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Kalalau Trail

the USA🇺🇸 | hikesKalalau TrailNa Pali cliffs, red mud, stream crossings, Kalalau Beach | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kalalau Trail
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Kalalau Trail starts at a paved parking lot with a shuttle from Hanalei, which saves you the fight for one of the few spaces at road's end. It runs along the Na Pali Coast on Kauai's north shore, in the Hawaii part of the United States. The scenery is absurdly good: sea cliffs, waterfalls, a beach at the end. The cost is 11 miles (18 kilometers) one way of red mud, rock ledges and stream crossings, so it is hard, and overnight camping needs a permit that sells out. I expected a trail of tiptoeing tourists. What surprised me was a man in flip-flops carrying a surfboard bag past me at Hanakapiai, utterly unbothered, while I debated my third sock change. Day hikers may go only to Hanakapiai without a camping permit. A first day could mean parking or shuttling in early, hiking the 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach, and turning around with your pride and boots both damp.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 the USA Travel Guide.
Best time to go: March - November
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 35 kilometers
Total ascent: 1800 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 hike in the USAThe unique appeal for travelers

Kalalau Trail gives backpackers one of the few true wilderness coastlines in the United States that you can reach without a vehicle beyond the trailhead shuttle. The payoff is scale: the trail climbs and drops across five valleys, with the final stretch ending at Kalalau Beach, a long sandy crescent backed by 2,000-foot green cliffs. Nobody drives to it, and no road ever will. That isolation is the point.

The distances are flexible, which suits mixed groups. You can hike 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach and be back for lunch, push on to Hanakapiai Falls for a longer day, or commit to the full 22-mile round trip over two to three nights with a permit. The trail also fits neatly into a Kauai loop, since the start is a short ride from Hanalei town with its grocery stores and cheap tacos, so resupply … read more 👉
Kalalau Trail gives backpackers one of the few true wilderness coastlines in the United States that you can reach without a vehicle beyond the trailhead shuttle. The payoff is scale: the trail climbs and drops across five valleys, with the final stretch ending at Kalalau Beach, a long sandy crescent backed by 2,000-foot green cliffs. Nobody drives to it, and no road ever will. That isolation is the point.

The distances are flexible, which suits mixed groups. You can hike 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach and be back for lunch, push on to Hanakapiai Falls for a longer day, or commit to the full 22-mile round trip over two to three nights with a permit. The trail also fits neatly into a Kauai loop, since the start is a short ride from Hanalei town with its grocery stores and cheap tacos, so resupply is easy. Few trails give you this much drama with so little logistics beyond booking ahead.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Kalalau Trail

  1. Kalalau Beach: The end of the trail and its best-known sight, a wide beach under towering fluted cliffs. Swim only with great caution, since currents are dangerous, and expect camping along the shaded back edge.
  2. Hanakapiai Beach: Two miles in, this is the first big reveal. A rugged cove of golden sand where the surf is powerful and swimming is a bad idea in nearly all conditions.
  3. Hanakapiai Falls: A 2-mile spur up the valley from the beach leads to a roughly 300-foot waterfall dropping into a pool. It involves several stream crossings and slippery boulders, so allow extra time.
  4. Ke'e Beach viewpoint and the first ridge: Just past the trailhead, the opening climb gives a view back over the reef-sheltered cove and the coastline curling west. It is the best photo for the least sweat.
  5. Hanakoa Valley:
… read more 👉
  1. Kalalau Beach: The end of the trail and its best-known sight, a wide beach under towering fluted cliffs. Swim only with great caution, since currents are dangerous, and expect camping along the shaded back edge.
  2. Hanakapiai Beach: Two miles in, this is the first big reveal. A rugged cove of golden sand where the surf is powerful and swimming is a bad idea in nearly all conditions.
  3. Hanakapiai Falls: A 2-mile spur up the valley from the beach leads to a roughly 300-foot waterfall dropping into a pool. It involves several stream crossings and slippery boulders, so allow extra time.
  4. Ke'e Beach viewpoint and the first ridge: Just past the trailhead, the opening climb gives a view back over the reef-sheltered cove and the coastline curling west. It is the best photo for the least sweat.
  5. Hanakoa Valley: Roughly halfway, this quieter side valley holds a stream, a campsite, and a short walk to Hanakoa Falls. It makes a calmer rest stop than the busy start.
Kalalau Trail takes two to three hours for the Hanakapiai Beach out-and-back, a full day with the falls, and two to three days for the whole route.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Kalalau Trail

Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

4.9(966) 4h
From €231
per personViator
Self-Guided Kauai Island Driving Audio Tour

Self-Guided Kauai Island Driving Audio Tour

4.7(242)
From €15.42
per personViator
Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Sea Caves Expedition on Kauai

Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Sea Caves Expedition on Kauai

