The Trailhead

Take Highway 560 to the trailhead near Haena with Ke'e Beach at the end of the road. There is a lot of parking there, but unless you get there early you will not get a spot close to the trailhead. There are also many reported car break-ins, so if you want to be on the safe side you can park a at the 'Wet Cave' that you pass on the drive to the trailhead (only a couple minutes away). Also, another good idea is to take a picture of the map at the trailhead and use it as your guide. If your camera has the ability to zoom into pictures already taken, just use your camera to find where you are. It has all the waterfalls you can hike to off the trail and the mile markers (though there are mile markers on the trail).
Hanakapi'ai Beach

The first 2 miles to the Hanakapiai Valley

The first section of the Kalalau Trail is a great idea for a day-hike or not so serious backpackers. All day long you will find families hiking to Hanakapiai Beach or even the waterfall, then hiking back. These first 2 miles are the easiest, so if you are having any difficulty, turn back. The second mile is steep downhill and hard spots if your not an experienced hiker, but the views of the coast are well worth it. Hanakapiai Beach is a beautiful beach, but very dangerous to swim in (as you can see from my picture). Swimming or wading is 'NOT RECOMMENDED' because surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. Once you get to the Hanakapi'ai Valley, you may decide to take a short break, then head up to Hanakapiai Falls. This is a 2 miles, unmaintained trail in which some parts of the trail may be hard to follow. Some choose to just follow the stream all the way to the falls. After crossing the stream about a mile up the valley, the trail becomes more difficult as it meanders over rocks and fallen trees. The upper half of this trail should be hiked only in good weather to avoid dangerous flash floods and falling rocks. It is a nice waterfall to jump into and worth your time to hike to it.

Back at the beach, if you decide to camp here, there are many campsites from right off the rocky beach, to up the valley a few hundred feet. But remember that you must have a permit to go past this point or camp overnight at this beach. Permit information can be found here - "http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/NaPali/na_pali_permits.htm", and permits can be acquired at "http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/fees.html". It is a good idea to camp here if you plan on hiking the full 11 miles to Kalalau Beach. It lets you wake up early and get a head start hiking only 9 miles without people hiking the trail in one day (On my trip, my group slept the first night here and then on the way back we hiked the whole 11 miles out without camping.) Scout out a place on each side of the valley - there are many good places we found after we set up camp. Also, there are toilets (disgusting and old but still toilets) up the valley a bit. If you decide to be adventurous and use them, just follow the trail up the valley and you should find them pretty quick.
Kalalau Beach

Mile 2 to Kalalau Beach

More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapi'ai valley. The trail traverses the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve in the small hanging valleys of Ho'olulu and Waiahuakua before entering Hanakoa Valley. The reserve harbors a variety of native lowland forest plants. Near the Hanakoa Stream crossing, a rest area offers a stop for weary backpackers. Facilities include a composting toilet and two roofed shelters. The shelters are within a complex of old agricultural terraces where Hawaiians once planted taro. These terraces were replanted with coffee plants in the late 1800s, which are still growing throughout the valley today. The poorly marked 1/2-mile trail up the east fork of the stream to Hanakoa falls has hazardous, eroded sections but affords a spectacular view of the falls. The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. In fact, Hanakoa is a hanging valley without a beach - the stream exhausts itself over cliffs at the ocean's edge.

After leaving Hanakoa valley, the trail enters drier, more open land which offers little shade from the midday sun. Tired hikers may be urged on by the panoramic view of Kalalau Valley's fluted cliffs and the coastline beyond. Portions of the trail in this section are very narrow and the drop off on the ocean side is severe. Use extreme caution, especially during wet weather. This part is not for wimps.



The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. Camping in Kalalau is allowed only behind this sand beach. During Summer, sea caves just beyond the waterfall provide popular camping shelters, but winter surf removes much of the beach and enters the caves. Shaded campsites are available beneath the trees behind the beach. Ocean swimming is not recommended for those unfamiliar with local sea conditions. Do not loiter beneath the waterfall or near cliff faces as there is a constant danger of falling rocks. Though the waterfall provides pretty fresh water, be sure to purify your water by boiling, or iodine tablets. An easy 2 mile trail into Kalalau Valley ends at a pool as it passes through extensive agricultural terraces where Hawaiians grew taro, the staple crop, until about 1920. These terraces are now overgrown with a variety of alien trees, including Java Plum, Guava, and occasional large mango trees - all great to eat! Though this is the most remote beach in Hawaii, there are people in the valley, including nudists, hippies and Vietnam vets, seek out the solitude and relief from civilization that the pure nature of Kalalau Beach offers. There are year-round residents, who hike out every 6 months to get food and supplies, who create a local culture. There is even a library with over 200 books. Park rangers occasionally clear them out or chase them into hiding... so beware. The one mile long beach also has composting toilets. And remember all trash must be packed out! You can also kayak onto the beach, or take boat and helicopter tours.

The Hike Back


The hike back to the trailhead is plenty easy (compared to hiking to the Kalalau Valley). As you quickly hike back, you will see Kalalau from another view and get more amazing views. Keep a lookout for sea caves on the coast! We encountered many animals and if you watch closely, you can sometime even see whales out in the ocean! You won't need to camp at Hanakapiai Beach and once you reach the trailhead again all you will be thinking about is when you're coming back!

The trail is fairly easy, not steep. And the views are beyond description. If you enjoy nature and don't mind a stroll in the woods, definitely worth the effort!Hanakapi'ai Beach is a breath-taking white sand beach with very few people surrounded by lush vegetation and gorgeous blue ocean. As close to paradise as I've ever seen.

Kalalau Trail
along the Na Pali Coast

The entire Kalalau trail is 11 miles for those who are camping with licenses but for amateurs like us, the end is at the Hanakapi'ai Beach [see separate entry] after only 2 miles.

The easier and more popular trail begins a few yards away from Ke'e Beach. The first mile will already reward you with excellent views of the coast. The rest of the way is not maintained and will require some climbs over rocks and fallen trees. We started before 10am so the morning hike was pleasant and the weather dry. It's a good hike when the skies are clear because you walk along sea cliffs before the big drop to sea level at Hanakapi'ai.

Beautiful scenery. They say don't swim at the beach at the first stop about two miles back on the trail, as it's supposedly treacherous.

You can swim, snorkel, or scuba at Kee Beach.

The hike had some waterfalls and beautiful vistas. Not too strenuous, but not a stroll in the park either. I did not go as far as the beach because of rain, but I hear the beach is worth hiking to - it would be approximately two miles of hiking. If done in summer or heat, bring some water.