Kalalau Lookout

Today the only way to visit the beach or valley is by the Kalalau Trail as it stretches 11 grueling miles along the Na Pali coastline (see our Kauai trails page). From this vantage point though you can just bask in the view of all that is between you and the blue hues of the Pacific Ocean. We have found that the best time to view the valley is before 11 AM, as clouds are constantly moving in and out of the valley and are especially thick in the afternoon and evening. However, you also don't want to get there too early because the valley won't have full sun on it until around 8 AM most mornings (seasonal changes apply of course).

If you arrive to a cloudy or mist-filled valley, consider the direction of the trades when you arrive. If the wind is blowing from the land towards the ocean, the clouds will usually enter the valley and fall (thus disappearing into the warm air below). However, if the wind is blowing from the ocean inland, the clouds will bank up inside the valley and not dissipate but rather thicken into cloud soup. So keep that in mind during your visit.

Take Highway 50 west from Hanapepe toward Waimea. Turn right on Waimea Canyon Road just after Mile Marker #23. Kalalau Lookout is located near the end of the road at Mile Marker #18. Pu'u o Kila overlook, which is the start to Pihea Trail is just a little further at the end of the road.