View Full Version : Backpacking in Hawaii??
RedneckRye
12-30-2005, 15:41
A few friends and I are toying with the idea of heading to Hawaii to do some hiking. Anyone out there with any experiences or suggestions??
Thanks.
RedneckRye
Aloha! Head for Kaua'i -- you can't beat the Kalalau Trail on the North End, past Hanalei. :clap
It starts at Ke'e Beach, and it's 11 miles in - I think you need to register for an overnight or longer trip. There are beaches and waterfalls along the way, and some of the most stupendous scenery you'll ever see overlooking the Na'Pali Coastline. Check it out! http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/NaPali/na_pali.htm
Sue
johnny quest
12-30-2005, 16:49
if you can do one of the less populated islands. hawaii (the island) has a hike that goes thru an active volcanoe. its near hilo and soooo cool! i will never forget finding a plastic grocery bag full of canned goods....a sacrifice to pele!!!! amazing that people still worship volcanoes
Wolf - 23000
12-30-2005, 17:24
I use to live in Hawaii - station there for three years. Hawaii has many trail but no long distance trails. While there I made it a point to walk around all the major islands. I was able to make it around Oahu, Maui, Kaua'I and the Big Island. drsukie is right about the Na'Pali Coast. It is gorgeous!!! Hawaii has some increadible places but the Na’Pali Coast Trail is my favorite, also check out The Haleakala in Maui, Volcano National Park on the big Island (The only place on Hawaii that has hot lava).
It not long distance hiking but I still enjoyed it.
Maui has some great great places....Haleakala is amazing down in the crater...very very cool. There are some great state parks on the way to Hana that i have camped @ a bunch of times and hiked around the area. Like Wolf 23000 said, there are not really any long distance trails, but tons of cool parks and great day hikes.
The big island is very very nice too.
I spent about 3 months hitchhiking through Maui and the big island back in the day and it was definitely a fun trip!!
I have to second all of the rave reviews for the Kalalau Trail on Kauai; it is simply the most breathtakingly beautiful hike that I have ever done. Plus you have the added bonus of naked campers and hikers at Kalalau Beach at the end!
Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai also has some great dayhiking.
There are a handful of pics from my Kauai trip on my photo gallery here if you want an idea of how things look. But, they cannot begin to convey how jaw-dropping the scenery really is.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9652&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9651&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9649&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9647&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9645&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9643&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9642&c=665&userid=6242
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9641&c=665&userid=6242
Shutterbug
12-30-2005, 22:26
Don't miss Volcano National Park. Hiking out to where the lava is flowing was a great experience. I have never experienced anything quite like it.
Some have asked if I was concerned about accidentally stepping into the hot lava. It can't be done by accident because of the intense heat. It is so hot that if you get too close your eye lashes will curl up. We got within 3 or 4 feet, but could not have actually walked on the crust over the lava.
After we were there (Jan '05) a tourist got lost and spent three days wandering in the park before he was spotted by a helicopter. I can't imagine how he could have gotten lost. The lava flows down hill to the water. All one would have to do is follow the direction of the lava flow to reach the coast, then follow the coast to get back to a road.
Here is a link to the hike to hot lava:
http://www.naznet.com/mcclung/2005/day23/day23.html
This picture is of me and my wife with hot lava just to our left.
watching the lava flow past is DEFINITELY a unique experience. The best for us was going down to where it flows into the ocean after dark....you could see the entire side of the mountain covered in red lava and watch the steam as it hits the ocean. A lot of the lava that appears black during the day actually just has a thin crust over it and will appear red @ night. VERY cool.
My other 2 favorite things to do on the island were swimming with the green sea turtles on the big island (they were everywhere!) and watching the sunrise from the top of the crater on Haleakala.
I am starting to miss the incredible stars, the lull of the surf, the wild mangos falling like pinecones, swmming in the freshwater river pools in the rainforest....ok...i want to go back!!
Shutterbug
01-01-2006, 03:47
National Geographic Adventure Magazine has an article on "36 Amazing Island Adventures" in the Feb 2006 issue. My initial scan indicates that it could be good reference material for your trip.
RedneckRye
01-01-2006, 11:11
Hey all..
Thanks for the info. I also saw the Nat Geo a few days ago, but haven't had a chance to read it yet.
The Solemates
01-03-2006, 12:51
Aloha! Head for Kaua'i -- you can't beat the Kalalau Trail on the North End, past Hanalei. :clap
It starts at Ke'e Beach, and it's 11 miles in - I think you need to register for an overnight or longer trip. There are beaches and waterfalls along the way, and some of the most stupendous scenery you'll ever see overlooking the Na'Pali Coastline. Check it out! http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/NaPali/na_pali.htm
Sue
Having been to all 4 major islands, I second this. Kauai and the Kalalau Trail along the NaPali Coast takes the cake.