The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back coastal hike located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai. The trail winds through several green valleys and ends at the cliff-lined Kalalau Beach. The trail is part of the Nā Pali Coast State Park which gets its name from the Hawaiian term for high cliff, na pali. You may recognize the coast from the film Jurassic Park where it is featured during the opening helicopter scene
Though exact dates vary between sources, in the past, Native Hawaiians lived and worked in the valleys, cultivating taro and harvesting fish from the sea. Today the land is under the protection of the state of Hawaii and all forms of tourism in the area are carefully monitored. Some pre-planning is necessary to hike the entire trail.
Here are 21 things you should know before hiking the Kalalau Trail.