Visit Hawaii and Marvel at the Soaring Cliffs and the Kalalau Trail
The Island of Kauai, the oldest Hawaiian island at what scientists calculate to be over five million years old, is graced with remarkable, natural beauty, none more so apparent than along the stunning Napali Coast on the island’s north shore. It is no shock that Kauai is termed The Garden Island. This unforgiving and exotic coastline overlooks panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and is a amazing place to experience nature in all its glory.
Huge velvet green cliffs, towering high into the sky, cascading waterfalls plunge into deep, narrow valleys to be met by the cool blue of the ocean. Such is the splendor of the Napali Coast that it has been used as the setting for many Hollywood films such as Jurassic Park I, II and III, Raiders of the Lost Ark and King Kong. You can retrace the steps of the famous, along the 11-mile long Kalalau Trail but with the surroundings changing throughout the seasons, don’t expect to identify any sets. The Kalalau Trail has many naturally incredible views to keep you coming back to experience the seasonal transformations.
Knowledgeable and resilient hikers can take the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast which winds across five valleys and ends on the isolated Kalalau Beach but it is worth noting that many hiking clubs rate the Kalalau Trail as one of the most tricky hikes. It also involves an overnight hike but if you can take the pace, you will be well rewarded with magnificent views over the coast and in to the rain forest. The temperature and humidity are things that hikers must be equipped for on the Kalalau Trail.
The trail rises to its highest point of five thousand feet between Ke`e and Hanakapi`ai. From there you can look down upon the azure blue ocean. You come closer to water a little further down the Kalalau Trail when you have to take good care crossing the Hanakapia`ai Stream. A rope is provided at the spot for your ease and security. From here you can take an alternate route along the Hanakapia`ai Falls Trail if you wish to experience the 100 feet high waterfalls, it is well worth the diversion. Other attractions include the view into Pali from the Waiahuakua Valley but these, and the climbs along the Kalalau Trail, are not for the faint of heart.
Other ways to experience the splendor of this coast are by a boat tour or on a kayaking trip. You can kayak in and out of Kalalau beach, which is the official end of the Kalalau trail. Alternatively, visitors can take a breathtaking helicopter tour along the Napali Coast and to the Wailua Falls and through the magnificent 3,500 foot deep Waimea Canyon, named by Mark Twain as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.
Kauai itself offers more miles of beach than any of the other Hawaiian Islands – 90 miles in total. The area of Po-ipu has a number of top beaches and is also home to the monk seals which are in danger of extinction. A pleasurable afternoon spent is to drift up the Wailua River on a boat trip which takes you to the fern covered Fern Grotto and to soaring waterfalls. The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a must for wildlife enthusiasts – here you can see migratory birds, seabirds and Humpback Whales, monk seals and spinner dolphins can also be seen from Kilauea Point.
The Kalalau Trail is waiting to be discovered. Thomas Cook offers a 14 night stay with flights staying at the Sheraton Kauai from £1,999 per person, from 1st – 30th June 2010. Visit http://www.tcsignature.com for more information
The Napali Coast on Kauai – By Trail, Sea Or Air
If you could do only one thing on Kauai, I would recommend you explore the Napali Coast (or by its proper name, the Na Pali State Park. I’ve lived in Hawaii for over 10 years and have spent months on the Garden Isle, and there’s a reason you see so much of the Napali Coast in Hawaii travel brochures.
Those majestic, sculpted, green, cliffs rise in places 1,000 feet above the sea, and literally hundreds of waterfalls fed by Mt. Waialeale (one of the wettest spots on the planet) pour down the steep cliffs into their valleys. At the foot of the Napali are pristine white sand beach coves, intriguing sea caves and beautiful sea arches. All this fronting Hawaii’s magnificent blue waters…
I’ve seen the Na Pali three different ways: from a four seater airplane (during an island tour), from a Zodiac raft and from the Kalalau Trail. Other popular ways to see the Na Pali include kayak, sailboat, catamaran and helicopter.
Kolalau Trail
From the trail hundreds of feet above sea level, the views of the ocean, including the reefs at Ke’e are truly astounding. We hiked to the first beach and just before it stopped at a rushing stream to play under a small waterfall. There were little waterfalls along the way and lush forest. Unlike further down the trail, the first two-mile stretch that I routinely hiked was easy and felt safe (I’m afraid of heights). I often saw families hiking here. Depending on where you hike, you may see artifacts of the early Hawaiians here, such as parts of stone walls, terraces, hale (house) platforms, graves, taro patches and heiau (shrines or temples). The Na Pali is a sacred and mystical place.
