Best, Longest, Hawaian Trails?
Id like to hike and camp Hawaii, any one of the islands that i can spend 4-6 days doing.
thxs
Check out the Kalalau trail on Kauai, it goes out 12 miles to the most remote place on the planet. There is kind of a legendary hippie colony out there with people living off the land and such. Get your permit from the Kauai parks dept. Seriously do it.
yes I agree. It is a tough 12miles but well worth it. It was everything I imagined it to be
Those that danced were thought mad by those who could not hear the music. George Carlin
That was my first thought too, though I think its only 11m. Nice side trip to the falls two miles in as well. You can also string together a bunch of trails in Kokee State park (and look-can't hike- down into Kalalau Valley) or the many trails in Wiamea Canyon.Originally Posted by Penguin
The Kalalau Trail on Kauai isn't the longest in Hawaii, although it is arguably the best. You can see pictures taken there in my gallery, and I may be going back there in late December.
Mostly I hike on Hawaii, the island from which the State takes its name (A.K.A. "The Big Island") which has the longest trails; some of those are pretty nice too. You can see pictures taken there in my gallery as well...and after Kauai in December (if I do in fact go there) I'll be back on the Big Island.
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I found the degree of difficulty slow going on Kalalua Trail. Don't let the low miles fool you. It can take many hours on this beautiful rocky climb.
Those that danced were thought mad by those who could not hear the music. George Carlin
Kalalau Trail was the absolute highlight of my Kaua'i trip in 2008. Side trip to the falls was most definitely worth it. Can wait to go back in 2013.
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There are 20+ miles of trail in Haleakala crater, with campsites in 3 locations. Some of the best hiking I have EVER done. Thats on Maui.
Also on Maui is the kings highway, which is an old footpath through lava rock on the south side of the island. Small beaches to camp on and take a dip in the ocean.
schnikel
wow, i have goose bumps.. Ill be looking into The Kalalau Trail, and the Haleakala crater, to see which one will work..
tyvm
The Mauna Loa trail is about 19 miles, I believe. It's been over 3 years since i hiked it, but it was a great trip. I only saw 3 people on the 38 miles, round-trip. It's on Big Island, by the way.
I got this view outside my tent on my last night out:
Hiking Hawaii will be some of the most memorable moments of your life...
God I did it and never looked back!
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
OK. You asked. I'll give you some of, what I feel, are some of the important hiking trails in HI. By no means what I say is a complete list of trails or what you might experience if you hike in HI.
I live on Kauai part of the yr. I'm an avid hiker of Hawaiian trails although I certainly can't say I've hiked every trail in HI. I really don't want to. I just returned to the mainland after having spent over 3 months in HI, mainly the Big Island, working, but mainly hiking.
First, as far as books, I find it usually more helpful to focus in on specific hiking books about hiking on a specific island rather than getting a book on hiking throughout all the islands, although there are a few noteworthy books on hiking in all of HI. The main islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island(also called Hawaii which confuses some people because collectively all the islands are also called Hawaii - the state)), Molokai, and Lanai).
My top book picks that cover hiking in all of of Hawaii are by Stuart M. Ball. He authors two books along this line. One more comprehensive than the other. The Hikers Guide to the Hawaiian Islands is the more comprehensive one - excellent book with very good maps. This could be "the book" all you ever need or want if hiking throughout all the islands. The other book is The Backpackers Guide to Hawaii - smaller, lighter, less trails, but gives an overview of probably the BEST hikes throughout the islands that someone on vacation with less time could possibly ever cover in several months(maybe a yr) of hiking in HI - another excellent book with very good maps. Ball's second book, I mention here, IMO, does not have a BAD hike in it. I've done them all in this book.
For specific hiking info on just one island try hiking books by Robert Smith, Kathey Morey, and Stuart Ball OR get the "blue bible" Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai, Lanai Revealed Guidebooks.
These books can typically be found at any Borders or Barnes and Noble Bookstore in HI.
