The Day Trip Of A Lifetime You Can Only Take In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published February 08, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Situated along Kauai’s fabled Na Pali Coast is Hanakapi’ai Beach and Falls, accessible only via a strenuous, eight-mile round trip day hike. Don’t let the mileage scare you off – the hike to Hanakapiai is an absolute must-experience for anyone who isn’t experienced enough to tackle the famous Kalalau Trail. The journey to reach this unspoiled Hawaiian paradise will surely take all day, but is well worth the effort and makes for an epic day trip.
The hike begins at the trailhead of the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, but only takes you four miles in.
Two miles of hiking will lead you to the stunning Hanakapi’ai Beach, an awe-inspiring slice of paradise carved into the cliffs of this iconic coastline.
Unfortunately, Hanakapiai Beach has been called the most dangerous beach in Hawaii. The water often looks fine, but dangerous rip currents, high surf, and rough shorebreaks have swept several people out to sea. You can instead cool off in the river before continuing on your way.
You can either rest here and head back to your vehicle, or add another two miles to reach Hanakapiai falls – it’s your decision to make, as only you know your true limits, but we suggest making the two mile trek into the valley to check out the awe-inspiring Hanakapi’ai Falls if you’re up for it.
This magnificent waterfall is something out of your wildest dreams - or maybe even Jurassic Park. The flowing water cascades nearly 300-feet down a fern-covered rockwall into a shimmering pool of water.