Hiking and camping on the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s breathtaking Nā Pali Coast is a legendary adventure that blends intense physical challenge with unmatched natural beauty. Winding through emerald valleys, steep cliffs, and remote beaches, the trail leads you to the secluded Kalalau Beach—accessible only by foot, kayak, or helicopter. TOBIQ founder, Melinda, shared this unforgettable experience with her besties and wanted to give us her best tips for hiking and camping on the Nā Pali Coast of Kauai:
Tip #1
Get your permits AND overnight parking pass months in advance (visit this website for details). If you are in a pinch, call @hikekauaiwithme for help!
Tip #2
Pack light, if possible. Sleep in hammocks and share water filter/food prep supplies. You won't need super heavy blankets, but thin warm layers and one change of clothes is recommended.
Tip #3
Wear super supportive and grippy hiking shoes/boots, preferably with water proofing. I loved my Gore-tex hiking boots (well broken in). Matching socks are a must, too! ;)
Tip #4
Be sure you share this experience with people you love. Lots of ups and downs on this trail - literal and figurative. You'll be happy to have YOUR people.
Tip #5
Bring a good water filter and share it with your groups. This is like the one we used. It's fast and effective!
Tip #6
Bring bug spray. It's a very wet environment and the bugs will love you - especially at river crossings.
Tip #7
It's roughly an 11-mile hike to Kalalau Beach. Bring at least 3,000 diverse calories (proteins, salts, dried fruits) and be prepared for a long day climbing sea cliff after sea cliff with incredible views. Between the 4 of us, here were our favorites for 48 hours on the Nā Pali Coast:
- @redmondrelyte electrolytes
- @thatsit bars
- @gogosqueez active pouches
- beef sticks
- leftover pizza (for reals, we loved it)
- @honeystinger waffles
- @skratchlabs energy chews
- mini clementines
- chocolate-covered pineapple gummy bears
- protein bars
- granola bars
Tip #8
Be aware of conditions! There are lots of narrow parts on the trail. Crawlers Wall is intimidating, but not as bad as my first-time friends thought it would be. There are MANY dangerous spots on the trail and if it's raining, reevaluate your plans.
Tip #9
Bring minimal extras:
- lightweight water shoes for river crossings/beach
- a dry pair of clothes to sleep in
- light sweater or puffer jacket
- rain gear/jacket + poncho (we were lucky we didn't need it, but 90% of trips do!)
- a thin camping blanket
- a few Whips toothbrushes
Tip #10
Bring a small first-aid kit! We had a few slips and used our Band-Aids, ibuprofen, and tape for blisters. Insider tip: save your knees by walking backwards down safe spots!
A Few Extra Tips
- Watch out for those tan lines - and bring sunscreen! Some people forgot to watch out for tan lines (me)!
- Dropping into the Kalalau Beach was unreal. The whales even welcomed us to the valley! Such a special place.
- Go explore the caves and look for the farms before sunset. We didn't find them but I've heard the abandoned colony is cool to see.
- Tying hammocks up with the cord saved space in our packs.
- Collecting sunsets.
- Good friends + chocolate-covered pineapple gummy bears = highly recommend!
Take TOBIQ
Check out a reel of Mel's adventure on Instagram HERE. If you get the chance to go on this adventure, we'd recommend taking along our splash pack to keep those essentials protected and handy. Share your photos/videos with us on Instagram and let us know where you #takeTOBIQ!