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Hawaii Hiking Trails


Blue Hole in Waialeale Canyon (Kauai)

Jurassic park gates in the Waialeale Canyon in Hawaii
Jurassic Park Gates
The trek to the "Blue Hole" is mostly rock hopping up the Wailua River. The river leads to the Weeping Wall, a cascade of waterfalls down the Waialeale Crater. Access to this hike is difficult so you likely will have the canyon to yourself.  I parked at the Keahua Arboretum at the end of 580 and walked the extra miles in the morning. There is a good overview map on HawaiiGuide.com with landmarks to help navigate the turns in the access road
Guardian falls on the Wailua River in Kauai
After reaching the end of the road, stay alongside the river until reaching this waterfall known as Guardian Falls. The correct paths should always be within listening distance of the main Wailua. If needed walk in the river itself until a path is spotted and avoid taking one of the hunter trails deeper into the forest. Climb the path on the left side of the picture above and continue along the stream in the center of the frame
Hiking back to the car
The paths are less defined after Guardian Falls, pink flags have been mostly removed as of May 2019
Walking up the northern stream to the gate
The easiest route is following the main stream in the northern canyon, a waterfall will come into view on the north face of the crater
Gate on the Blue Hole hike in Waialeale canyon
The northern stream appears to dead end into a waterfall, but there is an uphill path on the south side of the stream that leads to a gate in the fence.  The gate is a good landmark as there is a well defined path for the remainder of the walk.
Map of gate location
Location of the gate on Google Maps
First view of the Inner Sanctum of the Blue Hole hike in Hawaii
First view of the Inner Sanctum
Weeping wall hike to the Blue Hole in Mount Wai'ale'ale in Kauai Hawaii
The sun came out when I reached the weeping wall cascade in the back of the Wai'ale'ale crater
Looking back on the Waialeale hike from the cascade at the Blue Hole in Kauai Hawaii
Both times I have done the hike I waited for a good weather. Flash floods are possible, best to check the summit forecast. The Waialeale summit averages 20-30 inches of rain per month. The coastal town of Wailua only ten miles away averages two inches of rain per month

Muliwai Trail (Big Island)

Waipio Beach river crossing
The Muliwai Trail on the Big Island starts with a walk across Waipio beach (18 miles return)
Waipio Valley Artworks
I parked at Waipio Valley Artworks (for a daily fee), no overnight parking is allowed at the Waipio Overlook
Forest section of the hike
The trail climbs at the end of Waipio Beach and goes through the jungle.  There are many streams to cross on the trail, no need to carry water
Waimanu Valley from above
The final set of switchbacks gives the first view of Wai'ilikahi Falls and the Waimanu Valley
Waimanu valley creek crossing in Hawaii
Waimanu creek is the final river crossing to reach camp
Waimanu campsite on the Muliwai trail in Hawaii
Campsite #3
Sunrise at the Waimanu valley campground
Sunrise at camp
Waimanu beach on the Muliwai trail in Hawaii
Waimanu beach
Waimanu Valley in good weather
I mostly rested on the day in the valley, taking a short hike to Wai'ilikahi Falls
Wai'ilikahi Falls hike from the campground
Large swimming pool at the base of Wai'ilikahi Falls

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Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

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