Print your permits ahead of time and carry them with you on the trail. After all, Kalalau Valley opens west to give you stunning views of the orange tropical sun dipping into the vast Pacific Ocean. Even amongst the gorgeous sights and sounds along the entire coastline, one area stands out above the rest. The rugged, inaccessible coast is made up of a series of green cathedral cliffs that reach out into the ocean like the talons of an island-sized dragon. Save yourself from a digestive nightmare and always sanitize your water sources. There have been issues with car break-ins here in the past and authorities advise caution when leaving a car overnight. It is now underwater.). How Long To Hike Kalalau Trail In Kauai, Hawaii The Grom Life Within the valley itself, there are many things to see and do. } Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*. Kalalau Trail Kauai - Hiking to the Hanakapiai Beach and Back You'll need to purchase a camping pass for a stay in Kalalau, and they sell out months ahead of time. It's a surreal scene. That means rogue waves can crash onto the beach at any moment. Hanalei Pier A valid Npali Coast SWP camping permit grants access to Hena SP. el.style.display = 'none'; Never turn your back on the ocean, an unexpected wave can knock you down and drag you out. Never turn your back on the ocean. info@MakanaCharters.com The sunset was going to set soon so we headed back to the camp. They were up there within a few seconds. Its the part right after you come out of the valley. Despite a Portuguese man o war sting, quite a longer swim than expected, and considerably bigger waves then anticipated we made it (just barely)! Heed these warnings! An unmaintained 2-mile trail into Hanakapiai Valley leads to a waterfall. Walking the first half mile will reward you with excellent views of the coast. Law enforcement often helicopter in to check permits. Brenneckes Beach The trail crosses Kalalau Stream near the valley mouth before ending at Kalalau Beach and a small waterfall. It's illegal to dock a boat or even a kayak on the beach but you can swim to it. It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous hike. You'll also find a natural shower in the form of Ho'ole'a Falls at the western end of the beach. Must climb rock . The other is the Big Pool, which isnt exactly that big, but still provides enough room for swimming around and diving in. See all 16 reviews. Start the hike as early as possible so you're ahead of the day hikers and have ample time to finish the hike before dark. Hanakoa Campground to Hanakoa FallsThis campground is a quick extra mile located at the halfway point of the main trail up a valley that ends at a waterfall. For more information, please see our One is the outlaw pools, which is a successive series of small pools that spill into one another. Heres what they saw. ny = document.getElementById(image); I would like to spend one night at the Kalalau beach, but honestly, I don't feel like walking the 11 mile trail, so does anyone know if I can arrange a boat there that would pick me up the next day? Theres one section of the beach that gets super windy. The trail takes hikers up, over and down the cathedral cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Gardens-As stated earlier, there are several gardens in the valley that are a source of food for those staying there. There are few coveted spots between the trail and the beach, but most are under the trees inland of the trail, but only about 50 feet from the sand. Division of State Parks | Kalalau Trail - Hawaii Shopping is limited on Kauai and it is best to bring as many specialty items as possible with you on your flight such as your tent, sleeping bag, and trekking poles. You may not be able to use your cell phone to call for help in an emergency. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. document.getElementById('t0').innerHTML=" "; Millions of years of constant erosion from the sea and sky have formed a landscape that is hard to comprehend even photos (as beautiful as they are) do a poor job of fully encompassing the splendour of this area. Hideaway Beach var shows = 0; Hena State Park is roughly 41 miles (1 1/2-hour drive) from Lihue Airport. The Kalalau Trail is an in-and-out trail, meaning you have to return the way you came. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. If you get a late start or are a slower hiker, this may be a good option for you. She didnt do the hike but she was able to see the Na Pali Coast from a cruise ship. While the Kalalau Beach at the end of the trail is considered safe for swimming, the first beach you encounter on the trail, Hanakapiai Beach, is not. Park. Money is irrelevant, instead people rely on the barter system and gifting one another for their exchanges. Hiking and any outdoor activity can be dangerous and has many potential hazards. More strenuous hiking begins as the steep switchback trail climbs 800 feet out of Hanakapiai valley. The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. { I don't know if there are companies regularly drop people off, but start at the state parks website: Here's the specific link for camping along the trail: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/napali.cfm. This stretch of sand extends well over a mile down the coast, with a number of caves along the way to explore. *Camping permits for Npali Coast SWP often sell-out quickly, particularly during the summer months. The surf and rip currents are