Before you set out on pihea trail, alakai swamp trail or any kokee state park or waimea canyon state park trails, be sure to check with the staff at kokee lodge for detailed directions, trail maps, and information on trail and stream conditions and weather. To help clarify this junction and the two trails, weve created three maps. Not that i am a whimp but, that hike to the end was tough. Kokee state park and the alakai wilderness preserve are among the most cherished and. Alakai swamp hike in kokee poipu beach association. Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know before. The area, as shown on the geologic and topographic map of kauai macdonald et al. They have maps for trails available in their gift shop and their website lists them as well. Stop by the kokee natural history museum for current trail information and. Hike the rain forest of kokee, the bogs of the alakai swamp and the hanging valleys of the napali coast. As you begin the trail you will find yourself perched on a land bridge straddling 4,000 feet above the kalalau valley floor and the alakai swamp, with inland views stretching to mount.
Kalalau valley can also be seen from the park this was the backdrop for jack londons short story ko. From the puu o kila lookout to the kilohana lookout off the alakai swamp trail is 8 miles round trip and will take you just under 4 hours. No commercial use allowed on the alakai swamp trail. The pihea section was very muddy and vertical, meaning some climbing on mud walls. In 2016 the swamp boardwalk was in the process of being replaced, one section at a time. The alakai swamp trail in kauai is a unique hike that will take you to one of the wettest places in the world thanks to footbridges. When it comes to kauai hiking, the alakai swamp trail is one of our islands enchanting jewels. Youll have to get an early start from your kauai vacation rental for this 8 mile hike. This video shows the major hiking trail markers and scenery when hiking the pihea and alakai trails in kokee state park, kauai, hi. And unfortunately, they are inprocess of replacing the 3 foot wide planking with a single 12 inch plank and have. Pihea trail in kokee state park in waimea, kauai, hawaii. Go straight to the kilohana lookout, left to the puu o kila lookout trailhead or right to the sugi camp, or turn around and. I have hiked the pihea alakai swamp trail a few times before and always loved it.
My husband and i did the complete alakai swamp trail later in the afternoon. Along the way to the swamp there is a short spur trail to pihea peak that offers some views toward the ocean. The alakai swamp trail is one of the most sought after hiking trails in kauai. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp is a hiking adventure located in or near waimea, hi. The ethereal beauty of kauai s alakai swamp trail by catherine toth fox jun 22, 2016 the woodburning fireplace in the dingy, barely insulated state cabin at the lodge at kokee on kauai wasnt enough to keep me warm that first night, so i had donned everything i had in my backpack. While these trails can often be rainy and muddy, they remain popular with visitors and locals for the opportunity to immerse in kauai s rain forest, walk through kokees alakai swamp amidst native plants, trees and birds, and view hanalei bay from the northwest from the end of the alakai swamp trail. As of march 22, 2014, the kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or. Come prepared for weather and bring your own water and lunch. Do not cross any park streams during rainy weather due to the possibility of flash. Book kauai activities need help planning or to book. Detailed kauai hiking trail maps that will guide you to each kauai trail head and provide you a general idea of where each hiking trail is located.
This trail takes us through the highest elevation swampland in the world the alakai swamp. This area is prime viewing for kauai s forest birds. The alakai swamp trail is roughly 7 miles roundtrip through the swampy wetlands, and is one of the only accessible bogs in hawaii. Pihea and alakai swamp trails junction ebird hotspots ebird. The entrance to the alakai swamp trail isnt far from the terminus of the pihea trail, and there will be a dirt pull out where you can park. If youve already gotten some nice views, continue to the alakai swamp trail. Starting at the parking lot at the end of kokee road 550 youll hike the green portion which is the pihea trail and then the blue which is the alakai swamp trail which will take you to the kilohana lookout at the end. We would like to hike the alakai swamp trail and look for native birds. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Alakai swamp trail everything you need to know makana. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp, located near waimea, hawaii is a 3. Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps.
