Kuilau Ridge Trail

Once on the trail you will see small spur paths shooting off, but stay on the trail. If you packed a lunch, the one mile point is an excellent spot to take a break. The grassy area offers a picnic table and a forest of native ohia trees which often produce a bright red bloom. Once you are finished here, the trail picks up to the east and descends slightly into a switchback. After a quick ascent you'll be treated to a lovely view of Nounou Mountain - better known as The Sleeping Giant...can you find his chin? Further down the trail you will come to a wooden footbridge which crosses the Opaeka'a Stream. A junction lies up ahead and you need to take the left fork into a grouping of eucalyptuses and ferns. Your destination is just ahead: a beautiful view of Kapehua'ala, the highest peak of the Makaleha Mountains. To reach the trailhead take Highway 56 from Lihue and take an immediate left onto Highway 580 for 8 miles until you reach Keahua Forestry Arboretum. There are two parking lots on the right side of the road. Once you park, head back down the road on foot to the trail head which is also on the right. Take a look in Google Earth at our Kuilau Ridge Trail Map.