as you’re cautious and also you respect the climate.
Earlier than my hike, I saved an eye fixed on the climate forecast for Hanalei at TWC and Accuweather, and that was fairly correct.
The state could shut the path if the climate will get too sketchy, however you may monitor that on the DLNR website or Go Ha’ena.
A telephone pic from my first hike at Kalalau
Extra Hawaii Journey Guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this information for how you can hike the Kalalau Path in Kauai.
Don’t overlook to take a look at my different Hawaii journey guides earlier than you go!
Finest Kauai Excursions
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