Pihea Trail

Napali Coast Trail

Koke'e and Waimea State Park

Pihea Trail is located in Koke'e State Park starting at the Pu'u o Kila overlook (the end of Highway 550). At the beginning of this incredible trail, it skirts along the Kalalau Valley, starting passing through the forest of Ohi'a trees, ferns, koa, and other native vegetation. This is an excellent place to bird watch if time allows, you might even catch a glimpse of the 'I'iwi, a gorgeous red bird. It is medium-sized with a curved peach bill. As you finish the first mile of the trail a short but extremely steep side trail leads to the Pihea Vista. It's pretty, but it's not worth the effort, especially since you've only just begun the trail. At this point there is also a hog fence put up with signs and a locked gate. This has confused some people. To the right the trail continues along the fence another mile to connect with the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail. Beyond this point, the Pihea Trail is covered mostly with boardwalk.  

After approximately two miles on the Pihea Trail, you will come to a junction between the Pihea Trail and the Alaka'i Swamp Trail. From this juncture you'll likely want to continue along the Alaka'i Swamp Trail to Kilohana Lookout. To head to Kilohana, make sure to take a left at the junction; continuing straight will take you down to Kawaikoi Camp, and heading right will take you back to Camp 10 Road on the Alakai Trail.  After you make the left at the junction,  you will descend a steep set of wooden stairs to a place where you cross Kawaikoi Stream before hiking back up the other side through an even more fairyland type forest.  You follow a few narrow ridges before breaking out onto a high plateau.  If there has been significant rainfall in recent weeks you will be tromping along the boardwalk as it hovers a continuous series of little bogs.  In foggy weather, the visibility up here can be limited to 10 feet or less. 

Continuing along the boardwalk as you make your way to Kilohana overlook; take notice of several old wooden utility poles that are along the trail.   The Alakai Trail follows the route of a proposed road that was supposed to connect the north shore of Kauai to Waimea Canyon by traversing the Wainiha Pali just south of Kilohana overlook and meeting up with camp 10 Road at the current start to the Alakai Trail.  If you look carefully when the trail veers to the shortly before reaching Kilohana, you can still see the easement of where the old road was supposed to go marked by utility poles sticking out of the swamp far away from the boardwalk. The plans to build the road were abandoned after heavy winter rains caused the swamp to literally swallow the heavy road-building equipment.   After traversing the plateau, there are a couple of small dips in the trail after which you break free onto the western edge of Wainiha Pali at Kilohana.  If you are lucky, the fog will part and you will be treated to one of the most amazing views on Kauai, a panoramic display of the entire North Shore.   Especially if you started your day by driving from a hotel in Princeville, looking over Hanalei Bay and the Kilauea Lighthouse will give you an amazing perspective of the island; look down there.... is that our hotel?!