Kauai - Hawaii - travelandhikeadventurelife.com

01/04/2025

28th Nov – 3rd Dec 2024

Kauai – The Garden Isle Adventure Begins

Before even setting foot in Hawaii, we tried to arrange accommodation through TrustedHousesitters—a platform where you house-sit in exchange for free accommodation (by the way, if anyone’s interested, here’s a referral link where we both get two free months or percentage discount >>> TrustedHousesitters Referral).

Since we only started searching a month before departure, we weren’t able to find house-sitting gigs on all the islands, but we did manage to secure one on Kauai—which meant we’d be taking care of Bones, an adorable old guy with arthritis. To get to know with the owners, we had a video call in early November, where they gave us all the necessary details about Bones and even offered us their car to use. At first, we politely declined because we had already booked rental cars and didn’t want to be an inconvenience.

However, after our disastrous rental car experience on Maui, we changed our minds and asked if the offer still stood—which it did! So, when we landed on Kauai at 3:30 PM, we skipped the hassle of picking up a rental and went straight to our “new” car, saving us both money and stress.

Our first priority? Bones’ evening walk, which had to happen by 5 PM. We quickly stopped for groceries, then headed straight to the house, where we met our temporary home and our four-legged buddy.

Day 1st

📅 November 28, 2024

Meeting Bones & Rexy, the Unexpected Sidekick

Bones is very sweet guy, unfortunatelly, pretty old guy, which means this poor guy has some health issues, he has arthritis, which means his back legs don’t work as they should. Luckily, he has a special wheelchair to help him get around.

🚶‍♂️ First challenge: Learning how to use the wheelchair properly.
🐶 Second challenge: Walking him for the first time. We were affraid that he will go further that he is able, but he is a smart guy and he knows his strenght.

Just as we step outside the house, we are greeted by a mysterious rusty-colored dog staring at us from the other side of the fence. Bones starts barking like crazy, and I panic, hoping this won’t turn into a dog fight. But after a few moments, Bones calms down, and suddenly, we’re walking not one but two dogs, new friends.

A few minutes later, I get a message from Emily (one of the owners):

💬 “Don’t freak out about the rusty dog—that’s Rexy. He roams free, but he’s friendly.”

Okay, so now we’re officially part of a dog-walking gang.

🌿 Fun Fact: Why is Kauai Called “The Garden Isle”?

Kauai is known as “The Garden Isle” because it’s the oldest and most lush of all the Hawaiian Islands. It’s so green that it gets more rain than almost anywhere else in the world! 🌧️ Parts of Kauai get up to 450 inches of rain per year—which is why you’ll see so many waterfalls, rainbows, and dense jungles.

Day 2nd

📅 November 29, 2024

Lost in the Jungle, Waterfall “Swimming,” and a Weeping Wall Mystery

After a successful first day exploring Kauai, today’s main mission was to reach Weeping Wall, one of the island’s most breathtaking waterfall spots. Spoiler alert: We failed. Spectacularly.

Weeping Wall – The Hike That Never Happened

🚗 Drive time: About 1.5 hours
❌ Mission status: Unsuccessful

After driving all the way to what we thought was the trailhead, we realized there was no actual road to get there. It was just private property. Okay, no problem. You have to park somewhere else, but the hike will be more than double than we expected. Let’s find an alternative route.

🗺️ Reality check: No alternative route exists. At least, none that we could find.

What followed was a frustrating hour of driving in circles, looking for a different way in—only to waste a ton of time without getting any closer.

Defeated, we had no choice but to abandon the plan and move on to our next hike.

(Don’t worry, Weeping Wall, we’ll be back… eventually.)

Quick Stop: Wailua Falls – Look, But Don’t Touch

To make up for the failed hike, we made a quick detour to Wailua Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls on Kauai.

📸 What we expected:

A short hike down to the base of the falls.
A refreshing swim in the pool below.

🚧 Reality:

The trail to the bottom is now fenced off.
The only view is from above.

We took a few photos, admired the falls from a distance, and quickly moved on.

