Hiking the Iliau Nature Loop Trail in the Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Iliau Nature Loop Trail on Kauaʻi feels like a hidden gem next to other, more popular trails in the Waimea Canyon, like Awaʻawapuhi.
That being said, the Iliau Loop Trail isn’t much in the way of a long adventure, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for with its stunning views of the Waimea Canyon, especially when the colors really come out in the late afternoon!
For these reasons, I highly recommend adding the quick and easy Iliau Nature Loop to your list if you are already planning to spend the day in Waimea and Kōkeʻe State Park!
Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Iliau Loop Trail is located on either side of Kōkeʻe Road, adjacent to the trailhead.
Out of caution, consider the Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead to be a high-crime area for petty theft, meaning you should never leave visible bags or anything valuable in your car.
Google Maps Directions: Iliau Nature Loop Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Iliau Nature Loop Trail
Overall, the Iliau Nature Loop is a very easy and self-explanatory trail, and it doesn’t make too much of a difference which direction you decide to hike.
However, I kindly ask that you exercise caution around the native and endangered Iliau plants, which are endemic to the Island of Kauaʻi, meaning they’re found nowhere else on earth!
Iliau Nature Loop Trail
On this hike, I chose to go right around the Iliau Nature Loop.
Iliau-Kukui (Lonomea) Junction
At the Iliau-Kukui junction, go left to continue on the Iliau Nature Loop.
That being said, this is the split for the much longer and more intense hike down into Waimea Canyon via the Kukui Trail.
On this separate hike, there are a number of different places to spend a few nights in the canyon, but the best camping spot is easily the Lonomea Shelter, all the way at the end of Koaiʻe Canyon.
To learn more about the full hike and what is required to secure a permit, I highly recommend reading my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Kukui Trail (Lonomea)
After the Iliau-Kukui junction, there are a few lookouts along the loop that offer some of the best views in Waimea Canyon on a clear day!
You can see a number of waterfalls, and, if you know where to look, you can see much of the distance up Koaiʻe Canyon to the end of the Lonomea hike mentioned previously.
Native Plants on the Iliau Nature Loop
As I’m sure it comes obvious from the name, but the best native plant to see on the Iliau Nature Loop Trail is the Kauaʻi endemic Iliau.
That being said, Iliau is an endangered species, so please don’t do anything that would damage or disturb these rare plants! Furthermore, there is also Kāwelu, Koa, ʻAʻaliʻi, and ʻŌhiʻa lehua, to truly only name a few more that you can expect to see on this short hike.
If you would like to learn more about these and many other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Kauaʻi Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Kauaʻi adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Vacation Rentals on Kauaʻi
Since the best things to do on Kauaʻi are located on all different sides of the island, I recommend starting your search on VRBO.
You may want to stay some nights in Poʻipū, some nights in Kapaʻa, and even some nights on the beautiful North Shore, but this way you can plan out places to stay and adventures on all different sides of the island!
Kauaʻi
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Kauaʻi
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Kauaʻi or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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