The Complete Waimea & Kokeʻe Hiking Experience

Every Trail from Easy Strolls to Heart-Pounding Ridge Climbs

Written by a Local Expert

To truly feel the spirit of the canyon, you have to get some of its red dirt on your boots. The parks offer a network of over 45 miles of trails, ranging from simple nature walks to some of the most challenging hikes in Hawaiʻi.

Easy Hikes: Big Rewards for Little Effort

Iliau Nature Loop

Easy

Distance

0.3 mi loop

Time

20 minutes

Elevation

Minimal

Location

Mile 8-9

This is the perfect hike if you're short on time or have young children. It's a short 0.3-mile self-guided walk with signs identifying native plants, including the endemic iliau plant (a relative of the silversword) for which the trail is named. It offers fantastic canyon views without a major commitment and also serves as the trailhead for the much more difficult Kukui Trail.

Cliff Trail

Easy

Distance

0.2 mi spur

Time

15 minutes

Elevation

Minimal

Location

Halemanu Rd

For the quickest canyon overlook experience, this 0.2-mile spur trail takes only about 15 minutes and delivers immediate canyon views. It's accessible from Halemanu Road and perfect for those who want a taste of the canyon without committing to a longer hike.

Moderate Hikes: The Heart of the Canyon

Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls

Moderate

Distance

3.4 mi RT

Time

2-3 hours

Elevation

1,000 ft

Trailhead

Pu'u Hinahina

This is arguably the most popular hike in the park, and for good reason. It delivers quintessential canyon views and leads you to the top of the area's most famous waterfall.

The Experience

The trail starts with a pleasant descent through a shaded forest before emerging onto a spectacular ridge that runs along the canyon's edge. The views here are constant and breathtaking. You'll cross a small stream before reaching the falls area.

⚠️ Managing Expectations

It is vital to understand: The trail ends at the top of the 800-foot Waipoʻo Falls. You can explore the small pools and see the upper cascade as it begins its journey down, but you cannot see the iconic, main two-tiered drop from this vantage point. The view of the falls is from the lookouts across the canyon; the view from the falls is looking out into the canyon.

Loop Option

To avoid the steady uphill climb back the way you came, I highly recommend making this a loop. From the falls area, you can connect to the Black Pipe Trail, a 0.5-mile path that takes you through a sunny, open area and connects back to Halemanu Road, creating a much more varied and enjoyable return journey.

Strenuous Hikes: For the Serious Adventurer

Kukui Trail

Strenuous

Distance

5.0 mi RT

Time

4-5 hours

Elevation

2,000 ft

Trailhead

Iliau Loop

This trail is not for the faint of heart, but it's the only maintained trail that takes you all the way to the canyon floor.

The Challenge

This is a classic "upside-down" mountain hike. The easy part is the 2.5-mile descent; the grueling part is climbing 2,000 vertical feet back out, often in the full heat of the afternoon sun.

The Experience

The trail switchbacks steeply down the canyon wall, transitioning from forest to exposed red dirt and rock sections with phenomenal views the entire way. Your reward is reaching the cool, rushing waters of the Waimea River at the bottom, where you can rest at the Wiliwili Camp shelter before tackling the ascent.

⚠️ Critical Safety Briefing

Car Break-ins: This trailhead is known for theft. Leave NO valuables in your car—not in the trunk, not under the seat, not anywhere.
Leptospirosis: The Waimea River, like all freshwater streams in Hawaiʻi, carries risk of this bacterial disease. Do not enter the water if you have any open cuts or scrapes, and never drink the water without treating it with a reliable filter.
Start Early: Begin at sunrise to beat the heat on the brutal ascent. The canyon floor becomes intensely hot by afternoon.
Camping Permits: For overnight stays at Wiliwili or the more remote Lonomea shelter, a permit is mandatory. Book in advance through the State of Hawaii Division of State Parks website.

Pihea Trail

Strenuous

Distance

3.8-7.4 mi

Time

3-5 hours

Features

Nā Pali views

Trailhead

Pu'u o Kila

This trail offers some of the most stunning Nā Pali Coast views and access to the unique Alaka'i Swamp boardwalk experience.

The Journey

Starting from the Pu'u o Kila Lookout, this trail initially follows the rim of Kalalau Valley, offering incredible views down into the valley and out to the ocean. The trail can be muddy and challenging, with sections that require careful footing.

The Swamp Experience

If you continue far enough, you'll reach the famous boardwalk section that takes you through the Alaka'i Swamp, one of the wettest spots on Earth. This is where the trail becomes truly adventurous, with wooden planks helping you navigate through the boggy terrain filled with unique native plants and birds.

Advanced Hiking: The Awa'awapuhi & Nu'alolo Trail Loop

For advanced hikers, combining these two trails into one epic loop is one of the most rewarding experiences on Kauaʻi. This is a complex hike that most guides don't detail properly.

Awa'awapuhi Trail

Advanced

Distance

6.2 mi RT

Time

3-4 hours

Location

Mile 17

Feature

Ridge views

A 6.2-mile round-trip hike that descends steadily through the forest to a spectacular, narrow ridge with vertigo-inducing views into the Awaʻawapuhi and Nuʻalolo Valleys. The final viewpoint is more dramatic and exposed—a true adrenaline rush.

Nu'alolo Trail

Advanced

Distance

7.6 mi RT

Time

4-6 hours

Location

Mile 15

Feature

Lolo Vista

A 7.6-mile round-trip hike that is steeper and more rugged, ending at a breathtaking viewpoint called Lolo Vista that looks into the pristine, secluded Nuʻalolo Valley. I personally find this view more profound and serene—you feel like you've discovered a lost world.

The Loop (11+ miles)

These two trails are connected by the 2-mile Nuʻalolo Cliff Trail, which traverses a narrow, sometimes overgrown path between the two main ridges.

Logistics Are Key

I recommend parking at the larger Kokeʻe Museum/Lodge lot. From there, walk about 0.2 miles down the road to the Nuʻalolo Trailhead. Hike down the Nuʻalolo Trail to the Lolo Vista point, backtrack to the junction with the Nuʻalolo Cliff Trail, cross it, and then begin the long, steady climb up the Awaʻawapuhi Trail. Once you reach the Awaʻawapuhi trailhead on the main road, you'll have a 1.5-mile walk back down the road to your car at the lodge.

My Recommendation: This is a full, strenuous day of hiking. If you only have the time or energy for one, it's a tough choice. The Awaʻawapuhi viewpoint is more dramatic and exposed. However, the view from Lolo Vista on the Nuʻalolo Trail is more profound and serene.

Advanced Hiking Tips and Safety

🌦️ Weather Considerations

The weather in the mountains can change rapidly. Always check conditions before heading out, and be prepared to turn back if conditions deteriorate. The trails can become extremely slippery when wet, and fog can roll in quickly, reducing visibility to near zero.

🥾 Trail Conditions

Many of the trails in Kokeʻe can be muddy year-round due to the high rainfall. Proper footwear with good tread is essential. Some trails may be temporarily closed due to maintenance or dangerous conditions. Always check with the Kokeʻe Natural History Museum for current trail status.

🐗 Wildlife Encounters

While hiking, you may encounter wild boars, goats, or birds. Wild boars can be dangerous, especially if they feel cornered or are protecting young. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising them, and never approach or feed any wildlife.

🌿 Leave No Trace

The fragile ecosystem of these mountains requires our protection. Stay on designated trails, pack out all trash, and don't disturb native plants or animals. The endemic plants here exist nowhere else on Earth, and even small disturbances can have lasting impacts.