How to Hike the Epic Pihea Trail to Alakai Swamp & Kilohana Lookout
Here is another amazing hike in Koke’e State Park! This trail provides some of the best views in Kauai, right along the trail, which is why you shouldn’t miss it while visiting Kauai. Hiking along the Pihea Trail and Alakai Swamp Trail will lead you to the Kilohana Lookout.
As you make your way to the end of the trail at 4 miles in, we hope the fog lifts and you can see the stunning Hanalei Bay and the surrounding area from the overlook! The Kilohana Lookout is sometimes clear and sometimes covered in fog.
Read on for all the details, and be sure to check out our epic 7 day Kauai itinerary for more fun things to do on your amazing vacation in Hawaii.
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🌺 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.
Things to Know
- Reservations are NOT required to visit Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park; however, there are entry and parking fees once you arrive at the parking areas.
- The cost of visiting Waimea Canyon/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 Waimea Canyon State Park or Koke’e State Park if you are not a resident.
- 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 the Pihea Trailhead 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
- Cell phone service might be spotty in this area of Kauai, and emergency services are limited.
- Water: Get our favorite water bladder here and ditch those plastic water bottles!
- Gas and Food: There are NO gas services up in the mountains of Waimea Canyon/Koke’e State Park. 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.
Pihea Trail and Alakai Swamp Trail – 8 miles – moderate, out and back, 1,140 ft. gain
To reach the trailhead, drive toward Waimea Canyon State Park and travel on Koke’e Road all the way to the parking lot at the end of the road. As of 2025, some large potholes on the road have closed the last mile to the parking lot near the Pu’u O Kila Lookout. Unfortunately, this will add about another 2 miles total to your day hike when having to park at the Kalalau Lookout.
When the road is open, park at the Pu’u O Kila Lookout parking lot and pay the parking fees using the kiosk. Then it’s time to hit the trails! This hike uses part of the Pihea Trail as well as the Alakai Swamp Trail to reach the Kilohana Lookout.
🛎️ Don’t forget to reserve your stay at the Ko’a Kea Resort On Poipu Beach!
Pihea Trail
The first section of this hike covers 1.8 miles of the Pihea Trail to link up with the Alakai Swamp Trail. Starting out, the trail loses a good amount of elevation as you reach the Pu’u O Kila Lookout on your left. This is an absolutely stunning viewpoint!
Be aware that this first section of the hike can be very slippery when wet, so hike with care. You’ll soon find out what the famous red dirt is all about! When wet, it pretty much stains everything. During the first mile or so, the views of the coast and ocean below are stunning. As you hike on, you’ll enter the forest as you make your way toward the trail junction.
🌴 Check out an easy hike in Kauai near Poipu: The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.
Parts of the Pihea Trail are steep, and you may have to use all four to climb your way up. Try to stay on the trail here as best you can. After 1.1 miles, stay to the right along the trail. We got a bit lost here and kept climbing, but this was technically not the trail. We reached a fence and had to turn back! There is a Pihea vista point in this direction, but it was a bit treacherous.
Finally, after 1.8 miles mostly downhill through the forest, you will reach the trail junction with the Alakai Swamp Trail. Here, 4 boardwalk planks mark the junction. Take the Alakai Swamp Trail on your left.
Alakai Swamp Trail
The real fun begins on this trail that follows tons of boardwalks through the jungle-like forest of Kauai. From the junction, it’s about 2 miles to the end of the trail to reach the Kilohana Lookout.
Most of this trail is somewhat overgrown due to the lush precipitation, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the hike through the forest. The first mile of this section of the Alakai Swamp Trail is the most strenuous. Initially, you’ll lose quite a bit of elevation, but the trail steepens again as you climb to the swamp.
Keep to the boardwalk, and eventually you’ll emerge from the forest where the Alakai Swamp surrounds you. The Alakai Swamp is the highest elevation swamp in the world! This section of the trail is mostly flat, but be careful, as some of the boardwalk planks have deteriorated over the years.
🌴 Looking for epic views of the coast from the water? Check out our experience on this fun sunset dinner cruise with Captain Andy’s!
Lastly, you’ll reach the Kilohana Lookout! Here you can see amazing views of Hanalei Bay and the surrounding area. However, if you are unlucky like us, you won’t see a thing due to fog! We even sat on the benches here and enjoyed our lunch, waiting for the fog to clear. Do you think it ever did? Nope!
That being said, this was still a super fun hike through the forest of Kauai. The jungle-like vibes made us feel as though we were on another planet. After enjoying the view (or fog 😂), head back the way you came and retrace your steps to the parking lot.
What to Do After the Hike
After your hike in Koke’e State Park, head back to Waimea town and stop at the Red Dirt Store. You can pick up a variety of souvenirs that have been stained by Kauai’s red dirt. There are also some other destinations nearby, including the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge and the beautiful Hanapepe Valley Lookout.
Additionally, there are many shaved ice locations in Kauai to get a sweet treat. We recommend heading to Waikomo Shave Ice if time allows. Waikomo Shave Ice is made with no artificial ingredients, and they use only fresh fruit in their products. What more could you ask for after a long hike?!
Where To Stay Near Poipu
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!
- Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club – just steps away from Poipu Beach! Book it right now on Expedia. There is even a fun on-site arcade and game room here.
- 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. This one is super close to the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.
- 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
This was a super fun hike with epic views of the Nāpali Coast from above! Starting the hike at the Pu’u O Kila Lookout provided some of the best views of the coast on our trip to Kauai. If you don’t want to hike all the way to the Kilohana Lookout, just venture along the trail for a short hike.
The Pu’u O Kila Lookout might just be an amazing enough view for you because it only requires a super short walk.
Due to large potholes, this hike is now about 10 miles total with parking at the Kalalau Lookout. Hopefully, in the future, these repairs will be complete, allowing for access to the end of the road. Check the website here for updates on the road closure!
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