People are wondering if they need a GPS device on the trail. Good question! The short answer is no, or rather not necessarily. The longer answer is it depends. Confusing? Well, hear me out…

The trail is, as is somewhat obvious from the map, mostly linear and straightforward. The risk of getting tot...

Fortunately, Kalalau Beach, as well as Hanakoa Camp, offer both flat surfaces as well as plenty of trees, so the adventurous hiker can choose between the more traditional tent and the hammock. Both options have unique advantages and disadvantages, and either has haters and fans. So what’s the best w...

For many, hiking and backpacking are team sports. We like to go with family or friends and enjoy the company, conversations, and experiencing an adventure together. Then there’s the safety aspect: If something were to happen, we wouldn’t be alone and we have people we trust to rely on and help us if...

Completing the Kalalau Trail is no easy feat. So you want to be prepared, bring the right gear, and make good decisions. And yet, more often than not, people make mistakes that get them into varying degrees of trouble.  

Here are the top blunders:

Underestimating the Trail

Let’s get right to poin...

With water sources being relatively frequent on the Kalalau Trail (see my earlier post), staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water should be easy. And the water looks pretty clean, so it shouldn’t be a problem drinking it, right? In fact, there are quite a few folks who claim they’ve just drunk ...

The Kalalau Trail, with its 11+ miles, is obviously long, and given the temperatures, you can expect to sweat a fair bit. This brings up the question of how to approach the water situation, so you can be sure to stay hydrated and not run out. 

Many mainland trails require the hiker to bring all the...

The Kalalau Trail is obviously spectacular and allows the adventurous hiker to experience the beautiful Napali coast in a unique way. And yes, it’s also a little dangerous here and there and physically challenging.

However, compared to other hiking and backpacking adventures, there are other, less ...

On my first trip to Kauai, I soon heard about the famous Kalalau Trail. I remember hiking the first few miles and being struck by how beautiful it was. I recall hearing somewhere that it supposedly was one of the most difficult trails in the world. The experience was awesome even though I just hiked...

With COVID-19 raging on the mainland, I’ve had the unique chance to spend a few months in Kauai, which unfortunately also required two weeks of strict don’t-leave-the-house quarantine with regular check-in visits from the National Guard and local police.

However, and more importantly, I’ve finally ...