How Long Hike Kalalau?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Trail Length

22 miles (round trip)
Activity Pedestrian Difficulty Difficult Terrain Wet Gulches to Open Ridgeline Elevation Gain 800 ft

Can you hike the Kalalau Trail in one day?


If no permits are available, you can still enjoy the Kalalau Trail for a day hike (day-use reservations required)

. You can hike to Hanakāpīʻai beach (4-Mile round trip) or to Hanakāpīʻai Falls and back (8-Mile round trip). Permits are available up to 90 days out. Get your permits early to ensure a permit is available.

Is hiking the Kalalau Trail worth it?

The famous Na’Pali coastline is a highlight of Kauai. And the Kalalau Trail is the best way to explore this coastline up close. Recognized as one of the world’s most dangerous hikes, come ready for a grueling trek. But

the reward at the end is worth every ounce of pain and struggle to get there

.

How difficult is Kalalau Trail?

Though it’s unbelievably beautiful, there’s no doubt that the Kalalau Trail can be

extremely perilous at points

. The trail is narrow, steep, rocky, and dotted with natural hazards ranging from strong water currents to falling rocks. Steep dropoffs into the water are especially dangerous.

Can you do Kalalau Trail in 2 days?


I ended up doing the trail in two days

, which is quite quick, too quick for many people, but we didn’t want to carry too much on our backs. Let’s face it, I am a glamper. I don’t like sleeping in the dirt, but I like camping and being in the outdoors!

How long does it take to hike first 2 miles of Kalalau Trail?

The first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail are strenuous and tricky. You’ll probably want a

1/2 day

to do this hike. That will allow time for breaks and photo stops. And that’s if the weather cooperates!

What is the scariest hike in America?

  1. Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park. …
  2. Capitol Peak via the Knife Edge, Colorado. …
  3. Mist Trail and Half Dome Cables, Yosemite National Park. …
  4. Huckleberry Trail, Glacier National Park. …
  5. Camp Muir, Mount Rainier National Park. …
  6. Chinitna Bay, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

How long is crawlers ledge on Kalalau Trail?

Hiking the

7 mile

mark on the Kalalau Trail

This is known as the hardest and most dangerous part of the 11 mile Kalalau trail.

How do I get a permit to hike the Kalalau Trail?

Anyone proceeding past Hanakāpīʻai Valley (2 miles in) must possess a valid camping permit whether or not you plan to camp. Permits are required to camp at Hanakoa or Kalalau (Same permit).

Permits are $35 per-person per-day

. Good news if you are a resident, you get a $10 discount.

How do I train for the Kalalau Trail?

  1. Strength Training 3x a week.
  2. Steady State Cardio 2x a week.
  3. Active Recovery 1x a week.
  4. Outdoor Training about every other week (hiking w/a heavy pack)

Can you hike part of the Kalalau Trail?

While

you won’t need a permit to hike this section of the Kalalau Trail

, all day-use visitors make a parking reservation online before arriving. Reservations are limited to reduce overcrowding on the trail. You can make reservations up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before you plan to visit the park.

How do you sneak into the Kalalau Trail?


Park at Haena Beach Park and walk on the road to the entrance, or get an Uber to the entrance of the park, and head straight for the trailhead

. Enjoy yourself, take in the views, be safe, and respect the State Park.

Why is the Kalalau Trail closed?

Kalalau Trail closed due to

weather/landslide

.

Is Kalalau Trail open?


As of June 17, 2019, the Kalalau Trail is officially reopened

and ready for visitors.

What is the hardest hike in the world?

  • Kalalau Valley, Kauai, Hawaii. …
  • The Dientes Circuit, Isla Navarino, Patagonia, Chile. …
  • The Snowman Trek, Bhutan. …
  • Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa. …
  • Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea.

Where do you park for the Kalalau Trail?

Here’s a summary of how you can get to the trail. Park at

Hā’ena State Park

-$5: Limited parking vouchers are available. There are only 100 parking stalls. 30 of the stalls are reserved for locals, leaving only 70 stalls available for visitors.

What should I pack for the Kalalau Trail?


Lightweight hiking shoes

with good traction are popular. Camping gear should include a lightweight sleeping bag or blanket, sleeping pad, tent or tarp, cooking stove and fuel, water purification tablets or filter, first aid kit, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, and biodegradable soap.

Do you need a permit to hike to Hanakapiai Falls?

1:

Advanced Reservations and Permits are Required

. All vehicles, walk-in entry and shuttle riders visiting Haena State Park and day hikers accessing the Kalalau Trail are required to make advanced reservations and/or purchase parking permits. Entry fees to the park are $1 per person for non-residents.

Can you hike the Napali Coast?

Hiking Hanakapi`ai – A Family Day Down Napali. The most popular hike on Na Pali is to Hanakapi`ai where you will find a lush river valley.

You can hike 8 miles (roundtrip) to a waterfall or 4 miles (roundtrip) to Hanakapi`ai Beach

. You can get a permit to camp at designated spots in Hanakapi`ai.

How do you get to Kalalau Beach?

The only way to access the valley is either

by boat or hiking the 11-mile Kalalau trail

– there are no roads or airstrips here and only government helicopters are authorized to land. Most of the year the high surf prevents boats from accessing the shore, which means the only way in is to make the trek by foot.

What hike has the most deaths?

America’s deadliest hike is

Mount Ranier

in Washington State. It has claimed over 400 deaths. Anything but a “walk in the park,” Mount Ranier features extreme and fast weather changes, avalanches, falling rocks, and an unpredictable volcano.

What is the most difficult hike in the US?

  • The Maze. …
  • South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail. …
  • Kalalau Trail. …
  • Mist Trail – Half Dome. …
  • Muir Snowfield Trail. …
  • Huckleberry Mountain. …
  • Barr Trail.

What national park has the most deaths?

Going by its per-capita death rate, Denali is by far the most dangerous national park—ten times more so than

Great Smoky Mountains

, which sees less than one death per million visitors.

How long is Napali Coast trail?

Trail Length

22 miles (round trip)
Difficulty Difficult Terrain Wet Gulches to Open Ridgeline Elevation Gain 800 ft Trail Brochure Kalalau Trail

Can you hike Waimea Canyon?


Canyon Trail: Moderate

One of the most popular and scenic trails in Waimea Canyon, the Canyon Trail branches off of the Cliff Trail and is a 3.4 mile round trip that takes two to three hours to complete and enjoy. About halfway down the trail, hikers will reach Waipo’o Falls, a gorgeous 800 foot cascading waterfall.

Where does the Kalalau Trail start?

The Na Pali Coast (Kalalau) Trail begins at the

Ke’e beach parking lot in Ha’ena State Park, at the end of the road on Kauai’s North shore

. The trail starts off on old paving stones which can be slippery when wet.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.