Kauai, The Na Pali Coast, Hiking the Kalalau Trail

Kauai January 2015

The Na Pali coast trail, Kalalau Trail, is routinely labeled as one of the most beautiful and most dangerous hikes in the world.  There is no road around the island so you have to hike or kayak (summer only).  You can also take a helicopter tour, but that  ruins it for the hikers-just don't.  There are a couple of places to camp if you have a permit and it was totally worth it.  It is a work out, the whole trail is constantly up or down, much of the trail is rock, and the wet parts are slippery.

They even have this sign with the number of folks who have died in the ocean.

The first 2 miles-no permit needed to get to Hanakapi Beach.  Lots of folks do this.  You can even go inland to an amazing waterfall, but the trail is not well marked and a bit tricky.

The next 4 miles to the first campsite.  Some folks do this out and back as a day trip.  After that it is 5 miles to Kalalua valley and the final campsite.

The very first sign post is where you turn around an look at Ke'e beach

like this!  Totally worth it (even though it is all uphill) if you do nothing else.  One of our zipline guys is a local, been on Kauai 35 years and has done nothing more than this quarter mile.

We were looking to recreate a photo that was taken on our previous trip in 1994.  Of course I hadn't actually looked at the old photo until we got back-I think we got it right.   Someday I will scan those old photos and put up a comparison....someday.

Hanakapi beach

and if you look closely you will see there are dozens of hiking 'ducks'

like this one.

When we hiked back the next day it was lunch time, filled with people and all the 'ducks' were gone (guessing that it was the tide).

The trail is wonderful

When you aren't on the coast you are in the jungle.

it is rocky

and slick.

Note to self-long sleeves good, next time were the long hiking pants like E-.  The trail is super narrow and I got bitten/scratched and was itching for days!

So we decided to spend the night at the first campsite in Hanakoa Valley rather than push on for the long hike and be miserable.  Most folks on the trail are young and just bomb through.  If you are not a regular hiker you might be able to make the 6 miles but it will be hard.  I have heard it can be really wet but there hadn't been any rain for almost a week so it was sweet for us.

The sites are relatively unmarked, just some flatter spots scattered throughout.  We found this one under a huge old mango tree.  Logistics-wise you can totally bring all your own gear or rent.  We brought some stuff but rented the tent, sleeping bags and pads from Peddle N Paddle.  Super nice folks who can sell you any stuff you need.  Also recommend using the North Shore Shuttle to get to the Trail Head.  The parking is way bad-it is the end of the road and everyone comes to the beach and just to see the end.  Plus it is better to not leave your car overnight.

Kauai has feral cats all over the place and this little guy (Pulgas) was still young and friendly.  He ate a bunch of our Pad Thai.  We were wondering if we should try to bring him back to the Humane Society but he was gone in the morning.

The hike back has the same amazing views but each day the ocean is different.

Just can't get over the scenery both ocean view

and internal view.

On the way in we knew we needed to make the 6 miles, but we missed the 5 mile marker.  And you know how you are like, man, maybe we missed it?  Or maybe I am more tired than I thought-that would suck!  We were super happy to find marker 6, but on the way back out we made sure to mot miss 5 (now 1 mile in our direction) and note it well!

We are almost back to the trail head-yeah!  It was a tough hike, knocked us on our butts and yet was also fantastic-would do it again!