Hiking the Kuilau Ridge Trail on Kauaʻi
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Kuilau Ridge Trail is one of the most gradual ridge hikes in Hawaiʻi, and being the case, it can make for a great trail run if you don’t mind the mud.
However, because it’s a windward Kauaʻi hike, Kuilau can be as dry as the photos I took below or extremely muddy from the trailhead to the Moalepe junction. In either case, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Kuilau Ridge Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kuilau Ridge Trail is located in small parking lot just outside of the trailhead off of Kuamoʻo Road.
Google Maps Directions: Kuilau Ridge Trailhead
Hiking the Kuilau Ridge Trail
Kuilau Ridge is fairly straightforward trail with only one important turn once you reach shelter.
Kuilau Ridge starts off very gradual which will continue for much of the hike.
Once Kuilau reaches the Uluhe ferns, you have made it to the most native forested section on the entire trail.
This is also where you can get the best views of the mountains to the west.
Kuilau Ridge Shelter
Just past the shelter, go right at the split. The trail to the left doesn’t lead to anywhere of interest.
Kuilau Ridge should continue through the grass in the photo above and around a switchback to the view in the photo below.
This section is also some of the last views on the trail before reaching the Kuilau-Moalepe bridge.
Eventually, Kuilau Ridge meets up with Moalepe Trail that continues down to Olohena Road. Roundtrip the distance from the Kuilau Trailhead to the Moalepe Trailhead and back is just over 8 miles.
However, for the purposes of the Kuilau Trail, the best views are all on the ridge before and just after the shelter. It doesn’t necessarily make sense to hike all the way to the Kuilau-Moalepe junction if you’re more interested in seeing the views.
Native Plants on the Kuilau Ridge Trail
Kuilau Ridge is a relatively low-elevation hike for Hawaiʻi, meaning the trail is mostly non-native invasive species.
However, once the ridge reaches the Uluhe ferns at about the half way point, you have the opportunity to see ʻŌhiʻa and Kalia.
If you would like to learn more about identifying these and other native Hawaiian plants, check out my separate post entirely about native plants around the islands.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
