Hiking the Iliau Nature Loop Trail in Kauaʻi’s Waimea Canyon

Kauaʻi

Jan 30

Distance: 0.4 miles / 4.0 km

The Iliau Loop Trail is not much of a hike, but it’s such a beautiful quick stop on the drive up Waimea Canyon that I recommend everyone should stop to check out the beautiful views.

Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead Parking

Parking for the Iliau Loop Trail is on either side of Kōkeʻe Road outside of the trailhead.

Even for a short hike like this, don’t leave valuables visible in your car! This means purses, wallets, cameras, etc. A place like this is an easy place where visitors can be come victims by being careless.

Google Maps Directions: Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead

Iliau Loop Trailhead Parking Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Parking - Kōkeʻe Road

Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead Parking Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Parking - Kōkeʻe Road

Hiking the Iliau Nature Loop Trail

On the canyon side of the road, there is a little path that leads up to the real trailhead.

Iliau Loop Trailhead Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead

Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead

Overall, the Iliau Loop is very easy and self-explanatory, but be careful around the native and endangered Iliau plants.

They’re found nowhere else on earth!

Iliau Loop Trail Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead

You can go right or left at the split around the loop. In these photos, I went right.

Iliau Nature Loop Trail Kauai — Go Either Way!

Best Easy Hikes Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trail

The Kukui Trail (Lonomea)

At the trail split, go left.

This is the split for the much longer and more intense hike down into Waimea Canyon via the Kukui Trail. The best camping spot by far is all the way at the end of Koaiʻe Canyon at the Lonomea Shelter.

However, Lonomea is a hike for a different day, and it usually takes a month of advanced planning to get the permit.

Best Easy Hikes Waimea Canyon Kauai — Go Left

Iliau Trail Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trail

Iliau Hike Kauai — Iliau Nature Loop Trail

After the split, there’s a few lookouts that make for the best views of the Waimea Canyon. You can see waterfalls, and if you know where to look, you can see much of the distance to the end of the Lonomea hike talked about previously.

Best Views Waimea Canyon Kauai — The Waimea Canyon - Waiʻalae Falls (Straight) / Koaiʻe Canyon (Left)

Iliau Loop Trail Waimea Canyon — Iliau Nature Loop Trail

Iliau Hike Hawaii — Back to the Beginning!

Native Plants on the Iliau Nature Loop

As I’m sure it comes obvious from the name, but the best native plant to see on this hike is the Kauaʻi endemic Iliau.

Iliau is an endangered species so please don’t do anything that would damage these rare plants!

If you would like to learn more about the native plants on this trail and around Hawaiʻi, check my separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants.

Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide