Access to Pihea trail is allowed through Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks. All other trails, lookouts, and park areas closed. (NOTE: Vehicle Access is not allowed beyond Kalalau Lookout. Hikers must walk the park road beyond that point to access Pihea trailhead.)
The trail begins at Puʻu O Kila Lookout at the end of Highway 550. The Pihea Trail is a recommended forest reserve trail for scenic views, observing Kauai‘s native forest birds and sampling the Alakai Wilderness' terrain and vegetation. This is an alternate route to the Alakai Swamp Trail, which intersects the Pihea Trail just before 1 3/4 mile point. There is a short spur that ends at the Pihea Overlook, the highest point on the rim of Kalalau Valley. Caution - do not go beyond the Pihea Overlook. The terrain gets very steep beyond this point. The Pihea Trail follows the northwestern bank of Kawaikōī Stream in Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve and ends at Kawaikōī Camp. While there is some boardwalk construction underway, portions of the trail are often wet, slippery and muddy.
