Waimea Canyon is a 16-kilometre-long, 1-kilometre-deep gorge on the western side of Kauaʻi, carved by the Waimea River through layers of ancient lava. The colour contrast is striking — the canyon walls run through shades of red, ochre, green, and purple depending on the angle of light and the mineral content of the rock. Several lookout points line Highway 550 on the way up, and on clear days the views across the canyon are exceptional.
The road continues upward past Waimea Canyon to Kōkeʻe State Park at around 1,200 metres elevation. The Kalalau Lookout here offers a completely different perspective: instead of looking down into a canyon, you look out over the Nā Pali Coast from above, with the green cliffs falling away to the ocean 1,000 metres below. The combination of both drives makes for a full day out from Po'ipū or Waimea town.
There are 45 miles of hiking trails in and around Kōkeʻe, ranging from easy forest walks to more challenging routes into the canyon itself. The Awa'awapuhi Trail (about 11 km return) ends at a narrow ridge with vertiginous views over two Nā Pali valleys and is considered one of the finest day hikes on the island.