4.9(156) 3h
From €213
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Summer (May to September): Kalalau Trail is at its driest and safest, with daytime highs of 27 to 30°C (80 to 86°F), calm seas for the Kalalau Beach and long daylight of roughly 13 hours. Permits sell out months ahead and the trail is busiest.
  • Winter (November to March): Rain is frequent on the north shore, with highs of 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F) and nights near 18°C (64°F). Streams swell, mud deepens, and daylight drops to about 11 hours. Big surf closes beach access and flash flooding can shut the trail, but permits are easier to get and crowds thin.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Showers are lighter, the Hanakapiai Stream is often crossable, and permit availability opens up. Expect 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F).
  • Costs: Overnight camping permits run about US$35 per person per night for nonresidents,
… read more 👉
  • Summer (May to September): Kalalau Trail is at its driest and safest, with daytime highs of 27 to 30°C (80 to 86°F), calm seas for the Kalalau Beach and long daylight of roughly 13 hours. Permits sell out months ahead and the trail is busiest.
  • Winter (November to March): Rain is frequent on the north shore, with highs of 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F) and nights near 18°C (64°F). Streams swell, mud deepens, and daylight drops to about 11 hours. Big surf closes beach access and flash flooding can shut the trail, but permits are easier to get and crowds thin.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Showers are lighter, the Hanakapiai Stream is often crossable, and permit availability opens up. Expect 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F).
  • Costs: Overnight camping permits run about US$35 per person per night for nonresidents, and the state park charges separate entry and parking fees. Flights and lodging on Kauai peak in summer and around the winter holidays.
Book permits as soon as the reservation window opens, and choose a midweek start to dodge the crowds.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in the USA

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsTrail overview: what to expect on the hike

Total Distance: Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles (18 kilometers) one way, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) out and back.
Estimated Duration: 2 to 3 days round trip for most backpackers. Day hikers reach Hanakapiai Beach in 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Steep climbs, narrow ledges with drop-offs, slick mud and rock, and stream crossings that can become impassable after heavy rain.
Starting Point: Ke'e Beach at the end of Kuhio Highway on Kauai's north shore. A shuttle runs from Hanalei town, and parking at the end is limited.
Major Landmarks:
  • Hanakapiai Beach: Mile 2, first beach and day-hike
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles (18 kilometers) one way, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) out and back.
Estimated Duration: 2 to 3 days round trip for most backpackers. Day hikers reach Hanakapiai Beach in 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Steep climbs, narrow ledges with drop-offs, slick mud and rock, and stream crossings that can become impassable after heavy rain.
Starting Point: Ke'e Beach at the end of Kuhio Highway on Kauai's north shore. A shuttle runs from Hanalei town, and parking at the end is limited.
Major Landmarks:
  • Hanakapiai Beach: Mile 2, first beach and day-hike turnaround.
  • Hanakoa Valley: Mile 6, campsite and falls.
  • Kalalau Valley: Mile 11, beach, camping, and valley trails.
Terrain and Scenery: Red dirt, loose rock, and boulder-hopping along sea cliffs, with views over the Pacific and deep green valleys. The final section crosses an exposed, narrow stretch around mile 8 that needs steady footing.
Vegetation: Guava, hala trees, ferns, lantana, and dry scrub in sun-baked sections, with lush forest in the valleys.
Wildlife: Wild goats, seabirds, and occasionally Hawaiian monk seals on beaches and green sea turtles offshore. Keep your distance from all of them.
Permits and Water: Camping beyond Hanakapiai requires a state permit booked ahead, and all stream water must be filtered or treated.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Kalalau Trail is a strenuous 11-mile (18 km) route along the Nā Pali coast, and the biggest hazards are stream crossings, slick footing and exposure. Hanakapiai Stream can rise within an hour of heavy rain upstream. If it is brown and fast, wait it out and never cross at high water. Narrow sections past mile 6 sit above steep drops, and the red dirt turns greasy when wet, so trekking poles and shoes with real tread help a lot. Shade is scarce on the dry stretches near Hanakoa, so carry at least 3 liters of water and treat all stream water, since leptospirosis is a real risk. Surf at Kalalau Beach has strong rip currents, so stay out of the water in winter. Secure your food from feral pigs and goats, and pack out everything. First-timers often underestimate the 2,000-foot cumulative climbs and start too late, so begin early.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Most backpackers take two to three days round trip to cover the 22 miles (35 km) from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach and back. The hike in takes 6 to 10 hours depending on pace and stream conditions, and a stop at Hanakoa Valley at mile 6 splits the day. Kalalau Trail permits allow up to five nights, so a layover day on the beach is common.
Kalalau Trail is strenuous and best suited to fit hikers with backpacking experience. The first 2 miles climb steeply to Hanakapiai, and the route continues over narrow cliffside ledges, muddy sections and stream crossings with about 5,000 feet of cumulative elevation change. Carrying a pack of 25 to 35 pounds makes the 11 miles to the beach demanding, especially in rain.
Yes, Kalalau Trail requires a permit for anyone going beyond Hanakapiai Stream at mile 2, and you need a reservation for camping at Kalalau. Permits cost about US$35 per person per night for nonresidents and sell out months ahead through the Hawaii state parks reservation system. A guide is not required, though you also pay for a Haena State Park entry reservation and parking, or a shuttle, at Ke’e Beach.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Kalalau Trail deserves at least two nights if you have a permit, because one night means hiking in, collapsing, and hiking out with no beach time. Three nights lets the place slow down. Short on time or permits, I would do Hanakapiai and the falls in a day. Bring extra socks either way.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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