Sleeping Giant Trail Reviews

The west trail is my favorite when I want an aerobic start and less time climbing, it's pretty steep at the beginning, winds thru beautiful trees and fauna, and I get up and back in about an hour.

This is a gorgeous and moderately difficult hike. My best advise is to hit the trail early in the morning and pack water. As the trail climbs up sleeping giant, shade becomes more scarce and the trail gets steeper. You're halfway when you get to the picnic table. This is not a good hike for people afraid of heights, but it is a good hike for new hikers or those looking for an adventure!

This is a great little hike to the top of Sleeping Giant. The trail was a bit wet from previous rain, so be sure to have good shoes as it can get slippery. A bit steep, but not too bad. Great views from the top!

This is a good trail to hike. We did it mid-day, but would suggest people try hiking it early in the morning to see the sunrise if possible or perhaps even a sunset hike. It is a good exercise hike on the way up, and a nice cruise on the way down. It works out to be close to 3.5 miles round trip. Depending on the weather it may be a little slippery/muddy depending on rain in the area. If you packed some food with you, there is a nice place to sit and eat when you reach the top of the trail with nice views in all directions. You get both ocean and inland views from this trail. If and when we go back, we plan on trying some of the other starting points.

Beautiful views! I can see how it would be more difficult if it was muddy. It’s rated moderate, we like to hike and I would say it’s on the easier side of moderate. Lots of switchbacks

We did this hike on a cloudy misty day. It was SO worth it. A little muddy but the views paid off. If you aren’t afraid of a little light rock climb, take the trail to the left at the shelter. Go to the giants chin and you have nearly a 360 view of the island ! Took us 2.25 hrs

Loved this trail. The first .5 mile was wet and muddy. Good hiking boots/shoes are helpful. Also wish I had a hiking pole.

After rain this hike is a slog through 1.5 miles of squishy, slimy mud and trickling water. Nevertheless, if the mist lifts by the time you get to the giant's goatee (?) you will be rewarded with stunning views of the East Shore, Kapa'a and the Wailua River. Also - the trail needs much better markers and signage. We went the wrong way and ended up climbing a wall of muddy rocks and roots that we were very happy not to have to climb back down after realizing our error.

It was so muddy- I can't even stress that enough, which the mud and water/mist made some parts of the hike very challenging. There are some parts I would not recommend for families/kids. The boulders are pretty hike, and you have to clip up so many. There are a lot of parts of a cliff edge too. It was a nice view and had some moments where I was proud of myself for doing it, but I am not sure I'd do it again- I would rather hike to more falls.

Hiked this the last time we went to Kauai. About 1K in elevation gain, but the views are worth it. The east approach is the easiest, the west approach is best if you need to fill some calories. Go early as it will get hot and if its rained some of the trail may get slippery. We will be doing this on our next trip as well it was so good. I also recommend going to his chin and nose (if you are OK with exposure and rock is not slick). We went at a leisurely pace and took us around 2 hours to get up and 1 to get down on the east route (around 4 miles round trip). If you are short on time, could be done in half that probably, especially if you jog up.

We brought 32 oz of water per hiker, but could have doubled this! Very wonderful 2 mile climb with spectacular views at the top. We chose to go past the "picnic table" warning and we rewarded with dry trails and fabulous breezes and amazing vistas. Some parts of the trail need careful footing due to roots, rocks, and stumps. Small portion needs actual climbing. We all had tennis shoes and did fair. Takes some level of being in shape to really enjoy and not feel just overworked. We loved it and earned our Shave Ice afterwards

Nice hike for almost anyone. Make sure you go past the picnic tables and continue the short hike to the top. There are some boulders to climb but they look harder than they are. I managed with a bad ankle to complete the hike and boulders. It's well worth the views.

This was one of several places we hiked. Thank goodness the weather had been dry, otherwise some of the areas on this hike would have been very dangerous. There are actually 3 different paths leading up to the top, where there are benches at lookout points and some picnic tables for hikers to rest and eat. On our way down the first path, we passed 2 large horses whose riders somehow got them to the top. This is a family-friendly hiking area.

We accessed this trail from the house lots off Haleilio Rd. We went very early to take in the sunrise. The trail was quite busy one our way down and the parking lot was full. The sun really hits this sied making the trail more exhausting. The views were beautiful. Bring water and wear proper shoes!

The trail is mostly moderate hiking but there is some rock scrambling early on and again at the top. It's worth it though for the view from the top. Would be slippery if it's been wet. And there is active pig hunting on the mountain.

This is a great intermediate hike. It does require a little fitness, or you may be sore, and there is a short scramble, but the views are a big pay off for a hike in town. There are portions that will always be a little muddy, and if its been raining - don’t go.

This was an awesome hike. You can enter from the East side or the West side, make sure you know which side you started from. A moderate hike with a beautiful view Kauai. I am afraid of heights, but this was worth going all the way to the top.

Sleeping Giant is a hike that is the perfect mix of a good workout but not too strenuous. The trail can be slick in spots so wear shoes that are good for hiking and use a walking stick for balance. We chose the East to West trail (Nounou), and it’s about 2 miles out and 2 miles back. It’s mostly uphill but the ascents are not too difficult if you’re in moderately good shape. The trail provides excellent views of the “Giant” in full snooze.

The best part of the tour was Marlin and Owen. They were soo knowledgeable about the history of Kauai and helpful with giving advice on finding local treasures too. The actual tour was lots of fun and scenery breathtaking... just expect to get muddy :)

We’re avid hikers, but not hardcore... We tried to hike the west trail up Sleeping Giant which is supposed to be the least steep and safest route. We made it only a few hundred yards before 3 of 4 had fallen on the slippery, especially greasy red soil. Lots of tree roots for traction, but every step on the wet muddy incline resulted in skidding and filthy shoes and clothes...

Wished we had more time to come back...

GreT views across the Wailua Valley.

This is about a 2 hour hike round trip, and as someone who considers himself a little out of shape I would say it is a moderate to hard hike. If you have the patience and are careful most people can handle it. There are a couple of steep spots that you have to climb, so wear proper hiking shoes (especially if wet) and take your time. We did it on a perfectly dry and sunny day so it was awesome! It was definitely worth the effort, and I’m glad we went to the tippy too so I can say we did it 100%! Highly recommend, have a great time!

A trip up the Sleeping Giant trail is worth it. Once on top you get a full 360 view of the East side of Kauai. Not a hard trail, less than 5 miles round trip but it does go up 1,500 feet, so you do climb switchbacks. This was one of the best things we did on Kauai.

We started our climb after a hard rain. The trail became very slick and had to use sticks to help the climb down. We traveled the shortest route. Very pretty and loved the trees

We hiked up the Nonou East Trail on a sunny day after several days of rain. The bottom half was nice and dry, but it definitely got slippery and muddy for the top half. I heard the East trail is a little more gradual than the West trail, but it was still a great workout. We're active people in our upper 20s and would consider this a moderate hike. There is one spot on the East trail that you'll have to rock climb about 8 feet, but that was easily doable since that part of the trail was dry and those rocks had some natural steps.

Here's where it got tricky - nobody had told us that if you went past the picnic tables at the top you would have to rock climb some more. By that point our shoes were muddy, we were high in elevation, and it was a narrow trail with a steep way down. My husband did fine, but I found out I had a fear of heights at that point! After we made it past the rock climb, the trail was on a narrow ridgeline with 360-degree views. Again, the fear of heights kicked in and I had to sit down.

So - a wonderful trail with awesome views, but going past the picnic tables to the "chin" is not for the faint of heart.

We make sure to take this hike every time on the island--and some times more than once. The views along the way and at the top cannot be beat. We like it because it is not particularly long and not particularly difficult. Only one short spot where you must climb a rock can be slightly intimidating to some. Parking can some days be a problem.

