Pihea Trail
Hawaii hikers

Covid-19 Protocols: Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and be respectful of others. Aloha, Hawaii State Parks

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PARK UPDATES:  4/7/21 - [OAHU] - Kaena Point State Park - Vehicle Access Gate on the Mokuleia side (north shore) is OPEN. The Keawaula gate (west side) remains CLOSED but the park is OPEN.

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4/5/21 - [OAHU] -  Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area has ongoing construction work to the park and the entrance gate will be CLOSED April 5, 2021 through April 28, 2021. This has the potential to limit access to the Waahila Ridge Trail through the park. Additional access limitations may be intermittent throughout the month.

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3/29/21 - [KAUAI] - The Kalalau Trail reservation system is now open again. Reservations are available 30-days in-advance. Haena State Park Entry and Parking reservations are also available for morning and midday reservations. Sunset-time reservations are currently not available. Permittees are encouraged to be vigilant and check the Hawaii DOT webpage for current Kuhio Highway access hours and protocols. - DOT Website: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/

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3/1/21 - [MAUI] - Waianapanapa State Park - Entry and Parking Reservations are now required for all non-residents. For reservations go to www.gowaianapanapa.com

Pihea Trail

4/17/20 - COVID-19 rules: The Pihea Trail is open for hiking, so long as social distancing requirements are adhered to. The trail may be accessed by transiting Koke'e State Park, which remains closed. Accessing Pihea Trailhead requires walking from the Kalalau Lookout along the park road, a distance of approximately 1 mile - the gate is locked at Kalalau Lookout. No lingering allowed within park areas.

Group hiking on State trails is not allowed, unless all participants are part of a single residential or family unit sharing the same address. People who want to hike alone, but who want to have another person nearby for safety reasons, are required to maintain a distance of not less than 20-feet from each other.

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    CAUTION: Deep mud at Pihea peak.
    Trail Length 3.8 miles (one way)
    Time Approx 3 hrs.
    Activity Pedestrian
    Difficulty Moderate
    Terrain None
    Elevation Gain 284 ft
    Park Name Kōkeʻe State Park

    Route

    The trail begins at Puu O Kila Lookout at the end of Highway 550. The Pihea Trail is a recommended forest reserve trail for scenic views, observing Kauai’s native forest birds and sampling the Alakai Wilderness’ terrain and vegetation. This is an alternate route to the Alakai Swamp Trail, which intersects the Pihea Trail just before 1 3/4 mile point. There is a short spur that ends at the Pihea Overlook, the highest point on the rim of Kalalau Valley.

    Caution – Do not go beyond the Pihea Overlook. The terrain gets very steep beyond this point. The Pihea Trail follows the northwestern bank of Kawaikoi Stream and ends at Kawaikoi Camp. While there is some boardwalk construction underway, portions of the trail are often wet, slippery and muddy.