I’ve hiked the Kalalau Trail three times now, and it’s one of my favorite hikes in Hawaii. This epic coastal trek on the island of Kauai is usually done in 3 days and 2 nights.
It’s an adventure that has it all: jungles, beaches, waterfalls, and the towering green cliffs of the Na Pali coast — the perfect place to camp!
It’s also a notoriously long and tough hike with some dangers involved, so permits are required to do the trail.
Even so, it’s a very special experience that’s worth any of the hassle that may stand in your way.
In this blog post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the Kalalau Trail and how to hike it!
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Quick Stats*
- Distance: 22 miles (35 km)
- Elevation Gain: 6,500 feet (1,980 m)
- Duration: ~3 days
- Difficulty: Hard
*These are total stats for the roundtrip trek
Full Trail Description: Step-By-Step
• Miles 0–2: Ke’e Beach to Hanakapi’ai Beach
The hike begins at Ke’e Beach with a steady climb along a rocky and muddy trail. The start of the hike is actually the wettest and most slippery part of the whole trail.
You’ll get your first good views of the Na Pali coast at approximately 1.2 miles, and sometimes in the winter you can even see whales spouting in the distance, so keep an eye out for that!
Next, the trail descends to Hanakapiai Beach and crosses a stream.
Sometimes it’s better to take your shoes and socks off in order to wade through the streams, rather than trying to hop boulders; otherwise you run the risk of falling in and getting all your gear wet.
After the stream, there’s an optional spur trail to Hanakapiai Falls if you want to see a tall waterfall and go for a swim.
That detour adds 3.4 miles roundtrip, so you’ll probably want to do it on the way back, and save your energy for the main trail first.
• Miles 2–6: Hanakapi’ai Beach to Hanakoa Valley
This portion of the trail has another ascent, and then it becomes noticeably more rugged and narrow, with thick foliage on both sides. The bushes may occasionally hide steep drop-offs, so don’t get too careless.
Along the way, you’ll often hear the buzz of helicopter tours overhead. Seeing the Na Pali coast from above is a bucket list experience if you get the chance to do it!
Eventually you’ll pass through a gate at Space Rock, which is the highest point of the trail, and then there are two smaller stream crossings (Ho’olulu and Waiahuakua).
There’s a camping area at the Hanakoa Valley, but it’s buggy, so most people skip it. Then there’s another stream crossing and an optional spur trail to Hanakoa Falls that adds 1/2 mile roundtrip.
• Miles 6–9: Crawlers Ledge to Kalalau Valley Rim
The section after Hanakoa is one of the most treacherous parts of the hike. It’s not technical or anything, but it can still be scary.
There’s an awkward descent on a slippery dirt path, followed by an infamous section called Crawlers Ledge.
The path here is slightly wider than a person, with a rock wall on one side and steep drop-offs into the ocean on the other. You’ll have plenty of traction as long as you walk slowly and hug the wall.
After Crawlers Ledge, the trail continues across high ridges with expansive views of the Na Pali coast. There are a few dirt sections where you need to watch your step, especially if it’s raining, but other than that it’s mostly safe.
• Miles 9–11: Kalalau Valley Rim to Kalalau Beach
At this point, the trail begins a long descent toward Kalalau Valley, offering sneak peaks of the beach far below.
These are the best views of the whole hike in my opinion, but fatigue really sets in here and the trail starts to seem never-ending.
There’s one more stream to cross, and then you arrive at the majestic Kalalau Beach, which is surrounded by tall cliffs. Welcome to paradise!
In many ways, Kalalau is the ultimate place to camp, with plenty of sites to pitch a tent or hammock among the trees.
There’s even a little waterfall you can use to shower, called Ho’ole’a Falls. At night, you sleep to the sound of the waves.
If you want to do a bit of extra hiking during your stay, you can do the side trail into Kalalau Valley, where there’s a swimming hole and other neat sights that most people miss.
When you’re done camping at Kalalau, you retrace the same trail to go back.
Map Of The Trail
Here’s a map from AllTrails that shows the hiking route and elevation profile.
As you can see, it’s a fairly straightforward route, but it’s long and there are tons of ups and downs. It’s like hiking on a rollercoaster!
Kalalau Permit System
A permit is required to hike and camp on the Kalalau Trail, and only a limited number are available per day.
During the summer months, permits can sell out very fast, so you have to act quickly and book months in advance to get one.
Otherwise, it’s possible to hike the first 2 miles of the trail (to Hanakapiai Beach & Falls) with a day use reservation from Ha’ena State Park, but anyone going past Hanakapiai needs an overnight camping permit.
Remember to save a copy of your permit on your phone, or print a copy and keep it dry. You probably won’t be able to pull up emails during the hike, and you need to be able to show the permit if any park rangers do a spot check on the trail.
Book Now: Kalalau Camping Permits
Trailhead: How To Get There
The trailhead for Kalalau is located at Ke’e Beach near Hanalei, on the north side of Kauai. Coming from the Lihue airport, the drive is easy but takes a little over 1 hour.
If you’re planning to explore other places on the island, the best way to get around is by renting a car. We’ve used DiscoverCars and can recommend them.
Otherwise, if you don’t have transportation in Kauai, you can get to the trailhead with Lyft or Uber, but it’s going to be expensive.
There’s also a shuttle system from Princeville and Waipa, but it’s pretty limited.
