Hawaii offers numerous hiking opportunities from gentle coastal strolls to ascending 13,000 feet snow capped mountain peaks. Kauai, the Garden Island, has several excellent hiking trails for the walking enthusiast in areas of outstanding natural beauty. The most popular of these is the Kalalau Trail along the otherwise inaccessable north coast of Hawaii hugging the Na Pali coastline. This well maintained 11-mile one-way trail leads into remote country used by the ancient Hawaiians. Few make it all the way in, most make it to the 2-mile Hanakapi'ai Beach where you can camp, and lots make it to the 1-mile lookout for the first glimpse of the stunning Napali Coastline, and then head back. Also on the north coast of Kauai, but on the other side of the valleys, is Kokee State Park which has lots of small loop trails and a few longer trails into hidden valleys. These trails offer excellent ambling in extraordinary beauty.
There are many other fantastic hiking trails all over Kauai, and the avid walker will find a month is not enough to explore them.
The Big Island of Hawaii is another excellent destination and offers a wide variety of hikes. The trails around Volcanoes National Park are the most popular - walks into the lava fields are an unusual experience - it's very exposed and hot with sharp and unstable rock beneath the feet, but reaching the edge of the lava flows (wherever they may be at the time) is an unforgettable experience. There are two excellent hiking trails either side of Waipio Valley in the north of the island. These pass through traditional farming plantations into remote river valleys, past waterfalls and into lush tropical rainforest. For the mountain explorer, hiking around the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve or to the summit of the 13,000 feet Mauna Kea is a challenge. Another fantastic walk is along the South Kohala coastline, passing numerous secluded sandy beaches.
Maui has exciting trails throughout the barren Haleakala National Park, high up in the centre of the island, and offers great vistas and an extinct volcanic crater. There are also some lovely forest trails south of Hana on the south-east coast of Maui, good for those who like waterfalls and tropical scenery.
State camp grounds with excellent facilities can be found throughout Hawaii. Permits are usually free, but should be obtained in advance from the Department of Land and Natural Resources or from the State Park Headquarters on each island. Water from rivers and waterfalls is unsafe to drink so hikers should be fully prepared. Be warned that weather patterns on the islands change extremely quickly and flash floods are common. Most trails have registration books for hikers to sign and help with emergency relief in the event of such phenomenons. Check in with the State Park for trail maps, camping licences and local advice.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Hiking
Fiji Hiking
Samoa Hiking
Tonga Hiking
Tahiti Hiking
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