Beyond the OverlookHanakāpīʻai Falls Hike
We continued from the Nāpali coast all the way inland to Hanakāpīʻai Falls, then went into the cold water at the waterfall. It was a hard, memorable Kauaʻi hike and the swim was an incredibly refreshing finish.
Our verdict
Worth continuing beyond Hanakāpīʻai Beach if you have the time and ability. The coastal portion and inland waterfall section feel like two different hikes, which is a big part of the appeal.
What the route does
The first section follows the Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach. From there, the waterfall route turns inland through a much greener valley. The full outing is roughly 7.6 miles round trip and is a real half-day hike rather than a quick waterfall walk.
Swimming at the falls
We went into the water at Hanakāpīʻai Falls. It was cold and extremely refreshing after the hike, and it became one of the details we remember most. Conditions can change, so assess the water when you are there and follow posted warnings.
Do not confuse the waterfall with the beach
Swimming at the waterfall is a separate question from swimming at Hanakāpīʻai Beach. The ocean there can be extremely dangerous. Do not interpret our waterfall swim as a recommendation to enter the ocean at the beach.
How hard did it feel?
Expect heat, humidity, mud and slippery footing to matter as much as the mileage. Wear actual hiking shoes, bring plenty of water and leave room in the schedule to enjoy the falls rather than immediately turning around.
How this fits with the Kalalau Trail
Hanakāpīʻai Falls is reached from the same initial Kalalau corridor, but it is not the same thing as completing the full trail to Kalalau Beach. We did the falls as its own hiking experience and also did our full 22-mile Kalalau Trail day a couple of days later separately.
Access
Hāʻena access rules can change. Check the official current parking, shuttle and entry requirements before your trip rather than relying on the logistics from our visit.