We hiked the first few miles of the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast of Kauai this past week and I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done. The full trail is 22 miles round-trip but you have to purchase a permit several months in advance in order to camp overnight.
We hiked through muddy terrain for two miles at a private beach where we relaxed alongside balancing stones & large waves in the middle of the Hawaiian rain forest. There’s a waterfall a few more miles in but we didn’t have time to do it before nightfall. So if you do plan on hiking to the waterfall, start out in the morning and pack a lunch. Also – make sure to hike back to the first lookout near the beginning of the trail for one of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever encounter (see proof in the photos below). Note: I say the first lookout because the trail would be very hard to navigate after dark and there is no cell phone service. Perhaps bring a flash light if you plan to stay until sunset.
The hike isn’t too difficult – sure there are a lot of steep hills and inclines made much more challenging by fresh mud and water pools but overall it was such an incredible experience and well worth it. A lot of people on the trail had walking poles and sticks – something to consider if you’re nervous about the condition of the trail. We also made it a wee bit tougher on ourselves by carrying along three cameras & a gimbal. Welcome to the life of filmmakers / photographers…
If you want to see more photos from our trip, feel free to follow me on Instagram: @EatCreateTravel
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