Sleeping Giant Hike – Not Quite the Adventure We Hoped For

Since our morning plan was a bust, we opted for a short, easy trail—the Sleeping Giant Hike.

🥾 Distance: 3.2 miles (round trip)
⏳ Time: About 1.5 hours
🧐 Excitement level: Meh.

At the start of the trail, we ran into a group of fifty-something-year-old women with dogs who immediately called us out for starting so late. 👩‍🦳💬 “Wow, you’re only just starting? Bit late, don’t you think?” Ma’am, please. It’s a short hike. We’ll be fine. While the views from the top were nice, the trail was packed with people, making it feel more like a crowded park walk than a true adventure.

Verdict? If you’re short on time, you’re not missing much by skipping this one.

Makaleha Falls Trail – Welcome to the Jungle (Literally)

After lunch and some minor disappointment, we still had one more waterfall to chase.

💡 What we knew before starting:

The hike isn’t very long.
It’s easy to get lost.
It’s incredibly overgrown.

✅ All of this turned out to be true.

Not even five minutes in, we missed a turn and ended up completely lost in the jungle for an hour.

🌿 The experience:

Climbing over fallen trees
Wading through knee-deep mud
Boulder hopping over streams
Saying, “This CAN’T be the trail” about 57 times

Eventually, after stumbling around like clueless explorers, we found our way back to the real trail—only to be greeted by another pair of hikers who looked just as confused as we did.

🗣️ “How much farther to the falls?” we asked.
👫 “About an hour. But don’t worry, you shouldn’t get lost again from here.”

Challenge accepted.

🚶‍♀️ We pushed on, determined not to take another accidental jungle detour.

After a muddy, exhausting, and slightly ridiculous journey, we finally reached Makaleha Falls around 2 PM. And just as we arrived, a family of five was leaving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 “It’s all yours!” they said.

🏆 Private Bath.

Since we had the entire waterfall to ourselves, I jumped straight in—because how could I not?

❄️ Water temperature? FREEZING.
🏊‍♀️ Swimming time? About two minutes before I couldn’t feel my limbs anymore.

Hawaiian waterfall pools are AMAZING.

After drying off and soaking in the moment, we started our hike back to the car—this time, without getting lost in the jungle (thankfully).

🕔 By 5 PM, we were back with Bones, right on schedule.

Weeping Wall Update – The Mystery Continues

Later that evening, we did some more research on Weeping Wall, trying to figure out where we went wrong.

🤔 What we learned:

The trailhead has been moved, making the hike longer than we expected.
Because so few people do the hike, the trail is poorly marked and easy to lose.
It’s one of the most confusing hikes on Kauai.

I even messaged Emily to see if she or her friends had any tips—but unfortunately, none of them had done it before.

For now, Weeping Wall remains on hold, but we’re determined to figure it out eventually.

Final Thoughts about second day – A Day of Getting Lost & Loving It

✔️ Failed at Weeping Wall, but at least we tried
✔️ Quick stop at Wailua Falls (even if we couldn’t get close)
✔️ Conquered Sleeping Giant (kind of meh, but okay)
✔️ Got completely lost in the jungle at Makaleha Falls (classic)
✔️ Had a private waterfall all to ourselves (worth it)

Even though our plans didn’t go as expected, Kauai once again surprised us in the best way.

Tomorrow? A completely different kind of adventure—Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

🌋 Fun Fact: Kauai is Home to the Tallest Sea Cliffs in the World

Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast is famous for its breathtaking cliffs, which rise up to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) straight from the ocean—making them some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world.

🏞️ Why so dramatic?

The cliffs were formed over millions of years by volcanic activity, erosion, and collapsing lava flows.
Since the terrain is so rugged, there are no roads that go through the Nā Pali Coast—it can only be explored by hiking, boat, or helicopter.
The only official hiking trail into the Nā Pali Coast is the Kalalau Trail—a challenging 11-mile trek that is often called one of the most dangerous hikes in the world due to its steep, narrow paths and unpredictable weather.

