Hanakapi'ai Falls: A Magical Waterfall Hike Along the Na Pali Coast

he Nā Pali Coast is one of the most stunning places in all of Hawaiʻi—arguably the world—and this hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls gives you front-row access to its jaw-dropping beauty. Located on Kauaʻi, this trail is no joke: it's a muddy, rollercoaster trek of elevation gains, river crossings, and minor scrambles. But the colorful coastline views and the towering waterfall at the end make every step worth it.

Trail Info

Trailhead Name	Kalalau Trail
Distance	8 miles / 12.9 km (out and back)
Estimated time	4-6 hours
Elevation gain	2,400 ft / 800 m
Highest point	760 ft / 232 m (Hanakapi'ai Falls)
Permits / fees	Required – shuttle or parking reservation
Parking	Reservation-only lot
Toilets?	Available at trailhead & Hanakapi'ai Beach
Dog friendly?	No (prohibited)

Know before you go

There is a strict reservation system to access this trail. The table below illustrates the different options you have or they can be found at this website. The most important tip here is to PLAN AHEAD.
Trail conditions will be wet and highly variable. Expect mud, river crossings, and slick surfaces. Kauaʻi is one of the wettest places on Earth—embrace the mess! You'll likely get your feet wet and will need good balance for stream crossings.
This area is prone to flash flooding. Heavy rain can make river crossings dangerous. Always check conditions before setting out.

Reservation Options

Option	Cost	Notes
Shuttle + day pass	$40 per person	Pickup at Waipa park and ride or Princeville
Parking	$15 per person	Extremely limited spots
Entry pass only	$5 per person	Must be with Hawaii resident, bike or walk

Alternate routes

Kalalau Trail to Hanakap'ai. Beach. This route is only ~4 miles /6.5km round trip and still shows you the beauty of the coastline.
Straight up chill at Ke'e Beach. Beautiful and accessible. Perfect for a low-key day if hiking isn’t in the cards.
Hike the full Kalalau trail to Kalalau Beach. Note this requires a backpacking permit (you won't be allowed past Hanakapi'ai beach without it) but is typically the hike people refer to when they talk about the Kalalau Trail.

The Trail

After parking (or more likely, being dropped off via shuttle), you'll go through a quick orientation—timing estimates, shuttle return hours, etc. From there, it's a short walk on a flat path to the trailhead. Bonus: there are bathrooms right before the start.

And we're off! Just seeing the sign gets me excited every time.

After a short ascent past the trailhed sign, you'll be rewarded with coastal views, especially looking back toward Keʻe Beach and its turquoise lagoon. I highly recommend a post-hike dip.

Now the color of the coastline comes into view. Seriously spectacular.

The hike has a consistent pattern. View > descent into a stream valley > stream crossing > climb back up > repeat.

Some of these ascents/descents are steeper than others. You will have earned a poke bowl after this hike is all said and done.

So just take in those breaks and soak in those coastline views

After ~2 miles, you’ll reach Hanakapiʻai River, the biggest crossing. I've tried to rock-hop in the past—my advice? Take off your shoes and ford it. Way easier.

You made it to Hanakapi'ai Beach! While the beach is scenic, it's not safe for swimming due to strong surf. Take a break here and decide if you're heading inland to the falls (you should).

Near the bathroom is a trailhead sign that markst the split:

Right = Kalalau Trail (9-mile trek with permit)
Left = Hanakapiʻai Falls (our destination)

Time to trade coastal cliffs for jungle vibes. You’ll follow a trail that hugs the river, criss-crossing it a few times.

But these crossings are much easier than the one by the beach.

Navigation can get slightly confusing near the falls—a fork appears where you can stay high (left) or drop lower near the river. Surprisingly, staying high and left offers the best approach.

And then... you hear it. See it. Feel it.

Welcome to Hanakapi'ai Falls! The rest of the adventure is up to you. I highly recommend taking a dip in the swimming hole. Yes it will be cold, but how often do you get to soak in waters so gorgeous and pure like this? Besides, a little cold plunge is a great way to wake up before your trek back out :)

SS Reflections

I've chased a lot of waterfalls in Hawaiʻi, but Hanakapiʻai Falls sits firmly in my top 3. Between the raw, majestic cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast and the lush inland beauty, this trail showcases everything that makes Kauaʻi special. Most hikes in Hawaiʻi are memorable, but this one? It’s in a league of its own.

Other helpful resources

Official Go Haena websitse