If you love strenuous hikes, you'll love hiking on Kauai.

The most famous hike on the island is the Kalalau Trail.  This takes you westward along the north shore, from the north end of the road at Ke'e 11 miles to Kalalau Valley, as shown in the photo.  Many visitors just hike the first two miles to Hanakapiai Beach.  That's a nice experience for day hikers.  Westward from there, a Na Pali Coast State Park camping permit is required, limiting the number of visitors to the ecologically fragile area. Those who have done it say it is definitely strenuous. If you like backpacking, you might want to check out this Kalalau experience from some backpackers.

Those who love hiking love Kokee State Park, just inland from the Na Pali cliffs.  You get there by driving north from Waimea on the south coast, through Waimea Canyon, an experience in itself.  After the parching heat of the canyon, we drove over a ridge and into a different climate, a cool and green one at Kokee.  We went through the park museum and learned about native creatures and recently introduced species, which tend to push the native ones out.

Then we took a short walk to the Kalalau Lookout, looking down a vast valley to the sea miles below us.

Our kids weren't up for major hiking, but next time they will be. We will be able to explore the hiking trails at Kokee, hear the songbirds, cross the bog, and make it to the lookout points.  Caution:  the trails can be ankle-deep in mud, so be prepared with the best of hiking boots and a lot of commitment.

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