📸 Puu O Kila Lookout & Pihea Trailhead | Kauai, Hawaii

2022Kauai

May 8

📝 My Story

Puu O Kila Lookout, located at the very end of Waimea Canyon Drive in Koke'e State Park, offers jaw-dropping views of the Kalalau Valley and the Nā Pali Coast.
This is one of the highest accessible points by car on Kauai — and honestly, it feels like standing on the edge of the world.

After taking in the lookout views, we decided to venture a little farther onto the Pihea Trail.
The trail starts right from the lookout parking lot and winds along the ridgeline, giving you incredible vantage points on both sides — Waimea Canyon to one side, the Nā Pali cliffs to the other.

The views are nothing short of surreal, especially if you’re lucky enough to beat the clouds rolling in.
It’s common for the clouds to rush up through the valley and completely blanket the landscape in a thick white mist, creating a magical (but fleeting) window of scenery.

If you have the time and energy, even hiking a short distance down the trail will reward you with some unforgettable photos.

🌎 Location

📍 Puu O Kila Lookout & Pihea Trailhead - Google Maps

📌 Quick Info

🏙️ City: Koke'e State Park, Kauai
🅿️ Parking: Free lot at the lookout
🚻 Bathrooms: Available at Koke'e State Park headquarters (not at lookout)
🚲 Bike Rentals: Not available
🧭 Travel Tip: Arrive early for clear skies — afternoons often bring heavy cloud cover
📸 Photographer’s Note: Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the dramatic landscapes
🛐 Etiquette: Stay on trails — ridgelines can be dangerous
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Morning for best visibility
♿ Accessibility: Parking lot accessible; lookout itself is a short walk but not fully ADA-certified

💡 Pro Tip

If you start down the Pihea Trail and it gets too muddy or the clouds roll in, don't stress.
Even a short 10-minute walk gives you some of the best ridge views on the island.

(And pro tip within the pro tip: bring shoes you don’t mind getting a little muddy!)

📸 Photography Tip

For landscape photos, use a polarizer to cut through glare and deepen the blue of the skies.
And if clouds start rolling in, keep shooting — the mist can create some moody, epic images!

🎉 Fun Fact

The Pihea Trail leads all the way to the Alaka'i Swamp — one of the wettest spots on Earth — if you're feeling reallyadventurous.
(Bring lots of snacks... and dry socks.)

🗺️ Planning Your Own Hawaii Adventure?

If you’re planning your own trip to Kauai (or anywhere across Hawaii), you can find this hidden gem — and many more — on my public travel map:
👉 View My Hawaii Travel Map Here ➔