An Epic Guide to the Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Loop Hike
For one of the most epic hikes you can do in Kauai, head to Koke’e State Park and hike the Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trails. These two hikes can be done separately or in a loop for an amazing day trip. By using a connector trail in between the two, you can experience some of the best views of the Nāpali Coast on both trails.
This loop trail is very strenuous and can be overgrown in some parts. It can also be very muddy if wet, so be sure to hike safely. Get the details below on what to expect on this epic loop hike overlooking the Nāpali Coast.
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Things to Know
Reservations are NOT required to visit Koke’e State Park; however, there are entry and parking fees once you arrive at the parking areas.
- The cost of visiting Koke’e State Park is:
- $5.00/person entrance fee if you are not a Hawaiian resident (children 3 and under are free).
- $10.00/car parking fee at any of the lots within Koke’e State Park/Waimea Canyon State Park.
- Parking and entrance fee costs can be paid at on-site kiosks located at the park entrance and major lookout points. Bring your credit card!
- The road to Koke’e State Park is long, winding, steep, and narrow in some locations. It is a 1-hour drive from Poipu and a 2-hour drive from Princeville. Be aware that some of the roads are rough and may have large potholes, so please slow down!
- Parts of the trail may be overgrown, so be prepared with the proper hiking gear and long pants as needed.
- You may or may not need bug spray while hiking here. We recommend bringing some just in case. Get our favorite here!
Safety and Weather in Koke’e State Park
- Cell phone service might be spotty in this area of Kauai, and emergency services are limited.
- Gas and Food: There are NO gas services up in the mountains of Koke’e State Park & Waimea Canyon. The closest gas station is in Waimea. There are nice food options at Koke’e Lodge, including delicious farm-to-table meals and drinks. Check out their website for more information!
- Restrooms: There are restrooms located at Koke’e Lodge.
- Water: Get our favorite water bladder here and ditch those plastic water bottles!
🌺 Whenever you visit Kauai, please practice mālama by showing care and respect for others, supporting local businesses, and protecting the environment by refraining from littering. Keep Kauai pristine and pick up any trash you encounter. Take the time to learn about Hawaiian culture and spread kindness by paying it forward.
Koke’e State Park
Drive to Waimea, turn onto Waimea Canyon Drive, and head toward the Koke’e Lodge. There are a few places to stop along this drive into the park, including multiple lookout points and the red dirt waterfall. Check out the overlooks as time allows!
Then, stop at Koke’e Lodge to pay the entrance and parking fees before driving to the Awa’awapuhi Trailhead to park your car. During our trip here, there was no kiosk to pay in this lot. The trailhead parking is located about 1.7 miles past the Koke’e Lodge, around mile marker 17.
🌴 Looking for an easier hike in Kauai? We’ve got you covered! Check out the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.
We recommend parking here so that once you finish the hike, you’ll end up back at your car. However, parking here will require you to hike along the road about 2 miles to the Nu’alolo Trail to start this loop hike. This part of the hike along the road isn’t great, but you’ll get the most boring part of the hike over with first!
Alternatively, you can also park at the Nu’alolo Trailhead before Koke’e Lodge, or at the lodge itself. It just depends on where you want to finish the hike. Either way, when completing this hike as a loop, you’ll have to use the road at some point.
Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trail Loop – 10-11 miles – strenuous, 2,200+ foot gain
Get ready for one of our favorite hikes in Kauai! Starting at the Awa’awapuhi Trail parking lot along Koke’e Road, hike back toward the Koke’e Lodge about 1.7 miles. As you hike along the road, be on the lookout for traffic, as there are a few blind curves.
Take a pit stop at the Koke’e Lodge and use the restroom before walking another 0.2 miles to the Nu’alolo Trailhead. This is where your hike into the amazing cliffs begins, and it’s all downhill to start. Just remember, you’ll be hiking back up at the end of the hike, so save some energy!
Before setting out on this epic loop hike, it’s best to check AllTrails or speak with one of the park rangers to make sure conditions are clear on these trails.
🌴 Don’t miss hiking in Waimea Canyon State Park, too. Get all the details you need on the best hike to complete here!
Nu’alolo Trail – 3-4 miles
First up is the Nu’alolo Trail, which will take you down into the cliffs of Kauai with outstanding views of the Nāpali Coast. The first section of the trail heads through the forest with little to no views. The elevation drops about 1,400 feet in the first mile, so you can really get moving on the way down.
Depending on weather conditions, the trail may be super wet, muddy, and slippery. If it has not rained, the trail could also be dry and dusty. After about 2.5 miles, the Nu’alolo Trail becomes steeper as you approach the junction with the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail at about 3 miles.
