Kalalau Trail hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Kalalau Trail is the only land route along the Napali Coast of Kaua'i, Hawaii, and one of the most famous coastal hikes in the world. It runs 11 miles (17.7 km) one way from Ke'e Beach in Ha'ena State Park, at the end of the road on the north shore, to Kalalau Beach, below the fluted green cliffs of Kalalau Valley. It crosses five big valleys, climbs and drops all day above sea cliffs, and reaches sea level only at Hanakapi'ai and Kalalau. You sleep in your own tent at the two official campsites and carry everything, and you walk back the same way. Most hikers take 2 to 3 days, or more with rest days at Kalalau.

Status in October 2026: after Hurricane Lowell, Ha'ena State Park, the shuttle and day hiking to Hanakapi'ai reopened on 15 October 2026, but hiking past the 2-mile point and all camping at Hanakoa and Kalalau stay closed until further notice. Check the DLNR park notices before you book anything.

The route

From the Ke'e Beach trailhead the path climbs at once above the reef, with the first views west along the cliffs, and drops to Hanakapi'ai Beach at mile 2. This is the limit for day hikers. Cross Hanakapi'ai Stream on rocks, then climb about 800 ft (240 m) of switchbacks to the highest part of the route and wind in and out of the hanging valleys of Ho'olulu and Waiahuakua, through forest and old terraces, to Hanakoa at mile 6. After Hanakoa the trail becomes drier, hotter and more exposed. It crosses seven small gulches and the steep slope of Pohakuao, where the path is very narrow above a long drop to the ocean, then descends Pu'ukulua (Red Hill) to Kalalau Stream. You cross the stream to the beach and the campsite, which runs under the trees to a waterfall at the west end.

This guide follows the line mapped on OpenStreetMap and splits the walk into 2 stages, about 8.0 km each: Ke'e Beach to Hanakoa, and Hanakoa to Kalalau Beach. The OSM line is 16.4 km, a little shorter than the official 11 miles because it smooths the switchbacks. The return is the same path in reverse. Fit hikers often walk Ke'e to Kalalau in one long day of 7 to 9 hours and use Hanakoa only on the way out or in bad weather.

Highlights

• The first half mile: the classic view west along the Napali cliffs
• Hanakapi'ai Valley: a wild beach and a 300 ft waterfall 1.8 miles up the valley (an extra 4 hours, good weather only)
• Hanakoa Falls: a 500 ft waterfall 0.3 miles up the valley from the Hanakoa campsite
• The last miles: open red slopes with the full view of the Kalalau cliffs
• Kalalau Beach and Valley: a long sand beach, a waterfall shower, sea caves and a 2-mile trail inland past old taro terraces

When to go

Summer, roughly May to September, is the season: the trade winds are steady, the trail is drier and the surf is smaller, and permits sell out first. Winter, October to April, brings more showers, storms, flash floods and big surf; streams can rise in minutes and the beaches become dangerous. Temperatures seldom drop below 60°F (16°C), but the sun is strong and the last section has little shade. Start early, because it gets dark quickly under the cliffs, especially in winter.

How hard is it?

DLNR calls the trail suitable only for expert hikers in good shape. The distance is modest, but the path is rarely level: in this guide's profile you climb about 1,350 m (4,400 ft) on the way in and a similar amount on the way back. It is steep, muddy and slippery when wet, rocky and narrow in places, with sheer drop-offs on the ocean side, especially past Hanakoa. Novices and anyone afraid of heights should go no further than Hanakapi'ai.

Permits and booking

You need a Napali Coast State Wilderness Park camping permit to go beyond Hanakapi'ai, even for a day hike, and there are no day permits. Permits are sold online on the State of Hawaii camping site up to 90 days ahead and often sell out, especially in summer. In 2026 they cost $35 per person per night for non-residents and $25 for Hawaii residents. The permit is issued for Kalalau and also covers Hanakoa, but never for two nights in a row there, and the maximum is 5 nights in all. A few walk-in permits for residents are sold at the State Parks office in Lihue. Camping is allowed only at Hanakoa and Kalalau, and open fires are banned.

Getting into Ha'ena State Park is booked separately on GoHaena. Non-residents need an entry reservation ($5) and a parking slot ($20 per car per slot) or a shuttle ticket, released 30 days ahead. With a Kalalau permit you need no entry reservation, but you must arrive by the shuttle, be dropped off, or book overnight parking at Ha'ena (up to 90 days ahead, paid per day). The lot is under construction in 2026, so spaces are fewer.

Getting there and away

Fly to Lihue (LIH) and drive about 1.5 hours to Hanalei and Ha'ena on Kuhio Highway, which ends at Ke'e Beach. The GoHaena shuttle runs from the Waipa Park and Ride near Hanalei and from Princeville to Ke'e Beach from 7:20 am to 5:40 pm; the round trip costs $45 for adults in 2026 and includes park entry, and campers can use it on all the days of their permit. The park gate is open from 7:00 am to 6:45 pm. Sleep the night before in Ha'ena, Hanalei or Princeville.

Water, food, money and phone signal

There is no drinking water, no shop, no trash service and no cell signal on the trail. Streams at Hanakapi'ai, Hanakoa and Kalalau are the only water: filter or treat it all, because leptospirosis is present. The campsites have composting toilets and Hanakoa has two rain shelters. Buy food, stove fuel and cash in Lihue, Kapa'a or Princeville before you drive north; Hanalei has shops and cafés but fewer choices.

What to pack

A light tent with a rain fly, sleeping bag or blanket and pad, a stove and fuel, food for every day, a water filter or tablets, a headlamp, a first aid kit, sun protection, insect repellent and boots or shoes with good grip for mud and wet rock. Keep your tent and pack closed, and carry out all your rubbish.

Safety

There is no cell coverage. In an emergency call 911 where you have signal; otherwise someone must hike out or signal a passing helicopter or boat. The Kaua'i Fire Department flies rescues with its Air 1 helicopter. Never cross a flooded stream: wait, because the water drops as fast as it rose. Do not swim at Hanakapi'ai: there are no lifeguards and rip currents drown people there every year. Stay back from cliff edges, avoid the base of cliffs and waterfalls because of falling rocks, and run to high ground if the sea suddenly drops (tsunami). The nearest emergency departments are in Lihue and Kapa'a, both more than an hour away by road.