Hanalei, Hawaii
Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi'ai Falls
Hike the legendary Na Pali Coast to a 300-foot rainforest waterfall.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 8 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 1,600 ft
- Duration
- 6–8
- Best Season
- Apr–Oct
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Na Pali Coast, Waterfall
About the trail
The Kalalau Trail traces Kauai's roadless Na Pali Coast — emerald cliffs plunging into the Pacific. The day-hike turnaround at Hanakapi'ai Beach (2 mi) continues 2 more miles up a slippery, root-laced jungle canyon to the base of 300-foot Hanakapi'ai Falls. Multiple stream crossings can become impassable after heavy rain.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 22.2186, -159.5828Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Reserve a Ha'ena State Park entry permit at gohaena.com before driving to the end of Highway 560.
- Start at the Ke'e Beach trailhead and climb the first switchbacks.
- Descend to Hanakapi'ai Beach at 2 miles — never swim here (deadly rip currents).
- Turn inland and follow the valley trail 2 miles to the falls.
- Return via the same route.
Parking
All visitors not staying on the North Shore must reserve parking and shuttle entry via gohaena.com.
Tips from the trail
- Do not cross streams if water is brown or above your knees — flash floods kill hikers here.
- Trail is extremely muddy; wear shoes you can throw away.
- Start before 8 AM to allow safe daylight return.