During the winter months, visitors may be able to spot some kayakers off shore as well. There are pit toilets at the beach, but not much else just beautiful white sand and the occasional lava boulder. Even the best hiking boots will not make you immune to the slippery, squelching mud. Throughout the first two miles, the trail will randomly dip into dense jungle which unfortunately means some muddy ground. Aside for a lot of roots, hikers will also scale the rolling ridge via ruggedly carved steps. Unfortunately, hikers should not be too focused on the views throughout the hike the exposed roots on the trail seem to be purposely placed at the best vistas to trip distracted hikers. Be sure to stop once you get above the jungle and take a peek behind you, there is no better view of Ke'e Beach, not even from the sand. Like it is throughout the trail, the view is amazing as the trail heads up a ridge, breaks from the jungle and begins to tower over the beautiful coastline. The trail stars off easy enough, and providing there have been no recent rain, the sun should assure the reddish brown dirt should be dry enough even though it heads into the jungle. Falling rocks, flash floods, and hazardous cliffs are all very real possibilities throughout the various sections of the trail.
Be sure to consider the warning signs that crowd the trailhead. The first section of the hike from Ke'e Beach to Hanakapi'ai Beach may only be two miles, but it is still considered a moderate trek due to the heat, humidity and mud of the trail as it passed through wet jungle. Parking is available, but as Ke'e Beach is a popular spot in its own right it will be harder to get a spot near the trailhead as the day goes on. From Lihu'e Airport, the Ke'e Beach is only an hour's drive northwest along the Kuhio Highway (Route 56). The beginning the Kalalau Trail is located on the north side of Kauai, right next to the Ke'e Beach. Past Hanakapi'ai Beach, day use visitors will also need a permit to hike all the way to the Kalalau Beach. However, visitors can camp on the Hanakapi'ai Beach without a permit if they cannot make it back in one day. Visitors should also note that camping is allowed on Kalalau Beach, but they must receive a permit from the Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources first. During the stretches where hikers are skirting a cliffside with a 300-foot fall waiting for them below, the prospect of the trail crumbling beneath their feet is practically mortifying. Due to the Kalalau Trail's loose dirt, a number of hikers have actually fallen from the trail. Making the hike to one of the highest rated beaches in the world is reason enough to go however, the trail is not always easy. The Kalalau Trail makes a challenging 11-mile climb from Ke'e Beach to the secluded Kalalau Beach along the dramatic cliffs of the famous Na Pali Coast. Images of the Kalalau Trail have been inspiring feelings of wanderlust in travellers for years, but few ever make this legendary trek.
However, instead of being pampered at a 5-star resort or baking on the beach with a Mai Tai, hikers dream of tackling some of Hawaii's most challenging trails. Even avid hikers and outdoors people have dreams of that idyllic Hawaiian vacation.
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