Pihea Trail
Pihea Trail
4.5
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4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
25
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Melinda Knox
8 contributions
July 2021
Sooo... we made the mistake of doing this trail on a rainy day. Very unprepared as we had read a guidebook rating this as an easy trail. It may be so on a sunny day but it took us 2 hours up and 1 hour back on a rainy day. Lots of mud, lots of rocks to scramble over, especially at the end. It isn't too difficult ( we did it with two kids) but be prepared to get dirty. Bring energy snacks and water. Also , we are definitely going back so that we can actually see the gorgeous views instead of clouds.
Written 30 July 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.
Sightseer59721865544
132 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
This is an amazing trail, my favorite activity of my whole trip! I was lucky enough to have great weather, which would have made it much more enjoyable and made the views worth the hike. The goal was to do the swamp trail, but unfortunately, we underestimated the time, and the road was also closed (adding an extra hour), and had to turn back at the beginning. The only thing that could be improved was the upkeep of the tracks, which I would have expected to be included in the entry fee.
Written 10 May 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.
Karly C
Arvada, CO209 contributions
Feb 2020
Wow! The view is breathtaking, but the trail itself can be too. It is easy to get to the main viewpoint, but the trail beyond has steep points, so be prepared with appropriate shoes (we saw a lot of people trying to navigate the mud and rocks who did not heed this advice, it is truly a hike, not a walk). On our inbound journey, it was bright and sunny, and you could see the entire coast. The trail climbs and descends a few times, offering coastal views along the way, before coming to a "T" where, if you go right, you meander through a swamp on a boarded path. It was a lot of fun and felt like an adventure. We hit the 2 mile mark before turning. On the way back, a cloud had engulfed the trail - no more coastal views, and a completely different and remarkable experience. Would highly recommend.
Written 10 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.
KendianaJones
Burien, WA160 contributions
Feb 2020
It was raining intermittently the entire time we were on this trail. We made it to the Vista, despite slippery clay, large mudholes, and rain showers. Unfortunately, the view from the end wasn’t much better than what we had seen near the trailhead!
On the way back, we went a short distance down the continuation of the trail, which eventually connects to the Alakai Swamp Trail. We went far enough to experience the boardwalks, had a snack, then turned around and headed out. A huge rain squall hit us just an eighth of a mile from the trailhead. We hunkered behind small trees as best we could, then climbed our way up past the raging brown river that hadn’t been there moments earlier.
On the way back, we went a short distance down the continuation of the trail, which eventually connects to the Alakai Swamp Trail. We went far enough to experience the boardwalks, had a snack, then turned around and headed out. A huge rain squall hit us just an eighth of a mile from the trailhead. We hunkered behind small trees as best we could, then climbed our way up past the raging brown river that hadn’t been there moments earlier.
Written 25 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.
irawine
Benicia, CA637 contributions
Oct 2022
Challenging but manageable trail in Koke’e State Park affording wonderful views of the Napali Coast. It rained a bit as we hiked, which made the trail even muddier, but, resulted in some glorious rainbows over the ocean. Well worth it.
Written 3 November 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.
smit1691
Shreveport, Louisiana, USA70 contributions
June 2022
This was an awesome hike in Kokee State Park with awesome views of the Na Pali coastline! When we visited, it was a beautiful blue sky day and the trail was dry! The viewpoints of the Kalalau Valley were breathtaking! We had read in a travel book, if you only had time to take one hike in this park, this was the one to hike! We totally agree! About 12 years earlier when we visited Kauai, we took the Nu'alolo Cliffs hike. It was a great hike, but much longer and you do not see the Na Pali coastline until you come to the end of the hike. We would definitely recommend this hike! Lush green hike as you walk through the Kauai red dirt. Saw Ohi'a trees blooming also! Beautiful!
Written 19 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.
Curiosity301922
177 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Beautiful trail. Muddy but manageable . Not a paved trail. Lovely views, plants and trees. You will need proper hiking shoes . I wouldn't attempt this hike after rainfall. When we hiked some of this trail it hadn't rained in a few days and some spots were still muddy. We hike to the 0.5 mile marker which took us about 25 mins. Beautiful views the whole way! Trail is long but we only did 0.5 miles of it. I believe that the trail is 7.7 miles and joines another trail. Parking at the Pu'u o kila lookout point parking lot. Parking lot ticket is good for all the lots in the canyon. What little we hiked was worth it.
Written 22 February 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.
Tanya F
Loddon, UK165 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
I had read reviews about this trail in advance so knew what to expect but also has a tip from a local to wear studded water shoes rather than hiking boots.
We did see hikers kitted out with professional gear as well as people in flip-flops and trainers. The latter didn't make it very far. Walking poles is also a great idea too.
Personally I felt the water shoes was the best idea ever. Before you think I'm mad, I have hiked the likes of the Rockies in the right gear, so not just some complete novice, but I'm open to trying new things and surely the locals have a clue, and they did... The trail is very wet and slippery. There are in some places small footings and thin tree roots to balance on where I don't think I'd be comfortable in clumpy boots. We saw people in boots on their backside too. The water shoes kept their grip 99% of the time, there's no sharp stones to hurt the soles of your feet and for the parts where we were literally climbing up and down, absolutely Perfect!
Anyway, enough about the shoes!
