Quick Facts
Accessibility: 5/10 (Moderate)
Height: 15′ / 5 m
Length of Hike: 3 miles / 4.8 km round-trip
The Record
If you’re heading to Kauai with waterfalls in mind, Waipo’o Falls is likely on your radar. Waipo’o Falls can be viewed from roads without a hike, but you can also get a closer view by hiking the Waipo’o Falls Trail. You get a closer look at the towering 800-foot main falls, but a bonus waterfall, Mini Falls (also known as Upper Waipo’o Falls), exists along the trail. At only 15 feet tall, it is a pint-sized contrast to its massive downstream relative.
Be prepared, however, for the conditions of the trail itself. The trail is 1.5 miles one-way. When I visited in July, the sun was at its highest and most intense, and the path offers virtually no shade to hide from the heat. It’s also not a flat stroll, with some noticeable uphill and downhill portions. If you’re planning a trip, you might find the trek more enjoyable during the cooler months. The main falls also may dry up in August, so a December to July visit might make the most sense.
Directions
- From Lihue, head west along HI-50.
- Once you reach the town of Waimea, you have two options. In the town of Waimea, you can turn on HI-550 (Waimea Canyon Drive) and drive 10-12 miles along the road to get various views of the falls. The necessary pullouts will be to the right on the road.
- You can also drive a few miles further along HI-50 to HI-552, and then head north along that road instead. I’m not really sure if there’s a benefit one way or the other. I took HI-552 on the way up and HI-550 on the way down. (HI-550 will lead past the small but wildly intriguing Red Dirt Falls, to be discussed in a future post.)
- The parking area for the trail head is on the right, and may have signage for multiple items: Pu’u Hinahina Lookout, Ni’ihau Viewpoint, or the Waimea Canyon Trail. Follow the trail signs from here.
Waterfall Record 
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