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Free Traveling Guides » States » Hawaii » KauaiKalalau Valley
The Kalalau Valley is situated on the northwest side of the Kauai Island in Hawaii. This beautiful Valley, situated in the Na Pali Coast State Park, is home to the spectacular Kalalau Beach. Well known for its natural beauty, the Kalalau Valley is bordered by verdant cliffs that are over 2000 feet (609.6 m) high. The valley has a relatively broad and flat bottom and also, an accessible region nearly 2 miles (3 km) in length and 0.5 miles (0.8 km) in width. It provides an ideal environment for a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The Kalalau Valley was inhabited by several native Hawaiians in the 20th century. However, the area has now been designated as a State Park. This valley is very rocky and therefore, cannot be accessed by automobiles. The only way to reach this valley is by boat or foot. The best way to visit this valley is kayaking. Hiking the 11- mile (18-km) long Kalalau Trail is yet another popular way to access the Valley. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) issue only a limited number of permits every year for camping in the Valley.
The valley can be viewed from the Koke'e State Park. However, trails from the State Park to the Valley are very dangerous and should be avoided. This Valley is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its relative isolation. There is a beautiful waterfall in this area. Moreover, the designated camping area is merely 100 yards (90 m) from the beach. Besides, the stream at one end of the beach provides fresh water that can be purified and used for drinking. At present, the ancient and spectacular terraced gardens of the Valley are being destroyed by the invasive and introduced trees. Another major concern in the Kalalau Valley is the use of Helicopters that prevents the visitors from enjoying the majesty of Na Pali.
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