Hike· Kauai· Hawaii
Kalalau Trail
22° 12.0′ N · 159° 37.2′ W
The 11-mile cliffside trail from Kee Beach to Kalalau Beach, Hawaii's most famous hike; the first 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach make a hard but superb day walk with views straight down the Na Pali coast.
Practical
State Parks: 22 miles round trip, difficult; Kee to Hanakapiai 2 miles (allow 3-4 hours round trip); unmaintained side trail about 2 more miles up to Hanakapiai Falls with stream crossings (experienced hikers only, flash-flood risk); Hanakapiai to Hanakoa 4 miles and Hanakoa to Kalalau 5 miles require an overnight camping permit. Anyone going beyond Hanakapiai must hold a valid camping permit; no 22-mile day hikes. Day hikers need Haena State Park entry and parking/shuttle reservations (GoHaena). Camping fees $25 per person per night residents, $35 non-residents; max 5 nights; no two consecutive nights at Hanakoa. Hazards: narrow exposed sections, falling rock under cliffs and waterfalls, dangerous rips and drownings at Hanakapiai Beach. Coordinate is the Wikipedia trail position (mid-trail). Status (State Parks notices, October 19, 2026): Na Pali and Polihale were closed for Hurricane Lowell from September 4, 2026; Haena State Park reopened October 15, 2026, but all Kauai camping remained closed and Kokee Road was closed until further notice - check the Park Notices page before relying on any landing or camping plan.
Best for
Shore leave on foot from Hanalei via the Haena shuttle
Nearby
- Hanakapiai Beach1.4 NM away
- Na Pali Sea Caves (Open Ceiling Cave)1.6 NM away
- Kauai Summer Na Pali Season and Winter North Swell2 NM away
- Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park2 NM away
- Haena State Park Reservations (Kee Beach)2.4 NM away
- Na Pali Coast Landing and Camping Permits2.7 NM away
- Kalalau Beach Anchorage2.8 NM away
- Na Pali Spinner Dolphins3.3 NM away