Hiking Hanakapi‘ai Falls: What You Need to Know
Thinking about hiking Hanakapi‘ai Falls on Kauai? The trail is 8-miles round trip and one of the most stunning hikes you’ll find, but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. We hiked this trail in August of 2024 with our 11-month old daughter and some other family members. Here’s everything you should know before you go.
Getting There 🚐
We opted for the Princeville Makai Golf Club shuttle, which made getting to the trailhead super easy. You’ll also need a Hāʻena State Park access pass, which you can reserve at gohaena.com. Passes usually open 30 days in advance at midnight HST. I logged in at 5 a.m. my time to make sure we got ours. It seems the parking passes sell out almost instantly. We had a large group, so I wanted to ensure everyone got a pass to enter the park.
Trail Start 🥾
After the 30 minute shuttle drive, we arrived at Ke‘e Beach. The hike begins on Kalalau Trail, and the first 2 miles are pretty steep, with stairs, can get muddy, This portion of the trail is exposed to the sun which wasn’t so bad in the early morning, but keep that in mind on your way back. Pace yourself and take breaks as needed. There is a river crossing before you arrive to the next beach.
Midway Stop 🍎
After about 2 miles, you will reach Hanakapi‘ai Beach. It’s the perfect spot for a snack and some water. Take a moment to decide if you’re ready to continue,. because the waterfall is still 2 miles inland, and the trail gets much more challenging from here with more river crossings.
The Waterfall 💦
The final 2 miles include stream crossings and steep climbs, but it’s worth it. This leads to the INCREDIBLE 300-foot waterfall with a freezing pool. It is surrounded by rocks that can be difficult to walk on. We found a large stone to camp at, stopped for lunch, and even took a swim, and WOW it was cold, but not so bad once you fully get in! It’s an incredible reward after the hike! I think we were here for about an hour before deciding to head back.
Pro Tip ⚡
Once you’ve recharged at the falls, gear up for the hike back. It can be tough on tired legs, but knowing what to expect makes it much easier. You have the option to get off the shuttle at Hanalei to explore the town if you are up for it. We ended up catching dinner before heading back to our hotel.
Have you hiked the Hanakapi‘ai Trail? If so, what recommendations do you have?