Sleeping Giant Trail
Sleeping Giant Trail
4.5
About
Named for its unusual shape, this Nounou Mountain trail in east Kauai is a challenging 3.4 mile trek—but the views at the top? Worth it.
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4.5
879 reviews
Excellent
556
Very good
281
Average
39
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Bonnie G
Manchester, TN120 contributions
May 2022
Short hike that will get your heart pumping! Climb 1247 ft elevation in 1.8 miles. Only a few areas that were difficult to maneuver and was more like rock climbing. Great little picnic shelter almost to the top. Could be tough if it had recently rained and made slippery. 65 years old and I did it with hiking poles which made the downhill easier on the knees so o would recommend using them if you are of a more mature age lol.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura S
11 contributions
Feb 2020
we stayed in poipu and this was an easy drive to the trailhead. we went a few days after rain, but were in no way prepared for the condition of this "hike". reading this trail being described as muddy is laughable, and completely inaccurate. most of the trail looks like a water pipe, with two banks of mud on either side and muddy water in the middle for you to slosh through. it's not a hard hike by any means, but it's not a hike really at all. the views were good, but definitely not worth it. i even told a few people when we got back to the lot that it wasn't worth it.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KevinL41872
Nashua, NH570 contributions
June 2023 • Family
My daughter and I decided to hike the out and back trail before dinner on a Wednesday afternoon. Weather looked favorable so we gave it a go. The first part of the trail is the steepest for the shortest distance, it levels out a bit afterwards, even though thete were plenty of twists, turns, steps, climbs and some bouldering closer to the top. Beautiful views at almost every look out area. There is a bit of a false top, with a picnic table and shelter, but if you keep trekking a but further, you get the true top and amazing views. The cave at the top is a welcome cool temperature. It took us about 3 hours total but it can be done in less if you are moving at a faster pace. Absolutely a must for the adventurous.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeKupe
Victor, NY767 contributions
July 2021
Solid three mile round trip hike. If you are a regular hiker and are familiar with hills and a little bit of mud (there is not too much mud) you will do fine. We hike regularly in Western NY and the ADK Mountains and this was more like a Finger Lakes Trail than an ADK mountain. It is about three miles round trip and you gain about 1,000 feet of elevation on the hike up; there are lots of switchbacks though so you don’t fell the elevation gain as much. Lots of pretty views on the way up and at the top. Took us about 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. Nice hike to stop at if going between the north and south ends of the island. And of course once you do the hike you can’t miss the Sleeping Giant every time you pass it on the highway, in fact you keep seeing it clearer and clearer!
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick W
Sacramento, CA38 contributions
Feb 2020
There are spectacular views from this trail, but there is a cost. The trail is not very well maintained with deep ruts, steep terrain and numerous roots to catch your boots. This trail would be very difficult after a rain, when it's muddy. We were caught unawares of a near vertical rock face, about 15 feet high, that required some scrambling to surmount. This was quite challenging for some, especially for those 70+ years of age. I would do this again, but would be better prepared with hiking poles. We did not get to the top due to steep terrain.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelley G
8 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
Moderate level hike with gorgeous views!! We finished in just under 2 hours, including taking pictures at the top and a few very short water breaks. A couple areas are more like rock climbing and could be difficult for someone that doesn’t get around well or has a fear of heights. We are 41-51 age range and “fittish” and didn’t have any issues. I would not recommend taking small children to the very top.
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carl F
Green Bay, WI377 contributions
Feb 2020
The two mile East trail is easy to follow and has parts that are muddy and it hadn't rained in a few days. After a rain it would be fairly muddy and slick. We are in our sixties and had to no issues. At the top you get an excellent view of entire area.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie
Dubuque, IA7 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Loved this hike! There are some spots that are pretty muddy, so go early before they get really bad (and so you find a place to park!). It took my husband and I about 2 hours (mid-30’s) and found it to be an easy walk/hike. Views from the Giant’s Forehead were amazing and really did feel like we were on top of the world!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J. Mason
San Jose, CA19 contributions
May 2022
Parking is a little tight and the navigator does know where the trail head is. The hike to the picnic table is 1.7 miles uphill with a couple rocky scrambles. If you walk another ten minutes you can hike to the top and stand on the precipice. We didn't because of the heat and our water bottles were empty.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah I
Wauchula, FL218 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
This was a fun, moderate trail with a little bit of scrambling in just a couple places. The place we were staying was closer to the East Trail, so that’s the route we took. There is a small parking lot.
