Powerline Trail Complete, Kauai Hawaii

South Powerline Trail South leading from Wailua is very lush with tropical views of the native Hawaiian rainforest and waterfalls. To reach the trail, turn off on Hwy 580 and go 8 miles past Coco Palms, Opaekaa Falls, and the Keahua Forest Arboretum. After crossing the stream past the KFA, the road turns to packed dirt and the parking area is about ¼ mile up the hill on the north side of the road. The trail is a hunting and service road for the transmission powerline companies. The trail begins uphill with rocky bowling ball sized slick rocks. The trail changes to slick red dirt after ¼ mile and has 5 foot ferns lining the dirt roadway path. There are some pretty steep sections followed by low areas filled with large water puddles
crossing the road and trail. Usually there is a pathway around the water which is just water in deep road ruts. There are several nice overlooks and after 2 ½ miles you rreach the Lower and Upper Kapakanui Falls. The falls are located against a mountain covered in ferns and different shades of green. That was our destination and then turned around to hike back to our car.
I revisited the Powerline Trail Sept, 2009. This trip I wanted to do the trail end-to-end. Both ends have merit and I will do the ends again but never end-to-end. The Powerline Trail from either end starts as an old utility road. After about 2 miles in the Powerline Trail is just that, a trail. The middle 3 miles however is a hog trail with tall 6’ grass and is wet. It’s hard to see where you are walking and you are going to get muddy. I just didn’t find that much to see or have fun moving through the grass. Thank goodness that Kauai has no snakes. This is the first trail that I would rate FORGET IT. There are too many other nice trails on Kauai. I would recommend either the Powerline South, or Powerline North ends that I have reviewed before. Both are a great trip.

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