Kalalau, Hanakāpīʻai & Keʻe.
The most iconic — and dangerous — hike in Hawaii. Trail breakdown, the gohaena.com playbook, and the latest island news affecting access.
The trailhead warning sign reads 80+ drownings
Flash floods arrive with NO warning — rain 5 miles inland can send a wall of water down a sunny canyon in minutes. If Hanakāpīʻai Stream is above ankle-deep, turn around. Never swim at Hanakāpīʻai Beach — the official tally sign at the trailhead has surpassed 80 ocean deaths along this stretch of the Nā Pali Coast.
Check live brown-water & flood advisories →Kalalau News & Updates
Hand-curated news updates affecting trail access, closures, permit changes, and conditions. Editorially maintained.
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Keʻe Beach Parking — gohaena.com Playbook
Non-residents must reserve to enter Hāʻena State Park or hike Kalalau. There's no walk-up. Here's exactly how to get a slot.
When slots release
- Exactly 30 days before the entry date, at 12:00 AM HST.
- HST = UTC-10 year-round (no DST). 12am HST = 2am PST, 5am EST.
- Popular dates sell out in 2-5 minutes.
- Set a phone alarm for 11:55pm HST.
Entry windows & cost
- 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM — best for Kalalau / Hanakāpīʻai hikers.
- 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM — beach + short trail only.
- 4:30 PM – sunset — limited.
- $10/vehicle + $5/person. Hawaii residents FREE.
Trail Breakdown
Keʻe Beach Trailhead
Park, sign in at the kiosk. Bathrooms, water spigot, last cell signal.
Keʻe to Hanakāpīʻai Beach
Steep climb in first 0.5 mi, then descends. Muddy/slippery — trekking poles recommended. 1.5-2 hours one way. STREAM CROSSING at end.
Hanakāpīʻai Falls Spur
2-mi inland spur to a 300-ft waterfall. Multiple stream crossings. Add 3-4 hours. DON'T swim under the falls or in the stream (leptospirosis).
Hanakāpīʻai to Hanakoa
Steep, exposed switchbacks. Day hikers must turn back without a camping permit. Crawler's Ledge ahead.
Hanakoa to Kalalau Beach
The crux. Crawler's Ledge, Red Hill switchbacks, complete remoteness. Bring a water filter. Pack out EVERYTHING.
Camping at Kalalau Beach
You hiked 11 miles. Here's how to actually survive five nights at the end of the world. For everything else camping on Kauai (Kōkeʻe, ʻAnini, county permits, gear rental), see the full camping guide →
The beach
- 2 miles of sand backed by 4,000-ft cliffs.
- Composting toilets at the main camp area — use them.
- Sea caves at the west end are explorable at low tide (NOT in surf).
- Hanakoa waterfall is a 2-mi day hike inland from the beach.
Water
- Hoʻolulu Stream at the west end is the main source.
- Filter or boil everything — leptospirosis is endemic.
- Sawyer Squeeze or equivalent minimum. Tablets as backup.
- Never drink straight from any Kauai stream.
What to bring
- Freestanding tent (sand stakes won't hold in wind).
- Rat-proof food bag — hang it. Goats, rats, and feral cats raid camps.
- Garmin inReach or PLB — there's no cell signal at the beach.
- Trash bags for ALL waste out (yes, including TP).
- Trekking poles for Crawler's Ledge and stream crossings.
Don't
- Swim Oct–May — winter surf is lethal here.
- Build fires — illegal and the valley burns easy.
- Camp past your permit dates — rangers do check.
- Feed any animal. Goats are not pets.
- Leave gear on the beach overnight (high tide, rats).
Watch before you go
Hand-picked YouTube trip reports from hikers who've done the full Kalalau Trail. Watch at least one before you commit.
Perfect 3-Day Backpacking Itinerary
Two Wandering Soles
Most Dangerous Hike in the World
Noahvde
Kalalau Trail in a Day
LiveHardxLoveHard
Best Backpacking in Hawaii & Massive Waterfalls
Murphy Travels