This link, http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/island.php?island=Oahu), takes you to the Na Ala Hele website which is one of the organizations in HI that maintains, constructs, and provides info about hiking trails throughout HI. They are responsible for bringing some forgotten routes/trails back to life or for those wanting to hike on SOME of the better signed, described, and maintained trails.
First, let me state I'm not the biggest fan of Oahu or hiking on Oahu. Last time I checked, Oahu had 1.2 million full time residents compared to Maui, which some say is crowded, which has about 1/10 of that or 120,000 full time residents. I think hiking on the other main islands is better and often less crowded; sometimes you'll be the only one on a trail on the other islands!.
Note: virtually ALL the trails/hikes on Oahu, and most of HI, are not very long(less than 20 miles and MANY less than 10 miles, so day hikes or shorter, maybe several days duration, hikes are the norm). There are really no trails where you can get into that big mileage per day day after day thru-hiker mentality. You’re on an island! Isn’t one of the reasons why you came to HI is to relax a bit by slowing down to take it all in? I hope so! VERY FEW FOLKS IN HI TAKE A LIKING TO A HURRIED MENTALITY!
Note: Bring whatever hiking gear to HI that you think you will need for your particularly selected hikes. Large HIKING outfitters are virtually non existent in HI.
*IF YOU ARE GOING TO VISIT OR HIKE IN HI DO IT WITH RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE, THE CULTURE, NATURE, THE LAND, OF WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE PART OF, AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS.* NOT DOING SO HAS BECOME A PROBLEM AND WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL TRAIL CLOSURES, UNECESSARY DETRIMENTAL HUMAN IMPACT, TRAIL QUOTAS, AND NEGATIVE ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN HIKERS AND OTHERS!
Mahalo!
IMO, the BEST/MUST DO hikes or hiking areas in all of HI, in no particular order, are 1) Kalalau Trail/Na Pali Coast and Wiamea Canyon/KoKee SP(stunningly beautiful and diverse!, often forgotten by visitors) on Kauai 2) Haleakala NP down the Sliding Sands Trail, across the bottom of what's left of the caldera, and out through Kaupo Gap and the shorter Pipiwai Trail and area around Oheo Gulch(Seven Sacred Pools, also worth exploring!) in another area of Haleakala NP), on Maui 3) summitting Mauna Loa via the Mauna Loa Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes NP(Coastal Trail in HVNP is another worthy get away from it all trail), and the Wiapio Valley hike to Wiamanu Valley on the Big Island of Hawai.
Any one or two of these hikes can fit your 4-6 day hiking agenda!
Yes, HI can contibute to some of the most memorable moments of your life. Again, I’ll tell you, that hurried or "that's not the way we do it back home" mentality is not the thing to bring to HI! Lose it and the memorable moments just may be that more memorable!
Aloha!
Many Mahalos
Its all about respect- very important on the islands.
Well put Dogwood- its fo real- da kine culture.
Also, the hike to Blue Hole on Kauai is a favorite of friends- though I've never been.
Kauai is millions of years older than all of the others except the Forgotten Island- which you can forget about.Actually they were both the same island at one point- which isn't the point.
Anyways -Kauai has incredible diversity- its my favorite- and I'm pretty sure I've been to all of them.
dogwood ty so much for your response...im getting it all ready. The Kalalau trail is my focus at the moment. wondering how much cab ride from the airport to trail head will be, also campsites..lots still to look into..ty again for the info
My schedule is booked up with hiking and working on the mainland for the next several months or I might be able to offer you a ride, but here's an option to an EXPENSIVE long taxi ride! You're from Brooklyn! No Problem!
