Ke’e Beach to Kalalau
Valley
By Peter Potterfield, executive summary by darmansjah
Round-Trip: 22 miles, 3 to 5 days
When to Go: May to September for drier weather; April or October for
more solitude
The finest coastal hike in the
world, this rugged route through Kauai’s impressive Nā Pali Coast will
challenge you physically with tropical heat and steep trails, and scare you
with exposure on muddy slopes. But after a day of slogging 11 miles through the
fluted cliffs above surf that crashes like howitzer fire on the coast below,
you are rewarded with a view of the impossibly serene mile-long arc of golden
Kalalau Beach along the shimmering Pacific. The Kalalau Valley itself holds
fairy-tale waterfalls and lush tropical jungle, well worthy of exploration, but
the highlight is camping right on the beach, with the Western Pacific before
you, reflecting the setting sun.
Insider Tip: It’s hot, and you’ll be tempted, but don’t even think about
cooling off with a swim at Hanakapi’ai Beach on the way in. All those small,
makeshift memorials are erected in the memory of hikers who thought they might
enjoy wading in and were immediately swept out to sea by the violent rips.
No comments:
Post a Comment