The trail continues along a high ridge. Often! The drive to the summit has many beautiful views, and along the way there is pull-off parking for those who want to venture out on a day hike and explore some of the breathtaking trailheads Waimea Canyon had to offer. It continues down to the town of Waimea. Viewpoint of Ni‘ihau Island; wildland picnicking and short nature trail. This difficult hike is a 11.5 mile along the Waimea river and leads out to the town of Waimea. The … Beautiful hike down from Kokoe Road into Waimea Canyon. Click here! Recommend getting a camping permit a few weeks in advance as they tend to go quickly during camping season. Sometimes hiking with an experienced guide can prove even more satisfying. But you all know that hiking into the canyon is the only way to get up close and personal with its cavernous green-and-pink walls, wild foliage, random rainbows and spectacular waterfalls. Moderate Trail. This is like descending into the Grand Canyon on a smaller scale. Of all the hikes, this is one of the most satisfying with incredible views along the way of the polychromatic Waimea Canyon, fondly called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Wildflowers, waterfalls . Nature’s spa treatment. One of the more popular Kauai hiking trails, the Canyon Trail takes hikers along the edge of Waimea Canyon to the top of Waipoo Falls. The Waipo’o Falls Trail is a let down for some hikers who think they are hiking to … Native hibiscus and iliau are among the plants... Cliff Trail. Waimea Canyon is a 12.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Wainiha, Kauai, Hawaii that features a river and is rated as difficult. The path goes from clear terrain to dense woods. Mark Twain dubbed it The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Mother Nature was really showing off with this one. Canyon Trail: Moderate. We started to do the canyon rim hike to the waterfall, but decided not to go the whole way because of the storm. Well worth the effort. Unique to the island of Kauai, the "red dirt" trails are all-natural but hard as if walking on concrete. Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific Ocean. Kuilau Ridge Trail. Apart from the bright red contrast that leads to its beauty, the waimea canyon is also home to waterfalls and hiking trails … The second day we were at Waimea Canyon we watched a storm roll in. A huge park with an area of over seven square kilometers is laid around it. You will be amazed by the vast views of Po’omau Canyon with its pink, green and red striations all gorgeous and shadowy under the huge puffs of white clouds. Cool off, float a bit and rejuvenate before your return. The official Waimea Canyon lookout is at the mouth of the Waimea Canyon hiking trail. The trail head is about two miles past the entrance sign for the Na Pali-Koa Forest Reserve and on to a little parking lot. Bordering Waimea Canyon State Park on the north and west is Koke'e State Park. Sprays of tropical wildflowers appear along the path and birdsong twitters in the trees above. The trail takes you toward Waipoo falls, but you’ll pass several smaller waterfalls on the way if … . Continue on Waimea Canyon Drive for nearly 9 miles until you see a trail-head sign on your right for Iliau Nature Loop (listed with Kukui Trail, which also … From here it’s a quick drive up Highway 50 to Highway 550 where you can access some pretty darn good views from Waimea Canyon lookouts along the way. Staying along a top ridge and providing panoramic, beautiful views across the canyon, Cliff Trail gives you good bang for your buck. You can hike this trail from the road or if you have a four wheel drive vehicle you can drive the first mile. The trail is steep and in many places washed out due to erosion but still very navigable. My visit was in early February, which is the start of the island’s rainy season (rainy season runs Feb – April). Others are moderate and take hikers around the rims, or toward Na Pali Coast’s tropical cliffs. Kaua’i offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from difficult overnight treks to short day excursions. … The views of the canyon on the approach … Using the same dirt road entrance off the gravel parking lot you’d take to Cliff Trail, you simply follow the sign in the direction of Canyon Trail for this popular and slightly more challenging trip. . When planning … Looking for a great trail in Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai? Further up, the summit at Wai'ale'ale