Kalalau Trail: Our 22-Mile Nāpali Coast Day
One of the longest hikes we have done — and one of the most unforgettable. Nāpali is unparalleled, but this is a serious hiking day and current permit rules matter.
What our day actually looked like
We started by headlamp and finished by headlamp because we did not have time to make this a two-day trip. It is possible for very strong hikers to cover that distance, but we would not present our approach as the default. The official trail is 11 miles each way, crosses five major valleys and is almost never level.
Crawler's Ledge slows you down
The famous exposed section was no joke. This was not where we tried to make up time: we moved slowly and deliberately. The trail repeatedly shifts between lush valleys and open coastal ridges, which is a huge part of what made the day feel so varied.
Kalalau Beach is the payoff
Reaching the beach after that much hiking felt incredible. We were also surprised to encounter some clothing-optional beachgoers. Mostly, though, what stays with us is how remote the beach felt beneath the enormous Nāpali cliffs.
Important: current access rules are different from our trip
Today, Hāʻena access requires advance reservations, and anyone continuing beyond Hanakāpīʻai must have a valid Nāpali Coast camping permit — even if they do not plan to sleep overnight. State Parks specifically prohibits hikers without that permit from attempting the full 22-mile route as a day hike. Check current closures and permit rules before planning.