At the end of the trail, at the hiking project trail70783alakaiswampoutandback 0 in view. They have maps for trails available in their gift shop and their website lists them as well. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Do not cross any park streams during rainy weather due to the possibility of flash. This is an alternate route to the alakai swamp trail, which intersects the pihea trail just before 1 34 mile point. Most of the trail through the alakai swamp does not exist any more due to. 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. The pihea section was very muddy and vertical, meaning some climbing on mud walls. I have hiked the pihea alakai swamp trail a few times before and always loved it.
The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Same area and date another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us on wed mar 11, 2020. Best kauai hiking trails hawaii hiking trails trailsource. This video shows the major hiking trail markers and scenery when hiking the pihea and alakai trails in kokee state park, kauai, hi. Text call 7am 7pm kauai time 8088222846 808 vacation. 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. On this trail, youll hear, but not necessarily see, birds.
Alakai swamp out and back running trail, waimea, hawaii. 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. Deep in the kokee state park forest is the alakai swamp hike, the worlds highest rainforest and swampland. 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. For a detailed trail description and printable trailhead map, just select a kauai hiking. Besides the mud and climbing parts, it was an easytomoderate trail. Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know. Kokee state park sprawls over 4,300 acres, and contains approximately 45 miles of hiking trails along canyon rims, and through native hawaiian forests. To help clarify this junction and the two trails, weve created three maps. This itinerary is indicated by the orange then red trails on the map at the bottom of the article.
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. The pihea trail or kilohana lookout is located at the end of hwy. Along the way, hikers can expect to see lush, native vegetation, views of the ocean, and native birds. Pihea trail kekaha 2020 all you need to know before. Alakai swamp trail kauai all you need to know before. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp is a hiking adventure located in or near waimea, hi.
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. 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. 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. What an enjoyable day hike across the highest swamp on earth. We would like to hike the alakai swamp trail and look for native birds. The area included in the computation is outlined in figure 7 see pp. Hawaiis alakai swamp trail is like nothing youve ever. As of march 22, 2014, the kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase. To access the alakai swamp trail, make your way to mohihi rd. 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. The conquest of kauai five days to kawaikini county. Kalalau valley can also be seen from the park this was the backdrop for jack londons short story ko. The 10 closest hotels to alakai swamp trail tripadvisor. Hiking the pihea trail to alakai swamp kauai, hawaii.
Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know before. Watch the graceful sea birds catch the wind drafts and fly freely over the valleys and kalalau beach below. Alakai swamp trail hike, kauai, hawaii kauai explorer. Stop by the kokee natural history museum for current trail information and. Come prepared for weather and bring your own water and lunch. Hawaiis official trail and access website administered by the na ala hele trails and access program, division of forestry and wildlife, state of hawaii. The ethereal beauty of kauais alakai swamp trail hawaii. After two miles on the pihea trail is the junction with alakai swamp trail. Alakai swamp out and back hiking trail, waimea, hawaii. In 2016 the swamp boardwalk was in the process of being replaced, one section at a time. The alakai swamp trail is roughly 7 miles roundtrip through the swampy wetlands, and is one of the only accessible bogs in hawaii. No commercial use allowed on the alakai swamp trail.
The alakai swamp trail is one of the most sought after hiking trails in kauai. Although the preserve is home to alpine bogs, it is not a true swamp. Pihea and alakai swamp trails junction ebird hotspots ebird. Alakai swamp trail kauai hawaii hawaii travel guide. A unique opportunity to explore an area rich with native species and a swamp area that has boardwalk trail. 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. If youve already gotten some nice views, continue to the alakai swamp trail. Same area and date another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us on mon aug 12, 2019.
The scenery drastically changes from open valley to rainforest as you. Not that i am a whimp but, that hike to the end was tough. This trail takes us through the highest elevation swampland in the world the alakai swamp. Alakai swamp trail everything you need to know makana. 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. You reach the alakai swamp trail intersection 2 miles from the puu o kila lookout. Alakai trailhead and took a look at the start of the trail from the kalalau. Pihea trail in kokee state park in waimea, kauai, hawaii. 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. 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. Unfortunately now, this trail is too dilapidated and in need of serious repairs. Alakai swam p kauai, hawaii ctahr university of hawaii.
Alakai wilderness preserve is a wilderness area on kauai hawaiian islands in hawaii. The area, as shown on the geologic and topographic map of kauai macdonald et al. 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. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Its a great hike for nature lovers who have an eye for plant life and bird watching.
Alakai swamp hike in kokee poipu beach association. Same area another location near pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us. 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. 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. Pihea and alakai swamp trails junction, kauai county, hawaii, us.
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. The average annual rainfall in this area is 200 inches or more. 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. Pihea trail to alakai swamp closed kauai, hawaii alltrails. Mouseover and click on kauai hike icons to view individual hiking trails info and directions. Alakai swamp trail activities on kauai waimea, hawaii. 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. Book kauai activities need help planning or to book. Hotels near alakai swamp trail, kauai on tripadvisor. As of march 22, 2014, the kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or. Along the way to the swamp there is a short spur trail to pihea peak that offers some views toward the ocean. While one could spend weeks exploring this incredible park, if youre short on time, the alakai swamp trail is a mustvisit. This area is prime viewing for kauai s forest birds.
And unfortunately, they are inprocess of replacing the 3 foot wide planking with a single 12 inch plank and have. When it comes to kauai hiking, the alakai swamp trail is one of our islands enchanting jewels. My husband and i did the complete alakai swamp trail later in the afternoon. Kokee state park and the alakai wilderness preserve are among the most cherished and. Go straight to the kilohana lookout, left to the puu o kila lookout trailhead or right to the sugi camp, or turn around and. The trail begins at the puu o kila lookout 4176 feet above the ocean below. Youll have to get an early start from your kauai vacation rental for this 8 mile hike. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp, located near waimea, hawaii is a 3.
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