Hiking options for Vacation Rental Condol Guests from the Cliffs at Princeville


Hikes in Kauai
This information is compiled to assist guests who rent our Condo at the Cliffs Resort. If you've arrived at this page as a result of a web search on Kauai Hiking, we hope you benefit from the information. And if you need lodging, thank you for considering us.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: - Introduction - Guided Hiking Companies - 6 easy walks - Serious Hikes North - Serious Hikes Waimai - Serious Hikes East - Extreme Hike: Kalalau - Other Hikes - Other Websites
INTRODUCTION Kauai is a hiker's paradise. Waterfalls, beaches, lush greenery, and wildflowers provide constant delight. One only wishes there were more trails that could take you to even more hidden spots. We've divided hiking into 3 categories for this webpage. 1. Easy trails close to the North Shore. These are 1-3 miles in length with little vertical elevation change. They are for the casual hiker who ventures out in sneakers and without raingear, backpack, topo map, or water supply. 2. Serious trails in three locals: East, NorthWest, and Waimea Canyon. These are 4 -10 mile treks with moderate elevation change. They should only be attempted by the serious hiker who is hiking in boots, carrying water, using layered clothing principles to adjust for changing conditions. 3. Extreme hiking -- the trip to Kalalau. Hiking in Hawaii is different than hiking in most of the rest of the United States. The heat and humidity can be oppressing. The trails get extremely muddy and slippery. And it is impossible to head "cross country" sometimes due to sheer cliffs and almost always due to the dense jungle thicket. Caution is advised. Route finding skills are important. Always practice good safety measures -- especially letting others know where you are headed and when you will be back. And do not hike beyond your ability. Topographic maps are marginally helpful. Forget relying on your GPS [only works half the time because of the dense jungle cover]. Forget using a cell phone to call for assistance [they don't work in most remote places]. In Kauai, a guide book with trail instructions is essential. Here are 3 you may wish to consider:
GUIDED HIKING COMPANIES Princeville Ranch Hike & Kayak 808-826-7669 Kayak Kauai Outbound 808-826-9844 or 800-437-3507 www.kayakkauai.com The Edge of Kauai 808-742-8305 or 888-233-8365 www.teok.com Tours include transportation [from Poipu], water, lunch, snacks, daypacks, and rain gear. Participants should be in good physical shape and capable of hiking over uneven surfaces. Specialty hikes include: Waimea Canyon explorer, Sleeping Giant excursion, NaPali Coast Rim, and Hanakapiai Waterfall. Aloha Kauai Tours 808-245-7224 or 800-452-1113 Roberts Hawaii 808-539-9400 or 800-831-5541
EASY WALKS 1. BASE OF CLIFFS 2. QUEENS BATH 3. LARSONS BEACH 4. AROUND TUNNELS BEACH 5. WYLIES BEACH 6. 6. 3 WATERFALLS [go to falls page for yellow gate, fantasy island, and secret falls hike]
SERIOUS HIKE NORTH 1. Hanakapiai Beach / Napali Cliffs Round trip distance is 4 miles. Elevation gain and loss is 700 feet each way for a total of 1400 feet. Footing is very slippery and muddy when wet [which is about 80 percent of the time]. Take highway 560 to the end at Kee Beach in Kauai's north west corner. Along the way you are hiking along a rough trail carved into the NaPali Cliffs through tropical jungle. The vista's are awesome. You can relax [but not swim] at Hanakapiai beach. 2. Hanakapiai Falls Round trip distance is 8 miles. Elevation gain and loss is 1500 feet each way for a total of 3000 feet. Begin the trip by hiking to Hanakapiai Beach. Then it's an additional 2 miles inland through a bamboo and tropical forest to the falls. Be sure to follow the route carefully. There are some tricky and exposed sections, and several stream crossings. Once at the 400 foot tall double falls, enjoy them with care. The water is very cold [you can swim] and there are frequent rocks that tumble from the cliffs. If you choose to linger, we recommend the banks on the right side away from the cliffs. 3. Okolehao Trail above Hanalei Valley. Drive .6 miles on Ohiki Road on the west side of one lane bridge over the Hanalei River. Hike is 1.9 miles to top by GPS. Elevation gain/loss is 1300 feet by altimeter. The trail ends just short of a peak called Kaukaopua. The trail follows a ridge top route that was used to bring locally distilled liquor into Hanalei in the prohibition era.
SERIOUS HIKE WAIMAI CANYON 1. NUALOLO & AWAAWAPUHI TRAIL 2. SWAMP TRAIL
SERIOUS HIKES EAST 1. SLEEPING GIANT [Nounou Mountain] Round trip distance is 3.5 miles. Take Haleilio Road at the traffic light just north of Wailua Beach to the end where there is a parking area and trailhead. At the top of this hike you are rewarded with a picnic table and a spectacular panoramic view of the coast.
EXTREME HIKE KALALAU
OTHER HIKES There are dozens of other hikes in Kauai on the east plateau, up the rivers of the north shore, and in Waimea canyon. There is even one hike -- along the powerline -- that runs right down the middle of Kauai. We have taken many of these treks and found them less awe inspiring and/or more difficult than the favorites noted above. It is likely however that you may wish to try some new country. Grab your favorite map or guidebook and head for the back country.
OTHER URL's www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai www.hawaiitrails.org Excellent source describing over 33 Kauai Trails www.hi.sierraclub.org/Kauai/hikers.html waterproof topo maps at: Hiking Guidebooks
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KAUAI INFORMATION FOR CONDO RENTERS