Challenging at noon, due to high temps and humidity. You need to wear appropriate footwear. Is is not funny to hike with flip-flops but it is also dangerous downhill. The 360-wide view is absolutely awesome. You need to schedule at least 2 hours - a 30 minutes rest on the summit included.

Enjoyed a morning with rainbows at each overlook. Start early to beat the crowds. Slippery when wet but managable.

We learned that locals favor the West Trailhead, on Lokelani Road, so we started there. The parking lot was quite small, holding only 4 or 5 vehicles. Respect nearby houses and do not park in front of their yards.

The trail was in decent shape, although we could see how it might be muddy during the rain. We had trekking poles, and although they weren't necessary, I would highly recommend them.

Most of the route was in tree cover, providing shade. We went beyond the picnic area to the actual summit, which was a bit disappointing. I preferred the exposed rock outcropping on the ridge below the summit. The wind was gusting fiercely. It's definitely not for people who are scared of heights, but I loved it. Great hike!

views are incredible!! if you like rocky heights go past the picnic tables onto his "face" it's a rush!! amazing view from the top...i suggest taking off early morning...like 7ish....it gets pretty warm on the east path on your way up.

This is a pretty moderate hike, a bit more strenuous when you factor the steep incline at the beginning and end. Dress appropriately for rugged terrain, especially good traction shoes. We saw a couple and the woman was wearing a dress with teva sandals; needless to say, we saw them turn around early on. Go early with lots of water and fruit, as the heat and humidity mixed with the altitude can be difficult for some. My 6 year old could only make it up halfway up (so proud of her for accomplishing 2 miles round trip) and another hiker on her descent warned us that the rock climb near the top could be scary for her. We took the kids back down and two of us returned a couple days later. On our first climb, we missed one of the major marking on the trail with the painted arrow on the rock pointing right, so we took a more difficult way going straight. On the second hike, that wrong path had red tape and it was then that we noticed the painted arrow. Reaching the summit was thrilling to see the awesome views from the top. And the picnic table area is a nice place to rest and refuel or hydrate before making your way back down. Also, there is a fork as you approach the top where you need to make note of which way to go back down as there isn't anything telling you to take the Nou Nou trail vs the Homestead lot. Two couples we met at the top had their toddlers in a backpack carrier -- props to them!! Go climb a mountain!

We had a bit of trouble finding the entrance to Sleeping Giant Trail. The information we had indicated this was a moderate trail and frankly we felt it was a bit more challenging than moderate. Even though it was a bit more than we expected it definitely was a great hike. The last section right to the top was really scary and I did not do it. So, I didn't get right to the top of Sleeping Giant Trail. But other than that I would highly recommend this hike. Be sure to have lots of water, start early when it is a bit cooler and be prepared for a challenge.

Nice climb but dangerous when wet, especially without poles for stabilizing. Clay earth is very slick

I didn't think the effort was that worth it for the views but a great quick hike through a neat forest to get there.

We grabbed 2 Sandwiches from Wahine Weenies Sandwich Shack in Kapaa, 2 Beers from ABC in Kapaa, hiked to top of the trail, and enjoyed our lunch What an amazing experience.

Just completed today. We just went to the picnic tables as the Giant's face trail looks too adventurous for us.

Our family tackled this hike one morning. It was pretty muddy in certain sections so I'm glad we were wearing closed toe hiking sandals. One section required rock scrambling and my daughter was hesitant but after the hike she was proud of herself for doing it. I just wish they had better signage at some points because it wasn't 100% clear where to go. Make sure to lead the way and not let kids because going off path can lead to steep drop offs. We only went to the picnic area but I wasn't willing to venture further will kids. You are rewarded with beautiful views!!

This a 2 mile hike up the mountain offering nice views as you progress upwards. After you get to a picnic area, you can go a little further to find amazing 360 degree views of the area. If it rains it could be a challenging hike but I didn't think it was too bad. There are 3 separate trails to the top, we took the east trail which was 2 miles one way. The other two trails are 4 and 5 miles each going one way, so 8 or 10 miles round trip! Take the east trail.

We drove 580 to 581 for the west trailhead off (park near telephone pole 11; trail access is a grassy path between houses). Then we walked up. The trail was confusing in places because there are a number of different trails and few signs. Just keep heading up (and remember which trailhead you parked at—there are at least three).

Being from the flat Midwest, the elevation really put us through the ringer. We did the hike early in the morning and would recommend doing the same. The sun gets real toasty and this hike was a bit more challenging than we were anticipating.

We really enjoyed hiking this trail. We went up on the West Trail so as to avoid the need to scramble up any rocks.

I referred to the AllTrails website to get directions to the parking area and hike information.

You park at the end of a residential road and there is a small parking lot and some parking along the road. Once you pass through the fence, look to your left and you should see some walking sticks -- I hadn't noticed this on the way up and it would have been handy.

It's a continuous uphill but nothing overly strenuous. I'd put it at a moderate level of difficulty. You walk through a lovely forest and as you climb you get some picturesque views. Most of the west trail is out of the sun.

Once you get to the picnic area at the top, just keep going straight and that will take you to the ridge. Beautiful views from the ridge.

Just as you come down from the ridge, there is an area of rock - before going back to the flat-ish trail part, look to your right and you'll see a small trail. That will take you directly below where you were on the ridge. There are a couple of stone arches you can go through -- just another fun part of the hike.

This was one of our favourite hikes.

Great hike and a good path..a must-see. Be sure to take the path to the end, as there are more waterfalls and a bridge to cross. Get to the end to find the sign by the bridge.

The views throughout this hike are incredible! Definitely worth going past the picnic tables to the top, feels like you’re on top of the world!

We found this hike to be moderate difficulty. The three of us who went are relatively fit, and enjoy hiking, and thought it wasn’t too difficult or long. It has rewarding views every few so often.
If you’re unfit, or have small children, I do not recommend this hike. There are a few points where we found ourselves holding onto branches for stability, or using our hands to steady ourselves on the rocks.
It took us about 2 hrs round trip. We got started by about 8 am, and there was only one other car in the parking lot. By the time we got back, the parking lot was full, so I recommend getting an early start to avoid the crowds.
We didn’t find the trail to be too muddy when we went. But if you’re doing this after a good rain then it would probably be incredibly muddy.
I recommend downloading the AllTrails app before you go. If we hadn’t had it, we wouldn’t have known to keep going on the trail.

Started the hike early in the morning which was good as the day quickly got hot! Took us about 2 hours total with minimal rest and picture stops. We took the East trail (this is the trailhead Google Maps takes you to if you search sleeping giant) and the trail has at least one section that requires climbing rocks. It is a fairly steep trail so make sure you have plenty of water. We saw some people starting the trail in flip flops and we were sure that these shoes would not be appropriate for trail conditions. Make sure you're wearing closed toed shoes!! The trees at the lookout at the top with the picnic tables are a bit tall and obstruct the view unless you are very tall.

I am not stong or super motivated and I enjoyed this hike/walk. So many lovely flowers along the path to photograph! There were several level places to stop and take in the panoramic views. It is not a long hike and you come out just the way you went up. The "up" is nice and gradual. Wear insect repellent and, unless you are a mountain goat, wear shoes or sandals that cover your toes. There is a tall, dedicated Trail End sign that lets you know when to turn back. As with any Kaua'i nature trail, do your homework and let others know where you are going.

Hiked this after a rain. Super slippery home but totally worth it! We loved the incredible view of the valley and the wide variety of plant.

Don’t miss this hike. If you enjoy an athletic few hours hiking and seeing breathtaking views, spend a few hours here.

Bring water, a camera and sun screen. Wear hiking shoes. Definitely go all the way to the top. The views are spectacular.

Traveling with our 7 month old, we didn't expect to be able to do a lot of physical activity. To our surprise, we made it most of the way up with our daughter in the Ergo carrier. We would have gone further, but it was just getting too hot, and out of caution, turned back around.

We came around 10am and parking was pretty easy. The lot filled up, but theres plenty on the street. Trail is well maintained, although there are plenty of roots (tripping hazards), so watch your footing.

We stayed in Kapaa, so this trail was very close to us! Beautiful trail which you can start close to the highway or at another point near a residential area, which we did. Be careful when you start, we made the mistake of turning right and follow the ridge and we were going down..... to the highway, good thing we met this gentleman that put us back on the right track!

So when you start you go through giant trees and you climb, and climb..... you are in the woods for most of the hike but when you get to the end, the view is just WOW! You can climb on rocks and take amazing pictures, and then enter another little arch when you are at the summit, little trail on your left, not very obvious and not indicated!

Highly recommend this hike, little gem!!!

We started at the Kaumoo NouNou TH and finished at Sleeping GiantTH.
The amount of mud encountered starting just past the bridge and continuing to the Nou Nou west trail Jct was fearsome. If you have ever seen a potter making a bowl or pitcher, on their wheel that is the kind of slick mud you will encounter on the trail. I highly recommend deep lugged trail shoes or hiking boots and a collapsable walking stick just to have a fair shot.
From the Jct Heading East up the trail to the picnic table was still muddy but not nearly as bad. Expect company at the picnic table, the views there are limited. The trail continuing to the exposed view point has some semi technical sections to it, but if you are reasonably comfortable with heights and somewhat limber, this is well worth the time to get to. Not a lot of room here so you may need to wait for a spot to open for that all important selfie.
The trail to the actual top is another 5 minutes and good for peak baggers, but not so great for views.
The return trip down to the start of the Sleeping Giant parking lot is much dryer with only one section that may present an issue, a rock face of 20' or so that will need both hands to get through.
2 liters of water per person is a safe bet if your doing the route we took. The humidity is draining. You will get muddy, embrace it.

The "dirt"-it is not an easy to moderate trail. I did 4 miles of the Napili coast trail (Kalalau) and it was slightly less challenging. It is about 2.5 miles one way. Loved it. However when you get to the sign that says stay on the trail, and there is a pink painted arrow on the rock pointing left -GO LEFT. We thought the sign (which doesn't have arrows) was telling us to stay on that trail and not go left. OOPS . Had to backtrack when we met a giant vertical rock that we decided not to climb. Views are amazing. We went to the very top. We started about 4:30pm and returned about 7. We took small breaks along the way and at the top, but did not stop to eat or rest for long. Highly recommend. Easy parking at 4:30. Easy to find.

Easy hike, great warm up for bigger hikes on the Island. Awesome views from lookouts throughout and the summit. The Giants Chin was fun, a very narrow ridge walk to the chin with a steep drop makes it nerve racking for folks who have fear of heights and ledges.This hike is family friendly and is only 2 hours out and back.

It has been very rainy in Kauai so we knew the trail might be sloppy but when it started raining on our hike we had no idea. But by the time we reached the top the skies had cleared and we had that amazing 360degree view you see in the pics. So PRETTY!
TIP - to get the amazing views you have to keep going after you get to the picnic pavilion. Keep following the trail to the south and "scramble" up the rock trail to the top...so worth it and the rocks are actually easier than the muddy trail (if raining).

We had some more rain on the way down but by that point we were "red" with that great Kauai dirt and laughed all the way. Not a long hike distance wise but a good incline both up and down and while we saw people there in sandals and barefoot good tennies or hikers are recommended!

One of the highlights of our trip!

Bring a few bottles of water, got either early or late in the day. ALOT of sun screen, hat and some good shoes to wear (grippy if possible). There are some spots that are abit sketchy but do able. There's a picnic spot at the very top but to the left of that is a bench that over looks the whole island. Photo time!!!

I did this hike as a solo hiker while visiting Kauai and loved it. It's a very clearly marked trail with a lot of people around. I loved how challenging parts of the hike were, lots of steep areas and climbing up little ledges.

Such a great hike! It's moderately easy except a rock at around .5 miles that requires a moderate amount of fitness to scale. (shouldn't be a problem for most) Close to the top there is a picnic table and a few benches with vistas that make for the perfect place to have a picnic! Also, look up guides to identifying wild Hawaiian fruit. Some of the year, there are delicious strawberry and banana guavas that you can pick and eat while you hike!

Medium strenuous difficulty, great exercise and beautiful views! Best to plan on a dry day, as it gets very mucdy and slippery, could be unsafe.

Hiked this DOZENS of times & each time always catches my breath! Great workout , between Beginner to Moderate. Can be very dangerous if muddy, easy injury about to happen!
Lots of shaded areas & light breezes. Views throughout & resting spots. Toughest spot is right before you get to the top where there's a small wall you have to "scale". There used to be a rope but was removed. So many people are tempted to turn around but take your time, let others assist. Once you make it up, go immediately to your left (most don't know & miss this completely). There's a beautiful cave opening you MUST SEE! Then after photo ops, turn back around & head back up to the gorgeous platform! 360 view of the eastern part of the island!

I wouldn't miss this hike. Went up up with my son on my back which added about 30 lbs. Been carrying him for the past several months to prepare but would only go about 1.5 miles a day. Brought a liter of water which was sufficient. Wear hiking shoes or sneakers. I would advise agains any type of sandal. There is shade on hike but wear your sunscreen. We left from the East entrance off Halellio rd about 12:30 and found a spot in parking lot. When hiked on 9/18 trail was completely dry.
About 20 minutes in I climbed an easy wall that looks intimidating but is actually pretty easy. I think there was a way to walk around it. Around this area is a spot to go left and upwards as the trail narrows. Don't go this way. Go to the right which has a wider trail the somewhat dips down that goes up.
It took me about an hour 20 min to reach picnic tables. Be sure to remember your path as so that you don't walk back down to the other entrance. About 10 minutes before the picnic tables is a area to go right or left. Right goes to West entrance and left goes to the summit. I was advised not to carry my son any further past the picnic tables but I AM SO GLAD I DID. There is just one area that was rather steep but it was more intimidating that it actually was. I advise you to definitely do it because the hike isn't worth it unless you see what is ahead.

All said and done it took me about 3 hours. We spent some time on the sleeping giant enjoying the view which happened to be very clear that day. Don't forget your selfie stick.

Yes, it is a bit of a grunt and it can be muddy but don’t let that deter you. The reward at the top is worth it.

We went up the east trail (in January), a 1.75 mile hike that is steep at times with the end part requiring a little bit of rock climbing. Once at the top, you can easily walk to various points and sit and enjoy the panoramic views. We hiked up 3 days after a good rain and it was muddy and slippery but most definitely doable. The best thing to wear is shoes with a good, grippy sole. We were told the mud disappears after the rainy season ends in February.

The trail was wet, muddy, and treacherous. But for the adventurer, this is a excellent trail. You will be challenged and the views from the top are breathtaking. Picnic tables at the top if you want to rest/eat. Be prepared to get muddy and wear proper footwear. Flips flops will get you killed if its wet. It's basically a straight up climb at times, so this isn't for kids or people with knee/back issues. You will get sweaty and be sore. Bring water you'll need it.

So glad we checked this one out! It was just the adventure we wanted.

We hiked the Nounou East trail on our first day in Kaua'i. Beautiful views at every turn and nice places to rest. Warning: there is one part (about a fourth of the way up) that you have to "mountain climb" for about 15 feet. If you have any mobility issues you might have to turn around at this point. It is still worth the effort. Also, it can get pretty muddy in places, and hence slippery.

This hike is about 1100 feet of elevation and 3 miles up to the summit and back. Lots of shade and switchbacks vs vertical climb with steps. There are maybe 3 spots where you need to use your arms to climb a rock face but the view from the top is absolutely worth it. As always, bring lots of water and the earlier in the day you can start your ascent, the better. There is a small cave at the top under the large rock formation. I brought up a small drone and had a great time flying it around for a few minutes. It took us about 2.5 hours to do the whole thing with 30 minutes spent enjoying the stunning 360 degree views from the top. Highly recommended hike partially because it wasn’t crowded or busy. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to tap the thumbs up icon just below.

