Hawaii

Haleakalā's Sliding Sands crosses a volcanic crater, while the Nā Pali Coast's Kalalau Trail follows dramatic sea cliffs. Kalalau permits are required and can…

Haleakalā's Sliding Sands crosses a volcanic crater, while the Nā Pali Coast's Kalalau Trail follows dramatic sea cliffs. Kalalau permits are required and can book months ahead, so reserve before planning flights.

Why Hawaii's trails feel unlike anywhere else

Hawaii squeezes landscapes that belong on separate continents into a few miles. Haleakalā's Sliding Sands crosses a stark volcanic crater high above the clouds, while the Nā Pali Coast's Kalalau Trail follows lush, dramatic sea cliffs. That variety is unforgettable, but conditions change fast: sun, wind, rain, and wet ground can appear on one hike. Access is also part of the challenge, as this page notes — Kalalau permits are required and can book months ahead, so the planning matters as much as the walking itself.

What to do, step by step

1. Decide which hike you are planning for; crater conditions on Haleakalā and coastal conditions on Kalalau demand preparation.
2. Sort permits first: reserve Kalalau access well ahead, before booking flights around dates you may not get.
3. Check trail, weather, and park conditions close to the day, and be ready to change plans if officials advise it.
4. Carry sun protection, rain cover, footwear, and more water than the distance suggests.
5. Leave no trace, stay on trail near cliffs and ground, and turn back if streams, surf, or footing look unsafe.