The Nonou Mountain, more affectionately known as the Sleeping Giant, is arguably the best family hiking trail this side of the island. It also provides you with breathtaking views of the Kawaihau District (Kapa’a, Waipouli, and Wailua Houselots) to the east, and Wailua Homesteads and Mount Waialeale to the west.
HOW TO GET THERE: There are three (3) main trails all eventually converging into one. I recommend the south entrance as it is the most accessible. Heading from Lihue on Kuhio Highway, cross the Wailua River bridge, turn left on Kuamo’o Road (Route 580) and drive approximately 2.5 miles, passing the Opaeka’a Falls on the way. The trail entrance is at the edge of pasture on the right side of the road.
For a shorter hike, you can take the west entrance – the trail from the south entrance merges in this trail soon after you reach the tree-line. To get here, continue on Kuomo’o road and take a left onto Kamalu Road (Route 581) at the Wailua Country Store. About 2 miles along the base of the Sleeping Giant will take you to Lokelani Road – turn right and drive to the end of this road to a cul-de-sac / parking lot. The west trail begins there.
The east entrance is a bit longer than the west simply because it zig-zags before converging with the south & west trails about 2/3 the way up to the peak. To get here, after crossing the Wailua River bridge, PASS Kuamo’o Road and, instead, turn left at the next road – Haleilio Road (literally, Doghouse Road in Hawaiian). Follow Haleilio Road all the way to the base of the mountain where there is a parking area right at the trail entrance.