Napali Airplane and Helicopter Tours
When I took the airplane tour (my first trip to Hawaii), we could see several of the waterfalls that they show in the Hawaii documentaries and Napali videos. The helicopter tours cost about twice as much as the airplane tours but the choppers actually take you back into some of these steep valleys where they hover for close up views.
Our airplane pilot shared lots of interesting stories with us about the geological and cultural history of the Na Pali area before showing us the rest of Kauai island. In ancient times when an ali’i (member of the ruling class) died, a volunteer would rappel down one of the steep cliffs till he found a secret cave where he would hide the bones. He would never return though. The rope would be cut, sending him hundreds of feet to his death, thus ensuring the burial cave would remain forever a secret and the mana (spiritual power) of the ruler’s bones would never be stolen. On a lighter note…
Napali Boat Tours
We took a Zodiac raft tour. The motorized rafts are very sturdy and rigid (the kind the Navy Seals use), but they do bounce over the waves – a lot. I liked it the raft though because being so close to the water made looking up at those towering cliffs all the more impressive and seeing the whales all the more exciting. A humpback whale the size of a bus breeched so close to our raft we could see the barnacles on its head! However, if bouncing over waves isn’t your thing, you might prefer a sailboat sunset cruise or a catamaran snorkeling tour.
For more information about the Na Pali, visit http://www.CoconutRoads.com I’ve just written a new ebook about how to have an amazing eco vacation on Kauai – on a shoestring budget – and there’s an entire section in it devoted to the Na Pali. It’s called the Hawaii Eco Travel & Budget Guide to Kauai, and you’ll see links to it at Coconut Roads.
Aloha!
Cindy Blankenship is a Hawaii based, travel writer and award-winning journalist.
The Napali Coast and Kalalau Valley. My best overall hiking experience anywhere.
The Na Pali coast, on the island of Kauai in Hawaii ends at Kalalau Valley. The trail is a challenge and it rewards those who hike it like no other destination I have experienced. I have been overwhelmend by many a fantastic trail in several countries including Japan, the North Cascades, Mt. Rainier and the Olympics in Washington State and some dream trails in Costa Rica.
The memory of hiking the Napali trail and Kalalau valley endures in my memory more sharply than any other. It is not just visually mind blowing. There is a kinesthetic imprint that is impossible to describe, except that you always want more long after you have left the place.
The Kalalau trail begins at the end of the highway on the north side of Kauai. Warnings abound there that the trail is steep and hangs on the edge of mountains. It is nearly straight down to the ocean. Constant attention is demanded of the hiker to prevent a fatal fall. The first break in this hike is at the bottom of a tropical valley called Hanakapiai. There is a worthwhile side trail deep into the lush valley to Hanakapiai Falls. The stream from that falls flows into wild ocean just below the place where the trail crosses it.
The beach is both beautiful and dangerous. There are no life guards. The warnings are crudely posted on signs, including those where handwritten tallies of drowning deaths are added all too frequently. If dragged out to sea here, there is little chance of being rescued. Don’t swim here. Just take in the beauty, camp if you like, or continue on toward Kalalau Valley. At Hanakapiai, you will have covered the first 2 miles. There are 9 more miles, much more difficult than the first 2. You can look forward to Hanakoa Valley about 4 or 5 miles farther away.
The Kalalau Trail exceeds my descriptive abilities. After a heavy duty workout and views that neither Kodachrome or the best digital camera can capture, you will find yourself back down to a small, streamside place called Hanakoa. It is a stream crossing, a ways back of a beach. There is a little wooden shelter where you can sleep should it be raining, but it is first come, first serve. Many hikers, probably most, choose to
spend the night at Hanakoa.
It may seem to experienced hikers that 6 miles is just a good start. That is true for the real “hard core” folks, but the hardest part of the hike is about to come. Give yourself time by leaving you Hanakoa camp early in the morning. It isn’t possible to describe what you are about experience. Every few hundred yards has and emotional impact that you cannot regenerate except by visiting a second time. The ocean is in view, usually nearly straight down, from most places. The vegetation changes constantly, and mixes with the ocean breeze producing an infinite number of fragrances.
Eventually, you will find yourself on a high hill above the Kalalau Valley and the Kalalau Beach. The earth beneath you feet will be mostly bare and a vivid red color. It is known to frequent visitors as Red Hill. the ocean will be on your right, the vast, white Kalalau Beach is strait ahead with blue water throwing white waves and foam onto the beach. For most of it’s length, the wide beach ends abruptly on the left against high, black cliffs. The bottom of these cliffs is the beach itself. At several places the beach sand enters wide, shallow caves at the base of the cliffs. These are seldom reached by the waves during the summer and provide some welcome shade.
