While these trails can often be rainy and muddy, they remain popular with visitors and locals for the opportunity to immerse in Kauai’s rain forest, walk through Kokee’s Alakai Swamp amidst native plants, trees and birds, and view Hanalei Bay from the northwest from the end of the Alakai Swamp Trail.
From the parking lot, begin by taking in the view from Puu O Kila Lookout at 4,280 elevation.
Then begin the trail from the parking lot, walking 1.75 miles until you intersect the Alakai Swamp Trail; turn right and continue to Kilohana Lookout at the end.
If the view of Hanalei Bay at the lookout is fogged over, as it often is, stick around awhile until the clouds lift. You'll be glad you did.
Location: Kokee State Park
Parking: Parking lot at trailhead 3.8 miles past the Kokee Lodge and meadow
Length: 9 miles roundtrip
Time: 4 to 6 hours
Elevation: 800 feet
Difficulty level: Easy on the raised wooden boardwalk; challenging, slippery and muddy in many places where the boardwalk is washed out or broken