Na Pali Coast State Park
Encyclopedia
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
. The Nā Pali coast itself extends southwest starting at Kee Beach extending all the way to Polihale State Park
Polihale State Park
Polihale State Park is a remote wild beach on the western side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is the western most publicly accessible area in Hawaii, although the privately owned island of Niihau is further west. The beach is miles away from the town of Kekaha, and it can only be reached via...
. The pali (cliff
Cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
s) rise as high as 4000 feet (1,219.2 m) above the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The state park was formed to protect the Kalalau Valley
Kalalau Valley
The Kalalau Valley is located on the northwest side of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The valley is located in the Nā Pali Coast State Park and houses the beautiful Kalalau Beach. The Nā Pali Coast is very rugged and is inaccessible to automobiles...
.
Although inaccessible to automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s, this coast can be enjoyed by hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
(in kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
s from May 15 through Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
) or from a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. The Kalalau Trail
Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau Trail is a trail along the Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The trail is very strenuous and runs approximately along the island's north shore from Kee Beach to the Kalalau Valley...
from the end of Hawaii Route 56
Hawaii Route 56
Route 56, also known as Kuhio Highway, is the main highway on the north and east shore of Kauaii island.-Route description :Route 56 runs , stretching from Hawaii Route 50 at the junction of Rice Street in Lihue, Hawaii to the junction of Hawaii Route 560 in Princeville on the island of Kauaii...
(called the Kuhio Highway) provides the only land access, traversing 11 miles (17.7 km) and crossing five major valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
s (and many smaller ones) before reaching Kalalau Beach
Kalalau Beach
Kalalau Beach is a beach on the Nā Pali Coast at the base of the Kalalau Valley in north-west Kauai in Hawaii. It is the final destination of the Kalalau Trail, one of the most difficult trails on the Hawaiian Islands. The beach is approximately 1 mile long, with trails snaking through the rest...
at the base of Kalalau Valley.
To the east of the state park is the Hono O Nā Pali state Natural Reserve. It was established in 1983, and then extended to over 3578 acres (14.5 km²) in 2009.
