KAUAI TODAY
From almost anywhere in Kapaʻa, look mauka. That long ridge lying flat on its back between Wailua and Kapaʻa is Nounou Mountain, and once someone points out the chin, you’ll never unsee it. It’s the most recognizable ridgeline on the east side, it tops out around 1,240 feet, and — unlike most of Kauai’s headline hikes — it costs nothing, requires no permit, and sits ten minutes from a shave ice.
The Legend
Hawaiian tradition tells of a giant who helped the people of Wailua — some versions say he helped haul stone, others say he helped build an enormous imu for a feast held in his honor. Either way, he ate his fill, lay down on the ridge to rest, and never got up. His body became the mountain.
Whether he’s sleeping or something less peaceful depends on who’s telling it. There are versions where the villagers couldn’t wake him no matter how hard they tried. Locals will happily tell you both.
All three routes are part of the state’s Nā Ala Hele system inside the Nounou Forest Reserve, and all three converge before the top. Pick based on where you’re staying and how much sun you want.
Nounou East Trail — the classic
About 1.75 miles each way · roughly 1,000 feet of gain · the most popular route
The trailhead is off Haleʻilio Road in Wailua, up past the Wailua Houselots. Parking is a small pullout — arrive late on a Saturday and you’ll be circling.
The trail starts shaded under ironwood and wild guava, then works up a long series of switchbacks. It’s the sunniest of the three once you gain the ridge, and the views open early: Kapaʻa town, Waipouli, the coastline, and the Wailua River valley behind you. On a clear morning you might catch Waiʻaleʻale before the clouds close in on it.
This is the sunrise hike. Start 30 minutes before first light and you’ll have the switchbacks in cool air and the ridge in gold.
Nounou West Trail — the pretty one
About 1.5 miles each way · starts higher, climbs less · the shadiest option
The West trailhead is off Lokelani Road, up in the Wailua Homesteads off Kamalu Road (Highway 581). It’s shorter and gentler than the East side because you’re starting at elevation already, and much of it runs through a cathedral stand of Cook pines the Civilian Conservation Corps planted in the 1930s. Strawberry guava, eucalyptus, wild orchids.
If you’re hiking midday, or hiking with kids, take the West.
Kuamoʻo–Nounou Trail — ⚠️ currently closed
About 2.1 miles to the junction · the only one open to bikes and horses
The Kuamoʻo trail starts up on Kuamoʻo Road (580) near ʻOpaekaʻa Falls, crosses ʻOpaekaʻa Stream on a wooden footbridge, and winds through guava forest to meet the West trail below the summit.
The bridge has been out since early 2026 and the trail has been reported closed at the crossing. People have been scrambling around it on ropes. Don’t. Check the Nā Ala Hele status page at hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov before you plan around this one — status can change, and a wet stream crossing on Kauai is not the place to improvise.
Where the Trail Actually Ends
East and West merge for the last stretch and deliver you to a picnic shelter with two tables, sitting on the giant’s chest, just under his chin. There’s a bench with “Respect” carved into it and a panorama that runs from the ocean to the interior.
This is the official end of the trail. Most people eat a snack here, take the photo, and head down happy.
Beyond the shelter, a rough scramble continues up onto the giant’s head. It is not a maintained trail. It’s a narrow ridge with loose rock, hand-over-hand sections, and hundred-foot drops on both sides — and people get hurt on it every year, including people who are fit, experienced, and having a great day right up until they aren’t. Wet rock makes it substantially worse.
Before You Go
Cost: Free. No permit, no reservation, no parking fee at either trailhead.
Time: Two to three hours round trip at a normal pace, including a break at the top.
Best window: Early morning. Cooler, less crowded, better light, and you’re down before the afternoon heat sits on the ridge.
Skip it if: It’s been raining hard. The red clay turns to grease and the descent is where people go down. A day or two of dry weather makes a real difference.
Bring: A liter of water per person minimum, real shoes with tread (not slippers), sunscreen, bug spray for the lower forest, and a headlamp if you’re starting pre-dawn.
Don’t expect: Restrooms, water, trash cans, or reliable cell service at either trailhead. Pack out what you carry in.
Also on the trail: Chickens. Obviously. All the way to the top.