are amazing as you stand amongst one of the wettest places on earth. Waimea Canyon … For this visit your extended family is staying in two huge Poipu Beach villas at Koloa Landing Resort near Poipu, and you all love being on the sunny South Shore. Waimea Canyon’s hikes have something for everyone, whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll across the canyon or an ardent adventurer. At the bottom of Kukui Trail you can also take the Waimea Canyon Trail. Considered "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," the views will get inside you as one of nature's most amazing sites on this big blue marble. Bring plenty of water as it is very hot in the summer. Travel through a forest of Kukui and other upland trees stopping at viewpoints of the canyon and distant waterfalls along the way. There are 3 hard trails in Waimea Canyon State Park ranging from 8 to 20.8 km and from 898 to 899 meters above sea level. Take a load off, drink in the surroundings and enjoy your picnic. Travel through a forest of Kukui and other upland trees stopping at viewpoints of the canyon and distant waterfalls along the way. Though most of your gang loves to hike, you and your spouse are especially experienced and can tackle just about any hiking trail in the Canyon, but with your extended family’s varying ages and skill levels, you’re wondering how to choose the right path for all. Pig and seasonal goat hunting nearby. A dirt road appears off Highway 550 between mile markers 14 and 15. The hibiscus flowers are often a creamy white with furry, brilliant pink pistils. At only about a tenth of a mile, Cliff Trail can easily be completed in about 30 minutes. Breathtaking canyon views? Often used by wild pig hunters seeking out the area’s hunting grounds, this neck of the woods can only be accessed in a 4×4 vehicle by way of unpaved Mohihi Camp 10 Road. Ideal for first-time trailblazers! The Unrivaled Canyon Hike In Hawaii Everyone Should Take At Least Once Located in western Kauai, Waimea Canyon is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and though … One of the most popular and scenic trails in Waimea Canyon, the Canyon Trail branches off of the Cliff Trail and is a 3.4 mile round trip that takes two to three hours to complete and enjoy. This is an amazingly wonderful "bucket list" item to see and experience with your own eyes. Koke'e is over 4,000 acres with about 45 hiking trails some of which head into Waimea Canyon and some are of which are … Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Rim overlooks of one of the State’s scenic treasures – the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon. You’ll also see a small gravel-filled parking area at the head of this road. Note: For a longer but just as easy trek, park at Koke’e State Park’s entrance off of Koke’e Road and start by walking the rustic dirt Halemanu Road for about a mile. By choosing an appropriate trail for your skill level, you will maximize your enjoyment of all the natural splendor of Kauai. The Waimea Canyon trail (aka “Canyon trail”) is one of the most popular hikes to explore the Waimea Canyon. Unlike other waterfalls on this … 3 h 29 m. An incredible experience of Waimea Canyon's west side, this Kokee State Park trail drops 2,000 feet to the canyon floor. Location : Wailua (East Side) This trail leading through the lush vegetation of … Check. Remember that one person’s adventure is another’s treacherous climb, so always consult a trail map, read plenty of reviews, check the weather conditions and get a local’s take before heading out on any hike. Ho’oip’i Falls Trail on Kauai is a short hike, which leads you to two waterfalls. Wildflowers? Of all the Waimea Canyon hikes on your list, this one is the easiest — and the most quaint. Seasonal trout fishing. Hiking … Do not step past this railing, of course — unless you are equipped with wings. Kokee State Park: Though just a short drive from Waimea Canyon, the terrain is a world away, transitioning from a dry canyon to a rainforest. This leads to the beginning of Cliff Trail and if taken all the way to the overlook, hikers going round trip can enjoy one and a half to two hours of outdoor adventure. A few are long treks into the heart of Waimea, offering great views of Waimea Canyon and plenty of adventure along the way. There are many frogs and several chickens, some goats and birds. The Waimea Canyon is also called ‘The Grand Canyon of the Pacific’. Kukui Trail is a scenic trail down the west side of Waimea