Kalalau Trail
~2 days · 10.2 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Kalalau Trail is known for
Kauai's legendary cliffside route along the Napali Coast, crossing hanging valleys and airy sea-cliff traverses to the beach camp at Kalalau — permit required, and worth it.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from -3 ft to 673 ft over 10.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 3.8 mi · 38%
- Downhill 5.0 mi · 49%
- Flat 1.4 mi · 14%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Kalalau Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Kalalau Trail scores 45/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Kalalau Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Kalalau Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 10.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How high does the Kalalau Trail go?
The Kalalau Trail tops out near 755 ft over its 10.2 miles.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.