Hawaii Backpacking

Hawaii Backpacking info, ideas, and photos

The Kalalau trail is the most well-known backpacking trail in Hawaii
Photo: Jeff Kubina, through a Creative Commons Attribution License

Hawaii offers some amazing and unique backpacking experiences. The Kalalau Trail on Kauai offers an 11 mile backpacking trip on a narrow and winding trail that traverses along slippery green cliffs from Ke'e Beach to Kalalau Beach.

On the island of Maui, Haleakela National Park has extensive 2-3 day backpacking options. Backpackers can walk from the 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala, walk 10.4 miles to the Paliku Cabin, then walk 8.7 miles and 6,100 vertical feet down Kaupo Gap near sea level.

In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, there's an excellent 25 mile multi-day backpacking trail from Kilauea Crater to the summit of Mauna Loa in the Mauna Loa Wilderness, with excellent shelters. Also, the Napau Trail and the Naulu Trail which are great overnight backpacking trips across pahoehoe lava flows and through tropical rain forest in the park.