NOTE: THIS TRAIL HAS BEEN CLOSED AND CURRENTLY ILLEGAL TO HIKE. The content below is strictly informational. Typically if you get caught trespassing in Hawaii, they make you pay a hefty fine AND make you fly back to show up for court. So ignore the warnings at your own risk.
--
Kalepa Ridge is not an official trail. You won’t find it on any park maps, and there’s a very clear “Do Not Enter” sign posted at the gate behind Kalalau Lookout in Kōkeʻe State Park. That said, the path is heavily trafficked by those who know it’s there—and are willing to accept the risks that come with walking an exposed ridgeline above one of the most remote valleys in Hawaiʻi.
The route begins just behind the lookout fence. Just stay to the left of where the metail railing starts. It drops steeply at first, cutting through a short section of forest before spilling out onto a dirt spine that tracks the edge of Kalalau Valley. Once you’re out in the open, you’re walking on soft red clay with cliffs falling away on both sides. There’s no trail maintenance here, no signage, and no guardrails. The dirt is dry and crumbly when the weather’s clear, and turns to full-on soap-slick if it’s rained in the last day or two.
It’s about 1.5 miles each way, but don’t let the short distance fool you. Elevation loss is around 600 feet on the way out, which makes the return a slow, steady climb—especially if the sun’s up. Most people turn back before the final ridge narrows to shoulder width, but you’ll know when to call it. If it feels like it’s getting too sketchy, it probably is.
The views from the ridge—when the weather’s clear—are unreal. Kalalau Valley opens wide beneath your feet, the Nāpali cliffs ripple out to the horizon, and the ocean feels like it’s hanging in mid-air. But that only happens if you time it right. Cloud cover builds fast here, usually by mid-morning. The best light and clearest views are typically before 9:30am, sometimes earlier. If you do happen to get socked in by the clouds, don't give up too quickly. These clouds move incredibly quick and if you're willing to wait it out a bit, you likely will get rewarded with some breaks in the clouds.
This trail was super exposed years ago, and we're sure that it has only gotten worse. There are several sections where the trail at any point could crumble away and put you in a very precarious situation. If it has rained at all recently, do NOT think about it. The Napali Coast looks extremely vertical in the photos you see, but barely do it justice in person. If you go over the edge at any point on most of these hikes, you are 100% cooked.
On top of that, the area borders sensitive ecological zones and cultural sites. With no official route, off-trail wandering leads to more erosion and damage. This means that the trail is highly unlikely to ever "re-open". So it is what it is.
Kalepa Ridge isn’t a casual add-on to your Waimea Canyon itinerary. It’s short but serious, unofficial and unprotected. If you’re comfortable with exposure, sure-footed on uneven terrain, and respectful of changing weather, it might end up being your favorite hour on Kauaʻi. But if you’re unsure—or you’re traveling solo—it’s worth considering alternatives like the Awaʻawapuhi Trail, offering similar views with less exposure and lower risk.