Princeville & North Shore Natural Wonders
Hanalei Bay from Kilauea Point
In addition to some of Kauai’s best beaches, the North Shore also offers access to the beautiful Na Pali Coast. In summer, you can explore the area by zodiac, kayak, helicopter, catamaran, or on foot.
The most unforgettable hike almost anywhere, the breathtaking Kalalau Trail winds through 11 miles of coastal splendor with an overall elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. If you’re not up to doing the whole thing, consider doing the first three or four miles. A two-mile hike from Ke’e Beach will take you to Hanakapi’ai Beach. It’s not good for swimming, but it is beautiful, and if you’re reasonably fit, worth the effort. Plan on about four hours for the roundtrip.
A two-mile side trip from Hanakapi’ai will bring you to Hanakapa’ai Falls, where you can reward yourself with a dip in the pool beneath the 100-foot falls. This is a full eight-hour roundtrip from Ke’e. And you’ll need a permit to go any farther.
For those who prefer to do their sightseeing from the car, there are a couple of lovely waterfalls visible from Route 56. The first falls, which are unnamed, are at the 25 Mile Marker.
You can also see the beautiful two-tiered Kalihiwai Falls from the bridge that’s just past that. There are hiking trails to these falls, but they’re poorly marked and often slippery.
