Kauaina Pali Coast

Na'Pali Coast

The Na’Pali Coast is one of the absolute most beautiful spots in all of Hawaii. This is the picturesque, verdant, mountainous Hawaii that you see on TV and in the movies. Located on the northwest side of Kauai, the Na’Pali Coast is considered one of Hawaii’s last true wildernesses. No road stretches out to the Na’Pali coast, making it only reachable by foot or by boat. But making it out to the Na’Pali coast is entirely worth the sometimes arduous journey. At the Na’Pali Coast or even passing by it by boat, you will see some of the most beautiful green cliffs, some reaching as high as 4,120 feet in the sky. You will see beautiful green valleys and gorgeous cascading waterfalls.

Only the most serious and dedicated of hikers should try to make out it out to the Na’Pali coast by way of foot but this is by far the most satisfying way of getting there, as you get to traverse through the dense and tropical Kauai landscape that Hawaii is so well known for. This area remains one of the most unspoiled and untouched spots in Hawaii due to the lack of a road getting there. To get there by foot, you will hike through an ancient trail, the Kalalau Trail, down the coast and towards the Kalalau Valley. The hike is 11 miles but the steepness of the hike, mixed with the heavy and dense terrain creates for one of the most challenging hikes in Hawaii. It usually takes anywhere between 6 and 8 hours just to get there.

If you are not up for the hiking challenge posed by the trails to the Na’Pali coast, you will be able to hop on several boating vessels that take visitors out to see the beautiful Na’Pali Coast from the ocean. Some will dock and allow you to explore by foot. Another way to see the coast first-hand is through one of the helicopter tours offered in Kauai. However you decide to get there, you will not be disappointed by the beautiful wonders created by nature at Na’Pali.

Upon reaching Na’Pali, you should check out the 22-mile stretch of coastal cliffs that are part of the Na’Pali Coast State Park. The word “na pali” actually means “the cliffs” in Hawaii, showing you that these are the most prominent feature of the beautiful coastline. Na’Pali Coast State Park takes up a total of 6,175 acres of land with sixteen miles of coastline. One of the best and most exciting things to do while in the park is to attempt the 11-mile trail mentioned above that leads you to the wilderness that is Kalalau Valley where you will see all types of tropical birds, beautiful butterflies, and hundreds of species of rare and exotic tropical plants. Visitors to the valley will be able to camp with a required permit. To get a camping permit, interested visitors will have to reach the Kauai State Parks Offices. This trip out to Na’Pali will be truly worthwhile to anyone who loves and appreciates untainted and nearly untouched nature.