The Kalalau Trail is the only land route into the Nā Pali Coast, running 17 kilometres each way along the cliff faces from the Keʻe Beach trailhead to Kalalau Beach. It is Kauaʻi's most celebrated hike and one of the most dramatic in the United States — the trail climbs over ridges, drops into hidden valleys, crosses streams, and skirts vertiginous drop-offs above the ocean. Only experienced hikers should attempt the full route, and permits are required for camping and for hiking beyond Hanakāpīʻai Valley.
The first section, to Hanakāpīʻai Beach (3.2 km each way), is a popular day hike requiring no permit. The beach itself is dramatic — a boulder-strewn shore at the base of a cliff — but it is only safe to swim there in the calmest summer conditions. The trail continues from here to Hanakoa Valley (another 5 km) and then the final steep section to Kalalau Beach, with its waterfall, sea cave, and isolation that rewards the effort of getting there.
Permits for the Kalalau Trail are in high demand and must be booked through the Hawaii Division of State Parks, often months in advance. Do not attempt to hike without a permit — rangers patrol the trail and fines are substantial. The trail is muddy and slippery even in dry weather; hiking poles and non-cotton clothing are strongly recommended.