Best Multi-Day Hiking Trails in Hawaii
Hawaii's Best Backcountry: Where to Go Long
Most visitors to Hawaii don't think of it as a backpacking destination, but the islands contain some of the most challenging and rewarding multi-day hiking in the Pacific. The terrain is genuinely difficult — steep, wet, muddy, with river crossings and exposed ridges — and the payoff is access to places that almost no one else sees. Here are the best multi-day routes by island.
Kalalau Trail — Kauai (The Classic)
Length: 22 miles round trip (11 miles each way).
Permit required: Yes — through the DLNR Hawaii permit system (gostateparks.hawaii.gov). Camping permits for Kalalau Beach sell out within minutes of release; apply early.
The Kalalau Trail is the only land access to the Na Pali Coast and is one of the most dramatic coastal hikes in the world. It traverses five valleys, crosses multiple streams with no bridges (expect wet crossings), and gains and loses thousands of feet of elevation along knife-edge ridges above the ocean. The final destination is Kalalau Beach — a large isolated strand accessible only by this trail or by sea — with a freshwater waterfall and views of the sea cliffs that have appeared in countless films and photographs.
The trail is rated difficult to strenuous. The first 2 miles to Hanakapi'ai Beach are popular as a day hike; the full Kalalau requires 2–3 days, proper camping gear, water purification, and trail-ready fitness. Flash flooding is a serious risk at river crossings. Never attempt the crossings in heavy rain. Trail conditions and stream crossing advisories are posted on the DLNR website.
Waimanu Valley — Big Island
Length: Approximately 14 miles round trip via the Muliwai Trail from Waipio Valley.
Permit required: Yes, for camping in Waimanu Valley (DLNR Hawaii).
The Muliwai Trail from the back of Waipio Valley to Waimanu Valley is one of the most physically demanding hikes in Hawaii. The route descends steeply into Waipio, crosses the Wailoa River, climbs a brutal 1,200-foot switchback ascent called "The Stairmaster," then traverses a series of deep gulches before descending into the remote Waimanu Valley — a pristine, roadless wetland with a black sand beach, ancient heiau sites, and zero cell service. The valley sees very few visitors and retains a profoundly wild character. Allow 3 days minimum. River crossings, exposure, and route-finding make this a serious backcountry trip.
Alakai Swamp Trail — Kauai
Length: Approximately 8 miles round trip from the Pihea Trailhead.
The Alakai Swamp is the highest elevation swamp in the world, sitting in the bowl of Kauai's interior at about 4,000 feet. The trail to Kilohana Overlook (with views of Hanalei Valley on a clear day — rare in the swamp's near-constant cloud cover) traverses a bog ecosystem found almost nowhere else on earth. It's technically a day hike but often done as a multi-day combo with camping at Koke'e State Park. The trail is boardwalked in sections but deeply muddy in others; rain gear and gaiters are strongly recommended.
Haleakala Crater — Maui
Length: Varies by route; full crater traverse is approximately 20+ miles over 2–3 days.
Permit required: Yes — Haleakala crater camping requires advance reservations through recreation.gov. Three primitive cabins inside the crater can also be reserved and are highly sought-after.
Hiking inside the Haleakala crater is unlike any other experience in Hawaii. The crater floor is a high-altitude desert — cold nights, cinder cones, lava formations, and alien-landscape silence broken only by wind. The Sliding Sands Trail descends from the summit into the crater; the Halemau'u Trail climbs back out at a different point. A traverse combining both trails with a night in the crater (at one of the camping areas or historic cabins) is one of the best and most underrated multi-day hikes in the country. Bring cold-weather gear — temperatures drop to the 30s and 40s at night year-round at this elevation.
Packing Essentials for Hawaii Backcountry
- Water purification (filter or tablets) — leptospirosis is present in freshwater streams throughout Hawaii
- Rain gear — even in "dry" summer, the interior mountains receive daily rain
- Gaiters and waterproof boots — trail mud in Hawaii is the real kind
- Bear canister or rodent-proof food storage — rats and mongoose raid camps in coastal areas
- Permit confirmation printout — rangers check at trailheads and on trail
Hawaii's Best Multi-Day Backcountry Routes
Hawaii is almost universally thought of as a day-hiking destination. But the islands have legitimate multi-day wilderness routes — backcountry trails that require camping permits, resupply planning, and genuine backpacking preparation. These are not crowded, tourist-facing day hikes. They are remote, demanding, and among the most beautiful long-distance routes in the United States. Here's a guide to the best multi-day trails on each island.
