This Hawaiian Trail Was Just Named One of the Best in the U.S. Thanks to Its Stunning Views

It doesn’t get more scenic than the coast of Kaua‘i, the Hawaiian island nicknamed “the Garden Isle.” One stretch of coastline was just recognized by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trail advocacy organization, for its beloved rail trail, Ke Ala Hele Makālae (The Path that Goes by the Coast).

The conservancy inducted the Ke Ala Hele Makālae route into their esteemed hall of fame on Aug. 14, confirming the trail’s status as one of the best in the nation.

“Hawai‘i’s trails are in a class of their own, providing access to some of the country’s most picturesque and revered nature, while simultaneously creating the framework for walkable, bikeable communities valued by the people who live there and inspiring for the millions who visit every year,” Ryan Chao, the conservancy’s president, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure. “Ke Ala Hele Makālae captures the breadth of opportunity that trails deliver to the nation—through the joy it brings to everyone who experiences it and its transformative impact as part of the region’s active transportation strategy.”

The 8.5-mile trail runs from Ahihi Point near Kuna Bay (Donkey Beach) to Lydgate Beach Park, which houses two lagoons known for their calm waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Along the way, the trail passes by several parks and beaches while connecting the coastal communities of Kapa’a and Wailua.

This ability to connect communities via a walkable trail is one of the main reasons Ke Ala Hele Makālae was selected for the conservancy’s Hall of Fame — that, along with its spectacular scenery. The trail also features nearly two dozen interpretive signs that provide information like the native names of streams and canals and the types of animals that can be seen from the trail (think whales and monk seals), along with information on local archeological, cultural, and historic sites. The trail itself partially follows a former railroad line that was used to haul the island’s sugarcane.

“The trail continues to be a pathway that improves public health and is an accessible corridor for physical activity, social interaction, and exemplifies the beauty of Kaua‘i,” Derek S.K. Kawakami, the mayor of Kauai, said in the press release. 

Eventually, the 8.5-mile trail will double in length, expanding in both directions. When it is completed, the 17-mile trail will reach north to Anahola Beach and south to the neighborhood of Nāwiliwili. With the expansion, the Ke Ala Hele Makālae trail will connect people living in communities like Hanamaulu and Lihue. 

The Ke Ala Hele Makālae trail is flat and made of asphalt or concrete. It is fully wheelchair accessible. For most, walking the trail one way takes around three hours.