This was our first trail to hike upon landing in Kauai. Very steep, especially at the beginning. But the view from the top is gorgeous. When you reach the little pavilion at the top, you haven't finished the trail. Keep going straight past it and turn left to follow the trail another quarter mile or so. Near the end, it's more like climbing that hiking.

The trail is well defined and moderate in difficulty. If you try to go all the way to the top there are a couple areas that need to be climbed. Only about 12-15 ft or so but though that have certain troubles with climbing, that would be the end of their trail. The top has some great views but most of the trail up to the top is dense forest. The whole trip took about 1.5hrs. Will be doing it again on our next trip.

Beautiful views from this hike all along the way. There's some fun scrambling up rocks and it gets muddy!

Hiking pole came in handy because it was steep and raining. A few boulders to maneuver. Better trail signage would be appreciated. Many hikers not making it to official top. Accurate directions can be found in Kauai Trailblazer guidebook

Even though we did this hike right after heavy rain and the trail was VERY muddy, it was worth it. The view of the surrounding area is hard to beat. The trail was the right amount of difficulty for a good workout.

Amazing view!
1000 feet high!
It’s medium to challenging trail...
Take you 45’-1 hour to get to the top depending on how fast you are...

From the moment I saw this trail, I wanted to try it. From the review, I felt it was doable for my age and health. The first try, I started way too early and it was completely dark. I was a little worried on time so I decided to take the shorter West route. There is little to no parking on the west side, depending on your comfort with street parking. As I began, it started to rain and I should have known I was in trouble. About halfway up, I realized the trail was getting too treacherous to navigate safely and I slowly slogged and slid my way back down the mountain. Two days later, I took the East route and was much more comfortable with the route. There was plenty of parking for about 20 vehicles. The trail is well marked, but it is a fairly strenuous climb and there was mud, lots of mud. It was not a little wet and slightly slick, but deep, shoe sucking, don’t lose your balance and fall on your butt mud. I was prepared with a pair of shoes I was planning to throw away. It took less than an hour to make it to the shelter, but don’t stop there. Another quarter mile of trail hiking will take you to the chin and the nose of the Giant for panoramic views of the surrounding beach and mountains. Well worth the hike!

Beautiful trail that was dry. Steep spots and a few rocky spots to climb up/down. We carried our four-year-old for the super steep areas.

after asking the bell hops at our local hotel how to get to the best trail head, we headed out on the Sleeping Giant Trail. Must admit it was a bit steeper than expected, and one of our party did turn back because of the steep terrain. The rest of us hiked to the top and took in the sweeping views of Kauai from the head of the giant. It was about a two hour hike up and back - well worth the effort! Hikers should we day hiking shoes or at least runners - even when dry, debris on the trail can make it slippery and easy to lose your footing. Some scrambling with your hands to make it up part of the mountain, but nothing too extreme.

we stayed in poipu and this was an easy drive to the trailhead. we went a few days after rain, but were in no way prepared for the condition of this "hike". reading this trail being described as muddy is laughable, and completely inaccurate. most of the trail looks like a water pipe, with two banks of mud on either side and muddy water in the middle for you to slosh through. it's not a hard hike by any means, but it's not a hike really at all. the views were good, but definitely not worth it. i even told a few people when we got back to the lot that it wasn't worth it.

A varied and fun hike with the path going from sandy to tree roots and rocky climbs. Nothing too taxing but also one or two parts which would be a struggle for anyone not wanting to tackle a bit of scrambling. Where the viewpoints between the trees allow you look all the way along the East coast and once you get high enough then inland over the valley to the mountains. All done in a couple of hours, so a great hike to fill in some time but also could easily be part of a longer hike as paths seemed to be joining and continuing over the summit too.

Loved this hike and the panoramic views. Was able to even see whales from up there. The additional walk towards the neck wad not that bad..i recommend going the distance!

It’s a must if you’re in halfway decent shape and want a breathtaking view. I recommend bug spray and sunscreen for sure. Maybe even a snack.

Not the best trail to do in the middle of rainy season. I hike a lot and found that even the first 10metres were just pure mud. I ended up turning around after about 1 km. Perhaps a better hike in the dryer season or for sure bring poles or shoes you can throw away.

This is a good way to see the Sleeping giant mountain ridge. we took the Kuamo'o-Nounou trail head to go on the hike. It had been raining the previous week so the trail was muddy and slippery in spots. Other than that it was a moderate 2 mile hike to the viewing area. Along the way you get views of the coast and other valleys. A nice way to see different parts of the area.

This is a great trail with excellent views. My son and I really enjoyed it. It has numerous switchbacks which make it accessible to all. The feral chickens and roosters in the parking area made for some great photo's.

Short hike that will get your heart pumping! Climb 1247 ft elevation in 1.8 miles. Only a few areas that were difficult to maneuver and was more like rock climbing. Great little picnic shelter almost to the top. Could be tough if it had recently rained and made slippery. 65 years old and I did it with hiking poles which made the downhill easier on the knees so o would recommend using them if you are of a more mature age lol.

Solid three mile round trip hike. If you are a regular hiker and are familiar with hills and a little bit of mud (there is not too much mud) you will do fine. We hike regularly in Western NY and the ADK Mountains and this was more like a Finger Lakes Trail than an ADK mountain. It is about three miles round trip and you gain about 1,000 feet of elevation on the hike up; there are lots of switchbacks though so you don’t fell the elevation gain as much. Lots of pretty views on the way up and at the top. Took us about 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. Nice hike to stop at if going between the north and south ends of the island. And of course once you do the hike you can’t miss the Sleeping Giant every time you pass it on the highway, in fact you keep seeing it clearer and clearer!

We hiked this trail on a rainy day. Up wasn't too difficult or technical and the vegetation offers a break from the rains.On the way down, the wet clay was quite slick. Would definitely recommend a walking stick or poles coming down if you go on a rainy day. Views along the way and from the summit were breathtaking. Be prepared at the tope for a short rock scramble up.

There's a parking lot at the foot of the mountain. Trai is wide and easy to climb or descend. View at the top provides a beautiful 180 degree shot of east side of the island.

We loved this hike but it is not for the faint of heart or anyone that is unable to hike steep trails, for 2 miles, and traverse rocks. This trail was listed as moderate but was much more difficult than other trails with the same rating. Well worth the hike!

The trail is quite beautiful and takes a bit more than an hour just to get to the 2 mile mark. It was very muddy when I was there so I walked very carefully!!

The hike takes about 1 hour each way at a general pace. Make sure that when you get to the split in the trail you head left towards the picnic benches and then go PAST them to reach the view point. To access the viewpoint you have to do a tiny bit on rock climbing. The top is rather narrow but SO beautiful. You have a view of the valley, the west side of the island in the distance, and the ocean. It is stunning!

My wife and I hiked the Sleeping Giant from the East trailhead before we did an afternoon fishing trip. We didn't rush but got done in 2.5 hrs, so I'd say it's easy to fit this hike into most itineraries.

There are a couple "left or right" spots on the trail but if you stick with the very clearly larger/more open trail you'll make it up no problem (one time you have to go slightly back downhill (for a couple of hundred yards) about halfway up - that's the correct trail).

This trail is up-up-up and then the reward is really cool at the top. Great views - 360 degrees. The coast back down is a great reward. For sure would recommend to anyone in half-decent shape.

I probably wouldn't bring kids less than 8-9-10 ish on this. Doubt they'd tolerate the grind up and the reward/pinnacle at the top is too sketchy for kids.

