Kalalau has attracted all walks of life. The stunning and isolated beach, valley, waterfalls, and natural sliding pools will turn you inside out. You will feel so free and rejuvenated when you reach your final destination. All you will want to do is play, explore, and do nothing but relax. Kalalau’s natural untouched scenery will leave you a sense of how old Hawaii use to be like. The fresh star fruits, lilikoi, and crawfish in the river will keep you full throughout your stay. Just in case you wanted to live off the land like a true Hawaiian native warrior.
Here’s what you can expect if you make the journey. It doesn’t look like much from the air, but when you set foot on this beach, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world.
The starting point to Kalalau Trail is off of Ke’e Beach at the end of HI-560 W road. It is recommended to park your vehicle by Haena Park. There is three ways to get to Kalalau Valley and beach. You can hike on the one way trail for 11 miles, that’s a total of 22 miles if you hike back to Ke’e Beach, so bring a water filter because there will be streams to drink from to stay hydrated. You could also kayak for three hours from Ke’e Beach with all of your camping gear and coolers. If you do decide to camp there with your family or friends, make sure you get a camping permit at the Kauai County Building in Lihue.
If you are really lucky, you can ask a local resident with a motor boat from Hanalei Pier to take you there as well. There is no wrong way to travel there, but make sure you pack at least 4 days’ worth of food and water. You will want stay longer than intended and capture every new discovery you find in Kalalau.
The initial trail has many dangerous places like the crawlers ledge. It will have you literally walking on the edge. It’s a challenge that will have you feeling like a champion when you finish the hike. Always stay on the trail and follow the signs. The streams will be refreshing and fun to walk over, but be careful and always go with someone you can trust. A buddy system is recommended and good pair of Vibram Five Fingers Trek shoes will help you stay flexible like Spider-Man when walking around dangerous areas of the mountain.
The best time to go to Kalalau is during the summer. The waters are calmer, and the beauty of the beach will really resonates with your soul. The locals who live on Kauai come here to get away from the everyday hustle. Many love that isolated feeling or they come here with their spouse to on a mission propose in front of all of their family and friends. Kalalau will change you forever. It will have you ready to conquer the world and live your dreams. Make sure to add a visit to Kalalau to your list of things to do in Kauai! Looking for more information about Kalalau? Check out our friends over at Backpacker’s Review for a full trip report – click here for more information!
Contact us today for more information on local attractions and our beautiful Alii Kai ocean view vacation rentals.