The Hike In Hawaii That's So Easy And Beautiful Everyone Will Want To Do It
By Megan Shute|Published April 11, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
You will not only find some of America’s most iconic landscapes across the islands but some of the best hiking trails in the world. While you’ll find plenty of difficult hikes across Hawaii, not everyone who lives in – or visits – the Aloha State is an experienced hiker. Luckily, there are countless incredible trails that are either easy, short, or both – like Maui’s Kapalua Coastal Trail.
Part boardwalk, part meandering waterfront path, and all incredible, the Kapalua Coastal Trail is perfect for those of all skill levels, including small children.
Stretching between luxury resorts and picturesque coastline in northwestern Maui, the Kapalua Coastal Trail - which measures in at approximately 3.5 miles round trip - is more of a nature walk than it is a traditional hike.
The trail begins at Kapalua Beach before meandering down the shoreline to Namalu Bay, across Oneloa Bay’s sand dunes, and through the Ritz-Carlton before arriving at D.T. Fleming Beach Park.
Fun fact: the Kapalua Coastal Trail is the only hike in America to begin and end at one of the country’s best beaches. Both Kapalua and D.T. Fleming beaches have been named the best beach in America, in 1991 and 2006, respectively.
Along the way, you’ll find grassy shoreline and native plants, tide pools, rocky cliffs and volcanic outcroppings, plenty of sea turtles, and some of the island’s prettiest beaches.
Perhaps the most striking of sights along this path is what is known as Maui’s Dragon Teeth, a magical scene of jagged, gray rocks that were formed hundreds of years ago when wind gusts from the ocean forced lava to harden towards the sky - and now resemble jagged teeth jutting out from the jaw of a dragon.
Here you will also find this elaborate labryinth made from stone on a grassy plane, thought to be a prayer labyrinth. Prayer labyrinths have been used by numerous religions and cultures for at least 3,500 years, though this particular labyrinth has only existed for the last several decades.
You’ll also be able to admire the million-dollar homes, condos and resorts that populate this picturesque area - and on a clear day, you might be able to spot Lanai and Molokai on the horizon!
The beginning and the end of the trail are paved - but in the middle, you will find sections of gravel, dirt, and boardwalk. Don’t worry, though - the trail is mostly level, and features only slight inclines in elevation.
Have you ever strolled along the gorgeous Kapalua Coastal Trail? No matter what your skill level, you’re sure to find that one of these twelve waterfront hikes is perfect for your weekend agenda.
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