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Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Kauaʻi County

Kalalau Trail (Ke'e Beach to Hanakapiʻai Beach) – Hā'ena State Park

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United States
Kauaʻi County

Kalalau Trail (Ke'e Beach to Hanakapiʻai Beach) – Hā'ena State Park

Moderate

4.7

(6723)

16,743

hikers

Kalalau Trail (Ke'e Beach to Hanakapiʻai Beach) – Hā'ena State Park

02:21

7.35km

310m

Hiking

The island of Kauaʻi is known as the Garden Island. It absolutely deserves this thanks to its tropical rainforests. On this hike, you'll learn that O'ahu's neighboring island also has dramatic coastlines and beautiful beaches to offer. You'll be hiking in Hā'ena State Park on the north coast of Kauaʻi.

You'll start at the parking lot near Ke'e Beach. This beach is also the first stop on your hike. It is protected by a reef and is therefore a great place for swimming and snorkeling. In the summer months, the water is particularly calm and clear. In winter, however, there can be high waves and dangerous currents.

After starting on the beach, you'll hike the Kalalau Trail, always keeping an eye on the rugged coast and the Pacific Ocean shimmering in various shades of blue. In wet conditions, caution is advised on the slippery path. Your end point is Hanakapiʻai Beach with its black lava caves. Because of the strong surf, you shouldn't swim here, but rather just admire the beautiful scenery. You can return to the starting point the same way. Admission to the state park costs five dollars.

by

Last updated: December 9, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Haʻena State Park

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

480 m

Keʻe Beach

Highlight • Beach

This stunning beach is protected by a reef, making it a great place for snorkeling and swimming. During the summer months, it might seem as calm as a swimming pool.

The beach is part of Hā'ena State Park so, unless you're a Hawai'i resident with current state ID, you must make advance reservations online to visit: gohaena.com

Entry costs $5 per person, and $10 per vehicle if you drive here. You can also reserve a seat on a shuttle service from the same website.

Tip by

2

1.64 km

Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

This great viewpoint is located along the popular Kalalau Trail in Haʻena State Park. It offers an amazing view of the coastline with its beautiful mountains and the crystal clear ocean. Can it really get any better?

Tip by

3

1.77 km

Kalalau Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Although it's well-maintained, this trail is almost never level, and it can get slippery fast when wet. Keep an eye out for wild goats, many native plant species, and of course amazing views out over the water as you hike.

Also, keep in mind that if you want to hike all the way to Kalalau Beach (or simply beyond Hanakapi'ai Valley), you need an overnight permit. Hanakapi'ai Beach is the usual turnaround point for day hikers.

Tip by

4

3.82 km

Hanakapiʻai Beach and Caves

Highlight • Beach

This beautiful beach and its black lava caves are accessible only by hiking the famous Kalalau Trail. Swimming is not recommended here: the unprotected waters are subject to strong surf and ferocious rip currents that have killed many visitors.

This is a popular stopping/turnaround point for day hikers on the Kalalau Trail. If you want to continue further on the trail, you need an overnight permit. Experienced hikers can also turn inland and hike up the Hanakapi'ai Valley to Hanakapi'ai Falls, although that is a steep, grueling hike with a lot of stream crossings.

Tip by

B

7.35 km

End point

Parking

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.18 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.91 km

304 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (170 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Monday 13 July

26°C

19°C

28 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 6, 2022,Im Haena State Park auf dem Kalalau Trail zum Hanakapi’ai Beach - die herrliche Na Pali Küste
The beautiful Na Pali Coast of north Kauai, with its verdant cliffs and jungle beyond, was one of the backdrops for Jurassic Park. You can experience this up close on the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi'ai Beach. Everything is wild, rugged and yet beautiful. On the dream beach Hanakapi'ai Beach in this wilderness, which can be reached after crossing a river, …

Showing Translation

October 14, 2024

The island of Kauaʻi is known as the Garden Island. It absolutely deserves this thanks to its tropical rainforests. On this hike, you'll learn that O'ahu's neighboring island also has dramatic coastlines and beautiful beaches to offer. You'll be hiking in Hā'ena State Park on the north coast of Kaua

Translated by Google •

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