Ana Silva October 12, 2019. It’s simply not a beginner’s trek, and preparedness is absolutely necessary. This website has information and media that will help you plan your outing to the secluded Kalalau Beach and/or Kalalau Valley. Would you only recommend this trail for young people? For Kalalau, you will need to bring the following with you on the airplane: None of this needs to be expensive, but you should have good quality equipment that fits well and that you’ve practiced packing, carrying, and using. Your email address will not be published. Ultimately, I was fine. June 16, 2015. Reviewed 22 March 2018 . 4 minutes read. We are in our upper 50’s, in relatively good shape, but have never backpacked before. First mile almost all up, 2nd mile all down. I’ll have to post the newer pictures and video sometime. They all have different rules about them. Looking forward to a return visit. Some people may not want to watch too much and keep the surprise and awe for their own hike. Powered by WordPress. I forgot my hat (mistake), and we both used a lot of sunscreen (for the exposed parts, mostly the last 5 miles of the trail). June 16, 2015. Booked a condo near the Makai golf course (about a 10-15 mile hike), got online for our permits and shuttle service. Gear: Tent, 2 sleeping pads, 2 sleeping pillows, 2 light/medium (normal) blankets, 1 queen sized fitted sheet (we put the 2 sleeping pads inside it). Beginner’s Honeymoon Trip Report By Kevin Krile. Prepare to dive from 5 to 15 feet below the ocean waters to view the ocean's unique sea life below. Misc: 2 LED light bulbs (from Amazon), tourniquet, sun screen (used less than 6oz of reef safe, only used about 8oz sun screen the whole trip) and bug spray, iphone for listening to audiobooks. This KalalauTrail.com website is primarily designed to provide general. how long is the “crallers conner”? Once you have borrowed, rented, or bought this equipment, you need practice carrying it long distances and using it. Jilly Ryan. See the post http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-trail-condition/ where there are photos. Then work your way up to 10 mile hikes with 30-lb packs. The footing is much better, not always flat, but all rock and 2 feet wide. If you come from the eastern or southern states, you may be more prepared for the humid weather. Take the hiking poles to give you more confidence. No dirt, good footing (not really climbing, still just hiking), just super exposed. On the Na Pali Coast: A Guide for Hikers and Boaters, http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-trail-condition/, Hiking boots and hiking poles (recommended when you have a heavy pack on your back), Shelter (usually a lightweight backpacking tent, but could also be a hammock with rain fly for each), Mats for insulation from the ground (if in tent). If anyone can help me with a name & phone number I could call I’d appreciate it. The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile trail that leads from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Nāpali Coast on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. ha. claudia03171958. - See 1,653 traveller reviews, 1,915 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. 31 queries in I think the biggest thing was not knowing where the end was. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. It’s not wise to post your address directly on the internet for scammers and spammers to find. Morning of, walked to the shuttle (earliest one at 7:30). The fear of heights (acrophobia) is going to be an issue you should consider before you make all this investment in time and equipment. Kalalau Trail Decal $ 9.99 $ 8.99 This KalalauTrail.com website is primarily designed to provide general Information about the Kalalau Trail and surrounding areas . This is a great day hike while staying at the beach. Finally reached the end around 9:45 (so coming out we averaged about 35-40 minutes per mile). The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s best hiking – but not everyone is experienced enough to complete the 22-mile Kalalau Trail, or the illegal and dangerous Stairway to Heaven.In fact, I only know a handful of people who could ever complete these hikes – and one of them runs marathons. Finally, if you feel all this preparation and training might keep you from backpacking to Kalalau, another option would be to hire a guide. I have a package to send him but lost his address. This time it was far easier, though my wife also had to go through some anxiety again. But you might want to watch the ones about the cliff section to see if you think you can handle the heights there (but of course, it is totally different in person without the distorting effect of the camera lens). I helped my Dad hike the Kalalau trail when he was 65, and there are plenty of people of all ages hiking in Kalalau. The Kalalau Trail is a trail along Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The side of the trail looks steep, but it’s not actually dangerous. - See 1,653 traveler reviews, 1,915 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. The guide should be able to provide most of the