If you’ve ever seen Jurassic Park, you’ve already gotten a glimpse of these epic cliffs—they were featured in the movie’s opening scenes! 🦖🎬

Day 3rd

November 30, 2024

Epic Views, Unexpected Fog, and the Thrill of Waimea Canyon

Today’s aim? Exploring Waimea Canyon State Park—often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” We woke up before sunrise to take care of Bones, get ourselves ready, and head out as early as possible. By just after 8 AM, we were already at our first lookout point, and—wow—the views were nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, many of the scenic viewpoints in the park require separate entrance fees for each one, and there isn’t a day pass that covers all of them. Annoying? Yes. So, we decided to skip the paid viewpoints and focus on the hiking trails instead.

Nu’alolo Trail – From Muddy Struggles to Unbelievable Views

🥾 Trail Name: Nu’alolo Trail
📏 Distance: ~8 miles round-trip
💪 Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging

The first part of the hike was… well, underwhelming.

🚶‍♀️ The experience:

Wet grass + mud = we’re soaked.
No views, just dense vegetation.
Mostly descending, which means… more work coming back up.

But then—just when we started doubting our choice—we reached the canyon rim. And suddenly, we were speechless.

🌄 What we saw:

Dramatic cliffs dropping into the deep valley below.
Jagged ridges stretching out to the coastline.
A sea of green, red, and orange hues blending in a way that felt unreal.

Helicopters flew one after another, gliding through the deep valleys before heading out to the Nā Pali Coast—what an insane experience that must be!

Nu’alolo Cliff Trail – A Sketchy Connection to Awa’awapuhi Trail

Continuing along the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail, we realized something amazing: We didn’t have to hike back the same way! Instead, we could connect to Awa’awapuhi Trail, which would take us back toward the main road. Amazing! Or so we thought…

🛑 Enter: The Broken Fence.

Halfway through the connection, we passed through a damaged fence, which probably meant this trail connection isn’t meant to be used anymore.

🚧 Was there a sign saying it was closed? Nope.
😬 Did the trail feel sketchy? Absolutely.

At times, the narrow, eroded cliffs had me panicking inside. Every time we passed a particularly steep drop-off, I was practically holding my breath. I was hoping all the time, that we will reach the Awa’awapuhi Trail very soon…

After what felt like an eternity, we finally connected to Awa’awapuhi Trail. Our relief lasted exactly five minutes—until we arrived at the Awa’awapuhi lookout and saw…

☁️ Nothing.

Complete. Thick. Fog.

The famous Awa’awapuhi views? Totally hidden.
Helicopters that were just here? Gone.
Us? Slightly crushed.

We waited for a while, hoping the fog would clear, but no luck. At least we had already enjoyed plenty of stunning canyon views earlier. As we descended Awa’awapuhi Trail, we realized this fog wasn’t going anywhere. It seemed to be stuck in the valley, especially with the humidity in the air. Oh well—time to move on to our final adventure of the day.

Canyon Trail & Waipoo Falls – The Ultimate Grand Finale

By this point, we were tired but determined. Fog or no fog, we weren’t leaving without one last epic hike.

🥾 Trail Name: Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls
📏 Distance: ~3.5 miles round-trip
💪 Difficulty: Moderate

And let me just say:

WOW.

Once again, Kauai blew us away.

🌄 The Views:

Jaw-dropping canyon walls, painted in deep reds, oranges, and greens.
A river cutting through the valley below, creating a breathtaking scene.
Waipoo Falls tumbling down the cliffs, adding the perfect touch of magic.

This was the kind of place where you just stand still and soak it all in. Every turn felt like a movie scene—and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if a T-Rex from Jurassic Park suddenly came charging out of the canyon.

We followed the trail to the bottom of Waipoo Falls, where we could sit right next to the water as it cascaded over the edge. This was the perfect way to end the day. No fog. No crowds. Just nature at its most breathtaking.

🌋 Fun Fact: Waimea Canyon Was Created by a Massive Volcanic Collapse

Unlike the real Grand Canyon, which was carved by a river, Waimea Canyon was formed by volcanic activity.

