Hanakapiai Falls Hike in Kauai
The Hanakapiai Falls hike was one of our most rewarding and visually stunning experiences in Kauai. This in-and-out trail winds through lush rainforest and offers dramatic views of the Na Pali Coast before arriving at the cascading 300-foot waterfall.
The hike is physically challenging, but even if you don’t go all the way to the waterfall, the first 2 miles of the trail offer stunning views of the coastline and a journey to the rugged Hanakapi’ai Beach.
Also, the trailhead begins at Ke’e Beach, one of the most serene and peaceful beaches on the island!
>>> A permit is now required to gain access to the trail which can be obtained here up to 90 days before your hike.
Trail Information
>>> Check out our post on the best hikes of Kauai
The hike to the falls is 8 miles round trip and takes around 4-6 hours to complete. It took us about 6 hours, but we also spent half an hour each at Hanakapi’ai Falls and Hanakapi’ai Beach taking photos. It was also raining off and on, and very muddy, which slowed us down.
The trail is challenging and requires a bit of physical fitness, but the breathtaking views along the way are worth the effort. There are some exposed areas on one side early on, but the trail is wide, presenting little danger.
The total elevation gain is 800 feet from the start of the trail at Ke’e Beach.
Below is a short video with some GoPro footage from the hike to give you an idea of what to expect:
Preparing for the Hike
We did this hike in mid-March while Kauai was at the tail end of its rainy season. We had to delay our hike one day because the only road leading to Ke’e Beach (where the trail begins) flooded during heavy rain, so be sure to check the weather before heading out. The trail will get very muddy and slippery, so if there is a downpour, it may be best to plan for another day.
You will want proper trail shoes or hiking boots on this trail, especially if it’s muddy. Even the aggressive treads of our trail shoes became easily clogged with mud.
Also, be aware there is a stream you will need to cross, so we highly recommend shoes or boots that can drain easily. You could wear waterproof hiking boots, but you may still find water coming over the top of the boots when crossing the stream.
How to Get to the Kalalau Trailhead
The hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls is along the world-famous Kalalau Trail. The trailhead is at the end of Hwy 560 East on the north shore of Kauai near Ke’e Beach. It’s important to arrive early, as the parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak season. If the parking lot is full additional parking is available at nearby beaches; however, you will need to walk a bit further to reach the trailhead.
>>> Directions to Kalalau Trailhead
Hiking to Hanakapi’ai Falls
The first couple of miles take you along a well-defined trail. You will likely pass several other hikers, many of whom will only journey a short distance to snag a view of the Na Pali coastline before turning back.
Before the trail turns inland towards Hanakapi’ai Falls, you will pass by Hanakapi’ai Beach. We stopped here briefly to witness the waves crashing into the cliffs on the left side of the beach but did not get into the water since the waves were far too rough along the rocky coastline to swim in safely. We did make a couple of feline friends at the beach though!
>>> Check our top 42 things to do on Kauai!
After giving the cats a petting we found our way back to the trail and crossed a stream before getting deeper into the jungle terrain. This is where the trail becomes narrow and less populated. Here is where you also begin to lose the view of the coast as you enter some dense jungle cover.
Be careful along this part of the trail as we lost the trail at one point and had to backtrack. Other than this one hiccup, the trail was fairly easy to follow to the falls.
Reaching Hanakapiai Falls
You will spot the waterfall from a distance first. From here it will only be another 15 or 20 minutes to arrive.
Once there, you will see that photos truly do not do justice. The power of so much water falling into the pool below is something one can only appreciate in person. The pool at the base of the fall is deep enough for swimming, and the water is crystal clear but also cold! Amazing!
It’s the perfect place to cool off and take in the waterfall’s beauty, but exercise caution on the slippery rocks. You may also want to put on a waterproof layer around the waterfall as the mist it kicks up can get chilly once you cool down from the hike. We were already wet from the off-and-on rain throughout the hike so we were fine.
As mentioned before, this hike is an in-and-out hike, going in and back out the exact way you came. The return is pretty much all downhill but caution must still be exercised, especially on tired legs. Jessica turned her ankle with about a mile left in the hike, so don’t rush your return!
Ke’e Beach – Unwinding After the Hike
After arriving back at the trailhead, we relaxed for a beautiful sunset on Ke’e Beach. In our opinion, Ke’e Beach is the most beautiful beach on Kauai, with its views down the Na Pali Coast and green moss-covered rocks near the water.
Check Out Our Other Kauai Guides!
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Ultimate 3-Day Kauai Itinerary
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