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Trip Reports

May 29, 2018

Overview

Hype:

The Alakai Swamp Trail begins at Camp 10 Road and ends at the Kilohana Vista. Alternatively, you can start at either end of the Pihea Trail and continue on the Alakai Swamp Trail from Alakai Crossing. The scenery drastically changes from open valley to rainforest as you head into Alaka'i Swamp, the world's highest rainforest and swampland fed by the abundant precipitation on Wai'ale'ale's slopes. The trail is said to be the highlight of many visitors' journeys to the island, and it's one of our favorite hidden gems as well. As a bonus, the trail has been greatly enhanced with boardwalks. No longer do hikers have to trudge through the mud to reach the magical lookout of Kilohana at the end of the journey.

Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)

Time: 1.5-2 hours one way

Length: 3.3 miles one way

Elevation Gain: 762 ft. -502 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

No Drinking Water
Rivers and Streams
Mountains
Waterfalls
Marked Trails
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
Viewpoint, Overlooks, Vistas
Hiking Trails
Wildflowers and Vegitation
Wildlife and Birding

Getting There

Navigate to 22.133526, -159.625916.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Kokee State Park, Kauai, Hawaii

Coordinates: 22.133526, -159.625916

Interactive Guide Map

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May 29, 2018 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye,

Story

We started this hike at about 12:50. We had already done the Waipoo Falls Trail and visited the Museum. We arrived at Alakai Crossing at 1:50 and turned left (east) onto the Alakai Swamp Trail. We followed the Alakai Swamp Trail for about a third of a mile to a stream crossing then we turned around and headed back. All told, we hiked about 4.75 miles round trip in 2.5 hours. The trail was gorgeous. It started out through ferns, transformed into a walk through tall skinny trees, then turned into boardwalks through the swamp. While we were hiking, we made friends with two guys who were a ton of fun to talk to. They shared some Lychee fruit with us.

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