🔥 How it happened:

Millions of years ago, the volcano that created Kauai collapsed in on itself, forming a deep basin.
Over time, rain and erosion carved the dramatic canyon walls that we see today.
The canyon stretches 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and over 3,600 feet deep—making it the largest canyon in the Pacific.

That’s why the red and orange layers in the canyon are actually ancient lava flows, exposed over millions of years.

Final Thoughts about the third day – Another Unforgettable Day

✔️ Checked out Waimea Canyon’s epic viewpoints
✔️ Tackled Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trails (with a minor panic attack at the cliffs)
✔️ Lost the view at Awa’awapuhi Lookout thanks to fog (oh well!)
✔️ Ended the day at Canyon Trail & Waipoo Falls—absolutely stunning!

Even with the challenges and unexpected fog, we had a chance to spend another amazing day in a paradise.

Day 4th

📅 December 1, 2024

Epic Na Pali Coast Hike, Hidden Waterfalls, and a Wild Czech Encounter

After yesterday’s insane canyon views, today was all about one of the most famous hikes in the world—the Na Pali Coast Trail to Hanakapi’ai Falls. This hike is legendary, and for good reason.

Dramatic cliffs plunging into the ocean.
Lush, jungle-covered valleys.
A secret waterfall hidden deep in the rainforest.

And, of course, because it’s us, this day was a little weird in the end … but we’ll get to that later.

Na Pali Coast Trail – Nature at Its Absolute Best

Trail Name: Kalalau Trail (to Hanakapi’ai Falls)
Distance: ~8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging

This hike is no joke, but it’s also one of the most rewarding on the island.

The Journey:

The first two miles took us along the rugged Na Pali coastline with breathtaking ocean views.
We reached Hanakapi’ai Beach, a stunning secluded cove, but swimming here is deadly—the currents are insanely strong, so we just admired it from the shore.
From there, we turned inland, hiking through dense bamboo forests, crossing streams, and climbing over slippery rocks.

Permits & Reservations – Don’t even try to go there Without One!

To hike this iconic trail, you’ll need a permit, and there are a few options:

Waipa Shuttle + Entry Pass – $40 per person
Parking + Entry Reservations – $10 per car per timeslot + $5 entry per person
Entry Only – $5 per person

Reservations must be made online at gohaena.com and can be booked up to 30 days in advance. So, if you’re planning to hike the Kalalau Trail on October 18th, you’ll want to secure your permit on September 19th—they sell out fast!

We opted for the basic entry pass and parked at Ha’ena Beach. Right across the road is the fascinating Maniniholo Dry Cave, which added a small (but fun) detour to our hike.

Beyond Hanakapi’ai – The Real Challenge Begins

If your goal is Kalalau Beach, you’ll also need a camping permit ($35 per person per night), which can be reserved at camping.ehawaii.gov.

Since we were traveling ultralight, we didn’t bring any camping gear and didn’t even attempt to secure a permit. However, if you’re prepared for a night under the stars, I highly recommend booking one—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The Reward: Hanakapi’ai Falls – A Dreamy Jungle Paradise

After a long, sweaty trek, we finally arrived at the falls.

What we saw:

A 300-foot waterfall cascading down a sheer rock wall.
Moss-covered cliffs surrounding a crystal-clear pool.
The kind of scene that looks straight out of a fantasy movie.

We recognized a young couple from our Makaleha Falls adventure and exchanged “oh hey, you made it too!” nods before we continued on our way. The hike back felt ten times longer, especially with the muddy, rocky terrain, but we powered through. Exhausted but happy.

Czech Surprise – The Beach Hallucination?

What happened:

We were chilling on the beach, enjoying the sunset.
Suddenly, when we were about to leave a Czech girl appeared out of nowhere and said “Ahoj”. We were surprised because we haven’t heard czech language throughout the whole Hawaii.
Then she said “You are Míša and Lůca” and by that she completely killed us. We were totally lost and then she explained that I wrote some post on Hawaii facebook page about sharing costs for car (without success beacause only people from USA were answering and for them renting cars on Hawaii is cheap.)
So if she saw that someone from Czech is going to Hawaii at the same time as they do, she started to following me on facebook to see some tips where to go.

The Vibe:

Then we started to chat and we found out, that they also live in Canada, now. She comes from the same part of Czech Republic as I do and she studied the same University as Lucy with difference of just one year.
What a coincidence!

Honestly? This random beach moment was the perfect ending to an already unforgettable day.

Fun Fact: The Na Pali Coast Has No Roads – And Never Will

One of the most fascinating things about the Na Pali Coast is that you can’t drive there. Ever.

Why?

The cliffs are too steep and the terrain is too rugged.
Even with modern engineering, building a road through this landscape is nearly impossible.
The only way to see the coast is by hiking, boat, or helicopter.

That’s why hiking the Kalalau Trail (or taking a boat tour) is one of the only ways to experience its full beauty.

Final Thoughts – Kauai Just Keeps Surprising Us

Hiked the famous Na Pali Coast Trail

Kauai is wild, unpredictable, and absolutely stunning.

And the best part? We still have more to explore.

Day 5th

📅 December 2, 2024

The Weeping Wall, Round Two: Traffic Jams & the Hunt for Blue Hole Falls

After failing miserably on our first attempt, we did not give up and we were checking all trail and all youtube video what we found. Trail supossed to be longer, but first few kilometres pretty chill, so we were hopping we will be able to make it to the end. We were determined to reach this legendary spot— a hidden gem buried deep in Kauai’s rainforest. But, of course, nothing ever goes smoothly.

The Journey to Weeping Wall – The Most Epic, Most Wet, Most Unreal Experience

We left early, thinking we’d finally make it this time. The drive started out peaceful—lush greenery, mist rolling over the mountains, pure Jurassic Park vibes. Just a littble bit traffic on the way but nothing crazy.

We started hiking just a little bit behind schedule.

Trail Name: Weeping Wall (Blue Hole Falls)
Distance: ~supposed to be 8,6 km round-trip with 645 m elevation gain. But nowadays because you can not park where you could few years ago it is 22,4 km and 1 041 m elevaton gain. Unfortunatelly we did only 18,8 km and 565 m elevation gain.
Difficulty: Challenging, uneven path, very bushy, not really marked, you get lost very easily.

The moment we stepped onto the trail, we knew why so few people actually make it here. Why a few people asks for tour guide and most of the people just don’t even think about hiking there. Lot of people just choose to take a tour helicopter.

The reality of this hike:

EVERYTHING is wet. The trail? Wet. The rocks? Wet. The trees? Wet. Our socks? Already wet.
The jungle is THICK. At times, it felt like we were wading through a wall of plants.
We crossed at least a dozen streams, some of which were knee-deep and flowing fast.
Moss-covered boulders made climbing extra tricky.

Unfortunatelly, we had very limited time and we promised to feed Bones and take him for a walk until 5 PM, so we knew that latest time to go back is 1 PM, we reached Blue Hole Falls just around 12 PM and we knew that we are not able to get to the Weeping Wall.

And you know what was the worst? We were not able to get to Bones, because of some car accident and the road to place, where we needed to go, was closed. Emily was before offering to us, that someone else, can walk and feed Bones but we did not want to bother anyone, so we said that we will do it and in the end, someone else had to go there anyway. So maybe … just maybe, we would be able to make it to the end today. But everything bad is for something good and we have very good reason, to go back to Kauai.

As we saw few pictures and videos from there and The scene:

Waterfalls pouring from every direction, cascading down the towering cliffs.
A hidden amphitheater of mist and greenery, completely enclosed by jungle.

We have decided, that this week was not the right week and we were beaten, but we will definitely be back for these views.

Fun Fact: The Weeping Wall Helps Feed Kauai’s Rivers

Did you know? The Weeping Wall is actually part of Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest places on Earth (yep, more rain facts, but it’s crazy).

Annual Rainfall: Over 450 inches—which means water is constantly flowing from the cliffs, feeding Kauai’s streams and rivers.

That’s why the Weeping Wall never dries up—it’s literally a permanent water source for the island’s ecosystem.

Day 6th

📅 December 3, 2024

The Ultimate Kauai Beach Chill Day

After few days of intense hikes, waterfalls, and unexpected traffic jams, today was all about one thing: RELAXATION.

Farewell to Kauai – The Island That Stole Our Hearts

We chose Kalapaki Beach, because it was close to the airport, we knew that our way back will be very challenging. We are flying to Kona – Big Island and then overnight flight to Vancouver. And the last part is almost 12 hours driving back to Banff. That’s why, we have decided to just chill on the beach and absorb the moments we enjoyed.

Kauai is not just another tropical paradise. It is an island that breathes wild beauty, raw nature, and an incredible sense of peace. From the dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast to the lush rainforests of Waimea Canyon and the serene beaches where time seems to slow down – every place we explored had something magical about it.

What makes Kauai so special is not just its landscapes, but also its atmosphere. Life moves slower here, people smile more, and every morning brings the feeling that you are in a place where the world still makes sense. Maybe it’s the gentle breeze, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs, or just the way Kauai embraces you and never really lets go.

We leave the island with our hearts full of memories – of exhilarating mountain hikes, refreshing swims in crystal-clear waterfalls, encounters with sea turtles, and slow mornings with a cup of coffee overlooking the ocean. And even though we are leaving, a part of Kauai will stay with us forever. Because once you experience its magic, you know that one day, you will return.

🌺 Aloha ‘oe, Kauai. Goodbye for now – but not forever. 🌺

No mud, no cliffs, no getting lost—just sun, sand, and salty ocean air. 🌊🌴

Fun Fact: Kauai Has More Beaches Per Mile Than Any Other Hawaiian Island

Kauai may be small, but it has more beaches per coastline mile than any other island in Hawaii!

Facts:

Over 50 miles of sandy beaches surround the island.
Many of them are completely undeveloped and feel like hidden paradises.
Some beaches, like Polihale Beach, stretch for over 15 miles!

Because Kauai’s coastline is so rugged, some of these beaches are only accessible by hiking, boat, or helicopter, making them some of the most secluded in the world.

So if you’re looking for a private slice of paradise, Kauai is the place to be!

Final Thoughts – about the Kauai

Kauai, you’ve been unreal.

🌊 Adventures: 10/10
🌿 Nature: 10/10
🌞 Relaxation: 10/10

Until next time, Aloha! 🌴✨

It will be super hard to choose, but I’ll try to write down 3 best spots from each Island.

we consider those as a 3 best spots of Kauai:

Weeping Wall – The Weeping Wall is a series of misty waterfalls cascading down the lush green cliffs of Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth. If you love dramatic, otherworldly landscapes, this is a must-see! 🌎. And if you don’t like crazy hikes, you can always book a helicopter – this place supposed to be best seen by helicopter.
Canyon Trail & Waipo’o Falls – Because Waimea Canyon isn’t called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” for nothing! This trail gives you epic panoramic views, lush jungle paths, and a hidden waterfall—all packed into a relatively short but adventure-filled hike. There is Pu’u Hinahina Parking which is paid or you continue approx 700 to 800 metres and you will see free parking lot. You will just start on little bit different trail but then you will join the original hike – we did free parking and views were amazing!
Napali Coast Trail – The Kalalau Trail is hands down one of the most legendary hikes in the world—and for good reason. This 18-kilometer (11-mile) trail (one way) snakes along the jaw-dropping cliffs of the Napali Coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, offering breathtaking views, lush jungle valleys, and remote beaches accessible only by foot or boat. The adventure begins at Ke’e Beach, where a narrow, winding trail immediately takes you up steep slopes, alternating between muddy stretches, stone staircases, and jaw-dropping views of the endless Pacific Ocean. After the first 3 kilometers (2 miles), you’ll reach Hanakapi’ai Valley, a perfect spot for a break—or a detour to the stunning Hanakapi’ai Waterfalls if you’re up for an extra 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) round trip. Don’t forget to check permits – more information in Day 4th (December 1st).