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Hiking Kauai Each of the major Hawaiian Islands each has a unique personality, and Kauai is no different. From beautiful vistas, and an abundance of natural beauty, Kauai offers a diverse and challenging set of hiking trails. Berry Flat-Water Tank Loop Puu ka Ohelo After the long ride up the mountain to Kokee, this trail is a wonderful way to see some natural vegetation and to stretch and enjoy the eucalyptus-scented air. This two-mile loop is actually a grouping of three separate trails in a network of several that make up that make-up the Kokee State Park system. This trail is an easy on, popular with families and offers a journey through California redwoods, Australian eucalyptus, native koa trees. The loop starts as the Berry Flat Trail then continues in a counter clock fashion. At the first branch, the loop continues as the water tank trail and the last branch becomes the Pu’u ka Ohelo trail that will end along Mohihi Road. Read more about the Koke'e State Park and Waimea Canyon Trails. Kumuwela Canyon Cliff Halemanu Kokee 6 miles lots of scenic views This trio of trails is one of Kokee State park more popular hikes for experienced hikers. This trail can be challenging in sections. However, the views are wonderfully rewarding. The six-mile loop begins at Waineke road that can be found to the rear of the Park Headquarters at Kokee. The loop begins as the Halemanu-Kokee trail and continues counter-clockwise passing cabins and intersecting with the Cliff Tr5ail at Halemanu road. There is a short side trail to the Cliff overlook that offers views, photo opportunities and clean crisp air. Further along the trail intersects with the Kumuwela Canyon trail and follows the edge of the canyon back to Waineke Road. Aside from the wonderful cliff overlook, this trail offers an abundance of native trees, plants and birds and traversed areas of ohia lehua forests damaged by Hurricaine Iniki. There are views of Waipoo Falls and of course unforgettable views of the Waimea Canyon. Keahua Forestry Arboretum Keahua Forestry Arboretum is a collection of trails in perhaps one of the more overlooked parks on Kauai. Located along the Coconut Coast, it is just a few minutes from the Wailua Bridge, so close that it is perfect spot to start the day with a short morning hike and end it with an afternoon poolside at anyone of the hotels or vacation condominiums in the Wailua, Waipouli and Kapaa areas. Located about eight miles mauka or inland along Kuamoo Road, the arboretum offers picnic tables, cool shade and the Keahua stream. The Keahua Arboretum trail is a half-mile easy hike that winds past Kukui, mango, and monkey pod trees. In addition, along the trail are several pools and picnic tables. The area is popular on summer weekends when area residents come to cool off in the cold stream, picnic under the trees. The trail is a short loop trail perfect for all ages. For those who are more interested in views than pools, Keahua Arboretum is also the launching spot for the scenic Kuilau Ridge Trail. This two-mile trail traverses open fields of pili grass views of ridges, gulches and even a trail shelter and picnic site. Once past the shelter, the trail starts switching along the ridge past waterfalls, footbridges intersecting with the three-mile Moelepe trail and eventually heading back top the arboretum. * * * * *
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