Kauai Hike – Moalepe Trail
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The Moalepe Trail on the East Side of Kauai has a gradual ascent and wonderful views of jagged green ridges, and a distant blue ocean. The trailhead is at the end of the pavement on Olohena Road. It begins as a red dirt right-of-way within the Wailua Game Management Area and leads you through pasturelands. Early into the hike there are ocean vistas, views of the Anahola Mountains and Kong, and close-up views of the Kamalii Ridge climbing into the Makaleha Mountains.
The trail enters the Halelea Forest Reserve after about a mile, while the Moalepe Stream winds its way through the valley on the north side of the trail. The Moalepe Trail narrows and becomes dense with foliage and gradually climbs up to the Kuilau Ridge. Along the way you will be rewarded with panoramas of lush, green canyons and ridges on one side of the trail, and views of Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) and the ocean behind it on the other side of the trail.
The Moalepe Trail is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system and is also popular with equestrians and mountain bikers. As with most interior hikes on Kauai, it can become muddy after extended rains, but you can also be treated to views of waterfalls. This hike ends at a wooden bridge which also marks the end of the Kuilau Trail and can be combined for a one-way shuttle hike.
Directions: From Kuhio Highway 56 turn up Kuamo’o Road 580 aprox. 2.75 miles, turn right onto Kamalua Road 581, go to the end and turn left on Olohena Road and continue to the yellow gate at the end of the pavement .
Length: 2.25 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 680 ft
Kauai Hike – Awa’awapuhi Trail
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The Awa’awapuhi Trail promises a trek through dense jungles, dry landscapes, and (weather permitting) incredible sweeping views of the Na Pali Coast. Found in Koke’e State Park this trail winds through a highland forest with occasional ridge top views. Different from most trails, it’s all downhill to the grassy point that overlooks the sheer cliffs of Awa’awapuhi and Nualolo valleys resting 2,500 feet below. The trail starts at an altitude of approximately 4,120 feet and ends at the lookout around 2,500 feet. And, you guessed it… it’s a consistent uphill incline on the way back.
The Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it. After the first mile-and-a-half the forest begins to dissipate and the barren terrain of Na Pali comes into view as you begin to get glimpses of the Awa’awapuhi Valley. At about the three mile mark you approach the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail. Continue straight ahead to the end of the trail and inspiring panoramas from a 2,500 foot perch and picnic area. Besides fellow hikers, you may run into a few mountain goats that like to cling to the steep slopes. Clouds permitting, you should get a breathtaking view of the luscious green Awa’awapuhi and Nualolo Valleys, leading out to the deep blue Pacific Ocean. It is the view of the folding spires of Na Pali that makes this trail so exceptional. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic, but be careful not venture too close to the edge since the ground may not be safe.
Directions: Take Hwy 550 up to Koke’e State Park. The trailhead is about 1.5 miles past the Koke’e Museum at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. You will see the Na Ala Hele sign shown at the beginning of the video.
Trail Length: 3.25 mi.
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 1180 ft
Kauai Hike – Nounou Mountain Trail (East)
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The Nounou Mountain Trail (East) climbs to the top of Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant) from ocean side (makai). The sleeping giant’s profile is easily seen from the coast near Kapa’a. This trail is a moderately steep walk through forested mountains with gorgeous views of the coastal areas surrounding Kapa’a, Makahela Mountain, and Mt. Waialeale.
Similar to the other trails up Sleeping Giant, it is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system, and wanders through the Nounou Mountain Forest Reserve. The trail begins with several switchbacks through a shady forest of ironwood, guava, lantana, and wild liliko’i. Along the way you are treated to stunning views of Kapa’a, Kalepa Ridge, Wailua Bay, and the Hoary Head Mountains.
At about 1.5 miles is the junction with the West trail on your right. Both trails lead to the left and soon to the picnic shelter and overlook. At this point you are on the giant’s chest where you can enjoy a picnic and amazing views of the Wailua river, the eastern coast of Kauai, and the interior of the island, but there are no facilities or water. The giant’s head is the only thing obstructing a panoramic view. If you are sure-footed, you can hike onward via a brief but very precarious trail onto the sleeping giant’s face. The trail is extremely narrow in parts with hundred foot drop offs at many points. Proceed with caution.
Directions: To access the East trailhead, heading north towards Kapaa, pass over the Wailua Bridge, pass the light at Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road), and take a left at the next light on Halelilio Road. You are now driving toward the mountain, and the parking area for the trailhead is paved and marked with the Na Ala Hele trail sign about 1 mile on your right.
Length: 1.75 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 1000 feet
Kauai Hike – Nounou Mountain Trail (West)
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The Nounou Mountain Trail (West) is one of the three trails that climb to the summit of Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant). The sleeping giant’s profile is easily seen from nearly anywhere along the coast surrounding Kapa’a. This trail is a moderately steep walk through forested mountains with excellent views of the Makaleha Mountains, Mount Waialeale, Wailua River, and the Coconut Coast.
All Sleeping Giant trails are part of the Na Ala Hele trail system and wander through the Nounou Mountain Forest Reserve. The West trail begins at a public access on Highway 581 at telephone pole #11. It starts along a grassy right-of-way, and then climbs up into the forest. This trail is tucked in the forest for a majority of the hike, passing through a large grove of Norfolk Pines on their way to the top. Just as you enter the stand of Norfolks, you will come to the Kuamoo Trail on the right. Veer left and continue your ascent.
Just before the top is the junction with the East Trail on your left. The hike continues to a picnic shelter and overlook. At this point you are on the giant’s chest where you can enjoy the amazing view and a picnic, but there are no facilities or water. The giant’s head is the only thing obstructing a panoramic view. If you are sure-footed, you can hike onward via a brief but very precarious trail onto the sleeping giant’s face. The trail is extremely narrow in parts with hundred foot drop offs at many points. Proceed with caution.
Directions: To access the West trailhead, take Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road) from Wailua for approximately 2.5 miles, and turn right at Kamalu Road (Hwy 581). The trailhead is another 1.5 miles on the right side of the road at telephone pole #11. You can also find a few parking spots at the end of Lokelani. Travel past pole #11 and take a right on Lokelani, and follow it to the end where you will see the Na Ala Hele trail sign.
Length: 1.5 mi.
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 800 feet
Kauai Hikes – Kuilau Trail
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This hike is one of the more beautiful foliage walks, following an old road turned trail that gently guides you up to a glorious view of the Makaleha Mountains. At the beginning of the path you’ll catch glimpses to the west of Kawaikini and Mt. Waialeale, the wettest place on earth. For the first part of the trail you are treated to a smorgasbord of native and non-native plants from guava to the hala tree. At roughly the one mile point is an excellent spot to take a break. This grassy plateau with impressive views offers a picnic table and a forest of ohia trees which often produce a bright red bloom. The panoramas extend west across the lush hillsides of shrubs, vines and trees, and beautiful valley to Mount Waialeale.
The trail picks up to the east and descends slightly into a narrow, twisting ridge with lush, tropical greenery. After a quick ascent you’ll be treated to a lovely view of Nonou Mountain (Sleeping Giant). 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. Just ahead is a beautiful veiw of Kapehua’ala, the highest peak of the Makaleha Mountains. The trail ends about 2.2 miles in at the Moalepe Trail. The total length of the two trails is 4.5 miles and is a popular bicycle and equestrian route.
Directions: To reach the trailhead take Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road) from Wailua for 7 miles until you reach Keahua Arboretum. There is a spillway across the road and parking for the Arboretum. The trail starts about 100 yards before the Arboretum.
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 700 feet
