Pihea Trail

The Pihea Trail begins at the Puu o Kila Overlook, one of the most dramatic viewpoints on Kauai, perched above the Kalalau Valley on the rim of the Na Pali Coast. The overlook provides heart-stopping views down 4,000-foot cliff faces into the emerald-walled valley below, with the Pacific Ocean glittering in the distance. The trail hugs the rim before descending through native cloud forest to connect with the Alakai Swamp Trail, allowing hikers to combine both trails into an extended loop through two of Kauai most ecologically significant landscapes. The rim section offers repeated overlook views into both the Kalalau Valley and the Alakai Plateau. The forest along the route supports populations of native honeycreepers and other endemic birds. The combination of coastal drama and highland swamp ecology makes the Pihea Trail one of the most diverse hiking experiences available on Kauai. Mud and mist are common along the route, and conditions can change rapidly in the mountains above the Na Pali Coast.