This is a nice hike with great views. I would suggest getting there fairly early to get a decent parking space. There is some parking available along the road. The hike from the east side starts out with a long uphill run. Fortunately there had not been much rain recently so it was not too wet. There are areas that could be really slippery if there have been recent rains. There are a lot of great views along the way-some toward the ocean and some toward the sleeping giant mountain formation. When you are almost to the top there is a shelter with two picnic tables. Do wear hiking boots/shoes for this trip.

It is a fun hike but it was so muddy and we are in the dry season. Much harder coming down and lots of people slipped but we found sticks to serve as walking sticks and went slowly so we had no mishap. You have to watch each step so you don't see much unless you stop. The view is great.

Pretty easy hike as far as mountains go, but the views were absolutely amazing. Lots of mud though so be prepared

A lovely hike … even in the rain 😅 Parts are definitely challenging to navigate up and back down. I hiked up into the rain cloud so I wasn’t able to experience the beauty at the top. Still worth the hike!

This hike can be quick! The east trail is right up the side of the mountain and the views are breathtaking. With a healthy handful of water breaks, and some exploring at the top, the whole thing was done in 2 hours for my husband and I.

If you don't walk past the picnic stop and all the way up to "The Chin" then you didn't see it all!

It was a great trip. The weather was cloudy and the temperature was comfortable to climb on top of this trail.
First 1 Mile the road is pretty clean and not too muddy. But after it becomes more and more muddy (but not as much as on the trail to Hanakapi'ai beach)
And also be prepared to climb on some rocks, someone can find it too hard)
But when you get on top you can see a beautiful view on the Kauai island and it's worth it!

3 different trails to the same goal. We did the Kuamo'o-Nounou trail, where the parking is on the Kauamo'o road, parking on the right side .5 miles past the 2mile marker past the Opaeka'a falls view point. This trailhead is easy to find once you park. The trail wasn't too muddy, tho there had been some rain the previous days. It climbs up to the West trail and then joins it up the picnic bench, from which views are on all sides. Then go 5 minutes farther for some more fantastic views, and after that you can, if you feel fit and are steady on your feet, climb onto the Giant's nose, chin, whatever parts get you the highest. what thrill, for a short hike, with not too much climbing. a good hike to start off your Kauai stay.

This was a great hike to do at the end of the day - but not too close to the end of the day! We didn't give ourselves enough time and came down the last part by the light of our cell phone flashlights! Dusk is when the toads come out! Haha

Fair amount of parking at the trailhead. We did this hike after it had been raining off & on, so there were definitely muddy spots. Hiking shoes or sandals (tevas, chacos) work best especially when muddy. There are a couple spots where some small trails lead off, be sure to stay on the main trail, it will ALWAYS be at least 3 feet wide & well cleared above your head. At one point, not too far from the bottom (maybe 3/4 mile? or less?) there is an offshoot that has begun to be well worn, and we thought it was the real trail because the real trail takes a sharp turn and looks like it heads downhill (the opposite of where we wanted to go). Trust in the trail, take the downhill sharp turn, it will lead you onward. We didn't really notice the real trail because of how sharp a turn it is, so tried the uphill offshoot and ended up climbing rocks, hands and knees up steep mud & holding on to tree roots to make it up. Eventually met up with real trail and were relieved it was not all going to be that hard!
The views from the top (the real top, not just the picnic area) are so amazing. If you have any decent hiking experience you'll probably be fine trekking the 5 minutes past where the picnic tables are, & ascending a few rocks.

We hiked this trail during mid-day August heat, but it wasn't too bad. If you enter on the east side it's a winding ascent to the top which isn't too bad given that you are gradually gaining elevation as opposed to a steep ascent. Very scenic on the way up, and not too many difficult obstacles (some minor rock climbing). When you get to the top you have a gorgeous view of the entire East Side of the Island out to the water.

Can test your fear of heights a bit if you max out the climb but def go as high up as you can, which involves being on some 3-5 foot slabs of rock with not a ton of protection between you and 1000 feet down. That being said, after a couple minutes you get comfortable with the height and it's so worth it.

I rated this attraction a 4 because on the way down (about 5 minutes in) we took the wrong side of a fork and ended up on the west side trail which drops you off in like a residential neighborhood. At that point our options were to walk the local streets and highway back to the car, or climb back up the mountain and find the east trail. We choose to climb back up which you can imagine was brutal given that we had already hiked up once! Added about an hour to our trip, but not the mountain's fault we foolishly went down the wrong trail, but just be careful not to make the same mistake.

Discovered the west trailhead that was shorter but steeper. It was muddy but the trail went through a norfolk pine forest! Bring good traction shoes and prepare to get muddy feet. The views at the top are 360 degrees and worth the mud!

The Sleeping Giant Trail is a 2-3 hour roundtrip hike depending on conditions and how much you like to stop or take pictures as I like to. The trails can be muddy and slippery in places. Also there are a couple of short climbs so I would not recommend it for those who have limitations. The views at the top are beautiful and worth the climb.

Fun hike. Not overly difficult. Can be hot so start out early. We got there about 8am. Took us about 3hrs round trip. Wear hiking or tennis shoes no flip flops. Bring plenty of water. My husband and I are 51 and in average shape.

Beautiful view at the top. Pretty easy but hot. No rock climbing till very end then minimal.easy trail to follow. Park at trailhead beginning.

I really enjoyed this trail! Try to go earlier in the day as it does get quite hot, otherwise an easy going hike for all ages. Amazing view at the top! I climbed right till the end past the rocks, be careful with this part it can be challenging but it's worth it to stand on the top of the rock overlooking the view.

Sleeping Giant is a fantastic hike for anyone looking for a few hour jaunt up a mountain. Getting to the trail is easy and can be found on multiple local websites. Be warned, there are two routes to take so be sure to pay attention of which turns you take or you can easily end up at the wrong parking lot at the end of your hike.

The views at the top are incredible for those unafraid of heights. The views are worth the meandering and most likely muddy trail to the top. My husband and I read about trails that go off the beaten track and we took them - so much more exhilarating, yet still respectful to the trail network (we weren't breaking new trail).

Be careful as the trail gets extremely treacherous when it rains. The trail quickly fills with water and turns the clay path in to a red, dirty skating rink. Wear proper footwear. We got stuck in a rainstorm on our route down and watched as multiple unprepared hikers slipped and fell all over the trail. This can get you in serious danger quickly.

If you have the time and an adventurous side, this hike is a must do when on Kauai.

The Nounou west trail is incredible! Despite being strenuous and steep, and having to climb with all fours at times, the view at the top was unmatched! Not recommended for kids and people that are not physically fit,also not recommended at night or when dark and when wet/rainy.

Great hike! Very slick and muddy when wet. We took hiking poles and it helped a lot. The views were fantastic. We went up from Kapaa, which is supposed to be more difficult but it was just fine. There was lots of shade along the way which was also good. Went early morning. Parking can be tight if you wait to later int he day.

Easy up (about 45 minutes) and easy down trail even in the rain. Great views and easy to get to. Good for beginners.

I am over 50, so this trail was a kick in the pants, for me. Good thing I had a younger person with me to help pull me over some boulders. The trail is worth the trip and the views are breathtaking! Lots of friendly people along the way. Although it was July, I did not find the trail crowded.
Word of Caution!!! There are two ways down the hill. We parked in the Western Ascent Parking Lot, but came down a different way. Thank you Cynthia and friends for rescuing us and giving us a 30 minute ride to find our car. Mahalo! Please be sure to go down the same way as a slight turn in the trail can put you far away from your vehicle. We were really lucky some local residents helped us or we would have been walking for miles.
A walking stick helped me going down to keep my balance. It is worth the trip.

The trail features nice views of the mountains, forests, and coast, and is challenging due to the incline only. It will be a little muddy if there is any rain, but not enough to make the trail unsafe.

Really beautiful hike - short steep and possible muddy but so worth it.
I saw several people turn back at the picnic table - NO! The last 1/2 mile along the ridge is the whole point of this hike. It's drier up there, I saw many birds, the rock formations are cool and - of course the views. If it's muddy, find a walking stick. I slipped on the way down but not too bad. Totally recommended!