variable and often extremely treacherous, but worst in winter when high surf conditions prevail. The DLNR personnel have to haul the garbage out of there. There is a helipad in the valley, but it is usually only used by law enforcement. Never swim in murky water and never swim in river mouths. You can walk into them to explore and take cover from the wind. 3. We're not around right now. image = 'qw'+rnid + i; Click the link below to buy a transportation ticket which also includes your entry into the park. We hope you will make the effort to explore Kalalau valley. Swimming is possible on Kalalau Beach, but not without dangers. Even if there was an unautthorized boat, or raft, the OP did not happen to mention the time of year that they were planning on camping at the Kalalau Valley. Top Ten Ways to Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals/Dolphin protection, Geography, Geology, History and Culture of Kaua'i. Thus, the only way to reach it is to swim. [OAHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area WATER OFF,camping and comfort stationsCLOSED. Adjacent is a famous valley, with vast streams, pools and trails. Likewise, commercial guided-camping trips (boat and hiking) are also illegal. If you've already made it this far and won't be hiking all the way to Kalalau Beach, you might as well take the 2-mile detour (each way) to Hanakapiai Falls. List of properly permitted vacation rentals, not condos - 8/15/2017, Weather Questions start here Pls/Best Time of Year to Visit Kauai, How to make reservations at Haena State Park / Ke'e Beach. This beach is the end of the walkable coastline. And it actually appears that theres a third part to this boulder behind it. This is strictly prohibited, however difficult to enforce. Call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. The sea can appear calm here at times (like summer) making it seem safe to swim. Since the trail is quite long, most people who visit Kalalau Beach plan to stay overnight. A) no one will be there to help, b) if anyone was, you'd be taking up critical medical space. Parking at Hena State Park is limited to 100 stalls, so we recommend taking the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. Keep driving until the road absolutely ends at a circular parking lot. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast look prehistoric in this area. for (i=1; i<=5; i++) { Kalalau Beach Na Pali Coast. Beaches Kalalau beach is the obvious highlight. Kalalau Beach is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. Hena SP now requires advanced reservations for entry except for those with valid camping permits for the Npali Coast SWP. Haena Beach 20 Things You Should Know Before Hiking Hawaii's Kalalau Trail Naturalists will find a number of points of interest. Kalalau Beach Pics & Info, Kauai, HI (43 Photos) | UnrealHawaii.com Use extreme caution, especially during wet weather. There are no roads that take you to the valley. PDF Kalalau Trail - Department of Land and Natural Resources You could take a boat tour down the coastline, a guided kayak excursion, or a helicopter tour. The authorized camping areas along the trail do not have tables or drinking water. It sounded amazing and the cool thing is, Cory took a risk and brought his dSLR with him in a dry bag (that orange thing hanging from his waist). The trail crosses the stream well back in the valley, therefore there is no shoreline access at Hanakoa. Just know that some of the campers down in Kalalau live free and believe that clothing is optional. In between each of the talons lies a valley, and none of them are more beautiful or abundant than Kalalau. I have a good friend who camps at Kalalau every Christmastime for many, many years. Use extreme caution when swimming atthis beach. Some of these year-round residents hike out of the valley every couple of months to get supplies. We walked back to the end of Kalalau Beach. As a bonus, a couple of guys were selling drinks beachside out of freshly opened coconuts. I knew you could camp close to the beach but I didn't think on the beach. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. There are two inexpensive campsites near the trailhead, Haena Beach Park (closed Monday nights) and Hanalei Beach Park (open Friday and Saturday only). Permits are very popular and sell out well in advance, especially during summer. (808) 338-9980 The vast majority of Kalalau Beachgoers hike the Kalalau Trail 11 miles one-way to this stunning destination. Just remember that Kalalau Beach does not have a protective reef to break the waves. Kalalau Beach is the huge chunk of sand that sits in front of Kalalau Valley. } var i; We were able to obtain a permit three months before our trip in January, however, summer permits reportedly fill up more quickly. All rights reserved. A well-chosen campsite can save you from a bad night of sleep or worse. How to Get the Rebreather - Sons of the Forest Wiki Guide - IGN Its wide and deep. As you walk down the beach in Kalalau you feel like youre in a different world. else if(star_img=='3'){ Though not technically allowed, the relaxed atmosphere on the trail seems to coincide with clothing optional attire. View of the ocean from the Kalalau Trail. After selecting your trip dates, you may experience a bit of sticker shock during the payment portion of the permit process. This Epic Climb in the Swiss Alps Is Mostly Terrifying -- but Also WorthIt. 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