Signs mark the beginning of the trail and there are markers for every 1/4 of a mile. Honestly the beginning of the hike is steep and a little more rocky, but as you get closer to the top the path is smoother.
Like others have said, when you get to the place where the picnic tables are, keep going! The best views are past this point- you’ll see the path that leads to the ridge to the left as you get up to the picnic covering. Once along the ridge, I’d stay to the right. There is a little bit of scrambling you may have to do, but the views are worth it!
I can see how this trail could be muddy after a rain, but when we went it was dry. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and take water. It took us 2 hours and 40 min, but we stopped and took lots of pictures. We also went all the way to the ridge. If we just did up to the picnic tables and back it would have been 2 hours.
Signs mark the beginning of the trail and there are markers for every 1/4 of a mile. Honestly the beginning of the hike is steep and a little more rocky, but as you get closer to the top the path is smoother.
Like others have said, when you get to the place where the picnic tables are, keep going! The best views are past this point- you’ll see the path that leads to the ridge to the left as you get up to the picnic covering. Once along the ridge, I’d stay to the right. There is a little bit of scrambling you may have to do, but the views are worth it!
I can see how this trail could be muddy after a rain, but when we went it was dry. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and take water. It took us 2 hours and 40 min, but we stopped and took lots of pictures. We also went all the way to the ridge. If we just did up to the picnic tables and back it would have been 2 hours.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurel P
Sacramento, California
Is there a place to lock bikes at the trailhead (specifically the one off Haleilio rd)?
Written 30 April 2021
Is this hike safe to go with a 3 years old boy?
Written 5 February 2020
Steepest towards the top, but there’s a nice picnic table about 3/4 of the way up. And a bench (if I remember right) about halfway. I would make sure you have someone ready and able to carry the little guy safely up and down as 3 can be a tricky age in my experience. Good luck!
Written 7 February 2020
Is this trail close enough to Lihue Airport that we could Uber or take a taxi to and from? We'd like to do a day trip to Kauai and not have to rent a car. Thanks!
Written 6 June 2019
l adresse pour se garer et commencer le trail merci
Written 3 December 2017
Holly C
Los Angeles, California
Can someone please explain the differences between the Nounou East Trail and the Nounou West Trail? I'm trying to figure out which trail is more difficult, which trail is more scenic/beautiful, and how long each trail takes. Thanks!
Holly
Written 23 May 2017
Venture224332
Kapaa, Hawaii
The West trail starts on the west side of the mountain, in the subdivision known as Wailua Homesteads. It actually has two trailhead signs: a farther one, along Kamalu Rd, and a closer one with a mini parking lot, at the end of Lokelani Rd. There's a straight lawn between the two West trailheads (about 0.3 miles) that can be a warm-up walk if you park at the farther trail head. The actual hiking part of Nounou West is shorter than the East Trail when hiking to the intersection where they meet. Nounou West has the grove of tall Cook Pine trees that you'll walk thru, whereas Nounou East has the zigzagging switchbacks and an additional rock scaling part (short but still dangerous). Also, Nounou East starts along Haleilio Rd in the Wailua Houselots subdivision, on the east side of the mountain, facing the ocean.
Written 16 October 2018
Has anyone hiked here in the late afternoon during summer months? I know most recommend early morning hike, but just wondering if it'll be cool enough towards the end of the day close to sunset. TIA
Written 20 July 2016
This hike is definitely best in the mornings during the summer months. Check the forecast for rain before you go.
Written 31 August 2016
Where is the best head if you are not an experienced hiker?
Written 5 September 2015
We started near the town of Kapaa on the east side. You have to go through what looks like residential. There is parking just don't leave any valuables in the car. It gets humid, bring lots of water! Great hike though.
Written 5 September 2015
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