Kauai, Hawaii
Looking for the best hiking in Kauai? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Kauai. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Kauai
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Kalaheo, Hawaii
Swim in the Waikoko Stream & Waterfall
1 mi / 166 ft gainYou will need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to reach this trail. To reach the trailhead, take Highway 580 which will eventually turn to dirt. You'll cross over a couple of streams and when you reach a Y, take a left. In one more mile, you will reach a second Y which you will turn left. If the gate...Read more -
Hanapepe, Hawaii
Hike Kawaikoi Stream
1.75 mi / 40 ft gainKawaikoi stream trail starts 3/4 mile beyond the Forest Reserve entrance sign on the Mohihi-Camp 10 road & across the stream at "Sugi Grove". It's a DLNR maintained trail, so there's signage & mile markers for the trail.At 1.75 miles total-roundtrip, it's a very easy walking trail, great ...Read more -
Kapaa, Hawaii
Hike the Kuilau Ridge Trail
4.05 mi / 488 ft gainParking at the trailhead is limited to approximately four vehicles, so arrive early. If you are unable to park, continue down Highway 580 and you will find parking next to Kawi Stream. The beginning of the trail, an old fire road, starts with a gradual incline where you are exposed to a variety o...Read more -
Hanalei, Hawaii
Kayak Camp on Miloli'i Beach
17 miNOTE: The beach is closed in the winter months due to high surf. Be sure to work with a local guide to insure you do this adventure safely.The only way to reach Miloli'i is by Kayak. Unless you are going to be bringing your own kayak to the island chances are you will need to rent one from a com...Read more -
Hanapepe, Hawaii
Hike the Pihea & Alaka'i Swamp Trail
5.07 mi / 1500 ft gainA strenuous 7 mile hike, depending on which way you start, that takes you from the world renowned Kalalau Valley from Pu'u O Kila lookout, through dense mossy forests, across a stream, up to the highest swamp in the world and ends in views of Kaua'i's north shore of Wainiha valley and Hanalei Bay.Read more -
Princeville, Hawaii
Scramble the Okolehao Ridge Trail
4.5 mi / 1200 ft gainThey don't call it the butt slide trail for nothing— the Okolehao Trail (translated to iron butt, for more than just the glutes involved) —is a short drive from Princeville, just before Hanalei Bay. Filled with lush vegetation, ample wildlife, and stunning viewpoints, the full trail isn't for th...Read more -
Waimea, Hawaii
Camp and Hike in Nualolo Valley
5.06.2 miThis 6.2 mile hike leads you through a forest reserve filled with native dryland plants and ends abruptly above the sheer cliffs of Awa‘awapuhi and Nualolo Valley. You will often hike in clouds and mist through the forest, but the clouds tend to part near the ocean, giving you spectacular views o...Read more -
Kauai County, Hawaii
Hike Honopu Ridge
4.05 miDrive Waimea Canyon Drive until you reach mile marker 17. Continue about half a mile further, park at the turnout on a corner near a telephone pole. The trailhead is directly back from the turnout.You'll first encounter a maze of criss-crossing hunter trails. Stay mostly to the left, following ri...Read more -
Kapaa, Hawaii
Hike Kalepa Ridge
4.41.6 mi / 580 ft gainKalepa Ridge is a narrow, unofficial trail that starts at the Kalalau Lookout in Koke'e State Park. To get to the trailhead, drive to the popular Kalalau Valley Lookout near the end of highway 550 in Koke'e State Park. Look toward the left (ocean side) of the parking lot where you'll see the unm...Read more -
Waimea, Hawaii
Stroll along the Iliau Nature Loop
5.00.3 mi / 40 ft gainIliau, an endemic plant to Kaua'i's westside, grows along the path -- hence the name: Iliau Nature Loop -- is located in Waimea Canyon State Park. Not far after mile marker 8. It has the same trailhead as Kukui Trail.Native vegetation are identified in signs along the path. There are excellent vi...Read more -
Waimea, Hawaii
Hike to Waipo'o Falls
4.32.6 mi / 800 ft gainPeople have accessed the falls directly from the Canyon Trail, which begins between mile marker 14 & 15. You'll follow a dirt road for a bit, leading to a 3.2 mile hike (not my recommendation). The hike is more enjoyable via the recently opened spur trail, which starts at the Pu'u Hinahina lo...Read more -
Kapaʻa, Hawaii
Hanakāpī’ai Falls
5.08 mi / 2913 ft gainThis hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bathrooms if you need to stop. Unfortunately, there's ...Read more -
Kilauea, Hawaii
Na Pali Coast via the Kalalau Trail
4.920.55 mi / 7562 ft gainThis hike begins at the parking lot of Ke'e Beach at the Northern most point you can drive to on the island. This is where the Kalalau Trail begins. From there, you immediately start hiking upward, with great views of the beach down below. The first two miles of the trail are the busiest, as n...Read more -
Kilauea, Hawaii
Hanakoa Valley via Kalalau Trail
12.47 mi / 5997 ft gainHanakoa Falls is one of two large waterfalls along Na Pali Coast. While most set out for a high-paced hike on Kalalau Trail, rushing past Hanakoa Valley, those who choose to explore Hanakoa Valley and Falls will not be disappointed. To reach the beautiful Hanakoa Valley, you will take the same tr...Read more -
Princeville, Hawaii
Soaking in Queen's Bath
4.7Between the frequent rains and the often overcast forecast, Kauai is not always the typical Hawaiian tropical getaway people dream of. But there are few islands that offer the same majestic waterfalls, luscious valleys, world renowned breaks, and more. Like a handful of the island's other gems, Q...Read more -
Princeville, Hawaii
Queen's Bath Trail
5.00.86 mi / 112 ft gainQueen's Bath Trail is an out-and-back that takes you by a river located near Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii.Read more