KUILAU RIDGE JUNGLE TRAIL TO MOUNT WAIʻALEʻALE | KAUAI HIKING TOURS

• Views of Mount Waiʻaleʻale Mountain, Makaleha Mountains & Several Distant Waterfalls
• View 151-foot Opaeka’a Falls
• Level: Easy/Moderate

Kuilau Ridge Jungle Trail to Mount Waiʻaleʻale  Viewpiont

The word kuilau (koo-E-lau) means “to string together leaves or grass.” Plant fibers were used for everything from thatching roofs (pili grass huts) to making large sails for ocean voyaging canoes (from the hala [tree] leaf), so one might imagine that this lush trail originally got its name from native Hawaiians gathering and utilizing natural resources from the area.

After a quick stop at the roadside overlook to observe ‘O’paeka’a Falls, You’ll drive deeper into the island’s verdant trailhead. Your hike begins as a gentle climb up a wide, well-maintained trail. The trail is lined with impressive Sydney blue gum trees (Eucalyptus saligna), which can grow over 150 feet tall, and the occasional smatterings of albizia trees, massive in girth and height.

As you make our way higher, views of several mountain ranges begin to emerge. On overcast days, your still be rewarded with densely green views of the heavily foliated gulches that dominate the foreground; their abundant native and introduced plant species offer much to discover. These plants include wild orchids, tasty guava (when in season), brilliant ‘ōhiʻa lehua blossoms, the versatile hala tree (used for hats, mats, baskets, and sails for voyaging canoes), and the ti plant (a popular material for making hula skirts, among many other uses).

At the turnaround point, there is a large open area with covered picnic tables and expansive views of Kahili Mountain to the south, Wai’ale’ale Mountain and Mount Kawi to the west and the Makaleha Mountains to the north.

Back at the arboretum, you will take a short stroll in an area dense with the widely popular, often photographed, “rainbow eucalyptus” trees (Eucalyptus deglupta). Time and conditions permitting, you will have the option of taking a quick dip in a cool mountain stream and/or walking up a small hill to once again look towards the majestic Wai’ale’ale Summit, statistically one of the wettest places on earth (averaging over 450 inches of rainfall annually; subsequently fully or partially concealed by clouds much of the time).

Waterfall Swim Add-On:

• After all that climbing, reward yourself with a refreshing dip beneath a cascading waterfall. This option will add approximately 3 – 4 hrs. to the tour time. You will stop at one of several “ono” (tasty) local restaurants to refuel before continuing on to this final phase of your adventure.

What To Bring

• You may want to bring a towel, change of clothes, and slippers to change into after the hike.
• Water, Sunscreen, Bug repellent, hat, sunglasses, camera
• Equipment needs depend on the tour you book. Immediately upon purchasing your hike, a trip-specific list of recommended equipment, aka “gear list,” will be included in your confirmation email. If you don’t have something on the gear list, don’t worry! Let your guide know, they will find a way to make it work (most guides have a stockpile of “lender gear”).
• Check out this blog on “How to Dress”, How To Dress For Success On Your Next Hike | Kauai Hiking Tours

Know Before You Go

• You must be able to walk on unpaved, uneven, likely muddy terrain.
• The area has the potential to be rainy, so you should pack layered clothing, a rain jacket and closed-toe shoes.
• 3 miles roundtrip, 640 ft elevation gain
• 2 – 3 hours from pick up to drop off.
• Transportation: in most cases transportation is provided. Up to 4 people can be accommodated in most of their SUV-style vehicles, up to 6 or 7 in their extended SUV vehicles, and up to 14 people in their 4×4 van (as available). On some occasions it may make more sense to arrange for the guide to hop in with you, or have you follow them in your vehicle and/or meet them at the trailhead.

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