Running on Kauai, HI?

Kauai is beautiful but not much on the south shore aside from roads along the ocean (which isn't really that bad in the scheme of things). If you drive up the Canyon there are a lot of trails, but many of them are overgrown and not well suited for running. In fact, most trails that I'm familiar with on Kauai are pretty rugged and would be tough to run on. But I'm sure that people with more local knowledge can be more helpful.

I've mostly stuck to the roads while in Kauai. My uncle lives in Kilauea on the north shore and my wife and I go there periodically.

I second the deal about most trails being pretty rugged. Stay away from the Napali Coast. You will break an ankle.

There were some pretty decent trails up at the end of Kuamoo road. Take 580 up past Wailua state park to the end of the road. I don't know how far the trails go. My cousin only took us hiking about 2 miles up one, but it seemed pretty runable

The roads will likely be your mainstay run. Be sure to go bodysurfing at Poipu Beach and bring fins if you can.

There's a decently runnable trail, if cross-country is to your liking, heading east from Shipwreck Beach, staying on the beach side of the golf course. I, and many other hikers, ignored the "Danger Trail Closed" signs for a small portion of the trail near cliffs. There is also a stream crossing you need to figure out. You can also run east on Po'ipu Rd., continuing on the dirt road with the golf course on your right. Turn right at the intersection and follow the telephone poles to the beach. Dusty when the occasional car passes. Both of these routes get you to the same area.

Hey, I actually live on Kaua'i (but I'm away at college right now). I'm not that familiar with places to run on the southside of the island near the Marriot, but I know that the best places to run are on the road or the backroads going through the sugar cane fields. (I usually enter these roads that say "No Trespassing" because they aren't used anymore since the Koloa sugar mill is no longer there). Koloa is on the southside near Poipu.

By the way, are you staying at the Marriot that is in Poipu or the one located in Lihue?

As for running up in Koke'e, it would be a bad idea to run the trails there. They're mainly used for hiking and sometimes for biking-which is rare. They are often narrow, rugged, and sit near the edge of a cliff.

If you go up to the northshore, run up Kalihiwai ridge road from the beginning and back because it will give you a pretty long run. If you are willing to wake up very early, you should also run on the road from Hanalei beach to Haena. This is one of my favorite runs, and for part of the run you can view the Hanalei Bay. There is actually a Haena to Hanalei 8 mile race that happens every summer...(Run early on because later in the day there are more cars and the road is twisty).

Oh, and one other really great run: Go to Kealia beach which is in Kapa'a, and run north along the dirt road. (There might be construction going on at the beginning of the dirt road but you can run past it.) This run borders the ocean for the most part, and if you run for awhile, it eventually brings you to Anahola. You can even jump in the ocean at the end of your run! (The best part.)

I hope this gives you some running routes you can use.

Sorry for the long response! If you have more questions about Kaua'i just post it.

Aloha : )

Some more things I should add...

- Go snorkling on the southshore or at Ke'e beach on the northshore.

- Watch the sunset at Hanalei Bay or on "sunset strip" as we call it;it is on the road that leads to the Kilauea lighthouse.

- If you enjoy hiking, hike the Alaka'i Swamp. At the end of the trail, if the sky is clear, you will be able to see Hanalei Bay and the northern coast of Kaua'i. It's amazing!

- Drive to Koke'e and hike the trails. (Alaka'i swamp is in Koke'e.)

- Get shave ice at the shave ice stand in Kapa'a at Big Save. My friend's dad makes the syrups he uses and in my opinion, the best shave ice on the island. (Don't go to Jojo's shave ice despite what people tell you.)

- Go to Nurse's beach, (my friends and I call it Tourist Lumahai), Hanalei, and Kalihiwai. These beaches and all on the northshore.

-If you like Japanese food, esp. sushi, go to Kintaro's but make reservations ahead of time because it gets really crowded.

- Kayak up the Wailua river.

Okay, that's it for now!

-Go out for one night to Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo. Pizza doesn't come any better.

A few years ago I stayed at this hostel in Kapa'a, Kuai. http://www.kauai-blue-lagoon.com/ . Just north of the hostel is an abandoned dirt road / trail that goes right along the coast and takes you past a relatively secluded beach.. Very nice.. It goes quite a ways and I ran there several times.. The only downside is if it has rained recently it may be kind of muddy.. It's easy to find but if you can't find it just ask the local bike shop...

We were in Kapa'a in March I ran what was the dirt road mentioned before. It is now a cement paved path, great views, ice breezes from the ocean. In town I ran on the bike path. When I ran south, I would run on side roads whenever I could. But those had little or no traffic. Ran in parks to, which there were a few that were really nice. I love Kauai. Be sure to eat at the Blossoming Lotus Vegan Fusion restaurant in Kapa'a. It has won the award a the best restaurant on the island for several years.

Glenn

Running in Kokee is awesome, as is Waimea Canyon. Expect to do a lot of climbing in warm, humid conditions (although Kokee is cooler). Stay on the trails and you won't get killed. A tough but satisfying run is down to the bottom of Waimea Canyon and back out on Kukui Trail. Another good one is Alakai Swamp Trail in Kokee--if you're lucky you'll get a fantastic view of Hanalei at the end (though it's been a whiteout both times I've tried).

-Go out for one night to Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo. Pizza doesn't come any better.[/quote]

Man, does that take me back - that place has been there forever, as in first time I went there was over 35 years ago, back in the days when there was only one stop light on the whole island - and it was in the middle of a cane field.

If Ma's Malasadas in Lihue is still going, definitely worth a stop (malasada = Portuguese version of a doughnut).

Is'nt Waimea canyon on Maui ???

semistotan wrote:

Running in Kokee is awesome, as is Waimea Canyon. Expect to do a lot of climbing in warm, humid conditions (although Kokee is cooler). Stay on the trails and you won't get killed. A tough but satisfying run is down to the bottom of Waimea Canyon and back out on Kukui Trail. Another good one is Alakai Swamp Trail in Kokee--if you're lucky you'll get a fantastic view of Hanalei at the end (though it's been a whiteout both times I've tried).

dideng wrote:

Is'nt Waimea canyon on Maui ???

Nope.

Thanks to all of you who have written notes, I'm very much looking forward to exploring Kauai.

BTW, we're staying at the Waiohai Beach Club/Resort on the south side of the island.

There's a Waimea on the big island, a waimea on maui, and a waimea on kauai

Any updates to this list? I will be there in early June.

Thanks

Ran a race in early June in Hanalei a couple years ago. As far as regular training take a break and do some hiking instead.

Just had awesome trail run! Run to the beach at the golf resort, it's public access then take a left into one of the trails that leads into the wooded section and just go. There are many winding paths which thread in and out of wooded areas, vegetation and exposed areas. Some sand running, undulating terrain and pretty views of the Pacific.

Nut up and do a run to the high point on the island:

http://www.summitpost.org/kawaikini-waialeale/150983