KUILAU RIDGE TRAIL IN KAUAI

We started the day early and headed for the Sleeping Giant Hike. Quickly deciding that it was too muddy, and we opted for another trail. I looked on Alltrails, and found the Kuilau Ridge Trail in Kauai and thought it would be a better option because of the short trek and it was close to the Sleeping Giant Hike.

Read the full post on the: SLEEPING GIANT HIKE

Getting to the Kuilau Ridge Trail

Heading toward Wailua; take a turn on the Highway 580 or the Kuamoo Road. Take this back for a few miles passing Opeaka’a Falls on the right and the Kauai Hindu Monastery on the left. Keep going into the jungle until you find Moalepe Road on the right hand side, which is essentially the trail.

If you have crossed the newly built bridge over the Keahua Stream you have passed the trailhead. You can park in the small spot by the Moalepe road or on the other side of the bridge and walk back to the trailhead. Here is a map below.

Kuilau Ridge Hike

In the photo above, is the start of the trail. I did not find a sign, I think all the vegetation ate it! However I did recognize the gate at the starting point from some other photos on the web and I was sure this was definitely the start.

The nice thing about this trail is that I can be done by almost anyone. Round trip, the trail is only a little more that 3 miles total. It can be completed quickly and you should have plenty of time to do other things afterwards.

Immediately the trail is muddy. From crossing the fence at the start of the trail all the way to the ridge lookout area, you will be hiking in mud and wet ground. Kauai gets more rainfall than almost any other place on earth.

I climbed up into a tree early on in the trail, so I could get a better view of the lush valleys below. I couldn’t see much over the shrubs that were low to the trail. It was worth the slippery slope on the tree for the views.

The tree canopy in the distant was gorgeous to see from a slightly elevated spot along the trail.

Little did I know before climbing into the tree, there would be a clear view a little more up the trail.

After about a mile and a half, you will reach the ramada at the top of the trail. This ramada is a nice place to rest, and enjoy the views. Take some time to enjoy it, have a snack, and hang out.

The trail is not over yet though. You can take the trail right to reach a sign saying end of trail. Instead, I suggest the path going past the ramada for one of the most epic views on Kuilau Ridge Trail.

Kuilau Ridge Lookout Point

The End of the Kuilau Ridge Trail

That pretty much sums up the best views and my review of the Kuilau Ridge Trail. I would say this is one of the easiest and most beautiful hikes I have done on Kauai. I would have no problem hiking this trail every time I visit.

More Kauai Blog Posts

I have been to Kauai, Hawaii several times in my life. Im fortunate that my parents have a timeshare and I have a place to stay; otherwise I would not have been able to go here. Here are some other blog posts I have created from my trips.

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