PEAKHOUSE HAWAII HIKE 2026

Join PeakHouse on an unforgettable hiking adventure through Hawai‘i’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

This four-day journey explores the lush, waterfall-lined trails of Kaua‘i and the dramatic volcanic terrain of Hawai‘i’s Big Island. From ridge hikes with sweeping ocean views to surreal lava fields and rainforest craters, this trip is built for hikers who crave diversity, beauty, and a sense of awe in every step.

Join PeakHouse on an exclusive hiking trip in Hawaii!

APPLY FOR HAWAII 2026

Itinerary

Dates: April 15-21, 2026
Location: Kaua‘i & Hawai‘i (Big Island), Hawai‘i
Accommodation: Private homes
Transport: Rental vehicles for group travel
Hiking Focus: Coastal ridges, waterfall valleys, volcanic craters, and lush rainforest trails
Bonus Activities: Backcountry tubing & beach days!

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Day 1 – Arrival in Kauai + Ridge Hiking in Hanalei

12:00 PM – Arrive in Lihue and drive north
Settle into the island’s wildest, greenest region—Kauai’s North Shore.

3:30 PM – Icebreaker Hike on Okolehao Ridge Trail (2 miles roundtrip, 500 ft gain)
A short but steep warm-up hike, this trail delivers major views over the Hanalei River valley and the north shore cliffs. Option to continue to the advanced section for more vertical and ridge exposure.

6:00 PM – Welcome Dinner
Gather in our AirBnb for a homecooked meal by the PeakRankings team.

Day 2 – Kalalau Trail + Cliff Caves or Swimming in Hidden Lagoon

6:30 AM – Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpī‘ai Falls (8 miles roundtrip)
A physically intense and often muddy trail with stunning cliffs, bamboo forests, and a 300-foot waterfall. This is a true test of stamina and navigation—especially if the streams are running high.

3:00 PM – Sea cave or lava tube swim (tide permitting)
Decompress after your challenging hike by exploring nearby Waikapalae Wet Cave or Maniniholo Dry Cave—both offer mystical settings, but the wet cave features a hidden, swimmable blue pool inside. For a deeper challenge, hike down to Queen’s Bath (if ocean conditions are safe) for volcanic tide pool swimming.

7:00 PM – Dinner
Join the group for a homecooked meal back at the AirBnb.

Day 3 – Līhuʻe Backcountry Adventure

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Tubing Experience

Meet your outfitter near Līhuʻe for a guided backcountry tubing experience through the historic irrigation canals of the old Līhuʻe Sugar Plantation. After a 4WD ride into the mountains, you'll float down a series of gently flowing ditches, tunnels, and open flumes carved out in the 1800s. The route winds through lush jungle, hand-dug tunnels (some nearly half a mile long), and scenic valleys accessible only through private land. Helmets and headlamps are provided for the darker tunnels. It's a relaxing but immersive way to explore Kauai’s agricultural past in a setting few visitors ever see.

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Hike the Kauilau Ride Trail (3.5 miles)

After your tubing adventure, head to the Kuilau Ridge Trail for a scenic, moderately easy hike that rewards with sweeping mountain and jungle views.

Located about 25 minutes from Līhuʻe, this 3.5-mile out-and-back trail follows an old access road into the lush, rain-soaked hills of inland Kauai. The path climbs gradually through towering ohia trees, ferns, and bamboo, opening up to expansive vistas of Mount Waiʻaleʻale and the surrounding interior. It's a peaceful contrast to the morning’s water adventure—still off the beaten path but accessible, with dramatic views of the island’s wild, unspoiled heart. The trail is well-maintained and manageable even after a full morning. Allow time to relax at the covered picnic area near the viewpoint before heading back.

7:00 PM – Dinner

Family-style cookout with your PeakHouse crew before packing up to head to the Big Island tomorrow.

Day 4 – Fly to Big Island + Optional Advanced Hike

Morning – Flight to Hilo + Free Day to Explore to Volcanoes National Park

Settle in at the new accommodations and take the rest of the day to explore or relax as you wish.

(Optional) 2:00 PM – Kīlauea Iki Crater + Byron Ledge Loop (5–6 miles)
This advanced version of the Kīlauea Iki hike includes a ledge trail that skirts the rim and dives into the crater, across steaming rock and lava fields still warm beneath the surface. You'll feel the size and energy of a recently active caldera.

(Optional) 5:30 PM – Night hike to lava glow (conditions permitting)
If lava is visible, hike to a safe overlook in the dark with headlamps. The red glow from active vents and flowing lava is unforgettable, especially against the pitch-black terrain.

Day 5 – Lava Tube Hike, Boiling Pots & Peʻepeʻe Falls

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Lava Tube Hike

Just outside Hilo, descend a steep metal ladder into the otherworldly underground world of the Kaumana Caves, part of a lava tube system formed by an 1881 eruption of Mauna Loa. The cave is unlit and undeveloped, so bring a reliable headlamp, wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared for slick, muddy conditions. Once inside, you can explore in either direction—crawling through narrow passages or standing in soaring cathedral-like chambers carved by ancient lava flows.

There’s no set “trail,” so it’s more of an exploratory adventure than a traditional hike. The left side extends deeper and narrows into twisting tunnels, while the right is more spacious but rockier. This raw, self-guided experience gives you a glimpse into the Big Island’s volcanic interior, without the crowds of more commercial lava tube attractions.

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Boiling Pots & Peʻepeʻe Falls at Wailuku River State Park

Head just outside Hilo to Wailuku River State Park, where the river’s force has carved out a series of terraced pools known as the Boiling Pots. After heavy rain, the water churns so violently it appears to boil. From the overlook, follow a short but rugged trail downstream to reach Peʻepeʻe Falls—a lesser-known cascade tucked behind dense vegetation. It’s a peaceful, jungle-fringed area where the roar of water and birdsong echo through the gorge. Conditions permitting, you may find calm pockets along the riverbank to rest or take in the view.

7:00 PM – Dinner
Join the group for a home-cooked meal back at the AirBnb.

Day 6 – White Road Hike & Waipio Rim Trail

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Backcountry hike (3-4 miles)

Begin your morning with the breathtaking White Road Hike, a lush and little-known trail located above Waipiʻo Valley on the Big Island’s northern coast. This hike follows a narrow path along irrigation ditches and through misty cloud forest, eventually opening up to sweeping, cliffside views of the valley and Pacific below.

Expect to walk 3–4 miles round-trip on a mix of muddy trails, pipelines, and short tunnels—with sections that can be slick and require careful footing. Along the way, you’ll pass through fern-choked forest and old plantation infrastructure, culminating in one of the most dramatic panoramic views in Hawaiʻi. Note: This hike crosses private land and requires permission or a tour operator with access.