Pihea Trail
Hawaii hikers

Covid-19 Protocols: Please wear a mask when in groups, maintain social distancing, and be respectful of others. Aloha, Hawaii State Parks

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PARK UPDATES: 7/26/21 - [OAHU] - Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area will be CLOSED on July 28th to repair a waterline leak at the entrance of the park. The park will be closed to vehicles and visitors during this time period. The park will reopen once the repair is completed.

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5/21/21 - [OAHU] - The Keawaula gate at Kaena Point is now open on weekends. Gate hours are Saturdays: 6:00am to 7:00pm, and Sundays: 9:00am to 7:00pm. No overnight use allowed.

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4/19/21 - [ALL ISLANDS] - Entrance AND parking fees are now required for non-residents at several parks across the islands including: [KAUAI] Haena, Kokee, Waimea Canyon, [OAHU] Diamond Head, Nuuanu Pali, [MAUI] Iao Valley, Makena, Waianapanapa, and [HAWAII] Akaka Falls, Hapuna Beach.  Non-resident visitors will be required to pay for both entry and parking.

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3/29/21 - [KAUAI] - The Kalalau Trail reservation system is open again. Reservations are available 30-days in-advance. Park Entry and Parking reservations for morning and midday are available. Sunset-time reservations are currently not available.

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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.