The Hanakapiai Falls Trail

After hiking two miles of rugged terrain to Hanakapiai Beach along the Kalalau Trail you may be tempted to turn back and head back towards Ke'e Beach. But if you aren't too tired and have some time, consider taking a two-mile (four miles round trip) hike inland to see Hanakapi'ai Falls. It can take up to two hours just to reach the falls, and requires numerous stream crossings. If it's rained recently, don't go. Total elevation gain to the falls from Hanakapi'ai beach is 760 feet. This is a fairly strenuous hike. You can view the trail by opening Google Earth and viewing our Hanakapiai Trail map. Please note we only have included the return trek as a part of our Google Earth file, so the elevation and hike technically starts at the falls; but you can still see the whole route.

As with many Kauai hikes, you may benefit from a guide who can educated you and your travel party about the history of the area, the plants, and animals of the trail. Where can you find such a guide? We highly recommend Scott at Kauai Hiking Adventures.

The trail can be rough in spots, but the 300-ft waterfall at the end is worth the trek. Take notice of the native plant life as well as the small bamboo forests you will pass through. The trail crisscrosses the stream several times, so be mindful of water flow. Make sure to pack rain gear because showers pop up frequently and carry drinking water since it is not safe to drink stream water.

Once you reach the falls feel free to reward yourself with a dip in the pool, just watch out for any falling rocks. Total hiking time is between 3-5 hours.

The Hanakapiai Falls Trail Photos

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Trail Distance: 4 miles round trip from Hanakapi'ai Beach (8 miles round trip from Ke'e Beach)

Trail Difficulty: Difficult

Trail Elevation Change: 760 feet from the beach