The Nā Pali Coast (sometimes spelled Nāpali or simply Napali) in northwest Kauai is a place worth flying across the globe to the Hawaiian Islands for. Even if you haven't visited any others.

In Hawaiian, Nā Pali means "high cliffs" and the name couldn't be more apt. The steep and jagged green hillsides drop into the foamy waters of the Pacific Ocean from as high as 1,000 metres, making them by some measures the second highest sea cliffs in the world after the neighbouring island of Molokai, which boasts the highest.

The extremely rugged coastline of steep slopes, ravines and cliffs creates incredible scenery, but also makes it impossible to build a ring road around the island at a reasonable cost. It is because of Nāpali's coastline that there is no road around all of Kauai, which adds to the feeling of being completely outside of civilization.

Hiking paradise

The entire Nā Pali Nature Park area is literally a hiker's paradise with hundreds of miles of marked trails. Some are short and only lead from the road at high elevations to hills and other viewpoints, while other trails directly to the coast are longer and can take several days to complete.

You can go on shorter hikes from the mountain road at around 1,000m and enjoy spectacular views from above, or go on treks along the coast for a few hours or even a few days.

Trekking in the mountains

Take to the heights on the various challenging trails in Kokee State Park, which represents the upper reaches of the Na Pali coast. Most of them start at parking lots along the park's only official asphalt road and lead through typically dense vegetation up hills that offer spectacular views of the entire coastline.

The treks are usually between about 3 and 12 km long and usually have to return the same way. Most of the treks are classified as moderate and can be done by less trained hikers provided they have good footwear.

List of treks on the official website of the nature park

Coastal treks

From a completely different perspective, the Na Pali coastline is showcased during treks right along the sea. Dramatic scenery of the churning sea is complemented by secluded beaches like something out of a castaway movie and steep slopes climbing kilometres above you, with winding paths winding up their slopes.

There's one main trek along the coast called the Kalalau Trail, where you can spend a few hours or even a few days. Because it's one of the most famous places on Kauai, we've compiled a separate mini-guide for it.

Tourism On Pali

Beaches and swimming

The Nā Pali Coast boasts beautiful beaches with divine scenery, but a prerequisite for visiting them is completing multi-hour and sometimes multi-day treks.

You'll be rewarded with beautiful natural surroundings, beaches of fine white sand and swimming in the wild ocean. That's why the beaches are more suited to shallow water - the undercurrents are very strong and the waves can be quite high. Right on the coast of Nā Pali there are beaches without any facilities.

Kalalau Beach - The icing on the cake after climbing the Kalalau Trail and its end point. The journey from the nearest civilization (Hanalei village) takes 8-9 hours
Hanakāpī‘Ai Beach - a small secluded beach sealed by high slopes about a third of the way along the Kalalau Trail (less than 3 hours walk from the trailhead)
Honopu Beach - the beach with its impressive rock arch is one of the most beautiful on Kauai. However, it is only accessible by kayak or boat (about 200 meters from Kalalau Beach), no trail leads here

But you'll also find easily accessible and equally epic beaches on the outskirts of the Nā Pali Coast, which are easily accessible by car.

Ha'ena Beach - an idyllic beach with mountains on one side and a tropical palm paradise on the other, located at the start of the Kalalau Trail and easily accessible by car
Polihale State Park - A beautiful long open beach on the west side of the Nā Pali coast, it is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the views of the now somewhat distant mountains. It is easily accessible from Kekaha village by car

Beaches on Pali

Kalepa Ridge

Accommodation

Right in the heart of the Na Pali National Park amidst the hills, stay in beautiful forest cabins with all the necessary amenities at The Cabins at Kokee, which are easily accessible by car.

The closest towns to the Nā Pali Coast, where you'll find more hotels, guesthouses and private cabins, are Princeville in the north at the start of the Kalalau Coastal Trail or Waimea in the south, where the road leads to the upper parts of the national park. Accommodations in these destinations, however, are among the most expensive on Kauai.

Park entrance fees

You must have a reservation and pay a fee to use the Kalalau Coastal Trail, see Kalalau Trail details for more information.

There is also a fee to enter Haena State Park at the start of the Kalalau Trail, where the famous Ke'e Beach is located among others, 5 usd per person + 10 usd parking fee (details on the official website).

Also, if you want to camp in Nā Pali Coast National Park, there is a fee of 25 usd per night, which must be reserved and paid in advance online at camping.ehawaii.gov.

How to get there

The mountainous portion of the national park can only be reached by rental car, and it's on paved road 550 from the coastal town of Waimea, which climbs windingly uphill for about 30 miles.

The coastal section to the start of the Kalalau Trail can also only be reached by car on the 560 ring road around the island, 62 kilometres from the largest town of Lihue. The 400 bus only goes to the town of Hanalei.

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