Nualolo - Awa'awa'puhi Trail Hike

This is perhaps the premiere hike to see the Na Pali from the west side of the island. I recommend checking the weather forecast and preparing for cold and wet even though it's sunny and warm on the west side.

Update: unfortunately, the connecting cliff trail is now closed indefinitely.

Overview
The trailhead begins in Koke'e State Park perhaps fifty yards before the lodge restaurant and museum parking area turnoff on the right (west) side of the road. The trailhead is at lat/long 22.129406,-159.659774. There is space for just a few cars right there off-road, or park by the museum and walk back. NOTE: If you are mentally hoping for parking at the trailhead to save a little distance, this hike is not for you!
This hike is a big twelve mile loop down from Koke'e over two ridges that define edges of the Nualolo and Awa'awa'puhi valleys of the Na Pali coast. The Nualolo Cliff trail connects the two trails running along the mountain side of the Nualolo Valley, and you need to also get return along the road connecting the two trailheads. You can do either trail alone out and back for a shorter 4 to 5 mile hike.

• Both trails descend about 2000 feet that you will have to climb back up. Doing the full loop you get both for effectively just one climb back.
• Not advisable when wet and muddy unless you are experienced and don't mind a mess.
• The Nualolo is steeper and particularly slippery when wet.
• You can do the loop either direction, but Nualolo to Awa'awa'puhi is recommended. The final climb is on the gentler inclined Awa'awa'puhi and you follow the road mostly downhill to get back to the start.
• The Nualolo Cliff Trail includes a well-known tricky section close to the Nualolo Trail end.
• The Nualolo Trail includes walking out on a somewhat exposed ridge that might be uncomfortable for people with fear of heights.
• As always, use your discretion hiking as conditions can change. This geography is famous for constantly changing, we hope not where you happen to be standing. Bring your version of the 10 essentials and inform someone where you are going and expect to return. 

Nualolo Trail

The trail starts uphill a short ways before starting the long descent to Nualolo point (called Lolo). The first couple miles go through woods punctuated by meadows and clearings. There are some steep sections and the clay can get slick from just a little moisture, but the trail is very well maintained and usually there are handholds available for the tricky parts. Stop and listen for birds here, especially early morning.

Halfway out to the point the terrain gets drier; look for views of Niihau island on the left to the west if it's clear.  Some sections are like toboggan chutes that are easily imagined as filled with rushing water in a hard rain. Past three mile mark the cliff trail branches off to the right, but you will want to go the remaining 1/4 mile out over the narrowest ridges to the point for some stunning views.

Nualolo point panorama

If you were out on a boat looking up into the Nualolo valley, this point would be way up on the right. The valley is ringed on three sides by sheer cliffs extending back from the beach. This hike will encircle the valley around those three sides remaining way up at the cliff tops.
Heading back from the point the ridge gives a wonderful view into the unique geography here with sculpted cliffs and spires a little resembling Gaudi's cathedrals.

Retrace and now take the cliff trail to the left to do the loop hike. Soon you will see scary warning signs along the trail about dangerous cliff. Last February when I was here it was much trickier; this time it was no big deal, but YMMV.

<to be continued>

See more pictures from this hike here.