Kalalau Trail – Hanakapiʻai Beach and Caves loop from Haena State Park

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Kauaʻi County

Kalalau Trail – Hanakapiʻai Beach and Caves loop from Haena State Park

Moderate

2.8

(17)

hikers

Kalalau Trail – Hanakapiʻai Beach and Caves loop from Haena State Park

04:27

12.7km

700m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Haʻena State Park

Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

8 m

Hāʻena State Park

Highlight • Natural

Hāʻena State Park is home to a range of activities, including sandy beaches with snorkeling, coastal views, and access to waterfall and forest hikes along the Kalalau Trail. Visits to the park require advance reservation.

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89 m

Loʻi Kalo (Taro Patch)

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The short boardwalk area at the entrance of Hāʻena State Park passes through an area of restored lo‘i kalo (taro patches). Along the way there are some interpretive signs explaining …

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799 m

1/4 mile mark

Viewpoint

1.26 km

Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

This great viewpoint is located along the popular Kalalau Trail in Haʻena State Park. It offers an amazing view of the coastline with its beautiful mountains and the crystal clear ocean. Can it really get any better?

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1.39 km

Kalalau Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Although it's well-maintained, this trail is almost never level, and it can get slippery fast when wet. Keep an eye out for wild goats, many native plant species, and of …

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3.45 km

Hanakapiʻai Beach and Caves

Highlight • Beach

This beautiful beach and its black lava caves are accessible only by hiking the famous Kalalau Trail. Swimming is not recommended here: the unprotected waters are subject to strong surf …

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3.51 km

Hanakapiʻai Stream

Highlight • River

The stream has to be crossed again and again on the way to the waterfall.

Translated by Google •

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4.29 km

Bamboo forrest - Hanakapiʻai Trail

Highlight • Forest

Beautiful bamboo forest on the way to the waterfall. But all the incisions don't have to be there 🙄

Translated by Google •

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6.28 km

Hanakapi'ai Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

It is adventurous to reach the waterfall. It gives over stick and stone (brooks pass) So much fun

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12.7 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

12.7 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.73 km

5.96 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (380 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Thursday 12 November

24°C

18°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

The UV-index reading is high for much of your activity. Don’t forget sunscreen and consider bringing sunglasses.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 16, 2022,Hanakapi'ai Waterfall Trail

Very scenic trail... Must swim all the way out to the waterfall at the end

October 12, 2024,Hanakapiai Falls

Access to the trailhead has been limited and it is rather difficult to get a slot for arriving by car (shuttle bus is then the option).
According to the park administration cancelations will be fed to the booking system in the morning between 7 and 8. Had no luck there, but tried at 10 and was successful. Would therefore recommend …

July 16, 2023,Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail, Kaua'i, Hawaii

fantastic hike along the coast and then up the Hanakapi Ai valley up to the waterfall. Some slippin'and slidin on rocks and in muddy sections, especially after rain fell. The swimming in the natural pool the waterfall caved out of the rock definitely makes it worth!

March 24, 2024,Hanakapi'ai Falls

Great tour. It's better to set off early to have enough time to swim at the waterfall. It goes without saying that you should take enough water with you. It's best to book a bus ride to the park. At the beginning/end of the tour you can also go to the beach/the sea.

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October 3, 2024,Hanakapiʻai Beach & Falls

This was one of the most challenging hikes I've taken so far. It's rocks and roots and 28°C. Patagonia with 15kg photography equipment was less exhausting.

We did not make it completely to the falls unfortunately. Safety is more important and the last 400m is quite a challenging path. The shoes of my daughter where too slippery and she was …