How to stay safe and enjoy the views along Kalalau Trail
Kauai's Na Pali Coast is one of the most alluring natural attractions in the world, and there's no better way to experience it than with an immersive hike on the Kalalau Trail, which covers 11 miles of pristine natural coastline.
Though this trail is breathtaking, it's also one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. It's a major undertaking, but the result is well worth the logistical price of admission.
Why hike Kalalau?
The very elements that make the Kalalau Trail "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." so dangerous are the same ones that make it an incredible place to see and experience. The trail offers a gorgeous blend of Hawaiian scenery, from bright blue waters to high mountain peaks and forested valleys with waterfalls and streams. There's plenty of wildlife to see here too, which regularly draws photographers and others with an appreciation for untouched wilderness. Thanks to this rugged and varied terrain, you'll see some of the most incredible coastline views imaginable as you hike.
Prep your best strategy for balancing safety and fun.
Though it's unbelievably beautiful, there's no doubt that the Kalalau Trail can be extremely perilous at points. The trail is narrow, steep, rocky, and dotted with natural hazards ranging from strong water currents to falling rocks. Steep dropoffs into the water are especially dangerous. This isn't something to get smug about; multiple hikers have fallen from the trail's rocky precipices, and some lost their lives as a result. Sustaining major injuries along the Nā Pali coast "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." is more dangerous than on the average hiking trail; there's generally no cell reception or other means of contacting emergency services, meaning someone from your group will have to hike out to get help for an injured party. With that and other hazards in mind, this isn't a hike you should undertake on your own, no matter how experienced a solo hiker you are.
All that said, the Kalalau Trail offers an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable hiking experience, so avoiding it entirely isn't necessarily the right call. If you're in good shape and have the will to see some once-in-a-lifetime views of unspoiled Hawaiian coastline, you should absolutely add this trail to your Kauai to-do list. You'll just need to do some prep work to make sure you understand the hazards on the trail and how to avoid them. With this modest prep routine, you can head out onto Kalalau Trail with confidence knowing that you've armed yourself for the most successful trip possible.
Review all available safety info before heading out.
You don't have to head out to Kauai without a plan for your hike. There's a ton of safety information available online, all of which you can and should review before you reach the trailhead. The more research you do, the easier it will be to know where to stop for the best views, too. Among the information you should review is a basic overview "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." and a brief safety video "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." the State of Hawaii produced that outlines specific safety information for the trail. The video is a mandatory element of the trail hike-permitting process, but it's available for easy viewing online. Everyone in your group should watch it.
Develop a safety plan.
You don't want to be left in a panic if something goes wrong on the trail. Develop a safety plan with your hiking group and make sure everyone's on the same page about the process for seeking help in an emergency.
Pack smart.
You're responsible for keeping yourself hydrated, fed, dry, and cool while you're hiking the Kalalau Trail, so don't neglect to pack in plenty of food, some rain gear, and a hat. Pack some warmer layers as well so you can be ready for rapidly changing weather conditions. You'll also want to bring water bottles to take advantage of freshwater access when it's available, and you'll need water treatment or filtration equipment, too. Even if you don't normally hike with poles, you may want to bring some along so you can test out seemingly unstable ground without stepping on it and give yourself better stability.
Do a training montage.
If you're already in shape for an 11-mile trek with an 800-foot altitude gain, you probably don't need to go full Rocky to get ready for a Kalalau hike. However, if your hiking boots have been gathering dust or you've never gone on a full backpacking trek before, give yourself some time to shape up before you depart for Kauai. If you hike in 4 miles and decide you need to quit, your only option will be to turn around and hike right back out, so be realistic about whether you're up for the challenge.
Get your gear right.
If your current boots aren't waterproof, invest in a new pair with this feature. Parts of the trail can be wet, and some require water crossings. Conventional backpacking wisdom applies: don't wear brand-new, unbroken-in hiking boots on the trail. Wear them in before you depart for your trip to avoid blisters and other new-boot issues. Try on and adjust your backpack so it sits on your hips rather than your shoulders, and take it out for a trial run or two so you know how to properly distribute the weight in your pack for ideal balance. This last element can be particularly important on such a narrow, obstacle-filled trail.
Take rules and warnings seriously.
Safety rules are in place specifically to help you avoid getting into a treacherous situation on the Kalalau Trail. In a sense, these rules are a shortcut that do much of the safety thinking for you. If you see a sign posted that warns of the potential for flash flooding, for example, try not to hang out in that area for too long. There's a hard-and-fast rule prohibiting rock climbing on the trail, and given how many other opportunities there are for safe climbing "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." elsewhere on Kauai, you should heed this warning. The rocky cliffs on this coastline are quite fragile and can give out at a moment's notice.