Pihea Trail

Pihea Trail is located in Koke'e State Park starting at the Pu'u o Kila overlook (the end of Highway 550). At the beginning of this incredible trail it skirts along the Kalalau Valley starting passing through forest of Ohi‘a trees, ferns, koa, and other native vegetation. This is an excellent place to bird watch if time allows, you might even catch a glimpse of the ‘I‘iwi, a gorgeous red bird. It is medium-sized with a curved peach bill. As you finish the first mile of the trail a short but extremely steep side trail leads to the Pihea Vista. It’s pretty, but it’s not worth the effort, especially since you’ve only just begun the trail. Beyond this point, the Pihea Trail is covered mostly with boardwalk.

After approximately two miles on the Pihea Trail, you will come to a junction between the Pihea Trail and the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail. From this juncture you'll likely want to continue along the Alaka'i Swamp Trail to Kilohana Lookout. It's another two miles to the Kilohana Lookout. If you choose to hike to the lookout, the entire trail will be 8 miles round trip; 10 if you have to start from the Kalalau Lookout (the road to Pu'u o Kila is open last we heard though).

Pihea and Alakai Trail Map

To help clarify this junction and the two trails, we've created three maps: one is a Pihea Trail map alone, one a Alakai Swamp Trail map alone, and one that shows the preferred route that combines the two (from Pu`u o Kila at the end of Highway 550 to Kilohana lookout), here known as the Pihea and Alakai Junction Trail map.

Take Hwy. 56 South until it merges into Hwy 50. Drive all the way south and west past the town of Waimea until you see Waimea Canyon Drive (Hwy. 550) to the right. It is a rather unassuming road and you have to watch for it. Go right and up and up onto Waimea Canyon Drive until you enter Kokee park and go to the park headquarters to get more information on the park's trails.

Kokee and Waimea State Park
Don't forget to check our Koke'e State Park Hiking page for information on all the incredible trails inside the park. On that page we've also posted a map of the entire area (Koke'e and Waimea State Parks) for you to download and print out at home. The Koke'e Lodge and Museum will also have maps available, but we'd definitely advise you to go ahead and review the map and become familiar with the area. The crisscrossing of trails and 4x4 roads can be confusing at first, but once you select your routes, it's not too bad. Feel free to contact us if you have specific questions.

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 2 miles one way to Alaka'i Swamp Juncture (8 miles RT to Kilohana Lookout)

Location: Pihea Trail is located in the West Kauai Region

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