The views are stunning. Go early for the best sun as in general more rainclouds roll from inland the later it gets. We had great views until the very end of the hike when the clouds did roll over us, however they also dissipated very quickly (within 10 mimutes) to give us a beautiful view of the valley.
Be prepared to get very muddy.
Be prepared to get wet when a raincloud rolls over you.
Most of all laugh and have fun.
We did see hikers kitted out with professional gear as well as people in flip-flops and trainers. The latter didn't make it very far. Walking poles is also a great idea too.
Personally I felt the water shoes was the best idea ever. Before you think I'm mad, I have hiked the likes of the Rockies in the right gear, so not just some complete novice, but I'm open to trying new things and surely the locals have a clue, and they did... The trail is very wet and slippery. There are in some places small footings and thin tree roots to balance on where I don't think I'd be comfortable in clumpy boots. We saw people in boots on their backside too. The water shoes kept their grip 99% of the time, there's no sharp stones to hurt the soles of your feet and for the parts where we were literally climbing up and down, absolutely Perfect!
Anyway, enough about the shoes!
The views are stunning. Go early for the best sun as in general more rainclouds roll from inland the later it gets. We had great views until the very end of the hike when the clouds did roll over us, however they also dissipated very quickly (within 10 mimutes) to give us a beautiful view of the valley.
Be prepared to get very muddy.
Be prepared to get wet when a raincloud rolls over you.
Most of all laugh and have fun.
Written 28 April 2018
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.
GalavantingJeff
Ottawa, Ontario732 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Hike Pihea trail 10 Dec 17
Parked at Pu’u O Kila Lookout at 08:50 with ample parking. Started the trail at 09:00 with patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds. Ocean fog / mist rolling in. Yes slippery red mud and muddy at times but you are on the Garden Island in Dec peeps. Yes I saw people in flip flops, not for long though. 1.5 kms / .93 miles to Pihea Vista junction which took an hour. Be prepared to grab some roots or solid holds so you can scamper up what is usually a slick final incline to the top. Trail down to Alakai Swamp Trail junction was 600 meters of mud sliding down the ravine. Wife was not happy as she had running shoes not her hikers. We decided to turned around, total bummer for me.
Beautiful scenery, incredible flora and only heard the birds singing. It did cleared up quickly so we luck out with the view.
Something to think about-it rains an average of 260 days per year in Kauai. Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest places on the planet is close by.
Recommendations:
Hikers with an aggressive tread will be best;
Snow ice clip for shoe;
Hiking/Walking Pole;
Gaiters;
White shirt so you can turn it to Kauai dirt shirt; and
Enjoy.
Parked at Pu’u O Kila Lookout at 08:50 with ample parking. Started the trail at 09:00 with patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds. Ocean fog / mist rolling in. Yes slippery red mud and muddy at times but you are on the Garden Island in Dec peeps. Yes I saw people in flip flops, not for long though. 1.5 kms / .93 miles to Pihea Vista junction which took an hour. Be prepared to grab some roots or solid holds so you can scamper up what is usually a slick final incline to the top. Trail down to Alakai Swamp Trail junction was 600 meters of mud sliding down the ravine. Wife was not happy as she had running shoes not her hikers. We decided to turned around, total bummer for me.
Beautiful scenery, incredible flora and only heard the birds singing. It did cleared up quickly so we luck out with the view.
Something to think about-it rains an average of 260 days per year in Kauai. Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest places on the planet is close by.
Recommendations:
Hikers with an aggressive tread will be best;
Snow ice clip for shoe;
Hiking/Walking Pole;
Gaiters;
White shirt so you can turn it to Kauai dirt shirt; and
Enjoy.
Written 28 December 2017
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.
kyrg01
Underhill, VT132 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
The short hike to the Vista view point is easy enough, but he trail is degraded in several places to a single foot step which could easy twist an ankle if not approached correctly. Plenty of other reviews show the trail conditions encountered.
Deep lugged trail shoes, light weight hiking shoes, or sneakers with micro spikes are my recommendation for a sure footed hike. A hiking pole would not be a bad idea as well.
I did see a lot people who I thought were under prepared,including a couple who had a 6 month old strapped to the fathers chest and some 70+ year old types who had yet to reach the diciest parts of the trail. Hopefully the made the right choices for themselves.
At the survey marker, the view is very good, just be aware that when you stand near the edge, you are overhanging a 500' drop as the land is undercut where you are standing.
Truth be told, the views in the first few hundred yards from the official view point are just as good as the one from the survey marker vista.
Deep lugged trail shoes, light weight hiking shoes, or sneakers with micro spikes are my recommendation for a sure footed hike. A hiking pole would not be a bad idea as well.
I did see a lot people who I thought were under prepared,including a couple who had a 6 month old strapped to the fathers chest and some 70+ year old types who had yet to reach the diciest parts of the trail. Hopefully the made the right choices for themselves.
At the survey marker, the view is very good, just be aware that when you stand near the edge, you are overhanging a 500' drop as the land is undercut where you are standing.
Truth be told, the views in the first few hundred yards from the official view point are just as good as the one from the survey marker vista.
Written 23 November 2018
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.
Rayna S
Wondering about trail conditions tomorrow, dec.16,2018 ?anyone hiked this trail last few days?
Written 16 December 2018
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