Pihea Trail

Well worth all the muddy, slippery, sometimes unnerving Conditions to get to the views at the end. i am 41 and going cautiously it took 3
get there.awesome.lots a muddy fun

This hike was rough and not worth it. We didn’t finish it and neither did a bunch of the other people who turned around with us. The worst part is that it was sooo slippery and muddy that both my husband and I fell pretty hard. We ended up with bumps, bruises, and swollen body parts… Yet none of the views that we made it to were any better than what you could see at the lookout point at the top. We talked to quite a few other people on the hike and most agreed with us that it just wasn’t worth it; however, a few people said its one of their favorite stops when they come to Kauai… So you decide for yourself! Also note, we did this on a clear November day. We didn’t have any rain, but I’m sure the trail had a lot of rain in the days before we were there (or maybe even earlier that morning, because it was pure slippery mud).
So why three stars and not one or two? Because the views really are spectacular. Whether I would prefer them from the viewpoint and whether I think they are worth it or not. They are breathtaking.

Great hike. It will challenge and stun you with all it’s beauty. Bring shoes with good traction. Its a very muddy hike till you get to the swamp. All the climbing will be worth it in the end I promise.

This review is from the Kalalau Outlook to the top.
First, let me emphasize that we were VERY lucky to have gone on such a beautiful day! Not a single storm came in our path, but it was obvious that it had rained a few hours before. It wasn’t until very late on the trail we had begun to trek through some muddy clay.
Throughout the trail, there were clearings in which you could see the valley. I snapped multiple photos at each clearing as each view became better and better!
The last maybe .25 before the top becomes much more strenuous… Some of the steps become very steep and tricky. The VERY last part right before the top has two ways to it… The left path is covered and small, but I guarantee you it is an easier path. This path comes a few yards before the main path on the right. You’ll know when you see a wall that you LITERALLY have to climb and use your hands and hope you don’t fall… I learned this the hard way. And when you get to the top, you’ll see an easier path leading down to the same area and facepalm.
Overall, it’s not a difficult hike, especially if you’re somewhat active. The panorama from the top was slightly blocked by some bushes, which was a bit disappointing considering the short monkey climb. I definitely recommend checking this trail if you’re driving up Waimea Canyon!

This view is so beautiful and you’re on top of paradise basically. Went with my gf, her daughter, niece, sister, and two dogs! The trail itself can be very muddy and you’ll have to do some scrambling!

The key to this hike is to go early (the clouds started covering the coast line at 10 and filled the view in less than 15minutes). We didn’t make it to the Pihea Lookout due to the fact we knew we would only see clouds when we got there so we stopped at the river (about ¼ mile shy). It was a wonderful hike and took about 2 hours. It didn’t rain, however plan on it raining (since it is the rainest spot on earth some years).
This was by far one of the best hikes I’ve been on. We didn’t rush and was passed by many hikers in a hurry. I’m glad I got all the photos we did and enjoyed our surroundings greatly.
Again, it didn’t rain so we had a great hike and no mud and not slippery. I took a white jacket and didn’t get a single spot of dirt on it.
Every day in Kauai it rains so we planned our adventures according to the weather forecast that morning.
I would so do this hike a again!

It’s a once-​in-​a-​lifetime experience. I loved it, but I am okay with never doing it again.
So, what do I wish someone had told me before I went? Or what would I have done differently?
First off, although hubby & I are in pretty good shape, I thought it was more difficut than the moderate rating it was given. Why? Because climbing up and down slippery, muddy slopes, sometimes at the edge of oblivion, while tryng to avoid deep, shoe-​sucking mud holes is exhausting, akin to the mental veracity it takes while rock-​climbing. If you have ever seen the movie «romancing the stone», with the mudslide scene– those were the conditions that we hiked with in the difficult parts. The mud was a very slippery mixture, that with one false step, I could see myself slipping down the trail quite a ways (not down the mountainside!)
With that said, this is what I would have done differently.
I wish I…
*had worn clothing that I didn’t care about
*had worn pants instead of shorts
*had hiking boots instead of old running shoes that soaked up all the muddy water, staining not only my shoes, but socks AND toenails!
*had professional hiking rods, but the broken tree branch someone gave me worked fine, and proved invaluable
*had worn a jacket that I could get muddy
*had packed wet wipes and tissues
*had packed more food, like sandwiches instead of just a few fruits, box of granola, crackers and water
*had worn a watch and brought a compass and trail map
*had known there was a rushing creek I had to cross using only two flat metal poles.
We hiked the trail to the Alaka-​i (alakani) trail and followed it to the marshes that overlook the valley towards Hanalei Bay. BUT we didnt make it. Once out in the open marshes, it was very cold, and rained COLD rain, on and off and was so windy. Not fun.
We walked approx a total of 6 – 7 miles round trip. It felt a lot farther than that, and when we got back to the parking we realized why: we had been gone for SIX hours!!! WE didn’t realize that the muddiness and slipperyness of the trail had made it that slow going, we didnt even stop for longer than a few minutes at a time to drink water or take a pic.
Despite everything, it was amazing experience, I just think that people who have the right gear can go a lot faster and more easily (as we saw some couples like that).

This was a great hike (the first mile anyway) for us and our four-​month old (carried in a front-​pack). It wasn’t too wet, so terrain was solid. The views are among the best I have ever seen. The first ten minutes is jaw-​dropping.