After making your way down slope of Red Hill, you will find yourself on floor of Kalalau Valley. Guava trees and other vegitation will be a welcome experience. Even better, the fantastic Kalalau Stream will offer you an opportunity to cool off. There are plenty of little swim holes. Oh boy! Most people continue on, drawn by the beach. Be careful about entering the ocean. You are now awfully far from any rescue should you be drawn out to sea.
Should you want to see the Kalalau Valley and the cliffs of the Na Pali coast with the hike, there are several helicopter tours offered that will give visual treats without the sweat. You can also view the outer parts of Kalalau Valley and the whole length of the Na Pali Coast from tours offered in charter boats and guided kayak tours. Whew!
Hawaii Vacation-Part 4-Kauai
Our Hawaii Vacation series continues with the island of Kauai, the fourth and final island described in this series.
This tiny island has an incredible variety of landscapes. Sculpted over six million years by the forces of nature, its spectacular scenery ranges from the Na Pali cliffs on the North Shore to the dramatic Waimea Canyon. Kaui’s slower pace seems best-suited to a quiet family vacation or a rugged outdoors adventure.
The oldest and northern most of the four major Hawaiian Islands, Kauai covers only 553 square miles, is a distinctive, “round-shaped” island with a population of 51,000 residents.
Much like the other Hawaiian islands, the warmest and coolest months differ only by 8 degrees or so. The ocean temperature is remarkably consistent, hovering between 72 to 76 degrees all year long.
Kauai is known as “The Garden Island” because of its high population of plant life. The rainforest climate is the wettest of the Hawaiian Islands, and Mt. Wai’ale’ale is the wettest
spot on EARTH!
The island’s people are among the friendliest in the country according to an annual poll of vacationers. Two of Kauai’s resorts–the Hyatt and the Princeville Resort–are consistently rated in the top twenty tropical resorts in one popular travel magazine.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Formerly Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa) is located on the sunny side of the island. With 602 rooms, 4 tennis courts, golf course, 5 restaurants, cocktail lounges, child care, multiple pools and health spas, this is a luxury resort.
The Pinceville Resort Kauai is located on Kauai’s north shore. This is a premier resort, and is always on the top of the Kauai accomodation list. Puu Poa Beach is a few steps from the main lawn, and the Princeville Golf Club, considered one of the best courses in Hawaii, sits nearby on 390 acres with ocean views from every hole.
However, it is the rugged beauty and the opportunity for adventure that attracts many people to the island. If you dream of hiking or kayaking in a beautiful tropical environment, Kauai is a great choice.
The southern and western shores have long, white beaches. And there are the majestic, sweeping valleys, such as the Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali Coast.
The most notable and well-known scenery includes the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Waimea Canyon–aptly named the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”–and Koke’e State Park, in Lihue, are open year-round. The canyon stretches 10 miles from Captain James Cook’s famous landing site–in 1778–to Koke’e State Park.
This canyon has been the site for a number of movies including Jurasic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark. In fact, more than two dozen Hollywood movies have been filmed on Kauai!
Hiking trails in the park offer unbelievable views of the canyon and lush “forest” environment. The canyon itself is also accessible for hiking, fishing and camping.
Kauai’s Na Pali Coast cliffs, are pure, rugged beauty, featuring deep, narrow valleys ending sharply at the sea. Waterfalls, swift-flowing streams, and extensive stone-walled terraces remain on the valley bottoms where ancient, native Hawaiians once lived.
The 11-mile Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to this part of the coast. The trail crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush valleys, then drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapi’ai and Kalalau.
But much of the island can be see only by air. To see Kauai by helicopter is like nothing else in the world, with its remote waterfalls, hidden canyons and uninhabited valleys.
The majestic Napali coast provides the opportunity for some world-class snorkeling. No other place in Hawaii offers such unique formations as those on Niihau, shaped by ocean currents and waves for those 6 million years! On your list of Hawaii vacations, Kauai is a place to enjoy
whether for a family vacation or adventure on land or sea.
Here are a few of the best of Kauai’s beaches: Hanalei Bay Beach is a perfect semi-circle of white sand on shimmering tropical waters with a backdrop of 4,000-foot waterfalls. It is often described as not only the most beautiful Kauai beach, but also the most beautiful in Hawaii. The beach is about 125 feet wide and framed by the Waipa River to the west and the Hanalei River to the east, on Kauai’s north shore. The bottom slopes gradually down, making it a wonderful beach for youngsters, and there are large coral reefs at both ends of the bay.
Haena Beach, with its grainy yellow sand and limpid waters set off by emerald cliffs, has appeared as the stereotypical tropical strand in many Hollywood films. Summer months offer excellent swimming and snorkeling. However,winter produces big waves that are fun for surfers but dangerous for everyone else.
Tunnels Beach is the superb snorkeling spot on the North Shore. The two-mile-long Kauai beach runs from Hanalei Colony Resort to Ha’ena Beach Park. The center portion has a huge half-moon shaped reef just offshore where snorkelers can encounter eels, turtles, and other colorful sea creatures. Excellent in summer, Tunnels Beach has large waves in winter that can make it dangerous to swim.
Shipwreck Beach on the South Shore is a body surfer’s heaven. This Kauai beach on Keoneloa Bay is one of the largest expanses of beach in the Poipu area. During much of the year, Shipwreck Beach is better suited for strong swimmers and surfers. This is due to the powerful and potentially dangerous waves, which break close to shore.
Whether you favor a quiet and relaxing time at a resort, or an oudoor adventure in a tropical paradise, the island of Kauai is a good choice.
I hope you have enjoyed this series and that you will soon be able to enjoy your own Hawaii vacation. Considering all that these islands have to offer, the hardest part may be choosing where to start. Just remember, you won’t see everything in one trip, so do your planning with this in mind and you will likely be a happier traveller.
Bob Freer likes to share his love of traveling. His current passion is Hawaii. He writes about the Hawaiian islands on his website Hawaii-Travel-Online.com [http://www.hawaii-travel-online.com]
A Great Back Bag: Just Right for Hawaii
If you want to do the Kalalau Trail, or part of it, here is a superb back pack if you like to travel light. It is also a great little pack for students. It will surprise you how much you can get inside this little pack.
This one gets top ratings from hikers shopping on Amazon.com . Be sure to take a look at the many color/pattern options on this bag.
The Gorgeous Kalalau Trail
Want to get up, close and personal with Mother Nature? Grab a backpack and hit the trail. Want to experience natural wonders you’ve never seen before? Backpack the Kalalau Trail.
If you’re a backpacker at heart, then your list of backpacking trips isn’t complete until you’ve conquered the Kalalau Trail. Beginning where the paved road ends on Kauai’s North Shore, this 11-mile trail alternately challenges and rewards hikers with a breathtaking combination of cliffside promenades, deep forest, silent skies, stark cliffs and views of wild sea. When you reach the trail’s end, you’ll step onto a white sand beach stretching as long as several football fields lay end to end. It is here, at the end of your journey that you are left to meditate, enjoy the sheer beauty of the place and reflect on your own inestimably good fortune.
Most hikers claim Hanakapiai Beach as the end of their journey. Found two miles in to the trail, Hanakapiai can be considered a mere stopover for more resilient backpackers. A more complex and engaging symphony of jungle, sea and sky wait along the remaining nine miles of Kalalau Trail.
If you are one of these committed backpackers, you will leave the beach at Hanakapiai and climb about 800 feet out of that valley to traverse the ridges of Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Reserve. You will cross the streams that bisect a series of valleys, including Ho’olulu and Wai’ahuakua. Four miles later, you will arrive at Hanakoa Valley where you will rest for the night before starting off again for Kalalau.
On this second day of travel, your mettle will be tested by one of the most grueling hikes you will ever attempt. The final five-mile section of the hike is so steep, many backpackers have been known to swear (and believe) that they will never do anything like it ever again. But carry on, for when you emerge, likely at sunset, you will be on a red-dirt slope that leads to an old Hawaiian heiau, a sacred place so beautiful you forget how to breathe for a minute. Catch your breath and carry on, across a final stream to the spectacular glowing view of the white sand of Hauopo Valley, just past Kalalau Beach. This is where the adventure really begins.
Kalalau Trail Facts:
Starting at the northwest end of Kuhio Highway, the Kalalau Trail begins about 40 miles, or a one-hour drive, from Lihu’e Airport. Backpackers are allowed a maximum five-night stay within the Na Pali State Park. Permits are $10 per person, per night, issued by the State Parks Division.
Tips to Ensure a Great Time on the Kalalau Trail:
- Park rangers insist that you have a valid camping permit. Be sure to get one.
- Camping permits for up to three nights in Lihue are available at the County building.
- Take advantage of the best weather conditions by hiking the trail between May and September. You will enjoy 11 miles of the most beautiful tropical coastline you’ve ever seen.
- If you plan on camping or hiking beyond Hanakapiai, be sure to sign in at the start of the trail at the registration box.
- If you choose, you can arrange for a boating company to drop you off at Kalalau Beach Park and pick you up at a pre-designated time.
- Seasoned hikers will go to any length and take on any challenge to explore new terrain. The Kalalau offers both beauty and excitement but be careful; the area is so breathtaking that future trips will pale in comparison.
Author:
David Wilson
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