Awaawapuhi Trail, Kauai Hawaii
Awaawapuhi Trail starts at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker off 550. This forest reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it. The trail ends abruptly on the ridge top, at 2,500 ft. elevation, affording spectacular views down sheer cliffs into Awaawapuhi and Nualolo Valleys overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Incredible view from Awaawapuhi Trail
The grassy area at the end of the trail has several metal railings with signs “Vistas”. It’s a great spot to sit, take some photos, and eat a snack.
The trail length is 3.1 miles and drops or climbs around 1500 feet depending on the direction you are heading. It was all uphill for us after already hiking 7 miles.
THE WAY WE CAME:
Nualolo Trail starts near the Kokee State Park Headquarters at 3600 feet elevation. The trail ends at 2,234 feet elevation. This trail is used mostly as an access route for hunters but also serves as an alternate route to the cross over Nualolo Cliff Trail to Awaawapuhi Trail. On our hike we saw 2 separate hunters with hunting dogs looking for wild boars. This hike descends through a lush forest for the first 2 ½ miles, to panoramic vistas of the Nualolo
Valley, Kaahole Valley, and Na Pali coastline. The trail ends at Lolo Vista Point, a vertical perch 3,000 feet above the Nualolo Valley.
This hike can be combined with the Aaawapuhi Trail for a 10-mile loop hike. The two trails are connected by the Nualolo Cliffs Trail, a 2.2 mile connector trail. You walk uphill and start switchbacking. As you near 1/2 mile, the trail levels out amoung some ohia, koa, and ferns. The trail’s pattern is to drop steeply, level out, perhaps climb a little, and then repeat the process by dropping again. Around the 1-mile point, you dip through a pair of grassy swales separated by an avenue of ferns. Nearing the 2-mile point, there’s a marked change to a drier climate.
You also start seeing heavy pine forest ridges through the trees. At 3 miles, there’s a steep slot to descend before you reach the next junction, this one with the Nualolo Cliff Trail, which connects with the Awaawapuhi Trail. From here, it’s 3/4-miles to windy Lolo Vista Point. Please do not attempt it if it’s wet. The views from Lolo Vista Point are breathtaking and you can see a view of Niihau and the uninhabited islet of Lehua, Nualolo Valley, Kaahole Valley,Alapii Point, and the Na Pali Coastline. There’s an iron rail that says end of trail but we found the best views another ¼ mile along the vista. Once you take a break, take plenty of photos, and eat a snack, you return the way you came.
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