Best Hiking on the East Shore of Kauai

All over the island of Kauai you will find trails for hiking. Trails that lead to beautiful views, serene beaches, and amazing waterfalls. Hiking on Kauai is a great way to see its natural beauty. The east shore of Kauai has some great hiking trails. This is a guide to hiking on the east shore of Kauai.

If you are a bit of an adrenaline junky and like the thrill of mountain climbing, check out the Sleeping Giant, also known as Nounou Mountain. There are actually three different trails that lead to summit of Sleeping Giant. The east trail, which is the longest, is also the prettiest. It takes you through forests that have amazing views of the east shore including the entire Wailua Valley. If you have a fear of heights, this hike is not for you. Take great care when climbing up to the summit, the ridges are steep and any misstep can mean the end. The west trail and the Kuamo'o-Nounou Trail are steeper and will give you a good workout. The mosquitoes on this hike are ravenous, so be sure to bring your repellant.

If you are looking for a walk through the jungles of Kauai, checkout the Kuilau Ridge Trail. This trail can be found just past the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kauai Research Station. This hike has a gradual incline that takes you through the forests filled with ferns, tropical flowers, and birds of every color. On a clear day you will have stunning views of Mount Wai'ale'ale. Make sure you walk past the picnic tables to really see the beauty of the jungle, and catch glimpses of Lihue and Kapaa. This is by far one of the best hikes on the east shore of Kauai.

The Powerline Trail can be found just a little further west from the Kuilau Ridge Trail. The Powerline trail is a dirt road that was cut by the electric company when they installed the power lines. The thirteen mile trail goes from Kapaa to the southern end of Princeville. This hike is an all day affair, you might want to buddy up with someone and have cars parked on both ends so you won't have to take the bus and than a taxi to your car. The Powerline Trail is considered difficult and most folks only walk half of it, and thus eliminating the need for public transportation. The hike takes you through the lush interior of Kauai with some of those famous Kauai waterfalls along the way. The trail also features some fantastic views of the ocean, specifically on the northern side of the trail.

The eastern shore of Kauai offers some great jungle hikes with fantastic views of the island. This guide includes the best hiking trails on the east shore of Kauai.