Hiking the Awa’awapuhi Trail above the Napali Coast of Kauai

Looking to explore more amazing trails on Kauai?
Try hiking the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach.

CURRENT INFO

General information about the Awa’awapuhi Trial is available on the Hawaii State Parks website. Trail reports and maps are found on the AllTrails website. For further information about this and other hikes on Kauai, I recommend The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty.

GOOD TO KNOW

• There is a $10 per vehicle parking fee for Koke’e State Park, plus a $5 per person fee (unless you are a Hawaii resident, in which case you can enter for free). There was no automated payment machine at the parking lot for the Awa’awapuhi trailhead, but there is one just down the road at the Kalalau Lookout parking lot, as well as several other parking lots within Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon. Pay the fee, then place the receipt on your car dashboard.
• Restrooms are available at Koke’e Lodge, located 1.7 miles before the Awa’awapuhi trailhead. The Lodge houses a restaurant and gift shop as well. When the lodge is closed, public toilets are available at the picnic shelter next door. The picnic shelter facilities are a little lacking in, shall we say, “charm”, but they serve their purpose in times of need.
• Bring shade hats, sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water. Much of the trail is shady, but some sections are exposed. And bugs, well, you might not always see them… but they’re there.
• Wear good hiking shoes or boots, bring trekking poles, and expect mud. The Awa’awapuhi Trail can be extremely slick with mud if there’s been a lot of rain lately (as was the case for our visit).
• For a somewhat longer but less muddy hike with outstanding views, try the Nu’alolo Trail. A connecter trail links the Awa’awapuhi and Nu’alolo trails, so it’s possible to do the full circuit as a loop, which I highly recommend if you’re up for it. My husband, Michael, and my father hiked the loop on our visit, and remarked on how much less muddy the Nu’alolo Trail was, not to mention the fabulous views. It’s a worthwhile alternative to the Awa’awapuhi Trail if you don’t have time for the full loop. The Nu’alolo trailhead is located near Koke’e Lodge, and more information is available on the AllTrails website.
• Pets are not allowed on the Awa’awapuhi Trail.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

I recommend taking the Awa’awapuhi Trail or its sister hike, the Nu’alolo Trail, before stopping at any viewpoints in Koke’e State Park. You’ll work hard for the view, but the payoff is tremendous — a scintillating view of the impossibly steep cliffs of Napali backed by the shimmering topaz blue of the Pacific Ocean.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Do your kids like mud? If so, take this hike after a tropical rainstorm and they’ll be in heaven — just be prepared for some heavy-duty laundry duty afterwards! In all seriousness, this trail is best for kids with experience hiking somewhat challenging terrain. When muddy, hiking six miles takes much longer than when the trail is dry. Keep little ones away from the edge at the viewpoint. For those who are prepared, the Awa’awapuhi Trail can be a rewarding and inspiring family hike.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Check out Koke’e Lodge, located only a few miles before the Awa’awapuhi trailhead. This is the place to stop for a meal (I hear the food is pretty good, although we didn’t try it), souvenirs, and a visit to the small Koke’e Museum. It’s also a good place for a restroom break. Hours are limited, and they typically close at 4:30. The trailhead for the Nu’alolo Trail is just around the corner, another gorgeous hike that leads to stunning Napali Coast views that can be turned into a loop hike with the Awa’awapuhi Trail.

A mere mile past the Awa’awapuhi trailhead, the Kalalau Lookout is not to be missed. Check out the photo at the bottom of this post for the glory that awaits you.

On route to Koke’e State Park, you’ll drive by Waimea Canyon, sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Be sure to pull over at some of the many viewpoints along the road for sweeping views of the canyon and Waipo’o Falls. There are more incredible hikes here, including the Cliff Trail and the Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls.

It was there right from the start: mud. Pockmarked with puddles, seeping over tree roots, and squelching under our shoes with each step, the mud on the Awa’awapuhi trail was unavoidable. At least, that’s how the first mile went. It gets better! But then came the return trip…

OK, I’m getting ahead of myself. Yes, the trail was muddy. Thankfully, we had a few trekking poles, although not quite enough for everyone. As an aside, I recommend bringing trekking poles with you to Kauai if you plan to hike. Mud, rocks, and roots are the typical trail topography in this lush environment.

