Koke'e State Park Kauai

Koke'e State Park is located in northwestern Kauai and it includes a museum which focuses on the weather, vegetation, and the bird life of Kauai.

The park is just north of Waimea Canyon State Park and includes 4,345 acres (18 km²) of mountainous terrain. The main attractions of Koke'e State Park trails are the native vegetation, native forest birds, and the scenic cliffside views.

Situated on a plateau between 3,200 and 4,200 feet, much of Koke'e is forest dominated by koa (Acacia koa) trees. Annual rainfall is around 70 inches with rainy periods from October to May.

There are trails through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. The majority of this trail is a plank boardwalk covered with chicken wire which provides great traction.

Native hibiscus and iliau can be seen along the trails and there is a popular scenic trail with great views of Waimea and Po'omau Canyons. Also, feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls.

There's also a short trail that accesses other trails in the Halemanu area and this trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa hia forest. You can nocitce the areas recovery from Hurricane Iwa and transition to koa forest from drier conditions is evident.

From there you can find an easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Waialae Canyon.

Here are the hiking trails at Koke'e State Park:

• Alaka'i Swamp Trail, length: 3.5 miles / 5.6 kilometers. Trail through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. .

• Awa'awapuhi Trail, length: 3.25 miles / 5.2 kilometers. Trail with mesic and dryland native plants. Spectacular view into steep-sided Nu'alolo and Awa'awapuhi Valleys. Return climb of 1,620 feet.

• Berry Flat Trail, length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. This trail traverses a mix of planted alien and native forest types, including redwood and sugi groves and disturbed koa/'hi'a forest.

• Black Pipe Trail, length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. This trail is an alternate access to the Canyon Trail.

• Canyon Trail, length: 1.8 miles / 2.9 kilometers. A popular scenic trail with great views of Waimea and Po'omau Canyons. The trail follows the rim of Waimea Canyon and crosses Koke'e Stream.

• Cliff Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. A spur trail leading to a viewpoint of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls.

• Ditch Trail, length: 1.7 miles / 2.7 kilometers. A trail developed to construct and maintain the Koke'e Ditch. Vistas of surrounding forest and Po'omau Stream. Faye Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer.

• Halemanu-Koke'e Trail, length: 1.2 miles / 1.9 kilometers. This trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa/'ohi'a forest.

• Iliau Nature Loop, length: 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer (length of loop). Easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with plants identified. Sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Wai'alae Canyon.

• Kaluapuhi Trail, length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers. Disturbed ' ohi'a montane mesic forest with some intact forest areas.

• Kukui Trail, Length: 2.5 miles / 4.0 kilometers. Scenic, but steep trail into Waimea Canyon. Elevation drop of 2,000 feet.

• Kumuwela Trail, length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers. Mosaic of ' ohi'a and koa/'ohi'a montane mesic forests with alien weed problems and hurricane damage. A good bird watching trail.

• Nature Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. Good starter trail to learn about native forest vegetation.

• Nu'alolo Trail, length: 3.75 miles / 6.0 kilometers. Trail through koa/'ohi'a montane mesic forests and an a'ali'i lowland dry shrubland with a great view of Nu'alolo Valley. Return climb of 1,570 feet.

• Pihea Trail, length: 3.7 miles / 5.9 kilometers. Scenic nature trail along the rim of Kalalau Valley, traversing ' ohi'a montane wet forest. Great bird watching trail.

• Pu'uka 'Ohelo Trail, length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. Along this trail are good examples of the impact that invasive alien weeds can have on native forest vegetation.

• Waininiua Trail, length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. A good trail to see a relatively intact koa/'oh'a montane mesic forest. Water Tank Trail, length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers.