As a kid I remember my Dad taking me on part of the Kalalau Trail,  located along the Napali Coast on the island of Kauai.  I remembered the trail being super high cliffs with a single narrow trail in some places. The wind felt like it could blow me off the trail into the ocean, and jagged lava rocks below. Many years later I found out it was not my imagination; but this is a tough hike.  The cliffs a hundreds of feet directly above the ocean and rocks in some areas. Hiking the Kalalau trail should be a considered a tough hike, and for the experienced hiker.

You need to be in good shape to make this hike and take plenty of fresh water. Extreme cliffs are throughout the entire 11 mile hike, and a one-day round trip day hike is not recommended.  Plan on camping on the beach at Kalalau On parts of the trail the streams run over the trail, and can become  muddy.  Strong currents and flash flooding that can occur at river crossings. Dangerous shorebreak and riptides at Hanakapi`ai and Kalalau beaches.  Shorebreak can be head high or higher at times on these beaches.

The Napali Coast and the Kalalau Trail has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Water runs down the steep green fern covered mountain sides.  There are views for miles of both the blue pacific ocean and the lush covered cliffs of the Napali Coast.  The trail head begins at Ke’ee Beach, located in Ha’ena State Park. The trailhead starts where the road ends, then continues in and around several valleys and cliffs ending at Kalalau Beach.

Information regarding permits from Hawaii State Parks.

Permits Required: Obtain all permits from the Honolulu or Lihu’e State Parks office. Camping fees for Na Pali Coast are $10.00 per person per night. A maximum stay of 5 nights is allowed in Na Pali Coast State Park. Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa.

Day-use hiking permits are required when continuing beyond Hanakapi’ai valley, even if overnight camping is not planned. Permits can be obtained from the State Parks office in Lihue.

Facilities: The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapi’ai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau. All camping areas are located on shaded terraces near streams.

Driving Directions: The trail begins in Ha’ena State Park at the northwest end of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) about 41 miles (a 1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihu’e Airport. Leaving vehicles overnight at the trailhead is not recommended.