The last time I hiked the Kalalau Trail, I took my GPS to record the trail and make a map of it. If you have Google Earth installed, click this link to download the trail data you see here. Also, I just noticed that there are newer, clearer satellite images in Google Earth for parts of Kauai, including Kalalau valley.
Here are two different and closer views, click to enlarge.
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Update: A guy from Oahu wrote to tell me he blogged about his day-hike to Kalalau and back (that link takes a while to load). At the bottom of his page, he made an animated flyover of the trail that he created from my Google Earth data.
Note: I did have to manually recreate several points in the GPS track because the tree cover was too thick valley walls were too steep in spots for satellite reception. Those points are marked in red on this elevation graph. I also forgot to calibrate the GPS’s altimeter, so all the elevations are 100′ too high, but otherwise generally accurate. Click to see wider graph:
One detail I’m still unsure about is the length of the trail. It is generally described as 11 miles, but the 10-mile-marker is just over a half-mile from the end of the trail. My GPS, which seems to have recorded almost every curve in the trail only measured 10.2 miles. I guess I’ll have to go back and measure it again.
Update March 2011: Google maps keeps evolving and now I can embed the viewer with my Google Earth file right in this article. And now that the Google maps viewer has Google Earth built in, if your browser supports it, you should be able to click Earth to do a “fly over” of this map:
View Larger Map
The link to the Google Earth file returns a file not found error.
The link works now.
Is there any chance you could provide your waypoint file – at least from the start to Hanakapiai? I haven’t done this trail in 31 years and I’m taking my wife to Kauai this spring. The first two miles is all she’s going to be able to handle on this trail. I’m putting everything for our trip on my GPS and would love to have your waypoints if you would be willing to provide them.
Sincerely,
Yar
Just wanted to say – Thank You! Searched the web for a while before I found your excellent site. There is some great information here.
I’m trying to travel light.
Are there enough water sources available to travel with 3L of water and my filteration system for two?
Hi Scott,
Yes, there is enough water along the way, unless you drink more than 1L per mile–I sweat a lot, and even I get by with a 1.5L bottle. The places to find flowing water are Hanakapiai Valley (2miles from trailhead), Hanakoa (4 miles from previous), and almost every mile thereafter. Oddly, the 2 “wet” valleys between Hanakapiai and Hanakoa have little surface water, while every little valley on the “dry” part after Hanakoa has a good stream. Of course, weather patterns can change, but I think unless there is an extended drought, Hanakapiai and Hanakoa will always be flowing.
So the longest stretch without water is always 4 miles, and often much less.
I know you say you do have a “filtration system,” but just to be clear for everyone, filtration is technically not sufficient. Leptospirois is a long bacteria, but only 1 micron in diameter, so theoretically it could go through a 1 micron filter (still the smallest on the market I believe). For this reason, I also add purification drops to my water after filtering, I use the brand SweetWater. Perhaps the new UV or ozone filtration systems don’t need this, I haven’t read their specifications yet.
Here’s a hiking secret of mine: try to hike at a pace where you can breathe through your nose–and avoid talking. Breathing through your mouth loses more moisture and can contribute to dehydration. That’s how that old trick of sucking on a stone reduces your water need.
Great maps. Thank you very much for that information! The Kalalau Trail is truly remarkable and a life-changing experience I will never forget. See you on the trail!
Do you have a filtration system you can recommend and a site I can find it on. Also if you have a place where you typically find te sweetwater drops that would be great! Iam taking myself, my girlfriend, and our two younger siblings on the kalalau trail in July for a planned 4 night stay andmy major concern is how do I provide them with water.
Hi Maveric,
I’ve always used the cheapest 1 micron filter I found on the market. They’ve worked well and I’ve never gotten sick from anything. Here are the links:
You should also be able to purchase these at any outdoor store such as REI. That might be recommended so you can look at the products and even try them out (REI usually has demonstration models sitting out). These two models might be a bit small for 4 people, but then again, you want the lightest filter possible–you’ll just have to spend a bit more time pumping every time to fill up everyone’s bottle.
