Getting there
- Flights to Lihue (LIH) 40 km from the start
Treks / USA (Hawaii)
Kalalau Trail
USA (Hawaii) · Nearest city: Honolulu (also Lihue)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days2–3
Distance≈ 35 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
A rugged coastal trail along Kauaʻi's Nā Pali Coast to a remote beach below towering green cliffs.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonMay to September
Watch out: Overnight permits are required and stream crossings flood fast after rain.
Why people choose it
It's the only land access to Kauaʻi's Nā Pali Coast, with towering green cliffs above the Pacific.
What makes it different
- Nā Pali Coast cliffs
- Remote beach at the end
- Stream crossings that flood fast
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (15.9 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Hanakapiai Beach → Kalalau Valley
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Best time to go: May to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Honolulu.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: May to September
May to September
Dry season
The main hiking window, with lower streams and drier, less slippery trails.
Bring
- Sun protection
- Water purification
- Quick-dry clothes
October to April
Wet season
Heavy rain makes trails slippery and streams can flood in minutes, trapping hikers.
Bring
- Rain gear and dry bags
- Extra food in case of stream delays
- Check trail and stream reports
All year
Any time
Hot, humid and muddy in places. Sun and dehydration are constant risks.
Bring
- Electrolytes
- Sandals for stream crossings
- Insect repellent
Be ready for
River crossings
You'll ford rivers without bridges. Cross early in the day when levels are lower, unclip your hip belt, and use poles. Bring sandals or light shoes for crossing.
Flash floods
Rain miles away can send a wall of water through a canyon or stream. Check the forecast and turn back if it rains.
Airy sections
Some paths run along steep drops. They're safe with care, but uncomfortable if you're afraid of heights, especially in wind or rain.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Kalalau Trail
Photo credits: Kalalau Valley viewed from the Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve Pihea Trail by Gh5046 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Hanakapiai Beach, Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii by Jeff Kubina, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Honopu Beach Na Pali Coast Kauai Hawaii by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kalalau Beach - Alone - Flickr - sergejf by sergejf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kalalau Trail by James Abbott from New Westminster, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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