Awaʻawapuhi Trail
Hawaii hikers

PARK UPDATES:

[MAUI] Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area will be CLOSED until further notice. Please contact the Maui Division of Forestry and Wildlife for re-opening updates at (808) 984-8100.

•

[KAUAʻI] Polihale State Park – Overnight camping will reopen beginning Aug. 14, 2022. Reservations will be available online starting Aug. 1 and may be made up to 90 days in advance.. Additionally, State Parks encourages the community to participate in the Polihale Survey to help develop access and management policies for the park. Please participate in the survey, and mahalo for being respectful stewards of your parks.

•

[MAUI] ʻIAO VALLEY STATE MONUMENT – As of August 1, 2022 ʻIao Valley State Monument will be closed until January 15, 2023 for the final phase of the slope stabilization project and parking lot improvements.

Awaʻawapuhi Trail

    ‹ ›
    DANGER: Do not venture beyond the safety railing at the end of the trail! Footing is extremely unstable, and the drop to the valley floor below is over 2,000 feet.
    Trail Length 3.1 miles (one way)
    Activity Pedestrian
    Difficulty Difficult
    Elevation Gain 1,180 ft
    Park Name Kōkeʻe State Park

    Route

    The trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. This forest reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it (a plant guide is available). The trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2,500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer palis (cliffs) into Awaʻawapuhi and Nualolo Valleys overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic.

    As of March 11, 2014, the Kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase.

    Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.