This trail had an easy start.    The route starts at the highest point and goes down to the lowest point over 5km.   The first half of the Awa’Awapuhi winds through wet forest, but as it descends onto the narrow ridge, the trail emerges into a dry, exposed environment.   All the hikes on this side of Kokee follow the fluted pali down from the mountain top to their ends, where the ridges drop off 1500 feet to the ocean below.   Views into the side valleys along the Na Pali coast are superb.    Serrated ridges divided by steep, sharp valleys lead down to the blue ocean.

From the lowest viewpoint on Awa’awauphi Ridge, another trail skillfully winds west around the ridges and through the narrow valleys.   This is the Nualolo Cliffs Trail.   Looking across the pali, you would think it was an impossible route to traverse, but with switchbacks and a winding course over 4km, the route emerges onto Nualolo Ridge.   The last kilometer is an “airy” route with sheer drop offs above and below and a trail that is very narrow.

After visiting the Lolo Vista, the trail makes a long climb back up to the Park Lodge over 6km.    All of the downhill and gentle winding is now paid for at the end of the hike.   The ridge is narrow and the lower sections are steep and slippery.    The route enters the wet forest for the last 2km.   To close the loop, a 2.8 km walk up the road is required.

The narrow pali (ridges) extending out from the top of the mountain towards the sea are an unique environment, but this is a strenuous hike, covering 18.5 km.   Pick good weather and get an early start.   We have done this hike twice now, and will return again.