I don’t know how the UV or ozone purifiers work. They’re usually smaller and lighter, but they probably require batteries, which might be a limiting factor.
I am taking the trail on August 31st and looking for someone to go with. Its my first time on the trail so I would like to have company just for safety sake. If you know of any sites or ways for me to find someone else taking the trail on that day I would really be truely greatful.
thank you for your time,
Eddy
My friend and I are considering to take the hike mid-May this year. Do you have suggestions on books where to get guides on this type of hiking. I have done hiking in the past but not with overnight stays.
Hi Vonn,
The Kalalau trail is very appealing but also very difficult, even for experienced backpackers (backpacking = hiking for several days and carrying everything you need). It can be harder than trails of similar length and elevation gain in the mountains, even without the altitude factor. The main difficulties are: steep sections of trail, muddy areas, narrow trail above cliffs, overgrown trail, rocky and uneven trail, heat and humidity, carrying supplies for 4 days-3 nights minimum (and you’ll wish you could stay longer).
I don’t want to discourage you, but this is not a good trail to learn backpacking. To be safe, I really suggest you do at least 2 moderate overnight hikes near where you live before going to Kaua’i. There is a lot of knowledge you need: planning food, planning your camps, packing your gear, etc. And of course, you need the equipment: large backpack, lightweight tent, sleeping mattress, water filter, etc. Then you can see how well prepared you are for the added difficulties above.
Any bookstore should have a book about backpacking, something where you can learn about equipment and planning. For details about the Kalalau trail, there is On the Na Pali Coast by Kathy Vallier and the NW Kaua’i Recreation Map (it has a lot of text on the back). You can see them in another article (http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-trip-reports/#books) and both are available from Amazon through my “bookstore:” http://great-hikes.com/blog/bookstore
Hello
Me and my girlfriend are going to Kauai To get married from October 24 for 2 weeks. We were wondering what gps to buy because we have never used one before and where wondering if it needs a map up loading because we are buying it in London. we are hopeing to do quite a bit of hikeing and my be go to the secret tunnles. Could you advise me on what you think would be best.
Regards ashley
Hello Andy,
I just want to thank you for the maps you provided, especially the altitude map. we just got back from a two day hike, there and back, and it really saved my sanity on the way there. sooo many valleys and switchbacks.
thanks again,
Gabriel
I have been looking on the Hawaii State camping site and the only sites on the Na Pali you can get permits are is Milolii Valley and Kalalau Valley.
Which one should I spend my first night at?
Is Kalalua the last valley on the hike?
Thanks for your help!
Thank you for your detailed map of the Kalalau trail, Andy! We loved the Trail Profile showing all of the peaks and valleys along the way ! We just got back from 5 memorable days on the beach and did not find the trail a problem. There were narrow and eroded sections, , but with careful foot steps and good tread, no one slipped. The muddiest section was found on the first 2 miles. It was all worth the pristine beauty of the Kalalau Valley!
Stay safe
Hi, Do you know if this map is available for downloading to my Garmin Forerunner 305? I think all I would need is the .gpx
Thanks for the great info, I am planning to hike this in July.
Hi Bill,
You’re welcome. I do have the original file that I created from the GPS points. My Garmin software is old and it crashed while trying to save the GPX, but I do have the GDB file that you should be able to use. I uploaded it here. As I said in the article, some points were re-created after the fact, but most are straight from the GPS. As you can see, it’s an old file. If you make a newer one, please share it as well. You can email it to me: andy at great-hikes.com.
Aloha and happy trails.
We are planning a hike the first in Nov. How much wind will we encounter? Also, how long do you think it will take us to hike then entire 11 miles in one day? We are average backpackers having backpacked Grand Canyon twice. Also, how unnerving is the Balcony?