Canyon. The return trip is hardest, as it is uphill most of the way with a few surprisingly muddy sections depending on the rains. Yet others are short and easy — and just as satisfying. This myth was debunked by scholars who show that not only did Twain never actually set foot on the island of Kauai (he spent time on Maui), but the Grand Canyon itself wasn’t even given its moniker until American explorer John Wesley Powell arrived there in 1869 — nearly three years after Twain left Hawaii. Found off Koke’e Road between mile markers 8 and 9 near the Kukui Trail, this 20-minute stroll packs a lot of beauty into its quarter mile loop. This ridge is long and narrow and is not for the faint of heart. You will eventually arrive at the end of this ridge at the Kohua Trail Vista, which is little more than a rickety railing holding you in from the cavernous valley of paradise below! River at the bottom. One of the most popular trails in Waimea Canyon. Area: Waimea Canyon. Accessibility: This trail is paved, smooth, typically at least four feet wide, and flat with an estimated grade of 0%. The views from the lookout at this elevation and location are spectacular if you have the time to wait on the waves of misty-fog-like deluges to open up and behold one of the island's great wonders. The Kohua Ridge Trail is about 3 hours round trip and is a potentially treacherous undertaking. Very steep for the first 2 miles but then relatively flat once you reach the river. Check. Canyon Trail: Moderate. Aloha and happy trails! Waimea Canyon is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, a nickname long credited to beloved American author Mark Twain. For a leisurely but oh-so satisfying getaway, Iliau Nature Loop may be just the ticket. The Black Pipe Trail is a pretty strenuous hike in places but experienced trekkers with good hiking shoes can get to two waterfalls and back in about two hours. When hike day arrives, all is in order: Jeeps are fueled, phones are charged, proper footwear is donned, sunscreen is in tow, hats are secured and everyone has plenty of water (and then some) and pockets full of protein bars. Rainbows? When you’ve descended into Waimea Canyon, you’ll think you’ve traveled to another time. A long green drape of trees welcomes you into the Canyon Trail (sometimes called the “Waipo’o Falls Trail” because it eventually leads to the falls). Adjacent forest reserve with long, strenuous hike into and out of the canyon. There are parts that were very muddy, despite not having rained much. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, this canyon is 3,600 feet deep at the deepest point. Here are five of the best trails in Waimea Canyon State Park for varying skill levels. Bird watchers love it here, too, and not just for the chickens who may join you along the way. And there are many! Thankfully the day I hiked … Measuring 10 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep, Kauai’s Waimea Canyon may be a miniature version of her Arizona sister, but with waterfalls and hues of green, she’s arguably prettier. You and your family have just arrived back on the Garden Isle of Kauai for some much needed r&r, and hiking Waimea Canyon is pretty much at the top of everyone’s wish list (right after hitting Waikomo Shave Ice for passion fruit-mango bowls doused in coconut cream) (but hey, you have priorities). At the end of this hike there is the added attraction of a fragrant gingered covered waterfall and pool perched at the edge of the canyon. Named after the endemic Iliau flower with its fuzzy clustered white blooms, the hike features little signs along the way identifying the various Hawaiian plants and flowers. Black Pipe Trail (which intersects the Canyon Trail) features an actual solid black pipe that runs along the trail and is about three feet in diameter. … But after a little research you and your spouse discover that it was NOT, in fact, Twain who dubbed it such after all! Using the same dirt road entrance off the gravel parking lot you’d take to Cliff Trail, … Ho’opi’i Falls Hike. And if you like goats you are in for a treat because they love this trail, too! There are more than 45 miles of hiking trails in Kokee State Park in addition to a lodge and restaurant (see below). Once on the trail, you will cross the Mohihi Stream before ascending a small gorge. A short, easy trail leading to an … AllTrails has 5 great views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This is one hike … Visible waterfalls? When starting