equipment, and then probably carry most of it so you only need a full day-pack instead of a backpack. We recommend taking the Alakai Swamp trail to the end of the boardwalk (which will feel like a lot further than it is) to the Kilohana lookout. As I mentioned, you should find a club or friends … how long does it take to complete that section? Napali-Coast, 22-Miles, extremely hard but a… Rebecca Riggins. You have 100 yards on packed dirt, more or less flat. I no longer recommend taking a stove to Kalalau because it can be a hassle to take on the airplane. After that, there was more exposure, but that’s when my wife started having trouble. I really lucked out. This video is of mine (The Boomer) and Lexie's (The Millennial) hike on the Kalalau Trail. Back from the Kalalau Trail (Kauai-Hawaii). The Kalalau Trail is one of the most beautiful and isolated trails in the world. 35 14. She was exhausted, and so she started panicking a bit, but we made it through okay. This place is magical. Share. It is all generally safe (but always exercise your own judgment based on actual trail conditions), but you might not be able to predict your fear-reaction, so the best you can do is to prepare yourself in similar situations. It is much better to go lighter and faster (and longer) all the way to Kalalau (or even to a trail-side stop if you don’t make it all the way). We thought about pressing through for the last 6 miles, but with no guaranteed ride home (and likely having to hike in the dark), we decided to camp there. 12 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Hawaii. This website has information and media that will help you plan your outing to the secluded Kalalau Beach and/or Kalalau Valley. Bugs were pretty bad, but not the worst I’ve ever seen (Boundary Waters in Northern MN was far worse). For guided hikes, I always recommend Eric at Hike Kaua’i With Me (he has a facebook page too). Not for beginners or acrophobes! Normal tennis shoes. Kalalau | Hiking the Kalalau Trail | HD with Drone Footage, First 2-miles of the Kalalau Trail to reopen with requirements. Since you’re usually going for 3-4 days, it’s not an ordeal to eat cold foods. Hi Doug. I think it was overkill, but I was glad I brought them. Having never backpacked before, you need some equipment and skills. Thank you. Basic info: I’m athletic in my late 20s, little to no hiking experience but lots of conditioning. You don’t want this unfamiliar trail in an unfamiliar climate to be a surprise and a huge challenge to your abilities. At about mile 7 we hit crawler’s ledge… not my favorite. The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile trail that leads from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Nāpali Coast on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Here are some things to know about the trail as well as some advice to use while planning. Route. Whoa. – Then you turn at the back of the gully and you’re on the narrow part. Eventually, I would like to implement an “Ask me about Kaua’i” button, but email works in the meantime. If done again, we’d take a hammock instead. This is also an excellent place to replenish drinking water before returning to Kalalau Beach. The second mile is a steep downhill walk to the beach. As I mentioned, you should find a club or friends who backpack to help you learn about preparing, packing, hiking and camping safely. #PraiseGod! Arrived at 8:05, started hiking the trail at 8:20am (there’s a half mile hike to the trail head). Because you say you’ve never been backpacking, you need to start light and go for a short distance for a single night. There is a trail that follows the stream up into the valley where there are several swimming holes to enjoy, including one with a rope swing. In fact, given that experience comes with age, you see lots of old backpackers on trails all over the country. Lightweight sleep sack (you don’t need the heavier sleeping bag that’s necessary the mainland, so unless you can afford a down bag, a separate fleece sleep sack is lighter and smaller to pack). We also didn’t know what to expect – on the way in, it felt like 300 meters. I’ve mentioned this before: feel free to send me questions, my email is andy (a) great(dash)hikes (d o t) c o m. It used to be on this website, but I had to take it down due to spam. If you do want hot foods and are willing to deal with the extra weight, you need to determine if you can take it on your airline (before you buy tickets) and under what conditions, and then buy the gas on Kaua’i. We ate almost all the food we took! Waipo’o Falls Trail is a great way to experience the Waimea Canyon on one of the best easy hikes on Kauai. Left at 7:30 on the dot, maybe 10 people with us (all day hikers), maybe 5 open seats or so. No hot food nor camp stove (we did see a ton of leftover fuel (like 3-5 containers, both at Hanakoa and Kalalau) on the free tables, though), Water: I wanted to be cautious, so we took 1 1-L bottle, 4 750ml bottles, and a sawyer filter (with it’s 750ml bag). Also, apparently Mark Zuckerberg was on the trail when we were (we saw his pictures), but we didn’t see/recognize him. Hiking