Kalalau Trailhead — Attraction in Kauai

New trail, new trek and a new moment in life!

One of the least populated, used, most beautiful, and least maintained trail. Just like any trail, If you are not mentally/ physically prepared you have to consider lots of things before you start. Since it is remote and backcountry camping, be well prepared.

I trekked this trail with two kids 5 &10 years old, and my wife. This is a well built trek for families to live and do it together. It was just a another day and trek for our family. Kids simply enjoyed every moment of it. We started at 545am from the parking lot, and reached Kalalau beach campsite at 4pm. It was a long day, but we were prepared for it. We had meals on wheels. Since we had two kids stopped as needed to eat/snack/hydrate/rest every hour for 15-20 minutes. Longest break was 35 minutes around 2pm for lunch.

On our way back, we woke up at 4am, packed tent/backpack and left beach campsite at 5am. Crossed the river at 5:30am and started hiking at 540am. We stopped as needed to eat/snack/hydrate/rest every hour for 10-15 minutes. Longest break was about 50 minutes around 1:30pm for lunch by the water fall junction.

We trekked in and out without any incident . We carried food for three days and two nights. Plenty of water on the way. We completed this trek with our regular trail running shoes. Our backpacks were heavy as. 5years old carried rain jackets, sun hats; 10 years kid carried about 30 lbs ; my wife backpack about 45 lbs, and my backpack was about 65lbs.

No special hiking/trekking shoes and poles needed. If one really want it buy good quality poles, that can with stand your needs. I saw someones trekking pole hanging on the cliff after 7 miles marker. Bring shoes built for trails. Pack your back packs well. Keep nothing hanging outside the backpack. Most of the trek is under the tree canopy. Bring sun hats than a sunscreen. Wear full sleeve shirts, helps you from not hurting bushes.

GIVE ME A THUMBS UP! If you hiked this trail? If you finish it in one day? If you witness an airlift? If you witnessed someone happy/Unhappy.

FYI: As a family, we spent more than six months of training for this trail. We practiced carrying heavy backpacks on all our weekend hikes. Hiked most of the trails in Big Island. Hiked in, camp and hike out most of the sites in Big Island. We hiked Maunakea twice. Starting from Rangers station to the summit and back to ranger station. First time we took 10 hours 30 minutes and second time 12 hours 15 minutes. They were long hikes for kids as well as us. Hiked Waipio to Waimanu and back to Waipio. Hiked Halape trek twice. Hiked Kohala mountain several times with similar weights in...

Some incredible views, but most of the trail is buried in the forest with no breeze and endless helicopters overhead. The exposure wasn't as scary as some people say, but you still must be careful for small stretches. Maybe 1% of the trail is dangerous.

Some random helpful notes (late Sept 2019):

I didn't encounter a ranger. Started 7:30am Tues. Finished 4:15pm Wed.

I took the 7am $15 shuttle from the Waipa Park & Ride. I parked across the street from Tahiti Nui Restaurant. It stayed there overnight and didn't get towed or ticketed. Be courteous and park in the farther spots (east).

I drank 12 liters of water over 1.5 days. I'm 6'3, 175 lb. Clocked 24 miles & over 6,000' elevation gain (included some meandering at the campsite).

Carry a water filter and you'll never need more than 2 liters on your back at one time. There are plenty of spots to refill. Up to you how often you want to stop.

I spent maybe 1 total hour in direct sunlight. Most of the time was overcast or in the forest.

According to multiple locals at the campsite, there's a jetski guy that comes some mornings to the campsite and offers to take you back for money. But do NOT rely on that!! No guarantee. Several people (including myself) were willing to pay a lot for a ride back, but we never saw him.

I crossed all the streams without touching water. The first steam (2 miles) is by far the trickiest. The easier spots are downstream nearer the beach.

I carried a 24L backpack so I was definitely packing ultra light. No sleeping bag. No pad. It was miserable haha. A bag wasn't needed in late Sept., but I'd bring a pad next time.

Some of the most slippery parts were parts you wouldn't expect! Namely the gradual inclines that were smooth and not too muddy. Careful.

I hiked in convertible pants, half unzipped for ventilation. It saved my legs from scrapes at the expense heat. You decide what's more important. There are lots of spots that will rub your legs, but it's not that uncomfortable.

Ankle gaiters offered me zero benefit. There's no loose gravel to keep out of your shoes.

Hiking poles helped greatly.

The campsites are pretty dirty. Worse than almost any campsite I can remember.

No cell coverage the whole way (Verizon). Obvious, but sometimes I encounter surprises.

Advised you carry a rocket launcher for the neverending...

This is ridiculously strenuous but perhaps the best hike I have done in my lifetime. No doubt the longest hike too. Even the beautiful trails I have done in New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Whitsunday are in line behind this. I was a lot younger the times I did this trail in its entirety and that should be noted. Why? Keep reading...

It starts at the Ke'e Beach area and this is the only place to park. It was $25 to park the last time I did this trail. It's foot from here! The entire length one-way is 11 miles. It ends at Kalalua Beach. If you do make it this far, you get the joy of the 11-mile return! And those 11 (times 2) miles will straight up not only test your mettle, but leave you in awe.

This is in the Napali area so expect to be wowed.

Most people just do the 2 miles or so to Hanakapi'Ai Beach and this is a generally easy to moderate at parts walk to and back. Still a beautiful beach and completely secluded. It becomes mighty strenuous beyond this point.

If you decide to keep going, around the 6th mile or so is Crawler's Ledge. This is extremely dangerous with steep, uneven stuff going on that requires proper gear. Think good shoes. Perhaps gloves for some. Words can't describe how difficult this area of the trail is. Completely dangerous and potentially fatal. But wow to views.

If you make it the 11 miles to Kalalau Beach, it is fitting that this is the most beautiful on this trail. There were some folks however camped there or around the area and there was trash at spots. Remember...there is no access here so people leave stuff to make their return lighter. But the secluded beach is nothing short of breathtaking.

The general gist is that this is the Napali Coast area. Expect deep ravines, dangerous ledges, steep cliffs, treacherous conditions, bugs, waterfalls, secluded beaches, streams, and views that are pretty much unmatched. You need water and a ton of it. Food. More food. Gear. Swimsuit. A towel. Backpack needed. Bring it.

Nothing else I type here can describe the danger or the beauty of this trail. It is almost a dream that it exists. Happy hiking. It's a bucket list item for...