Awa’awapuhi Trail: Explore the Best Hike on Kauai

Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Charlotte

Tucked deep within Kauaʻi’s Kōkeʻe State Park, the Awaʻawapuhi Trail is one of the island’s most breathtaking legal hikes — a ridgeline path that plunges over 2,000 feet toward the edge of the Nā Pali cliffs. The trail winds through shifting ecosystems, from tangled fern tunnels to sun-dappled forests of ʻōhiʻa and koa. But it’s the Awaʻawapuhi lookout that takes your breath away: a narrow ledge perched high above the ocean with sweeping views of fluted green ridges and the endless blue beyond. In this post, I’ll share what to expect on the Awaʻawapuhi trail, tips for hiking it safely, and why the journey to this dramatic lookout is one of the most rewarding hikes on Kauaʻi.

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Awa’awapuhi Trail Hiking Information

• Distance: 6.2 miles roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,180 ft (360 m)
• Hike Type: Out and back
• Best Season: Dry season (April to October)
• Weather and Trail Conditions: You can check the weather for Koke’e State Park from NOAA here. This trail can be extremely slippery and muddy in wet conditions.
• Hazards:
  • Steep Cliffs: The lookout at the end of the hike is flanked by steep 2,000 ft (~600 m) drop-offs into the surrounding valleys. The soil near the edges is crumbly and can literally collapse underfoot. There is no cell service along much of the trail, so please be cautious.
• Hike Difficulty:
  • AllTrails rates this hike as “Hard.” However, the perceived difficulty greatly depends on your mobility and fitness level. For someone accustomed to hiking in Hawaii, this trail may not seem hard, but for those used to flat terrain with no cliffs, it could be one of the most challenging hikes of their life. Give yourself extra time and take it slow.
• AllTrails Map

Photo Journey Along the Awa’awapuhi Trail

The Awa’awapuhi Trail begins near mile marker 17 of Kokee Road at the summit of Koke’e State Park on the island of Kauai. Koke’e is one of the raniest places on earth, seeing an average of 70 inches (1,800 mm) of rainfall per year. The trail gently switchbacks down the ridgeline in the shade of the surrounding forest.

The forests that blanket the ridges and cliffside of Koke’e state park and the Na Pali Coast are home to a number of endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. Ohia Lehua and Koa trees dot the landscape surrounding the Awa’awapuhi Trail. If you’re lucky, you might spot native forest birds like the Kauai Elepaio, the Apapane, or the Kauai Amakihi. While we did not see any endemic birds, we did spot a pack of feral jungle chickens.

Along the trail, you might notice the bright crimson pom poms of the Ohia Lehua flowers. In Hawaii, we have a local legend that picking a Lehua flower will bring a rainstorm. Whether or not you believe this, it’s best to take only pictures and memories and to leave all plants and animals undisturbed.

A metal fence marks the official end to the trail. The section of the cliffside beyond the fence is highly eroded, and extremely dangerous in wet weather. Unfortunately as of June 2024, the surrounding grasses and invasive guava trees have overgrown and blocked most of the view into Awa’awapuhi Valley.

Thankfully, we still get a fantastic view into the neighboring valley. The scale and grandeur of the cliffs along the Na Pali Coast are unmatched anywhere else in the Hawaiian Island Chain. Far below us, a helicopter drifts up the valley, just a mere speck in our field of view.

We’re thankful for a window of sunshine that lights up the ocean and illuminates the cliffs. Because the end of the Awa’awapuhi trail is ~1,180 ft (360 m) lower than the trailhead, it is possible to hike below the cloudline depending on the weather.

Finally, we’re rewarded with a panoramic view of the Awa’awapuhi Valley. A view like this makes the long trek back up worth it. While we’re accustomed to ridge hikes, the sheer height above the cliffs induces a bit of vertigo.

Packing Tips for the Awa’awapuhi Trail

• Hiking Shoes: Wear shoes with good grip, such as hiking boots, trail runners, or trainers. This trail is not suitable for flip-flops or Crocs.
• Water: Bring at least 2 liters of water per person.
• Snacks: Bring snacks to refuel at the lookout and along the trail. Depending on your fitness level, this trail could take 3 to 5.5 hours round trip. We packed donuts from Aloha Sweet Delights as our trail snack.
• Rain Gear: Kauai is one of the rainiest places on Earth, so come prepared with a raincoat.
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Koke’e State Park Visitor Information

Parking and Visitor Fees

Koke’e parking and visitor fees can be paid at any of the kiosks around major lookouts, such as the Kalalau Lookout. You’ll receive a receipt to display on your vehicle’s dashboard. The voucher is good for all the lookouts in Koke’e State Park.

• Visitors: $10 Parking Fee per Car, plus a $5 Entrace Fee per Person (children under 3 yrs are Free).
• Hawaii Residents: Free entry and parking with a valid state DL or state ID

You can view the latest information about park access and notices on the Official Hawaii Division of Parks Website here.

Facilities

• Toilets: While there are no toilets directly at the trailhead, toilets are available a short drive away at the Kalalau Lookout and at Koke’e Lodge
• Potable Water: We recommend purchasing water bottles at the Foodland Waimea in the town of Waimea before driving up to the park. Otherwise, there are beverages available for purchase at Koke’e Lodge. Do not drink the water from the restrooms in Koke’e State Park because do not have potable drinking water. Second, it is not advised to drink water from any stream or body of water in Hawaii due to the risk of leptospirosis.
• Food: The Koke’e Lodge has a small restaurant which is typically is open from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. This restaurant has been known to run out of some menu items depending on the crowds. However, the food is surprisingly tasty given it’s remote location.

Was it Worth the Trip?

100% Yes! I’ve done most of the hikes in Koke’e State Park and the Awa’awapuhi Trail is one of my favorites. The feeling from reaching the lookout was electric, just look at our big smiles 🙂