Alaka'i Swamp Trail, Kauai HI

• 5-star hike
• 10.4 mile out-and-back
• Hard difficulty | Gain 1,939 feet
• Kauai, HI | Hawaii
• Driving Directions: Trailhead


Thankful for the boardwalks on the swamp trail.

Kauai, the westernmost of the inhabited Hawaiian islands, is also the oldest in geological terms. Each island in the chain is successively created from volcanic activity then slowly eroded away. The 'Big Island' of Hawaii is the newest of the chain, but even that too will be supplanted by the new island of Loihi when it finally breaks through the surface of the Pacific Ocean sometime the next 100,000 years.

Take a westerly drive around Kauai until you run out of road and you'll find yourself overlooking the plunging cliffs of Kalalau Valley on the fabled Na Pali Coast.

Alaka'i Swamp Trail 5★


Alaka'i Swamp Trail 5★
10.4 mi, Out & Back, Hard, Gain 1939 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails

The only way to explore beyond this point by land is on foot, and the well-maintained Pihea trail leading to the Alaka‘i Swamp trail is an exhilarating way to do so. Hike along cliff edges, through jungle and across misty mountain-top swamps to reach the trail's end and clifftop views over Wainiha Pali. Miles of springy boardwalk trails helps make a fun and safe journey.

We've labelled this hike as 'hard' because of some rugged terrain and slippery conditions, but your experience may be easier. Alternatively for a shorter hike, choose only the Pihea trail from the Kalalau overlook, or join the trail at the Alaka'i Swamp trail. Both are 5-star trails, but string them together and they're even better!


Overlooking the Na Pali coastline of Kauai.

Tangents:
• Trail Links: Public Map at AllTrails
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