Kilauea Falls, Kauai Hawaii
Kilauea Falls are one of my favorites on the island. It requires a 35-minute hike down to the falls if you don’t have 4×4 vehicle. You do cross some private ranchland that I believe the landowner graciously allows you to cross. The trail is actually one of the best-maintained trails on the island (this might be due to all the films made here).
The trail is so wide and well maintained; you could have a two-lane road on most of it. It is a gradual decline all the way to Kilauea Falls, which is 1.4 miles from the parking area on Kahili Quarry Road. The trail takes you past banana plants, guava, and tunnels of bamboo. The trail is enclosed in tropical scenery and you do get views of the River and Valley from time-to-time. Once you get down to the falls all that changes. You probably have a quarter of an acre that is grass manicured. This is an ideal spot for a LONG picnic lunch. Kilauea Falls are approximately 50 feet tall and 150 feet across. There is a very large pool in front of the falls and some room behind the falls. If you decide to swim out to the falls and walk behind them you will see why they are know by the locals as “Rainbow Falls”. I was impressed and for the overall backdrop, quality of the falls, and large picnic area, Kilauea Falls are one of my all time favorites located on the Kilauea River.
The Hiking Path to Kilauea Falls
It’s up to you to decide whether or not to walk down the private trail. I have gotten both sides of the story from several sources. Some say Kilauea Falls are on public land but you have to cross private property, some say that an agreement has been made that the public now has access to the falls. There were over a dozen tourists there on my visit along with several locals.
Additional Information:
Distance: 3.71 miles
Elapsed Time: 1:03:08
Avg Speed: 3.5 mph
Max Speed: 6.1 mph
Avg Pace: 17′ 01″ per mile
Min Altitude: 184 ft
Max Altitude: 397 ft
No comments yet