We hiked the Pihea Trail to the Alakai Swamp Trail, ending at Kilohana Overlook. The entire round trip took us about 4 hours and 45 minutes. I wouldn’t start this trail later than about 1:30 pm to ensure that you’re back before the sun sets.
I wouldn’t say that the trail itself is difficult, except for the first part which can get extremely muddy and thus slippery. I wouldn’t do this part in flip flops — wear sneakers, at least, and make sure you’re okay with them getting dirty. Much of the trail had washed out when we went, so we were on all fours trying to climb in the wet mud. I was happy that we were wearing Camelbaks so that I had use of both hands! To be fair, on the way back the mud had dried considerably and it was much easier going.
You get some nice coastline views at the beginning. Soon you enter a forest and the trail continues along a boardwalk which I’d say is about 95% intact. After you pass the intersection and continue along Alakai Swamp Trail, there’s even more boardwalk (including a fairly long staircase), with a few more muddy sections (but none as bad as the first muddy section on the Pihea Trail). There’s also one stream crossing, so be careful if the current is strong. Eventually you’ll make it to a swamp! The boardwalk makes the hike pretty trivial here.
If you’re lucky, you’ll reach Kilohana Lookout while there are no clouds blocking the view. We weren’t so lucky and all we saw were clouds, and we didn’t really have time to hang out and wait (as we needed to start heading back). We did, however, encounter a small flock of five friendly nene (Hawaiian geese) that were hanging out by the boardwalk.

Oh I love this trail. When I was young and the fog would roll in, we would jump up and down saying «we’re touching the clouds!» Fun fun times. Easy hike. Pretty views, as per usual. Haven’t been in a while. Should return.

PIHEA OVER LOOK; ALAKAI SWAMP TRAIL — KILOHANA OVERLOOK (7.5 mi., 850 ft)
Pihea Overlook is the highest point along the rim.
We tried to go down to Alakai swamp twice, both defeated. Too muddy to risk our health/​life for this experience. We are hoping to get some drier, less muddier day in future.
Defeat sucks but the view is just so beautiful.
Unilocal 365 — ²⁴³⁄₃₆₅

OK, God did some of his best work here. Period. Hands down. Cannot even begin to imagine how he came up with this.
We hiked the Pihea trail. Highly recommended, not to long and you get to see both rainforest and so many views of the coast that you need a bigger SD card in your camera. Every turn, snap, snap snap.
When we got to the end of the trail, almost to Pihea point, it started to rain, hard. That made the trail a little more complex. Slippery and nasty… but fun! This is NOT for the novice on a rainy day. It has some complex inclines that you need to balance, grab, step, stretch, pull and climb… all while avoiding the mud. Wear shoes that you are OK with getting muddy. Pack a towel and even a change of clothes in your car. We saw several individuals who had taken some nasty falls that were covered in mud… not good for a rental car. TRUST ME, it rains here!
Do it. Do it. Do it. It was the cheapest tour and probably my favorite.
Would have loved to have done the swamp trail too but with the rain, it just slowed us down too much.
From trail head to Pihea point and back with 687 pictures +/​-​it took us about 4 hours.
We stopped at the big meadow by the Kokee museum for a picnic lunch, it was really cool.
On the way up Hwy 50 you will come across a smooth red dirt area on the left side where you will see some small streams. STOP HERE, get out and check it out. It is the neatest thing. It’s like this mini stream through the red dirt with ferns and wild orchids all along it. I could not take enough pictures.

I really enjoyed this moderate hike — unlike a lot of hikes with views of Na Pali, you don’t have to hike forever to get an amazing view. Basically this entire trail is one giant look out point so you can do as little or as much as you want of this trail and not feel like you missed out on THE vista.
I did this trail at nearly 7 months pregnant and there were some steep naturally occurring «staircases» that are part of the trail — those were the only parts where it was a *tad* harder… but overall a very moderate trail with lots of flat parts that’s quite do-​able even if you’re not at the top of your game.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE PIHEA TRAIL TO ALAKAI SWAMP TO KILOHANA LOOKOUT
we started at 830, arrived at the intersection of alakai around 935, arrived at kilohana lookout (hanalei valley view) just before 11, returned back to trail head at pihea just before 130.
total mileage round trip is about 8.5 miles (the mileage indicated on the trail signage and that of the websites and guidebooks differ slightly).
views: the beginning of pihea is great, the views of napali coast and valleys are gorgeous, however, after the alakai intersection, there are no views until you reach kilohana where you are given a great view (weather permitting) of hanalei bay. START EARLY as the fog will set in and block the hanalei view. after the valley views of pihea, there is 1 or 2 (cant remember) section of very uphill, slippery, muddy climbs up and down before you reach alakai intersection.
overall impression: kilohana lookout is not worth the trouble it takes getting to it. do the pihea and look at the valleys, skip kilohana. if you’re itching for a great hike, do kalalau, or at least the first few miles to the waterfall.
and btw, dont do what other hikers were doing, trying to hike it in sandals/​flip flops

The Pihea Trail is a gorgeous 4 mile r/​t (if you are going to the Pihea Lookout & return) from the trailhead at the Pu’u O Kila Lookout. A little technical footwork is required here and there, if it has recently been raining there will be slippery and goopy mud.
If it’s socked in with clouds/​fog you won’t get the spectacular Kalalau Valley & coastline vistas, and the final scramble to the Pihea viewpoint wouldn’t be worth it, but the trail would still be fun.
The useful: go early or prepare to park pretty far from the small parking lot at Pu’u O Kila. Can’t miss this one — just drive to the very end of the road through Waimea Canyon.

Pihea trail starts at the end of the road in kokee state park. good pair of hiking shoes are needed and it can be very muddy in areas. 1.7 miles to the fork where you decide to go the the vista trail or down to link up with the kilohana trail. Start early if you want to go to the end of kilohana trail, almost 5 miles one way. If you get lucky with the weather, you will get AMAZING views of kalalau valley all along the way. Not recommended for small children or elderly as you are walking along the rim of kalalau valley and there can be alot of up and down climbing. otherwise it is well worth the drive…