the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach and Falls. On arrival, stopped at Costco and got food (dried mangos, peanut bars, protein bars, and the nut cube things). Here is an informative tour with helpful captions, of the Kalalau trail, Kauai Hawaii. It is now on my bucket list. We also saw significantly less people after the 2 mile part – maybe 5 people heading towards the trailhead, and no one passing us (and we didn’t pass any). Very few stairs, as such; lots of scrambling over slippery rocks up a very steep, narrow trail, … #ThankYouLord! Here’s a rough description: – First there are 100 yards of downhill trail crossing a rocky and gravelly slope (foreground in the main pic). I had a 50L camping backpack, she had a 30-40L backpack (normal school backpack size), though hers also had a strap to clip between the shoulder straps to hold them together. Printed from: http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-for-beginners/. Other sections of the trail aren’t so bad, but there are erosion and overgrowth right next to steep and long slopes that go very far down to the ocean. Kalalau Trail, Kauai : consultez 1 653 avis, articles et 1 915 photos de Kalalau Trail, classée n°12 sur 253 activités à Kauai sur Tripadvisor. Food from Costco: Dried mangoes (at half the bag), the nut medley formed into cubes (ate the whole bag), the peanut bars with peanut butter stuff on the bottom (ate maybe 12), protein bars (ate maybe 8), Welch’s fruit snacks (ate maybe 6). I don’t know if it can be overcome, but perhaps with experience and habit, you can manage it. Rugged, rugged, rugged. Luckily we were only 20 minutes away, so we made it and set up camp at around 6:30 or 7:00 (so the 11 mile hike took us 11 hours or so). My wife was already a bit tired, but not too bad. A lot of other skills such as route-finding (or just following the trail), weather prediction, staying warm, knowing first aid, and just staying safe in general are the same as with day-hiking, though usually require a bit more thought and effort in order to extend over the several days of a typical back-packing trip. Absolutely – my wife is incredible. This guide will cover the easiest part of the famous NaPali Coast trail. Last time I went in 2012, I took a video of the whole 100+150 yards, and it took less than 5 minutes with pauses and commentary. Pack a lot of water and sunscreen. Join us for two days on the Kalalau Trail and a full day in Kalalau Valley on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. – At the end, there are 50 yards on a rock balcony next to a not-quite-vertical drop-off. Next day, we went back to the waterfall to shower, then packed up camp and left around 10:00 am to hike back to Hanakoa. There’s a stream almost every mile, we never came close to running out of water. Hiking is not for beginners. :)#GodIsGood! Worth it, even just for 2 nights and on a honeymoon? Tags. A competent guide can essentially give you the training you need, right on the trail. Learn how your comment data is processed. Decided to keep going, even though we both were pretty tired. Without a doubt hiking the 22 mile roundtrip Kalalau Trail in Kauai leaves an impression unlike any other. We got to Hanakapiai beach around 9:45, but ended up staying there about 30 minutes (it took a while to find a good place to cross – I jumped the rocks, but my wife went to the beach, took her shoes off and crossed there). Hopefully there is a hiking club near where you live that you can join and learn about backpacking skills. The worst is the cliff section at about 6.5 miles where there is a passage on a narrow dirt trail, and then a rock balcony with a real drop-off. E-mail ( Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is only the easy part of the trail, just to the beach. You don’t want this unfamiliar trail in an unfamiliar climate to be a surprise and a huge challenge to your abilities. I try to answer all emails, and if it has a wide appeal, I’ll just publish the answer here. You still need to be able to do 2 long and difficult 11-mile full-day hikes, deal with the humidity, and overcome your fear of heights. The Kalalau Trail, along the Napali Coast on Kauai, Hawaii What we found in the valley was a complete surprise and the story of a lifetime. Backpacking is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Kaua’i, the mainland, and all over the world. I think the bare minimum would be 2 liters with a filter, but to be safe bring 2.5-3L…. The Kalalau Trail is one of the most dangerous trails there is at it’s full length of 11 miles. Finally, towards the end of the trail, we hit a creek again and she fell in (that shocked her as well). The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile trail that leads from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Nāpali Coast on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Thank ConnoisseurCharlotte . Ask ConnoisseurCharlotte about Kalalau Trail. Hi Ron, it’s longer than that, mabye 150 yards altogether, but with different conditions along the way. The Kalalau trail has over 2500 feet of elevation gain over 11 miles. The start of the Pihea Trail skirts the back of Kalalau Valley offering views into the valley that are incredible. 2 hop ons came with us. The Kalalau Trail is in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park which is part of the Hawaii State Parks system. But she pressed through (praying the entire time we hiked back those 5 miles), and we made it back to Hanakoa around maybe 2:30pm. In some places, the trail is eroded or sloping sideways, but the dirt is not particularly slippery when dry and it’s passable. My wife is mid 20s, little hiking experience, little to no conditioning (did an elliptical 3-4 times a week for 3-4 weeks for about 30 minutes a time). Kalalau Valley Trail – Mile 11 4 miles round trip The Kalalau Valley is at mile 11, just before arriving at Kalalau Beach. Kalalau Trail: What to bring on the short day hike - See 1,653 traveler reviews, 1,915 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. Also, what is the best way to overcome a possible fear of exposure on the cliff sections? We hiked the trail to Hanakapai Falls and are contemplating trying the whole 11 miles to Kalalau Beach. We were planning to head up North early on the Friday of that week to attempt the first 2 miles of Kalalau as I never did this before. We also brought a tarp that ended up being useless (it wasn’t wet where we camped). All participates will be supplied with a Sea Scooter, dry top snorkeling tube, mask, and adjustable fins. We also had a few leftover Ritz cracker sleeves. Any suggestions other than “don’t do it”? There is also the issue of sleeping outdoors in a tent or hammock—some people have no problem with it, others will put up with it to be in Kalalau, and yet others just aren’t comfortable with it. The trail can be a little steep in some sections but is suitable for all ages who are in moderate level physical shape. Hit the trail by 5:30, and hiked the first portion in the dark/dawn for about an hour before I could turn my headlight off. We also had sandals for the beach and for after. Such beautiful scenery and met some truly wonderful people on the trail! And it is probably expensive, but it may be a good way for you to “do” Kalalau, and you’d also be learning backpacking skills that would help you go other places on your own. The Kalalau Trail is in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park which is part of the Hawaii State Parks system. You can do it in 3 minutes and still taking your time to step carefully. I’m trying to get in touch with anyone on Kauai that can give me a mailing address for Alakai, [a local who hikes a lot in Kalalau]. You must be prepared to drink more, stay cool, and avoid over-exertion. Kalalau Trail: Difficult 4 mile hike but worth it! 8 en parlent. 9:53 pm and is filed under. If you want to hike the Kalalau Trail in 2020, read this! It’s left such an impression on Gourmet Girl Lindsey Moran, that she’s returned twice since her first time hiking the trail in 2006. It might also be an activity that helps you conquer your fear of heights. This is essentially the last of the switchbacks down that slope. The Kalalau trail does have some areas that I imagine will trigger a response in people who have fear of heights to some degree. Next 4 miles weren’t too bad, a lot of up and down, but almost all covered. Janis sent me a question, and I think the answer may interest a lot of people: My husband and I just returned from a trip to Kauai and we just loved everything about it. Arrived at Hanakoa around 2pm (for those counting, that’s about a mile an hour). 0.290 seconds. The trail has been named one of the most beautiful, and dangerous, hikes of the United States. The one difference I have found between backpacking in Hawaii and the mountains of California is the humidity. Next month will be my 40 trip back to Kalalau on the Na Pali trail. Matt Knust April 21, 2017. Ithaca, New York. The Kalalau Trail has 3 main landmarks / stopping points / segments: Trailhead to Hanakapi’ai Beach (Mile 0-2) A popular day hike suitable for any level hiker, this segment of the trail is slippery and muddy (particularly in winter). Because you say you’ve never been backpacking, you need to start light and go for a short distance for a single night. Last day we got up at 4:00am and packed up the tent in the dark (I had a headlight). Practice setting up camp and making your water and food. Da Krack afterwards was also incredible. October 1, 2019. Water filter and purifier rated to remove, Lightweight hiking clothes (breathable synthetic fabrics), Kalalau map (though it is easier to buy on Kaua’i, see links below). For Kalalau, you can stop at the 6-mile marker, but I actually don’t recommend it because it is a wet and muddy spot. My wife is mid 20s, little hiking experience, little to no conditioning (did an elliptical 3-4 times a week for 3-4 weeks for about 30 minutes a time). The Kalalau trail has over 2500 feet of elevation gain over 11 miles. However, by your own admission, I’m not sure you have all the experience to tackle the Kalalau trail yet. This website has information and media that will help you plan your outing to the secluded Kalalau Beach and/or Kalalau Valley. Copyright 2021 . Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Share via Email Print. Both wore athletic dry fit shirts, she wore athletic shorts and I wore khakis (recommended for the many pockets). I took the freedom of editing your comment to remove some details and obfuscate your email address. Janis, I think backpacking in general is not a question of age but of experience. Since you’ve already considered this, I’m going to assume you’re not in the last category. Shuttle came about half an hour later, and it was just my wife, me, and another guy riding back. P.S. At 22 miles long round-trip, this trail is definitely no joke. Best of luck, Janis, whatever you decide. Related Articles. Kalalau Trail: not for beginner hikers! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The trail is well maintained and the out and back can be completed in under 2 hours. Crawler's Ledge drone kalalau. Not having such fears myself, I may be way off base here, but there may be mind-calming techniques such as meditation or affirmations you could look into. Hiking the Kalalau Trail should not be a last minute decision, especially when planning to hike the trail in its entirety. Originally we were going to do the extra hike to the falls, but decided we’d try to make it all 11 in the first day (GOOD decision). The trail runs approximately 11 miles (18 km) along the island's north shore from Keʻe Beach to the Kalalau Valley. June 2017Thanks for watching!God bless! Nor do I don’t know if traditional psychologists can help, if you feel it is really blocking you. It sounds like you have a good fitness level, so I think with some equipment and training, you could do it in a year or two. We definitely had to stop and take mini breaks, the farther we went the more frequent. Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 at No hiking poles (my wife wishes she had some though). 50 yards? Sometimes you can rent or borrow their equipment first, until you buy your own. Most people do the trail over the course of several days, and a special permit is required to access the trail and camp. This entry was posted on Rebecca Riggins . The Kalalau Trail is in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park which is part of the Hawaii State Parks system. The trail dives into the Alakai Swamp, and eventually intersects the Alakai Swamp Trail. Backpacking and adventuring at its finest. Feel free to ask additional questions, and let me know when you get to Kalalau. Basic info: I’m athletic in my late 20s, little to no hiking experience but lots of conditioning. Set up the tent, went to the waterfall, and fell asleep. On the way out (2 days later), it felt like 50 meters. R755 theme designed by varometro. It’s long but doable in one shot if you’re in somewhat in shape and hike. - See 1,653 traveler reviews, 1,915 candid photos, and great deals for Kauai, HI, at Tripadvisor. When I went in Aug the trail was dry and it only rained a bit on the way out. They have to keep this section open otherwise the whole trail is impassible. So before you do the backpacking training, you may want to do “height training.” Find trails that require you to be near cliff edges, and see how you can deal with it. Answer 1 of 10: We are coming to Kauai on Sep. 5th staying in Poipu for the First Time! Some of it can be rented on Kaua’i at the backpacking stores, but I really think that bringing an extra suitcase or pack as luggages is a small price to pay for having your own trusted equipment with you. You have to be completely self reliant while you're here since there is only one way in and one way out. When a Storm Hits. My email address is: douglasklein (at) hawaii (dot) rr (dot) com Kalalau Trail: Good but its NOT a beginner trail. You can find information on how to obtain Permits , Health & Safety concerns on the trail, Hunting & … We went to Maui for 4 days for the start of our honeymoon, then arrived on Kauai (yes, we are a little crazy for doing the trail on our honeymoon)! She has every intention of making the journey many more times to come. Required fields are marked *. Here are the most relevant articles I’ve posted, to cover some of what I mention above: There are now tons of videos of the Kalalau trail on YouTube. Using our unique Sea Scooter allows you to see more of the reef than with traditional swimming. Start taking a larger pack on these cliff hikes to get a feel for the weight and balance near the edge. It was a bit windy, though the wind was pushing us towards the cliff. Clothes: 2 changes of clothes. Here’s her story, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do! On of the hardest Hikes in my live. Provided to KalalauTrail.com by Kevin Krile, Your email address will not be published. I think I could possibly have a problem, but I really want to overcome my fear and do this hike. It includes everything you need to know about the Kalalau Trail – hiking the first 2 miles. Jilly Ryan. Practice setting up camp and making your water and food. That was from 2007, but the photos I have from my 2012 trip are nearly identical. required, never displayed). The rock wall next to the trail is not vertical, so you don’t feel like you’re being pushed off the trail.