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United States

Kauaʻi County

Pu'u Hinahina Lookout and Waipo'o Falls – Kauai, Hawaii

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Kauaʻi County

Pu'u Hinahina Lookout and Waipo'o Falls – Kauai, Hawaii

Moderate

2.6

(2)

hikers

Pu'u Hinahina Lookout and Waipo'o Falls – Kauai, Hawaii

02:12

7.27km

240m

Hiking

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific is the focus of this hike. Waimea Canyon is located on the island of Kauaʻi. The route has a few steep sections, and you should be sure-footed to enjoy the tour. It is also best to choose a dry day so that the rain does not make the paths slippery.

First, head to the Pu’u Hinahina viewpoint and look out over the canyon, which is about 16 kilometers long and 900 meters deep. If you get a clear day, you can see all the way to the Pacific from this point. You head off along the Cliff Trail to another fantastic panoramic view of the canyon.

Of course, three viewpoints are better than two. That's why you hike along the Canyon Trail to the next distant view of this rugged, shimmering red landscape. Before you return to the start of the tour, you make a short detour to Waipo'o Falls. The waterfalls plunge over 240 meters into the depths.

by VisitTheUSA

Last updated: December 9, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Kōkeʻe State Park

Waimea Canyon State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.24 km

Pu'u Hinahina Lookout

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is one of the best possible viewpoints into the rugged beauty of Waimea Canyon, sometimes known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. On a clear day you can see far out across the Pacific Ocean, too, but even a clear morning can easily turn rainy or foggy by the afternoon.

Tip by

3.51 km

Cliff Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

This viewpoint sits at the end of the Cliff Trail, but is easily accessed via a short detour from the Canyon Trail, too. Do yourself a favor and plan your hike around the weather forecast if you can, and come here during the morning to increase your chances of clear skies.

Tip by

4.62 km

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a great viewpoint over Waimea Canyon. As always, try to plan your hike around the weather and come here during the morning, if possible, so you're more likely to have clear skies. It can be a real heartbreak to come all the way up here only to be socked in by rain and fog.

Tip by

4.82 km

Waipoʻo Falls (Top of the Falls)

Highlight • Waterfall

Hikers are sometimes surprised to see the trail ends at the top of 800-foot Waipo'o Falls, as opposed to approaching it head-on for the best views. It's still a breathtaking view, though. Take care if you try to get near the edge, as that's quite a drop. Coming early increases your odds of having clear skies, and (somewhat) avoiding the crowds on this popular trail.

Tip by

7.27 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.64 km

2.45 km

182 m

Surfaces

4.18 km

2.86 km

230 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 7 May

22°C

19°C

8 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 14, 2024

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific is the focus of this hike. Waimea Canyon is located on the island of Kauaʻi. The route has a few steep sections, and you should be sure-footed to enjoy the tour. It is also best to choose a dry day so that the rain does not make the paths slippery. 
﻿
First, head to the Pu

Translated by Google •

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Trail Reviews

Peter Landgraf

September 23, 2025, ... am Waimea Canyon den Trail gegangen.

...the destination is spectacular. 😊 On-site, you can pay a small fee per car and per person (in the car) at the parking meter (as is the case almost everywhere). The route, just under 3 km, is relatively manageable; it starts at 1,100 meters. The estimated time of up to 3 hours (one way) is more than exaggerated. Anyone who is a "normal" walker can manage the up and down within 1 hour (one way). If you're energetic, the entire route can be completed in just under 1 3/4 hours. Then the ice cream or Coke is more than deserved. The view is definitely amazing and 👍 . PS: there's a small (!) waterfall at the end.

Translated by Google•

Mathias

January 2, 2026, Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii

A huge canyon with fantastic views, several short viewpoints in the lower part of the canyon, a longer hike in the upper section – be careful when it rains, it gets very slippery – highly recommended tour, best finished with a meal at the food trucks in Weimar (cheap and good).

Translated by Google•