The Best Day Hikes in America: Nu’alolo Cliffs Trail to Awa’awapuhi Trail

Koke’e State Park, Hawaii

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The stark scenery of Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast only gets better when you rise above the onerous permits and get-in-line crowds plaguing the Kalalau Trail. This precipitous, 12-mile beast takes you to dizzying fins that drop 4,000 feet straight to valley floors and Pacific coves. (Slides frequently close the Nu’alolo portion of this loop, but the Awa’awapuhi is always a great 6-mile out-and-back.)

Distance 12 miles (loop) Trailhead 22.129152, -159.661905 Drive time 1:12 from Lihue Season Year-round Contact