At this point, we recommend continuing on the Nu’alolo Trail for a little while longer as the views really open up! It’s truly an amazing spot! The striking contrast between the blue ocean and the brown and green cliffs is breathtaking! You’ll spot plenty of gorgeous flowering ʻŌhiʻa here.
There is an option to keep hiking on this trail for another mile or so, but we only hiked down about a half mile and turned around. Once you have enjoyed the views on the Nu’alolo Trail, return to the trail junction and turn onto the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail.
Nu’alolo Cliff Trail – 1.8 miles
Next up is the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail. Let’s be real here, this trail doesn’t have the best views and mostly travels through the forest. The trail can really be overgrown here, so be sure to watch your footing as you hike.
Be prepared for spiderwebs, too! I even lost my footing at one point and flew forward into the dirt. I was fine except for a road-rash (trail rash? 😂) like injury to my knee. Be careful!
The first mile of this trail is fairly steep, but leveled out during the second half. As you hike along the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail, there are a few spots with amazing overlooks. Be very careful on this trail as there are steep drop-offs in some sections!
Eventually, you will reach the junction with the Awa’awapuhi Trail after hiking about 2 miles.
➡️ Check out some amazing helicopter tours and snorkeling excursions you can do in Kauai!
Awa’awapuhi Trail – 3 miles
Next, make a left at the junction to reach the Awa’awapuhi Trail Overlook after 0.3 miles. It is stunning! You might also get to share your visit here with some of the local chickens.
This is a great spot to rest and eat lunch or have a snack. Don’t forget to NOT feed the chickens as they’ll probably be waiting for you to do so. Be sure to spend some time here enjoying the views and resting. You’ll need all the energy you can get because it’s uphill from here to the end.
Hike Awa’awapuhi Trail Up and Out – 3 miles
Finally, it’s time to hike up and out along the Awa’awapuhi Trail. As you hike up, there are still a few areas along the trail with great views, so be sure to turn around and enjoy them before you head into the dense forest.
The hike from the Awa’awapuhi Trail Overlook to the parking lot is about 1,600 feet over 3 miles. The elevation gain is fairly steady, but there are a few sections that are steeper than others. Take your time, knowing that once you reach the parking lot, you have completed the hike if you parked your car here!
Take An Open Door Helicopter Tour: Kauai
Maybe you only want to complete one of these hikes? Or maybe you are looking for an epic helicopter tour? Here are some options for an open door helicopter tour in Kauai!
- Hughes 500 4-Passenger Doors-Off Helicopters – top-rated and likely to sell out! Take to the skies for nearly an hour, flying above lush canyons, wild cliffs, and the wettest spot on Earth.
- Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour – Soar over the island’s diverse terrain, from rain-soaked Mt. Waialeale and the waterfalls of Waiapuna to the dry red ravine of Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking Nāpali Coast.
- Doors Off Adventure – recommended by travelers! Pick between morning and afternoon departure times, head to the Lihue Airport, and take to the skies!
Other Things to Do
After your hike in Koke’e State Park, head back to Waimea town and stop at the Red Dirt Store. There are also some other destinations nearby, including the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge and the beautiful Hanapepe Valley Lookout.
Where To Stay In South Kauai
For the second leg of your amazing trip to Kauai, we recommend staying near Poipu. Below are a few top-rated accommodations in south Kauai near Poipu:
- Poipu Kai Resort Condos – This was a perfect home base for us in South Kauai! Condos with private pools and within walking distance to beaches. Book this location now on VRBO. You won’t be disappointed!
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – A sprawling luxury resort with a lava-rock river pool, waterslide, and saltwater lagoon. This one is pricey, but check it out on Booking.com.
- Ko’a Kea Resort On Poipu Beach – an intimate resort on a prime beachfront spot on Kauai’s south shore. Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Aston At Poipu Kai – a top-rated beach location and outdoor pool. Walk to nearby Poipu and Shipwreck Beaches to watch the sunset every night. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
We absolutely loved this loop hike! The views along the Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trails are stunning. The worst thing about this hike was the trek along the road for the first few miles. Yes, it was painstakingly boring, but we were really happy that we got it over with first in order to end our hike right at the car.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and a first aid kit on this trip because if you are a klutz like me, you might faceplant on the trail and need a Band-Aid. 🤕 We also had a few cuts on our legs from the overgrowth, so plan to wear long pants if you can.
We highly recommend these two trails, and if you don’t want to take the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail in between them, hike each one separately. Just know that you’ll have to hike up and out not once, but twice! That boring road section is sounding better and better now, isn’t it?
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