Great tip 🙂

@Jozsef,
Hi. For views of the canyon, I’d recommend doing the Canyon trail to the top of Waipo’o Falls (in Jackson’s post), if weather is permitting, you can cross the stream and continue another 3/4 mile to a picnic table overlooking the entire canyon. I’ve never encountered another person there. Great spot for a snack and rest.

My wife and I were in Hawaii 2 years ago and we did many of the hikes you recommended (our favorite was the Kaau crater hike:) ).

We also went over to kauai for a day where we did a flat hike at Waimea Canyon State Park, can’t remember the name but it was about a 1-2 hour hike to the big waterfall from a parking lot.

Next April we will be back in Hawaii and will be in kauai more. We’ll do the Kalalau trail and stay overnight there. Other than that we would like to do another hike.

Can you recommend one that is in Waimea Canyon or that area and is beautiful? (It’s like a colourful grand canyon, we loved it. )

Your blog is great! Greetings from Hungary

@Long Time Resident, I was wondering about Wailua Falls because when we went there were signs everywhere that’s it’s illegal and we saw the fences too. This article has wrong info on Hanakapi’ai trail. He said it’s 11 miles out and back it’s actually just 8 miles out and back so about an 8 hours hike. You would also need a Haena Park entry to hike to Hanakapi’ai beach and waterfalls which is the first 4 miles and he didn’t put that info either which would be misleading to people that want to do this hike. This writer should do better for putting info out there. Kalalau trail is 11 miles and a total of 22 miles out and back.

@Brooks, thank you for this clear answer! I have had a hard time figuring out which things need advance reservations and which don’t.

@Alison, No reservations required for Koke’e or Waimea Canyon State Parks, but you do have to pay for parking at the major viewpoints ($5 or $10, but good for the entire day). I’ve parked at trailhead parking several times with no issues, though. Enjoy your trip, it’s a rad place!

@Long Time Resident, lol.

Thank you so much for all of your insight. I will only be in Kauai for 4 days sadly. I am hoping you could help me choose between a few hikes. Below if the tentative itinerary.

Saturday:
-Awaawapuhi Trail followed by the Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls

Sunday: Will be taking a trip to the North coast. We were unable to get a permit for the Kalalau Trail. Considering between Okolehao, Makaleha Falls or the Kuilau Ridge Trail.

Monday:
-Ho’opi’i Falls Hike
-Kayak Wailua to Secret Falls
-Wailua Falls Hike

Tuesday:
-Possibly Sleeping Giant

Sunday and Tuesday I would like your help with. If you could give me your top 2 hike out of Okolehao, Makaleha Falls, Kuilau Ridge Trail and the Sleeping Giant that would be great. I think we are going to try and squeeze a Helicopter tour in on Sunday. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!