Hiking the Kalalau Trail from Ke’e to Hanakai’ai Beach is one of the top things to do in Kauai. This 4 mile roundtrip hike will leave you awestruck. Let’s explore the Kalalau Trail.
The Kalalau Trail
The entire Kalalau Trail is 11 miles, meandering through lush valleys and along towering sea cliffs. The trail starts at sea level at Ke’e Beach, climbing to 1,400 feet elevation in parts before ending back at sea level at Kalalau Beach.
What Time To Go:
Most people do not do the whole 11 mile hike to Kalalau Beach, as you have to have a separate permit for that hike. (See below for more details on required permits.) The majority of visitors hike 2 miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach, then turn back around, making it a 4 mile roundtrip hike. You can also hike an extra 2 miles, without a permit, from Hanakapi’ai Beach to the Hanakai’ai Falls waterfall.
The hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach will take about 4 hours roundtrip. If you plan to hike to the waterfall, you will add on 2 more hours. Those wanting to hike to the waterfall should get early morning shuttle reservations in order to have enough time to get back by the last return shuttle.
Permits required to hike the kalalau trail
Shuttle Reservations Required to Access Kalalau Trail
In order to access the trailhead for the Kalalau Trail, you will need parking or shuttle reservations. These reservations must be purchased 30 days in advance at exactly 12:00am Hawaiian Standard Time. (HST). For those on the East Coast, that is at 6:00am EST. The tickets sell out within minutes, so be sure to log on to gohaena.com a few minutes before the release time and start hitting the refresh button until they pop up on the screen. Click here for more information about shuttle and parking reservations.
There are 3 options for reservations:
1. Entry Only: For residents of Hawaii with a valid Hawaii drivers license, the Entry Only pass does not include parking. In this scenario, you would be dropped off by a resident in their vehicle and picked back up later by that same person.
2. Parking & Entry: This has the most limited availability and usually sells out within one minute. Parking & Entry gives you a parking pass for the very small parking lot at Ke’e Beach. In this scenario, you would drive straight to Ke’e Beach, park and start your hike from there. This is the best case scenario because you don’t have to abide by shuttle return times and can access beach items from your car if you choose to spend time at Ke’e Beach after the hike. This option is also the most difficult to get.
3. Shuttle & Entry: This is the most available option and what you will likely end up with. In this scenario, you park at a shuttle parking lot and board the shuttle at your reserved time. The shuttle takes you to the trailhead for the Kalalau Trail at Ke’e Beach, where you will begin your hike. When you finish your hike, you will board the shuttle at the designated return times to take you back to your car.
Tips: Be sure to print or download your tickets once you receive them in the email. There is no cell service once you reach the shuttle parking lot. Also, plan to arrive early! If you miss your shuttle time, you will have to wait standby and hope another shuttle has a no-show. There is no guarantee you will make it on another shuttle, so leave yourself plenty of time to get there.
Camping Permits Required Past Hanakapi’ai, Even For A Day Hike
If you plan to camp overnight, you may not leave your car overnight at the shuttle parking lot. You can purchase overnight parking reservations here, or make arrangements to be dropped off and picked up.
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What to Know Before You Go
The Kalalau Trail, while gorgeous, can be dangerous in parts. You need to make proper preparations to ensure your safety.
1. Wear Hiking Boots
2. Bring Hiking Poles
3. Pack Plenty of Water & Snacks
If you are hiking the 4 mile roundtrip hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach, you will want to make sure that you have at least 40 oz of water per person. We used the 40 oz Hydro Flask with straw lid when we hiked the 4 mile roundtrip hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach. We love the Hydro Flask because it keeps ice cold for up to 24 hours! You will also want to pack plenty of healthy snacks such as trail mix, apples, power bars, etc. You could also pack a lunch to eat once you arrive at the beach.
4. Bring a Lightweight Towel
5. Waterproof Hiking Sandals
6. Lightweight Backpack
7. Pack a Lightweight Rain Coat
8. Do Not Swim at Hanakapi’ai Beach
Too many people show up to the beach that is 2 miles into the hike, in their swimsuits ready for a swim. This is not a safe beach to swim in. Rogue waves are known to come all the way up onto the beach. Click here to read about a rogue wave incident at Hanakapi’ai Beach.
Hiking from Ke’e Beach To Hanakapi’ai Beach
Shuttle Ride
You can hike the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, From Ke’e Beach to Hanakapi’ai Beach, with no camping permit needed. Once you have parked at the Waipa’ Park and Ride, you will hop on the shuttle at your designated time, and make your way to Ke’e Beach. The shuttle ride is scenic. Most of the scenery, as well as the beaches, will be on the right side of the shuttle, so if you can get a seat on that side, you will have the best views out of your shuttle window. On the return trip, you will want to be on the left side of the shuttle.
Taro Fields To Trail Head & Ke’e Beach
From the shuttle stop, you will walk on a boardwalk through beautiful Taro fields with mountains on either side. This will take you to the restroom building for a last chance bathroom visit before starting the hike.
From the bathroom building at the Taro Fields, the Trail Head is just off to the right of the building. There will be a sign that says Ke’e Beach to the right and Kalalau Trail straight ahead. You will see the Kalalau Trail sign, as well as the Na Pali Coast State Park sign.
Kalalau Trail Head to Ke’e Beach Overlook
Once you start off from the trail head, you immediately begin climbing slippery rocks. Hiking poles are helpful from the the beginning! From this starting point, you are walking through lush forest.
After only a quarter mile in from the trail head, you will get your first glimpses of the coastline. This view looks down and back at Ke’e Beach.
Ke’e Beach Overlook to Na Pali Coast Overlook
After the Ke’e Beach overlook, you will walk another 1/4 mile to the Na Pali Coast overlook. This is a beautiful view of the rolling mountains of the Na Pali Coast. It is pretty windy at this overlook, so hold on to your hats!
From here, you go back into the lush forest. To age myself, I felt like I was in an episode of Land of the Lost. The lush tropical forest surrounded by jagged peaks was just out of this world. The kids said they felt like it was a scene from Jurassic Park.
Overlooks to Hanakapi’ai Beach
Just before the 2 mile marker, you will cross two streams. If the stream is low and you are wearing waterproof hiking boots, you can make it across without getting your feet wet. However, if the stream is high, you will want to change into the waterproof hiking sandals that you packed in your backpack. Keep your hiking boots dry for your return trip!
After crossing the stream, you will see the beach ahead, but you have to climb over some rocks to get to the beach.
There is a cave on the northern side of the beach-if the water is not high, you can walk over to the cave. Remember, rogue waves can completely cover this rocky beach area–use your best judgment.
Hanakapi’ai Beach to Hanakapi’ai Falls
From the beach, you can walk to the Hanakapi’ai Falls without a permit. These falls are another 2 mile hike from the beach. If you hike all the way to the falls, that will be an 8 mile round trip hike in total. We did not hike to the falls, but the pictures are gorgeous!
Final Thoughts
This hike–even a small portion of it–is a must-do hike in Kauai. Being able to walk inside the Na Pali Coast is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
If you are not avid hikers, just walk the 1/2 mile to the Na Pali Coast overlook and back. This one mile roundtrip hike will give you some breathtaking views on a short hike.
This hike is difficult, it is rocky and muddy, but the sights are truly worth the effort. If you go prepared with hiking boots, hiking poles, plenty of water, snacks, water shoes and a raincoat, it will be one of the most amazing hikes you will ever do!
Watch our YouTube video on the Kalalau Trail hike.
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Great pics and video to make it seem like I’m right there with you.
Thank you so much!