Regardless, I felt the hike was off to a good start. The trail weaved its way downhill through abundant jungle as we navigated the puddles. The tree cover provided shelter from direct sun, and relatively cool temperatures in the mid-60s made for pleasant hiking. Eventually, more and more dry patches appeared along the trail, and we caught glimpses of blue sky overhead.

Occasionally, we spotted a mile marker, which gave us an idea of our progress. Slowed by the slick conditions as we made our way down, the first mile took a full hour. After that, things progressed a little more quickly. By the time we reached the 1.5 mile marker, most of the mud was behind us. Here, the fern-lined trail was a joy to experience.

It was around this time that we also caught our first views of the Pacific. With the clouds parted, the temperature warmed. I stripped off my lightweight jacket, but my older son, J, wasn’t about to remove his ski coat. Of all the hikers in Kauai, none were as prepared as he should the weather do its worst.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to worry about the worst that day. The Awa’awapuhui Trail continued to lead down as we approached the Napali Cliffs. While still hidden from view, I could tell we were close. Just before the final stretch, we cam to a signed intersection pointing left to continue to the Nu’alolo Trail. My dad considered these options carefully. Only 5.75 miles from here to the Koke’e Museum? That sounded doable. Perhaps he would have the opportunity to hike the full loop after all.

My kids told me emphatically that they were not interested in the longer hike back, and I assured them that we could return along the same trail. For now, I was focused on reaching the end of the Awa’awapuhi Trail and the stunning views that I knew would greet us there.

Sure enough, the overlook at the end of the trail was spectacular. It was also the perfect spot for a snack break, and we were all relieved to find a shady spot where we could enjoy the view as well as our lunch. Spam musubi from 7-Eleven never tasted so good!

We weren’t the only ones appreciating this prime vantage point. Not far from where we sat, a rooster paced among the trees, and a number of chickens clucked and pecked in the brush. Wherever you go on Kauai, a chicken (or two or three or more) will surely be there to greet you.

A sign at the end of the trail warns to keep away from the edge. We peered over the small fence, where the trail continued down a steep path to another viewpoint. There was no sheer drop-off at this point, so I concluded this didn’t really count as the “edge”, right? At any rate, many hikers continue down the trail for a closer view of the incomparable Napali Cliffs, and we did the same. The trail here is rough and potentially treacherous, so proceed with care and — yes, I’ll say it — keep away from the edge.

After we had our fill of views and food, we began the return trip. My dad and Michael turned right at the trail junction to make their way to the Nu’alolo Trail, while the rest of us stayed straight on the Awa’awapuhi Trail. We made plans to pick them up at the Nu’alolo trailhead following the hike.

The first part of the return hike passed easily enough. I played guessing games with the kids to keep them occupied, and our group of six eventually drifted apart, with everyone hiking at their own pace. As we approached the final muddy mile, a gentle rain began to fall. It was a relief in some ways, as the cooler temperatures that came with the rain made the uphill climb more bearable.

As on the outward trek, the mud was a challenge. Finally, after each member of our group made it back to the car, we piled in and drove to the Nu’alolo trailhead. It wasn’t long before Michael and my dad met us there, both of them raving about their experience. The Nu’alolo Trail may be longer than the Awa’awapuhi Trail, with a little more elevation gain, but it was mercifully mud-free and offered even more wondrous views.

Our hike was done, but there was still one more viewpoint we couldn’t pass up. I turned the car around and drove past the Awa’awapuhi trailhead to the famed Kalalau Lookout. Our timing could not have been better. Partially enshrined in clouds, a rainbow plunged deep into the valley below. In a matter of minutes, the mist lifted and the rainbow slowly faded into obscurity.

The Kalalau Lookout is easily accessible, no hiking required, yet is just as stunning as the views found on the Awa’awapuhi Trail. With that said, was our hike worth it? To my mind, absolutely, emphatically yes. Whatever you choose, any hike in Koke’e Park is one you won’t soon forget.