Hike the Awa’awapuhi Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast

The landscapes of the Napali Coast are part of the reason that millions of people travel from all over the world to visit Kauai. Most people see this rugged coastline via air or boat. But don’t underestimate the thrill of walking along a ridge between two sheer cliffs with panoramic views of the turquoise Pacific ocean.

The Kalalau Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the world, and it allows you to experience the Napali Coast by foot. It’s a very difficult 11 mile trail (one way) that requires overnight camping permits that aren’t easy to obtain. While this sounds absolutely amazing, we just didn’t have the time and resources for this on our 2 week vacation to Hawaii. We were really looking for a shorter day hike that we could do the same day that we explored the Waimea Canyon, so we ended up choosing the Awa’awapuhi Trail  (other options can be found here), and I’m really glad that we did. Overall, this trail isn’t extremely difficult and won’t take up too much of your day. And to top it off, it takes you to the most breathtaking views, overlooking the Nualolo and Awa’awapuhi valleys on the Napali Coast of Kauai.

Awa’awapuhi Trail Details

Distance: 6.2 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead Location: Kokee Road in Kokee State Park

The trail begins right off Kokee Road at an elevation of 4,120 feet. For the first mile and a half, you will be descending through the forest. As the forest starts to thin out, you’ll get some brief views of the Napali Coast. 

After about 3.2 miles, you will reach a clearing that overlooks the valleys, at 2,500 feet. The view at the end of this trail is probably the most awe-inspiring view I’ve ever seen in my life.

If you decide to venture past the railing at the end of the trail, you are doing so at your own risk. I definitely would NOT recommend doing this if it is wet or slippery, or if you don’t have proper footwear. It was perfectly dry when we went, and I still felt wary walking along this ridge with 2,000+ foot drop offs on either side.

The trail may feel easy on the way down, but you will certainly feel that 1,600 feet of elevation change as you head back up to the trailhead. Make sure to check the weather forecast before heading on this trail. I wouldn’t recommend this hike if it will be or has been raining, as it can definitely get really slippery. The whole hike probably took us about 3.5 hours including the time spent at the overlook. It’s not necessary to pack lunch, but I’d recommend having some snacks.  Make sure you have sturdy and supportive footwear and bring a light sweater to layer up as the weather can be unpredictable.