They called it a “100 year storm” and roads and houses were destroyed, it was a heartbreaking event for the small island.

A few weeks before our highly anticipated trip, Kauai experienced tragic flooding. We reserved ourselves permits for mid-May and began counting down the days. We vowed to return one day when we had more backpacking experience.

Each bend seemed to give us a new and even prettier view of the famous tooth-like ridges of the Nāpali Coast. The hike may have been short, but what it lacked in length it made up for in scenery. This is as far as hikers can continue on the Kalalau Trail without a permit. We had only been backpacking once at that point and the idea of hiking a route that regularly pops up on “the most dangerous trails” lists didn’t seem like the smartest idea, so we only hiked the first two miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach. We got our first taste of the Kalalau Trail when we visited Kauai back in 2015. Take a look in Google Earth at our Kuilau Ridge Trail Map.Last month Alex and I finally backpacked a trail we have long been dreaming of: the Kalalau Trail. Once you park, head back down the road on foot to the trail head which is also on the right. There are two parking lots on the right side of the road. To reach the trailhead take Highway 56 from Lihue and take an immediate left onto Highway 580 for 8 miles until you reach Keahua Forestry Arboretum. Your destination is just ahead: a beautiful veiw of Kapehua'ala, the highest peak of the Makaleha Mountains. A junction lies up ahead and you need to take the left fork into a grouping of eucalyptuses and ferns. After a quick ascent you'll be treated to a lovely view of Nounou Mountain - better known as The Sleeping Giant.can you find his chin? Further down the trail you will come to a wooden footbridge which crosses the Opaeka'a Stream. Once you are finished here, the trail picks up to the east and descends slightly into a switchback. The grassy area offers a picnic table and a forest of native ohia trees which often produce a bright red bloom. If you packed a lunch, the one mile point is an excellent spot to take a break. Once on the trail you willl see small spur paths shooting off, but stay on the trail. Make sure to use the brush near the sign at the beginning of the trail to remove debris from your boots before and after your hike to help prevent the spread of invasive plants. After your hike, you can go for a swim at the Keahua Arboretum which is a short walk from the trail head. Originally constructed as a road to combat a fire in the area, the Kuilau Ridge Trail is wide and well maintained (although it can be quite muddy if it has been raining). This is a great trail for families and many local families bring their young children up here for a picnic on the weekends. Even though your view for the first part of the trail is blocked by the ridge, you are treated to a smorgasbord of native and non-native plants from guava to the hala tree.

Waialeale, the wettest place on earth, to the west.

At the beginning of the path you'll catch glimpses of Kawaikini and Mt. This old road turned trail gently guides you up 760 feet to a glorious view of the Makaleha Mountains.

Kalalau startrail