from the main highway, the Canyon Trail is approximately four miles round trip and will take about 2-3 hours depending on hiking pace. You are impressed with your own sleuthing but decide that no matter who called it what, when or why, Waimea Canyon is quite simply one of the most magnificent natural gems on the planet. There are challenging hiking trails and short walks to look out points Puu ka Pele and Puu hinahina, both of which have parking and provide breathtaking views. Ready to book a villa for a week or three? Trekking poles may come in handy. Ideal for first-time trailblazers! Some hikes enter Waimea Canyon… There are a few trails that branch off including the cliff trail which is a short 0.1 mile climb to a lookout, … Great sight seeing on the way into the canyon. Don’t Quit your Daydream: 5 Classic Hawaiian Drinks We Love, Shell Me About It: The Best Places to See and Swim with Sea Turtles in Kauai, Stay on the Sunny Side: Why Kauai’s South Shore Rocks, S’More, Please: Why & What Kids Love to Eat at our Resort, Top 3 Reasons to Choose Kauai for your Destination Wedding. Serves as an access to the Canyon Trail. This is a great hike down into the canyon. The hiking trail is almost a mile long and takes about an hour round trip of fairly steep, rocky terrain, meandering through the lush Koa Forest studded by native Hibiscus bushes. This well- placed Waimea Canyon overlook gives one of the best angles to take in the expanse of the … Volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago have turned the cliff side of the Opaekaa stream into one of the top Kauai attractions. Cliff Trail Lookout. Camping by permit at Wiliw. Cliff Trail Lookout is for the first-timers who want a shorter hike since the trail is … Waimea Canyon & Nāpali Cliff Top Hike Hike to a view of the Nāpali Coast from a unique vantage point few have seen – a narrow ridge thousands of feet above the ocean – on this one-of-a-kind Kauaʻi … and a huge black pipe? While the garden island of Kauai is certainly a lush green tropical paradise, it also boasts a massive red & orange canyon called Waimea — the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Exploring Waimea Canyon in Kauai Kauai, Hawaii. At about the midway point you come upon a stunning 800-foot thundering waterfall called Waipo’o Falls. Waimea Canyon Lookout is directly across and you can see waterfalls in the distance. An entry permit is required for this hike. About halfway down the trail, hikers will reach Waipo’o Falls, … A dirt road appears off Highway 550 between mile markers 14 and 15. Waipo’o Falls Trail. Seasonal pig and goat hunting and fishing opportunities are also in this area. Make sure you have on your old trail clothes because if you get any of the red dirt on your clothing or gear, it will likely not come out. Plenty of  Waimea Canyon trails are out there to enjoy well beyond this short list of five. Endemic iliau bushes are bursting with fuzzy white puffs and appear to be straight outta Dr. Seuss. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. The waterfalls are truly awe inspiring and the surrounding areas offer pools to swim in! For more information about hiking Kauai, Koloa Landing Resort’s concierge team at the ready. If you continue all the way to the end of the Canyon Trail, you will be rewarded by the Kumuwela Lookout with its seemingly endless gorgeous views of the canyon all the way out to the sparkling ocean beyond. WAIMEA CANYON TRAILS Black Pipe. Gearing up for a challenge? Thrill seekers will appreciate this challenging trail with unparalleled views that will put you in awe of Mother Nature’s handiwork. An incredible experience of Waimea Canyon's west side, this Kokee State Park trail drops 2,000 feet to the canyon floor. Length: 5.0 mi • Est. The Canyon Trail is a beautiful hiking trail inside of the Waimea Canyon State Park, on Kauai.There are plenty of ways to explore the Waimea Canyon from simply driving up by car, a downhill bike tour, or a hike.If you are up for it, hiking … Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. You will, quite simply, run out of adjectives. There are 10 river crossings. It can be tough and is not for those unprepared or with small children. Those with the skills and stamina to complete it are well rewarded, indeed. Waimea Canyon Waterfall; Opaekaa Falls. Turn right onto Highway 550/Waimea Canyon Drive. Plus, it … Only one hiking … Hiking that Canyon Cliff Trail: Easy. Check. 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