The 10 closest hotels to alakai swamp trail tripadvisor. Although the preserve is home to alpine bogs, it is not a true swamp. Explore kauai at your own pace with this audio tour app that uses gps to guide you to and around some of the islands top attractions. Alakai swamp trail kauai all you need to know before. Alakai trailhead and took a look at the start of the trail from the kalalau. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. The conquest of kauai five days to kawaikini county. Alakai swamp trail kauai hawaii hawaii travel guide. Best kauai hiking trails hawaii hiking trails trailsource.
Hiking the pihea trail to alakai swamp kauai, hawaii. Watch the graceful sea birds catch the wind drafts and fly freely over the valleys and kalalau beach below. Same area another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us. Alakai swamp trail hike, kauai, hawaii kauai explorer. Same area and date another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us on mon aug 12, 2019. The ethereal beauty of kauais alakai swamp trail hawaii. Alakai swamp out and back running trail, waimea, hawaii. Besides the mud and climbing parts, it was an easytomoderate trail. The trail begins at the puu o kila lookout 4176 feet above the ocean below.
The scenery drastically changes from open valley to rainforest as you. After two miles on the pihea trail is the junction with alakai swamp trail. Pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us. The kokee state park has many trails to explore, but the pihea trail to alakai swamp trail combination makes the list for the most unique mountain hike on kauai.
Alakai wilderness preserve is a wilderness area on kauai hawaiian islands in hawaii. The alakai swamp trail takes you into the interior of kauai where you will be treated to peace and solitude in a rain forest filled with ferns and greens. Its a great hike for nature lovers who have an eye for plant life and bird watching. For a detailed trail description and printable trailhead map, just select a kauai hiking.
Alakai swamp out and back hiking trail, waimea, hawaii. As of march 22, 2014, the kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase. Alakai swam p kauai, hawaii ctahr university of hawaii. What an enjoyable day hike across the highest swamp on earth. Alakai swamp trail activities on kauai waimea, hawaii. To access the alakai swamp trail, make your way to mohihi rd. At the end of the trail, at the hiking project trail70783alakaiswampoutandback 0 in view. The area included in the computation is outlined in figure 7 see pp. Alakai swamp trail is a 7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near hanapepe, kauai, hawaii that features a river and is rated as moderate. The pihea trail or kilohana lookout is located at the end of hwy. Pihea trail to alakai swamp closed kauai, hawaii alltrails. While one could spend weeks exploring this incredible park, if youre short on time, the alakai swamp trail is a mustvisit. Also popularly known as the alakai wilderness preserve, alakai swamp is a wet forest characterized by shallow bogs, formed due to heavy rainfall in the waialeale plateau. Text call 7am 7pm kauai time 8088222846 808 vacation.
The average annual rainfall in this area is 200 inches or more. Conversely, if you started the pihea trail from the end of the road at the lookout, this is the trail that you turn on to get to the kilohana lookout. Hawaiis alakai swamp trail is like nothing youve ever. Most of the trail through the alakai swamp does not exist any more due to. This swamp is a montane wet forest not so much a true swamp located on the plateau near mount waialeale, one of the wettest spots on the planet. On this trail, youll hear, but not necessarily see, birds. Unfortunately now, this trail is too dilapidated and in need of serious repairs. The pihea trail is a recommended forest reserve trail for scenic views, observing kauai s native forest birds and sampling the alakai wilderness terrain and vegetation. Deep in the kokee state park forest is the alakai swamp hike, the worlds highest rainforest and swampland. We have attempted, during our previous 2 visits to get to alakai by way of the pihea trail but it has been extremely muddy during februarymarch and by the time we have reached the alakai trail head we have needed to turn around because it is too late in the day. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know. Same area and date another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us on wed mar 11, 2020. Along the way, hikers can expect to see lush, native vegetation, views of the ocean, and native birds.