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Kukui Trail
Located within the West Region on Kauai
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Challenging
Distance
About 4 miles round trip
Estimated time
3-4 hours
Elevation & terrain
Steep canyon descent and climb
Family fit
Experienced hikers
Highlights
Waimea Canyon · Workout · River
Garden Isle Hiking Trail
West Kauai
Kukui Trail offers some gorgeous views of Waimea Canyon. The first part of the trail descends sharply, switchbacking through the forest, at first, and then out in the open along the side of the mountain. Expect the path to be eight inches wide on slippery dirt with nothing to one side of you in places. It's not that dangerous, but just be careful. As with many Kauai hikes, you may benefit from a guide who can educate you and your travel party about the history of the area, the plants, and animals of the trail.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
You'll soon reach a vast stretch of slanted red rock that goes down the mountain and after traversing this segment of the path you'll descend deep into the forest where wild chickens rustle in the brush and kukui nut trees grow in abundance. As you dive deeper, you'll find yourself amidst waist-high grasses and passing large spear-like plants. Not far now, as you make the final trek towards your reward... the cool and soothing waters of the Waimea River! Look above you, and you will hardly believe how far you've climbed. Take a long rest here and enjoy a swim in the pool near Wiliwili Camp. You'll need it before turning around to ascend the two miles back up to the rim. Remember to take it slow and easy and to drink lots of water. Bringing some form of water purification device to allow you to refill water from the river and treat it is highly recommended. The Waimea River is naturally brown from the tannins which are absorbed by the feeder streams as they pass through the Alakai Swamp above Waimea Canyon. The name, Waimea means "red water." The scenery is gorgeous so enjoy it during your rest breaks and take plenty of pictures. If you want adventure and a great workout, this is one hike you won't want to miss!
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Mostly dry this morning with light to moderate trade winds, a few showers over windward and mountain slopes. Winds weaken and turn south tonight into Wednesday as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands, starting a wet stretch.
Wednesday afternoon through Friday, rain increases across the island, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain timing and intensity depend on where the rainband sets up. No flood watch is in place yet, but conditions will be wet. Saturday and Sunday clear out as normal trade winds return.
Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday; plan indoor time for Wednesday through Friday as rain increases. Save hiking and summit drives for the weekend.
0:000:52
Voice
Read the transcript
Mostly dry right now with light to moderate trade winds. South-facing shores have elevated surf near advisory levels through tonight.
Winds weaken and shift south starting tonight into Wednesday as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands. Wednesday afternoon through Friday, showers and rain increase across Maui, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain intensity and timing remain uncertain depending on where a rainband sets up—conditions will stay wet and may limit activity.
Saturday into Sunday, normal trade winds return and rain clears. Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday; plan indoor time for the wet stretch ahead. Hiking and summit trips are better suited for the weekend.
0:000:44
Voice
Read the transcript
Mostly dry this morning with light to moderate trade winds. Windward and mountain slopes have a few scattered showers.
Winds weaken and turn southerly tonight into Wednesday, and rain increases Wednesday through Friday across the island—heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Timing and intensity depend on exactly where the rain sets up and how long it lingers. Saturday and Sunday clear out and trade winds return to normal.
Get your beach time in today and early Wednesday morning. Plan indoor activities for the wet stretch, and save hiking and summit drives for Saturday.
0:000:53
Voice
Read the transcript
Mostly dry right now with light to moderate trade winds. Windward and mountain areas have a few scattered showers, but south-facing shores have elevated surf near advisory levels through tonight.
Starting Wednesday, winds weaken and turn south as a low-pressure system develops north of the islands. Rain will increase, heaviest on south-facing slopes and coasts. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Rain intensity and timing are uncertain—it depends on where a rainband sets up and how long it lingers. Saturday and Sunday, normal trade winds return and rain clears out.
Beach and water activities work best today and early Wednesday. Move indoor or covered plans to Wednesday through Friday as rain picks up. Save hiking and summit drives for the weekend.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