Moderate level hike with gorgeous views!! We finished in just under 2 hours, including taking pictures at the top and a few very short water breaks. A couple areas are more like rock climbing and could be difficult for someone that doesn’t get around well or has a fear of heights. We are 41-51 age range and “fittish” and didn’t have any issues. I would not recommend taking small children to the very top.

There are tree entry points to the Sleeping Giant Trail. The west one is the shortest and quite easy to walk. There is no special parking lot, the entrance is from a local street.
The trail goes up, but the road is wide and mostly covered by trees. Actually, it crosses a pine forest.
There is a table on the top of the hill.
The view is good. You see the greenery, nice houses and the ocean.

First day in Hawaii, went for an intro hike here on our own. It was beautiful and a great way to kick off our hiking based vacation. We are mid 30s and hike a decent amount, so we would call it an easy hike (but obviously a level up from a nature walk). We went around lunch time so it was full sun and hot! Make sure to bring your water, and sunscreen if you are from the pasty north like us. Wear proper shoes like runners or hiking boots - an agile person could make it in flip flops but the trail was wet under the shade so don’t temp fate.

Loved this hike! There are some spots that are pretty muddy, so go early before they get really bad (and so you find a place to park!). It took my husband and I about 2 hours (mid-30’s) and found it to be an easy walk/hike. Views from the Giant’s Forehead were amazing and really did feel like we were on top of the world!

Sleeping giant trail was a great hike. So finitely. It for inexperienced hikers, but I would say it's do able if you take your time and bring lots of water. They have mile markers, but I would have liked it if they have more signs along the trails bc in some places you come to a fork and you are kind of unsure where to go. It's not about the journey for this place it's definitely about the destination! There is a picnic area close to the top for people to eat which is nice. Took us about 4 hours total to complete. I would recommend you go early in the morning to start.

I am 100% out of shape. That being said, this hike was fairly difficult for me. I think the issue was mostly that it was VERY hot when we did this hike and most of the trail is through the middle of the forest with absolutely no breeze. Once we got to an open area, it was a lot more tolerable. However, those open areas are few and far between. I made it to about .75 miles before I turned around and headed back down. There is a small section of the hike that requires you to climb some almost completely vertical rocks.

If you are an avid hiker, you will love this hike. If you are out of shape, this hike is difficult, but you will stop at great viewpoints without heading all the way up.

This hike was fun! As a 61 year old that's had a hip replaced, I was a little nervous about slipping, since I'd read that in reviews...fortunately, we had a dry day! There are a lot of tree roots to watch out for, but this was a fun hike! I went as far as the picnic table, and let my husband trek on up to the nose!

Not too many people hiking this trail due to inclement weather of late, but the views are nice and the trail isn’t too steep. But it was very slippery and muddy and everyone was slip sliding both going up and down. Views are nice and the frail is easy to find and very accessible.

This was a great hike with incredible views at the top! It’s a good workout but definitely doable. It was dry the day we did it but I could see how it would be slippery if wet.

There are spectacular views from this trail, but there is a cost. The trail is not very well maintained with deep ruts, steep terrain and numerous roots to catch your boots. This trail would be very difficult after a rain, when it's muddy. We were caught unawares of a near vertical rock face, about 15 feet high, that required some scrambling to surmount. This was quite challenging for some, especially for those 70+ years of age. I would do this again, but would be better prepared with hiking poles. We did not get to the top due to steep terrain.

Just go. If you have a morning to kill and you want to get in your exercise, go here. You won't be disappointed. It's quite an incline almost immediately, so be prepared, but it levels off and it's quite breathtaking as you get closer to the top. I did not feel disoriented at all and the trail is clearly marked. It's about 1.7 miles up. Took my friend and I, who are in shape, less then 45 min, but it could be cumbersome if you aren't in shape. In any case, the top overlooks Kapaa and Lihue coast. Just a site to see.

Definitely do this if you are on the easy side. Wear hiking shoes/boots due to the inevitable mud. Moderate hike due to the mud, in my opinion.

Started the Kuamo-Nounou Trail then hit the East trail up to Sleeping Giant summit. Park on side of Kuamoo Road (I entered 5750 Kuamoo Road in Google Maps). It is residential but there is a yellow metal gate and a small sign announcing the trail.
At the bridge, there were several walking sticks. I recommend taking one to help with steep muddy areas.

The trail overall is Shaded with some muddy areas, then dry. Passing the first picnic shelter, take a right and keep moving east. You go up and down and think you missed a turn, but there are some mile markers...we saw .75 and 1.25 at least. At mile 2.0 hang a sharp left and go up hill through trees; it is steep then levels out. Switchbacks begin as you ascend, and about .5 mile or so, there is another picnic shelter. You can check out the view by the bench on your left, eat lunch there, or move on up. We went a bit farther but didn’t climb all the way to top; too many people up there and we didn’t see advantage of the extra little effort.

I loved the hike, since it is shady mostly and the foliage was fantastic to see, birds were calling and singing, views of the valley were fantastic!

Truly spectacular hike from various points on the trail. The top if you can make it is a 10/10. There are some rock scrambles that might be challenging if you are not physically fit and if it has rained the trail will be very muddy. Moderate challenge for those in shape and difficult if you are less so.

This is a wonderful trail that winds up to a great viewpoint. It takes a couple hours and is well worth the climb.

This hike is a great choice if you are on Kauai! It presents excellent views along the way with a great mix of trail conditions. This day was perfectly dry which made it all very “doable”. If it was wet or rainy this trail could present many challenges with deep ruts and slippery foot holds.

The trail opens beautifully with a majestic entryway of the most awesome trees! You will love it! Switchbacks lead you up with scenic views. Once you reach the picnic tables you get a nice glimpse but keep going to the end - there are a lot of huge rocks to traverse but not too difficult as you can use your hands to steady if need be.

To the right you will be on the giants head which is pretty grown up but you can get excellent views from each side. To the left is a rocky top that makes up his chin! Not much room here but worth the slight climb to get a 360 view! Breathtaking and so worth the hike.

It was a bit tricky finding the trail head based on the directions of one blogger but a couple of awesome kamaaina were so helpful getting us on track! Once you are in Kuamoo Road (Hwy580) take a right into Kamalu and then Right on Lokelani. Respect the homeowners as this goes through a development but at the end of the road is the trailhead and a small parking area to access this trail!

This is an excellent choice for a hike! Enjoy

This is a perfect hike - not too long or strenuous. Not too easy either. There is a parking lot at the bottom and the trail is marked. It was a bit muddy because of recent rainfall, but we were able to complete the hike round trip in about 2 hours without rushing. Go early to avoid crowds

The trail is not very long, mostly covered by shadows, very lush. 2 spots has a little difficulty to climb, the rest all ok. The view at the top is awesome.

Great hiking trail that is not too difficult when the trail is dry. Can be challenging when wet. First plateau has a few picnic tables and wonderful views. Go a little further and the “top” is awesome. There are two trails to the top, and both times we hiked it we used the main trail up.

Slippery and slimy hike. So fun and worth the views! I’d start early if it’s November. Lots of people, but everyone plays nice!

The sleeping giant trail was recommended to my husband and I. The trail was moderate in difficulty but the trail was very muddy and some parts were so slippery I almost fell in the mud. Also there was one part where you almost had to rock climb about 6 feet high to continue on the trail. I was impressed to see so many people of all different ages. I saw kids to senior citizens. The view was nice and there was a picnic table too. I rated it average because of the mud. We went 1-2 days after it rained. I threw away my nikes because my whole foot was in mud. My husband washed his shoes. It was fun, but just be prepared for the mud.

