Awa'awapuhi Trail, Kauai, Hawaii

The Awa'awapuhi Trail in Koke'e State Park begins at 4,120ft and descends continuously through the Napali-Kona Forest Reserve to the rim of the Awa'awapuhi Valley at 2,500ft — 3.25 miles one way, 6.5 miles round trip. The trail winds through diverse native Hawaiian forest including endemic birds, native ferns, and rare plants before opening dramatically to sensational views of the Na Pali sea cliffs dropping thousands of feet to the Pacific Ocean below. The jagged emerald ridges of the Napali coast make this one of the most visually spectacular trail endpoints on Earth. Ancient Hawaiians named the valley for Kuna, a giant freshwater eel who explored the Na Pali cliffs looking for a home. The return is all uphill — bring trekking poles and start early.

🎒 Gear for this: Osprey Atmos 50 Backpack · Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter