#AWA HAWAII FULL#

It’s a boring walk and dangerous, so stay close to the shoulder of the road. If you get lucky, maybe some nice person will drive you back to the Koke’e Museum parking lot. Alternate Route OptionĪnother way to do this hike is to park in the Awa’awapuhi Trail parking lot. Hike down the road first, then do the loop. Once you get to the end of the Awa’awapuhi Trail, you will be at your car and you do not have to end with the hike down the road. We didn’t mind ending with the walk along the road.

It felt good to stretch out our legs and since it was downhill, it went by fast.

#AWA HAWAII FULL#

Plus, the parking lot was completely full at the Koke’e Museum so we did not have to wait for a parking space, since our car was already here. You can buy snacks, cold drinks, and ice cream from the general store here. There is also a restaurant that serves burgers, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, cocktails, and beer. They had live music playing and this was a great spot to unwind, refuel, and cool off before visiting more sights along in Koke’e and Waimea State Parks. Is the Nua’lolo Trail and Awa’awapuhi Trail Loop Worth It? Most of the time, you are in the trees with very little view. You’ll hike through tall brush, slip and slide on wet, muddy ground, and be a hot, sweaty mess at the end of this hike. Without a GPS, you risk stumbling off the trail on the Nua’lolo Cliff Trail, where it is very overgrown. If all that sounds like fun, then by all means go for it. I recommend choosing between the Awa’awapuhi Trail OR the Nua’lolo Trail. Of the two, I think the Nua’lolo Trail is the better choice. The Nua’lolo Trail is the tougher of the two. It’s longer, it’s steeper, it can be muddy after it rains, and the trail is overgrown in spots. But the views are much better than those from the Awa’awapuhi Trail. The Nua’lolo Trail is worth the extra effort to have this view. The Awa’awapuhi Trail is shorter, less steep, and better maintained. It’s also more crowded than the Nua’lolo Trail. And the views are nice, but not nearly as stunning as those from the Nua’lolo Trail.

If I did it again, here’s what I would do: If you are traveling with kids, are looking for an easier hike with views of the Napali Coast, or have a fear of heights, I recommend the Awa’awapuhi Trail over the Nua’lolo Trail.

Awa hawaii