You will fly into Lihue AP in the island seat(town) of Lihue. Buses regularly leave M-F from the AP to downtown Lihue. Get off at the Lihue Courthouse. Across the street is a grocery store for supplies or you could continue to Kukui Mall on a bus to another grocery store(WalMart, KMart, etc) Last time I got my Kalalau Trail permit I got it at the courthouse, at the State Parks Office. It's not that expensive, although do be aware you are in HI now where many things tend to be more expensive compared to the mainland! *Sometimes authorities do go out on the Kalalau Trail and check for permits, sometimes with increasing regularity! If you don't have one they will escort you out, tell you to leave, and/or possibly fine you! Signage is posted at the Kalalau TH and at places along the trail regarding the need to have a permit past Hanakapai!* You could also call 808-587-0300 fpr pemit instructions.
You can get a bus from downtown Lihue at Kukui Mall or near the Lihue Courthouse(in front of the grocery store across the street) that takes you to as far as you can get to the Kalalau TH by bus which is near/in Hanalei. Buses are cheap! Cheaper than taxis!!! Hitch or take a taxi from there!
Just do a serach for "Kauai Buses" and you'll get schedules.
Hanalei has a med sized grocery store and decent but pricey healthfood store and some restaurants. It's can be a bit uppety but also has more than its share of hippie/wanderer types. It's never taken me long to get a hitch to the TH from Hanalei! Remember the song "Puff the magic dragon lived down by the sea. He frolicked in the autumn mist in town called Hanalei?' THIS IS IT! Really cool crescent shaped beach which has a long pier too! I'll leave it to you to make meaning of the lyrics!
This info should be in your trail materials and/or what you get at the courthouse, but there is camping about half way in(about 5 miles) at Hanakoa. There is a roofed shelter and compost toilet both often dirty though. There is a faint bushwacking trail upstream a short distance to Hanakoa Falls along Hanakoa stream. Stick near the stream. This is skeeter dope and treat your water territory(leptosporosis from feral goats, pigs, etc)! As at Kalalau Beach this is open camping at a few flatish forested(mangoes, citrus, papayas, bananas, etc in season) areas.
Even though you will not be alone do the short hike up to Hanakapai Falls. Witch, IMO, is the better falls though definitely MORE PEOPLE. You can swim in a pool right at the base of the falls. Watch for falling rocks coming over the falls though, as if that will matter!
Check the various campsites at Kalalau Beach before chosing one. You'll probably notice one that is THE PERFECT site and then find another that is even MORE PERFECT! Hammocking is possible along the trail and at Kalalau Beach. *Don't forget about the caves at the end of the beach past the waterfall(fresh drinking water, shower) that lands on Kalalalu Beach. RESPECT THE STRENGTH OF THE OCEAN EVERYWHERE ALONG THE KALALAU TRAIL.* Many folks have drowned!
There are beach parks that offer camping on Kauai and throughout the islands. One such park is near(within walking distance of) the TH.
Enjoy your hike. It will provide a lifetime of lasting memories! Please, do respect Hawaii and the Na Pali Coast! It's amayyyzeeeing!
I feel I just HAVE to mention this! I understand most who want to come to Kauai and hike the Kalalau Trail are on a tight time schedule. It's only 11 miles in from the TH to Kalalau Beach. Most hikers in decent shape and starting before 10 a.m. can get to Kalalau Beach in 1 day. HOWEVER, I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH! THE KALALAU TRAIL AND STAYING AT KALALAU BEACH IS NOT IS NOT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO RUSH!!! IT TAKES TIME TO CATCH YOUR BREATH, PINCH YOURSELF, AND JUST BEGIN TO LET THE MAJESTY, SCENERY, APPRECIATION, AND MAGIC UNFOLD! LET IT IN!!! I PROMISE, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPONITED!
SPEND, AT THE VERY LEAST, ONE ENTIRE DAY AT KALALAU BEACH!
I really can't add anything to your quite comprehensive information, except to vouch for what you posted above...because I was stopped and asked for my permit, which I produced, of course. Consequently, I would highly encourage anyone wanting to hike the Kalalau Trail to be sure to get their permit...
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well dogwood, im booked..i leave from kennedy on the 6/13, 7days i need to look at all the great info you put here, ty for that
checked for permit availability for my dates...NONE... any alternatives?
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