Sleeping Giant Trails, Kauai Hawaii

Nounou (East) Trail
To access the east trailhead, turn up mauka onto Halelilio
Road off of Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56). The parking area for
the trailhead is paved and well marked. It is located on
the east side of Halelilo Road. The mountain is commonly
referred to as "Sleeping Giant". The Nounou Trail-East is
a 1.75 mile hike This is a very clearly marked trail that
climbs 1,000 feet above sea level and treats hikers to
gorgeous views of the coastal areas of Kapa'a, Makahela
Mountain, and Mt. Wai'ale'ale. The east trail is the most
direct way to the top of Sleeping Giant. Trail-goers will
take part in a moderately strenuous ascent through
groves of guava trees and lantana. The trail can be muddy
and steep as you traverse the volcanic rocks. The east
trail meets up with the west 1.5 miles in. The Nounou
Trail climbs to a peak and sheltered picnic area on
sleeping giant's chest. For a real panoramic view from
Lihue to King Kong Profile Mountain (Kalalea Mt) go past
the picnic area all the way to the top which is past the
picnic area. The total elevation climb is about 1000 feet
from base to top of the head.

Nounou Mt. West Trail
Turn right onto Kamalu Road (Hwy 581), which
is about 1 mile from the Opaekaa Falls viewing
area up Kuamoo Road, look for telephone pole
#11. There you will find the yellow gate and
Nounou Trail sign. The mountain is commonly
referred to as "Sleeping Giant". The trail starts
next to a residential area and at the end of the
homes the trail starts switchbacking through Nor
fork pines. The west trail goes up the mountain
between the rows of pines. The Nounou Trail
climbs to a peak and sheltered picnic area on
sleeping giant's chest. This vantage offers views
of the ocean, Wailua River and Mt. Waialeale.
The trail is steep, muddy, and wet at times. For
a real panoramic view from Lihue to King Kong
Profile Mountain (Kalalea Mt) go past the picnic
area all the way to the top which is past the
picnic area.

Kuamoo Trail - Nounou Trail (West and
East)
Kuamoo Trail begins ½ mile past Opaekaa Falls off
Kuamoo Road. Look for the brown sign and yellow
gate on the same side of the road as the falls. The
trail begins beside several homes and the trail is
tree canopy lined. After 100 yards you will cross the
river that feeds Opaekaa Falls by a nice wooden
bridge. The trail gently rises and falls through dense
forest, ferns, and moss. You hear the birds all
around or were they mosquitoes. Better pack lots of
spray! The trail is about 2 miles long but is a fairly
easy hike if not wet. Expect mud though. Kaumoo
Trail ends at the intersection of the Nounou West
Trail in a grove of Norfork pine trees planted in the
1930's.

Distance: 3.89 miles
Elapsed Time: 2:25:22
Avg Speed: 1.6 mph
Max Speed: 9.3 mph
Avg Pace: 37' 23" per mile
Min Altitude: 131 ft
Max Altitude: 1,331 ft
Start Time: 2010-08-30T19:31:19Z
Start Location:
Latitude: 22.061300º N
Longitude: 159.346500º W
End Location:
Latitude: 22.051538º N
Longitude: 159.367491º W

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