We are in our early 60’s. Rated this as moderate hike as we did try the very last part that takes you up steep climb to Giant chin. Wear good hiking shoes and buy a good quality set of hiking poles. Hike took us about 3 hours up and back. Go early to avoid heat and crowds. Take a snack to enjoy at the picnic table and watch out for the slippery mud!

A decently steep 2 mile climb with about a 1000ft elevation, and two sections of rock you'll have to climb. Not too bad, but bring plenty of water (I emptied my 2 ltr camelback), and start early in the morning. There's shade for most of the hike, but I'd bring a sun hat also. The views are, predictably, amazing.

Moderate hike with muddy areas. May benefit from hiking shoes & hiking poles. Well worth the effort for the 1000 ft elevation and the great view over Wailua . Take your time & bring water & bug spray. Limited parking & don't leave belongings in vehicles. Follow the well beaten path carefully. We accidentally went off the beaten path and ended up rock climbing at one point . Buddy up for safety.

We approached this trail from the east, leaving the car in a VERY small parking area. If this area has experienced a lot of rain, you are going to navigate some pretty slippery sections. The best advice is to focus on good quality hiking boots, not flip flops or running shoes. At some point, you're going to have to work around some mud. As one trail runner (along with his dog!) advised us: "it's best just to walk right through the mud and clean it off later". He was right of course. So another piece of advice: in planning your day, take along an extra pair of footwear and keep a place to store your muddy boots when you return to the car (I always keep a cardboard tray in my rentals, and you can easily get them at Costco or a grocery store). A walking stick is another good idea.

The trail is marked (I say this with tongue-in-cheek, as Kauai does a weak job with directional signage in general) with small yellow text on brown background signs. The trail is marked in increments (if you notice them).

Once you get past the .5 mile sign, you're approaching the 'toughest' hurdle of the trail: a choice to climb a moderate rock face to continue, or a challenging side trail just to the left of the rock face. My suggestion: if you're not confident, or lack experience, there are plenty of young people who do this trail, and easily traverse the rock face. Watch how they do it, and plan to duplicate their efforts. Looking at the rock face, you'll see some 'steps' on the rock. You have to work from right to left, and set your sites on a log that is up on the left side. Once you get to the log, you're on your way - while watching for a muddy section ahead.

Optionally, if you go to the left, there is a steep trail that rises upwards to a small cross over trail that gets you back to the main trail. This isn't for the faint of heart, but it's an option (note: we found this particular trail an excellent alternative for RETURNING down to the main trail, in front of the rock face. Your choice. Patience is a virtue.

The rest of the way is straightforward and (relatively) easy to follow. As I said, signage is used sparingly so pay attention. There are some great views, but PLEASE stop to look them over - concentrate on your footing first, then stop to look over the vistas. Take advantage of the small benches to spend some time studying the green landscapes. Be prepared for some very muddy sections, and expect that you'll have some decorations on the back of your calves. Note: there are many 'shortcuts' that are best left to the more experienced hikers - one look at them and you'll know that they are risky to most hikers. One slip and you'll come to understand the term 'bum express'. Stay on the main trail...risk is a 4 letter word!

One final suggestion: when you return on the last leg of the trail towards your car, don't let your guard down. One fellow was so eager to return to the start, that he lost his footing and connected his knee to a sharp rock. Fortunately, we had some clean sweat towels to control the bleeding while a summoned ambulance arrived at the parking lot. Like I said, there are challenges, but if you FOCUS on where you're going, this is a great trail to hike.

Have fun...and start as early as you can (weather permitting). It's worth it!

It's harder than the books tell you if it's hot. The part after the picnic tables is really hard and dangerous. If you are a good hiker I bet it will be just fine for you. I hike but was really surprised how strenuous it was. drink lots of water.

2 hours and 20 minutes total hike (round trip)
We went with our 8 and 7 year old boys. They are experienced hikers so we did not hesitate. The hiking conditions were perfect but if it has recently rained I suspect it is a bit slippery as the ground is that clay dirt.
This is a steep hike which is perfect for our boys as they feel like mountain climbers. We used the walking sticks that people leave at the beginning of the trail. The views at the top as breathtaking. I went out to the tip for the 360 degree lookout. Wear hiking or athletic clothing. Hiking / Trail shoes make it a bit easier but we only had our sneakers with us.

Enjoyed this hike yesterday in the heat. Im not very fit but was able to manage it! Watch your footing in some areas. Views at top are worth it!

Sleeping Giant Trail is moderate to difficult hike. Four of us (2 adults 52 & 49 and our kids 12&11) hiked on a day that is rained and the mountain was very muddy and slippery! We are all in pretty good physical condition and we found this hike challenging due to the muddy conditions. Be prepared with good hiking shoes that can washed! I did see some people hiking in gym shoes and they are not adequate and will be thrown away! Also, when the traill signs say "no stay on trail" follow the directions! and Bring water!!!

My husband and I started this hike in an afternoon this past week. He is in moderate shape, me, not so much. I made it just a little past .25 miles and had to stop and let him go on. He found it slightly challenging, but did make it to the top for the great views and photo ops. If you hike a lot, this will probably be a great option for you while in Kauai. If you are not in shape, or this is your first hike, sit it out. You are going straight up the mountain with very little flat ground. Many of the areas on the path require you to climb up rocks, so be sure to wear proper shoes. I did have on hiking shoes and I never slipped. Bring lots of water and a towel - you will need it if you make it up to the top. Aloha!

Started our day with this hike. Great hike to get the heart pumping! Amazing views from the top of sleeping giant!

AKA Nounou Mountain hiking trail.
Nice short hike, steep at the beginning and towards the end but the view at the top is worth the effort. Nice 360 view of Kapa'a area. Great little spot for a picnic. If you're afraid of heights, once at the top you might get a bit jittery.

This moderate hike is accessible to many and takes about 3 hours. Highly recommended for a half-day hike on the east side of the island.

The hike on the way up was a bit hard, its all the way up and had some open patches where if sunny, it gets a bit hot, remember to bring lots of water and a cool towel to dry off/cool off. But the views are worth the hike. Make sure you go all the way up to the nose and if you follow a narrow path under the nose you'll get to a small hole/cave, fun for pics and of course views.

A must do hike on the east side. Parking can be tough. Grab a hiking pole at the bottom if you didn’t bring any. Even though it had not rained much, the trail was very muddy in spots.
The climb was a bit tougher and longer than we thought, and it took us (in our late 50’s) about 3 hours including a stop at the top at a lemonade stand some industrious young kids had set up to collect funds for a missionary trip.
The views along the way and from the very top ( a bit unnerving rock climb to narrow ridge) were amazing. The pictures do no justice at all.
A great hike when you’re on Kauai.

Great hike. First go up then go down. Very simple. Nice variety of landscape and great views. 20 burpees and good to go. Take your breath away. Literally on the way up. But trail pretty easy just an incline. Not very rocky. Just roots and some step parts. I guess could be difficult immediately after or during a rain

The hike is very nice, and I would consider good moderate+ hike. Wear good hiking boots, as the trail was slippery in places. There are walking sticks at the base of the trail, which I would recommend using as it can be rocky.

A little muddy and steep in places, but you'll be rewarded by spectacular views from the top. Take the west route (Lokelani Rd) to avoid the twenty foot cliff.

The hike was beautiful from the start and just gets more stunning as you go. Humid and muddy but well worth the effort to get to the top. 360 degree views that will blow you away.

I made one attempt to get up this trail and it started to rain - I aborted and went back on a sunny day. I HIGHLY recommend that you do NOT do this one in the rain or when it has recently rained. Part of the trail is the water runoff channels on the hill.
It is a rustic trail but not at all very difficult, I would rate it a good "medium" difficulty. It is 1.6 miles to the top according to my GPS and climbs 1200 feet. I am 75 and made the return trip with several viewing stops along the way in 2.5 hours. It could be done faster but I suggest you take some time to enjoy the nature along the way. The most challenging spot is about a third of the way up where you are faced with a 20 foot vertical cliff. It has small foot holds so quite doable but at first glance appears like it could not be the trail.
Vistas are in many spots along the way and it gives great views of the entire coast line and from the top also in the inland direction. If you need a rest when you reach the top (forehead of the giant) there is some tables and a shelter available.
There is NO sanitary facilities so be prepared and remember that what you take in you must take out. People are observing this as I saw no garbage along the way.
Great walk - Great views - Great walk.

