Nuʻalolo Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

This trail begins just before the Kokee parking area in dense forest and ends on an open, arid ridge at the Lolo Point lookout. If it has been raining, you probably will want to postpone your run or consider wearing microspikes/crampons. These trails are really slippery when wet. After a brief uphill, this trail is all downhill, so you'll be coming uphill the entire way back. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. This trail connects to the Awa'awapuhi Trail via the Nualolo Cliff Trail making a nice loop trip (approx 11 mile loop). View the Nu'alolo Cliff Trail for current conditions, it can be overgrown.

The first part of the trail is uphill through forest. Once you reach the top its a steady downhill the rest of the way. The forest gives you opportunities for birdwatching and you may catch a glimpse of some native Hawaiian birds. More likely, you'll here them.

Once you break out of the forest you'll be in a open and arid area. There are a multitude of colors. The further you go along the trail, the more diverse the colors. Some of the trail along the ridge is so red you might liken it to being on Mars. There are even hints of yellow.

As you make your way along the ridge towards the point, the trail becomes very narrow with steep drop-offs on either side. This is where you want to watch you step and be careful. Along these steep cliffs you may hear and see goats. They seem to be on the most impossible to reach steep cliffs.

The trail ends at a viewpoint that has a railing with a warning sign. You have views of the Na Pali. Spend some time taking it all in then head back uphill to your starting point.

In first forested part there is good viewing opportunities for native Hawaiian birds. Evidence of pigs. Goats may be seen on the cliffs near the end of trail.