Kalalau Trail — Na Pali Coast, Kauai (11 miles one way)
The Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai is the most famous and most demanding long trail in Hawaii. Beginning at Ke'e Beach at the end of Highway 560 on the North Shore, the trail traverses five valleys over 11 miles to reach the remote Kalalau Valley, where a black sand beach and 3,000-foot cliffs define one of the most dramatic camping environments in the world. The trail crosses steep ridges, sea cliff traverses, and stream crossings (which become dangerous in flash flood conditions). The one-way distance is 11 miles; the round trip covers 22 miles and typically takes 2–4 nights.
Camping permits are issued by the Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife at the gostateparks.hawaii.gov website, through a competitive lottery process that opens months in advance. Permits for Kalalau Valley camping are limited to 60 people per night and typically sell out within minutes of lottery opening. The first two miles to Hanakapiai Beach require only a day permit (less competitive). Bring a water filter (streams are the only water source), rain gear for the north shore's weather, and reef-safe sunscreen. No pack-in/pack-out is enforced but Leave No Trace is both ethically required and legally mandated.
Haleakala Crater Traverse — Maui (varies, 2–4 days)
The Haleakala crater trail system allows multi-day traverses through one of the most otherworldly landscapes in Hawaii — a volcanic crater 7 miles wide and 2,600 feet deep, filled with red and black cinder cones, silversword plants, and the volcanic silence of 10,000-foot altitude. Two wilderness cabins (Kapalaoa and Holua) and three primitive campsites (Holua, Kapalaoa, and Paliku) allow multiple configurations for 2–4 night trips.
The classic traverse enters via the Sliding Sands Trail (Keoneheehee) from the summit visitor area, descends to the crater floor, spends 1–2 nights at the interior campsites, and exits via the Halemau'u Trail to the crater rim at 7,990 feet. Total trail distance is approximately 23 miles. Cabin reservations go through the National Park Service recreation.gov system and are competitive for weekend nights; permits for primitive camping at the designated sites are also required. Bring layers — nighttime temperatures in the crater can drop to the 30s Fahrenheit regardless of season.
Waimanu Valley Trail — Big Island (9 miles one way)
The Waimanu Valley Trail on the wet Hamakua Coast of the Big Island is one of Hawaii's most hidden and rewarding backcountry destinations. The route begins with a 1,200-foot descent into Waipio Valley (via the jeep road from the Waipio Valley Lookout), crosses the valley floor through taro patches, and then climbs via a series of switchbacks (the Z-trail) along the sea cliffs to reach Waimanu Valley 9 miles from the trailhead.
Waimanu Valley has no permanent residents, no amenities, and no cell service. The valley contains the 1,500-foot Waihilau Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii, visible only from within the valley. Camping is permitted with a free permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office in Hilo. The trail itself involves several significant stream crossings that may be impassable after heavy rain — check conditions before departure. The round trip takes 2–3 days; most hikers spend 1–2 nights in the valley.
Alaka'i Swamp Trail — Kauai (3.5 miles one way from Pihea junction)
The Alaka'i Swamp Trail in Kokee State Park on Kauai is not a camping trail but deserves inclusion for its extraordinary character. Beginning at the Pihea Trail from the Pu'u o Kila Lookout, the route traverses the highest-elevation swamp in the world, crossing boardwalks over bog and dense native ohia forest where some of Hawaii's rarest birds — the Akikiki, Puaiohi, and Anianiau — cling to survival. The round trip from the Pu'u o Kila parking area is approximately 8 miles. No permit is required; the trail is accessed through Kokee State Park (no entrance fee). Go early, wear waterproof footwear, and check trail conditions with the Kokee Natural History Museum before setting out.
Planning Tips for Multi-Day Hawaii Hikes
- Permits book months out: Kalalau Trail lottery and Haleakala cabin reservations open far in advance — start the process 3–6 months before your planned trip
- Water treatment is mandatory: All Hawaii backcountry water sources require filtering or treatment due to leptospirosis risk
- Flash flood danger: Check weather forecasts before entering any stream canyon. Both the Kalalau and Waimanu trails cross streams that can become impassable in heavy rain
- Bear canisters not required, but rodent-proof food storage is: Rats are the backcountry food thieves in Hawaii — hang food or use a hard-sided container
- Helicopter rescue is real: The Kauai Fire Department conducts multiple rescues on the Kalalau Trail each year. Travel with adequate footwear and let someone know your itinerary
Napali Coast Trail (Kauai) — The Gold Standard
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