Hiking Tour on Kauai | Mountain Hiking Holidays

Hiking on Kaua’i

Island-Style Hiking on the Garden Isle

Two thousand miles from the U.S. west coast in the middle of the Pacific lie the islands of Hawaii—”the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean” as Mark Twain described. Perhaps the loveliest of all the islands, especially for hikers, is the “Garden Island” of Kaua’i which boasts some of Hawaii’s most dramatic landscapes.

Take a short break from the short, cold days of winter and indulge in a sun-drenched Hawaiian hiking getaway! We run this trip using an “island-style” approach so you’ll have an opportunity to get a feel for Hawaii’s laid-back lifestyle. Enjoy informal picnic dinners on the beach featuring local foods and sample the “paper plate” gourmet cuisine of local chefs. Of course, you’ll enjoy comfortable, full-service accommodations while avoiding the “artificialness” which unfortunately characterizes so many of Hawaii’s mainstream hotels and resorts. And during the day, hit the trails and revel in the glories of this island paradise. E hele mai ‘oe i Hawai‘i.

Day 1
Overnight on the Coconut Coast
Transfer by vehicle to Kauai’s south coast. To the east of the Poipu resort area lies a beautiful stretch of undeveloped coastline. Hike along the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail from Shipwrecks Beach to picturesque Maha’ulepu Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass the limestone sinkhole known as Makauwahi Cave which may be the richest fossil site in Hawaii and perhaps the entire Pacific island region. You’ll see a wealth of native plants and if you’re lucky, you may spot a Hawaiian monk seal lolling on the sands of Maha’ulepu. On the way back to the Coconut Coast, stop by for a short stroll on the historic Hapa Road that leads to the old sugar plantation town of Koloa.

Day 2
Overnight on the Coconut Coast
Transfer by vehicle to the end of the road at Ke’e Beach in Ha’ena State Park and hike the Na Pali Coast Trail to the Hanakapi’ai Valley and waterfall. The Na Pali Coast Trail is a Kauai hiking “classic!” The hike to Hanakapi’ai is straightforward, but there are some sections with uneven footing (4 miles round trip; about 800 feet of elevation change). Or choose to hike the trails at the outstanding Limahuli Gardens (part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens) with its ethnobotanic collections and ancient taro terraces. On the way back to your hotel, stop to view the Ha’ena Wet and Dry Caves and a short leg stretcher walk to picturesque Lumahai Beach (where Mitzi Gaynor “washed that man right out of her hair” in the film version of Rogers and Hammersteins South Pacific).

Day 3
Overnight in Waimea
Hike to the summit of Nounou mountain, also known as “the Sleeping Giant” (about 2 miles each way; about 900 feet of elevation change), and the Kuilau Trail, a scenic route through the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve (2.1 miles each way; 640 feet elevation change). After the hikes, travel by vehicle to Kauai’s south shore and the old plantation town of Waimea and overnight.

Day 4
Overnight in Waimea
Travel from Waimea up to the Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks. Hike the Nualolo-Awa’awapuhi Loop trail, a challenging but supremely scenic hike (10 miles long and about 2,000 feet of elevation change). This is one of the finest mountain hikes anywhere! A less strenuous option is an “out and back” hike on the Awa’awapuhi Trail (7 miles of distance and about 1,600 feet of elevation change). The Waimea Canyon overlooks, the Koke’e Museum and the famous Kalalua Overlook also beckon. Return to Waimea and overnight.

Day 5
Overnight in Waimea
Return to Waimea Canyon State Park to hike the Kukui Trail to the bottom on the Waimea Canyon (about 5 miles; 3,300 feet of elevation change). Or, enjoy the Iliau Nature Loop, a short walk that takes you through a “stand” of iliau (Wilkesia gymnoxiphium), a relative of Maui’s famous silversword. Then hike part way into the canyon for thrilling views of the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Later, if there’s time, visit Polihale State Park and stroll the sands of Polihale Beach toward the cliffs at the southern end of the Na Pali Coast as the afternoon shadows lengthen. Return to Waimea for a farewell dinner and overnight. Your breakfast tomorrow morning is included.

View from the Kalalau Lookout, Koke’e State Park.

A note about your guide: This trip was developed and originally guided by John Osaki, co-founder of Mountain Hiking Holidays, who was born and raised in Hawaii. His love of mountains and hiking was nurtured among the craggy summits and wooded stream valleys of the 50th state. His family traces its history on Kaua’i back to the 1890s.