Answer 11 of 12: I'll be heading to Kauai in August with my 11 and 13 year old boys and we want to hike down the Kalalau trail. The popular day hike from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Beach - approximately 2 miles along the trail (four miles round trip)-  receives the bulk of hikers. The Kalalau Trail Crawlers Ledge is dangerous – and beautiful. Scenes Below the Crawlers Ledge. Information in the following sections were updated on December 22, 2019. You'll hike through a grove of some of the largest sisal plants you've likely ever seen; they range in size from that of a small bean to the size of a house. Red Hill is the gateway to Kalalau, a large cinder cone guarding the entrance. clip where a tour boat comes by and you can barely hear how they saw To hike the entire trail and also spend time exploring Kalalau Beach and Valley takes 3-5 days. Hoolulu means "the sheltering place," so named for the sea cave far below which was used to shelter voyaging canoes in ancient times. In perfect weather conditions, Crawlers Ledge was a breeze. hand out holding my phone camera towards the ocean side and the other We think Kauai’s hiking trails are simply some of the best we’ve ever trekked, and we’re excited for you to explore the Kalalau Trail and more. Cool Please be aware of the new rules for the whole Haena State Park area. For the bold day hiker, you can continue to Hanakoa Falls and still make it back in the same day; however, it is a very long day. it was all done, I thought "That was fun, but doesn't meet all It takes 8 hours to complete the 11-mile hike one way to the destination beach, assuming the weather is good. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/kauai/na-pali-coast-kalalau-trail As you begin the trail, you'll traverse through a lush jungle-like scene of pothos and another philodendron. The Kalalau Trail on the Hawaiian island of Kauai weaves through one of the world's most famous natural wonders, the Na Pali coast.With 180-degrees of the electric blue Pacific, majestic ridges and unspoiled beaches, every inch of this tropical trail boasts epic views. For anybody carrying a heavy backpack, standard safety protocol is to unbuckle the waist and chest straps prior to crossing the river; that way if you fall in the river you can easily escape your pack and come up for air. That’s coming from someone who is terrified of heights. The water at Hanakapiai is usually clear and ankle-knee deep with enough rocks visible above the surface to rock-hop across. A local rule of thumb is to watch the ocean for 20 minutes before going in or walking in a tidal zone. Crawler's Ledge on the Kalalau Trail My experience was on a nice, sunny day last August on the section of trail that many get freaked out about. You're well on your way down to Hanakapiaai Beach now, and be sure to enjoy the trek down - it's mostly uphill on the way back. After Hanakoa Valley, you climb up and then descend a series of switchbacks onto what is affectionately known as Crawlers Ledge because people who are scared by the narrow and exposed ledge have been known to crawl across on hands and knees. Share a Video . the Kalalau Trail and made this section look 100 times worse than it If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. That’s why we recommend touring with a seasoned guide; it ensures your safety and gives you the absolute best hike possible. trail that many get freaked out about. makes a difference on your perspective of how bad it is. 22 Miles round trip (35.4km) Is the Kalalau trail dangerous? As you keep going, you'll begin the hike into Hoolulu Valley, which is the first major valley after Hanakapiai Valley along the Kalalau trail. If there’s a holy grail of all hikes in Hawaii, it’s got to be the Kalalau Trail on Kauai. I'll be heading to Kauai in August with my 11 and 13 year old boys and we want to hike down the Kalalau trail.I don't know how my kids will do with those heights, but I get terrible vertigo when I get close to a ledge. In the summer months, there is plenty of sand on the beach, but in the winter you'll be surprised to see only lava boulders at times. It’s remote and can be dangerous so having a good Kalalau Trail packing list is VERY important. Please note this is an additional 2 miles (4 miles round trip) not included on the Kalalau Trail. While hiking 22 miles in one day in the Sierras wouldn't be overly challenging, it is nearly impossible on the Kalalau Trail. Not a problem anywhere. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Crossing the river in waist-high water requires skill and extreme care. You'll have passed all the major valleys already so the trail from this point on meanders quickly in and out of little valleys. June 2017Thanks for watching!God bless! On the left, near the end of the road, before you reach the beach, you'll see the trailhead next to a large sign labeled 'Kalalau Trail.'. Thus, it is a 22 mile round-trip hike. Some videos make it look like the drop is 90 degrees, but others make it seem more angled. To see more on why I keep this blog, see: This is a video of my traversing the area known as Crawler's Ledge on the Kalalau Trail on the island of Kaua'i. It's about 1,000 feet straight down and some never make it past this point. The Kalalau Trail is a trail along Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. Some are similar in that they are narrow with a steep rocky drop-off. I must say, this was my least favorite part of the hike, but I took it real slow and felt there was enough trail for me to safely pass. Unfortunately, the area is closed now due to the flood damage of 2018, but when it reopens I hope the rangers continue to do as good of a … As we mentioned, exploring the trail safely is of the utmost importance. Still, from the bottom, the many waterfalls hikers can explore on the Kalalau Trail are gorgeous and tranquil and certainly does not look like a place called the death trail. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Other parts of the Kalalau Trail are more dangerous, though I will concede that one misstep on Crawler's Ledge would likely spell certain death. Many people say that the scariest part of the Kalalau Trail is “Crawler’s Ledge” around mile 7. Your description of “crawlers ledge” was spot-on, and a refreshing bit of honesty among all the hyperbole of that section. I can't vouch for how scary it Close. Kalalau Trail Profile We arrive at the half way campsite in the jungle of Hanakoa Valley and it’s a great disappointment, because of all the trash left behind from amateur hikers, the muddy campsites and the lack of a good view, but we make the most of it with a hike to a nearby 2,000′ waterfall. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. At approximately the 4.5-mile mark is the entrance of Waiahuakua Valley. Haena State Park including the Kalalau Trail, which had been closed due to the flooding that occurred in the Spring of 2018, re-opened on Monday, June 17, 2019. As a side trip (extended day hike), you can follow the unmaintained Hanakapiai Falls Trail upstream for two more miles to reach the spectacular 100-ft. high Hanakapiai Falls. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. Many people have met their demise by being swept off these shelves by large waves after venturing on them at a low point in between sets. The Kalalau Trail is a 35.4 km (22 mile) long out and back trail located along the North Shore of Kauai. 1st Day: Hike the Kalalau trail to Kalalau Beach (12 miles) and include the offshoot at mile 6 to Hanakoa Waterfall (+1 mile). Please do not place yourself at risk by walking on boulders that are wet with sea water - if the boulders are wet it means that the waves come up that high. :)#GodIsGood! We recommend these Kalalau Trail tour professionals. Sometimes there is a rope tied across the river to help with crossings; however, the general rule is to not cross unless you are sure you can do so safely. If it’s not, you might as well turn around. 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