Some people here have called this a challenging trail. I totally disagree! I'm 66 and walk with a knee brace because of serious ligament damage after a skiing accident, but had absolutely NO trouble! If you are normally fit, I can't see how this can possibly be difficult for anyone. Do wear proper footwear! I saw lots of young people slipping and sliding in flip-flops! I had hiking boots and poles (knee:), but sturdy trainers are OK too. The only challenge would be if you did this hike after lots of rain and it would indeed get very muddy and slippery. Fortunately this was not the case for me.

I went up from the Western Trailhead and came down on the Eastern one. I would definitely recommend going up the western one, as it is more scenic in my opinion. I was dropped off by my husband and picked up at the other end, but in fact if I'd wanted to, I had several offers of a ride back to Kapa's, via both trails, so this should not be a problem for anyone. There are numerous other hikers.

The Western Trailhead starts from a residential street (Lokelani Road), which is right off Highway 581, 10 minutes drive from Kapa'a. Very easy to find. There is limited parking at the dead-end street.

The trail here goes up along a gentle incline through a Norfolk Pine forest. After about 30-45 minutes (depending on your speed - I stopped for lots of pictures and just to relish the beauty of the shady forest and the many openings where one could get great views), you come to a split, where you can go down to the left along the eastern trail, or continue to the right to the top - the 'chin' of the Sleeping Giant. After 5-10 minutes you come to a covered shelter and then it's another 10 minutes to the chin. Here it might just be a little tricky for those who suffer from real vertigo, but don't worry, if you're careful, there's no danger and it's wonderful to stand on the top and get 360 degree views of the coconut coast, and the mountains behind, all the way to Mt Wai'ale'ale. Just before the 'chin, there's a steep (but very short!) rocky incline, but as there are sturdy trees on the righthand side, it's very easy to haul yourself up. After you've had enough pictures from this point - and before you continue to the very top of the head - just take a 3-minute detour BELOW the chin on the left. Don't worry - there's no danger of falling off as there are bushes on both sides. You just come to a hole in the rock after a small cave, from where you get another wonderful view. After this, continue to the top. Now it's really easy-peasy until you come to a little platform for your final view / picture. Now head back, either via the Eastern trail or back the same way. All together, with lots of photo stops and chats with other hikers, it took me 2.5 hours but that's because I was slow and really did stop and admire the views at great length!

We enjoyed this hike, not easy, but not too difficult. There are nice views as you go up. Make sure you go beyond the picnic tables to the top...it's worth the extra bit.

Trail has great views of the eastern side of the island. It's not too difficult when it is dry, but we hiked it after rain. It was very slippery and we got muddy. We didn't make it to the top as we were tired of sliding all over the trail.

Just outside the town of Kapa'a, but well worth the short drive. I would classify this as a Moderate hike, about 3.5 miles in total, plan on about 3hrs depending on how much time you spend on the top. Make sure you pack water & some snacks to enjoy on top.
The path is steep in several places and can be slippery when wet.
At the top the views are terrific and well worth the effort & sweat.
The "chin" out cropping is not for everyone, it is very narrow with a severe drop off on both sides. Also make sure to continue to trek up the path to the very top, again more treacherous & some rock climbing, but worth the effort!!

1000 feet elevation, 2 mi. trail, small parking lot but street parking is available. Try to start at 8-9 am. The uphill climb took us ~2 hrs. Most of the trail is shaded/lightly shaded. Bring a trekking pole or choose a sturdy branch left by other hikers near the mailbox at the trailhead. Being lots of water and enjoy!

Pretty easy trail, about 1.5 miles from the base to the top. When you get to the picnic tables, take the small trail to the left to get the great views from the top. There is one 10 foot section that is a little tough, but well worth it to get the view.

Great hike, gives you a nice workout, with only one area that you need to scramble on. It is listed as one of the hardest on the easy list. If you are a hiker and like a bit of a challenge this is for you. Beautiful views, can be slippery if wet.

The last hike of our trip and we had to conquer it. Yes we did. Some tricky spots but otherwise a nice hike.
Highly recommend for the views of Kapa'a and the ocean.

Go past the picnic table to the very top where there are beautiful 360˚ views! Take water and a snack for the top!

The two mile East trail is easy to follow and has parts that are muddy and it hadn't rained in a few days. After a rain it would be fairly muddy and slick. We are in our sixties and had to no issues. At the top you get an excellent view of entire area.

I really loved this trail! It was easy to access, fun to climb and had just the right element of difficulty to make it really seem like you were burning some calories! The view was INCREDIBLE!! Go early because the little parking lot fills up fast. Bring water!! ..and of course, proper footwear.

We started at the west trailhead on Lokelani — don’t listen to Google Maps when it tells you to turn, just stay on Lokelani and you’ll dead end at the tiny parking area. Super muddy, beautiful views, and not too crowded. Be prepared for a couple of brief scrambles before the top.

I was a bit concerned about the steepness and exposure of the Sleeping Giant trail. Nounou west trail was supposed to be treed. We started out on Kuamo’o Nounou trail due to bad research. This is a very dark trail that leads to the Nounou West trail. Suggest trying the Nounou West trail (it’s on google maps) if you want a shady trail. Luckily for us, it had been dry for at least a couple of days so the mud was manageable. There are tree branches left by other hikers if you want a walking stick. Enjoy.

Fun for the whole fam. Ages 5-15. They all loved it. Great place for a sunrise hike, and great even if you miss the sunrise (we got to the top shortly after the sun rose above the horizon - still beautiful). Some small amount of scrambling over rocky hillside, and if you’re adventurous, going out on the ledge at the top. You can get some amazing views even if you’re not feeling up to going out on the ledge as well.

This is a fairly easy hike but we went close to lunch time - hot and you are constantly ascending - hard! Way to took us (late 20s/30s) about 1 hour and it was pretty tough. We only took just over 1L of water and that was not enough for this hot part of the day but we did stop regularly.

When you get to the first sign on the hike at what seems like 1000miles but is only .5miles! You go right and climb a rock face then continue right! It seems wrong because you start going down hill but I assure you it is correct.

At what seems to be the top you reach an are with picnic tables - keep going! Go through the table and head left and down you will see a clear narrow path and then rocks and if you climb (quite easy) then you will be at the very top and be able to see the full view!

Some great views along the way so don’t feel disheartened it you can’t make it as you are still getting a great look!

Take salty snacks to rehydrate and something to keep you going along with weather protection and closed shoes

Our family of 5 with 2 teens and an 11 yr old completed the hike in about 2.5 hrs. It was moist, sloppy and slippery. Make sure you bring lots of water, good grippy shoes and use a walking stick. Prepare to get very muddy. We are moderately skilled, fit and have done a lot of hikes and think this one was one of the most challenging. Older and younger people might not be able to do it due to some of the rock climbing involved. As well, narrow sections with very scary, steep drops on one of both sides will make you think twice. Once you’ve reached the top though, the view is spectacular, however you don’t see much on the way up due to the high brush and constant looking at your feet to make sure you’re not going to trip and fall.

Great hike with wildflowers. The climb is to a rocky outcrop. We did not stand out on the edge as some people did but still had a wonderful 360 degree view. Don't miss the wind tunnel by going to the left right below the rocks at the top

Definitely was a harder hike than we were expecting- but at the same time we were not sure what to expect when comments such as "rock-climbing" were posted. The top was beautiful and the hike was well marked. Would say it is more moderately-hard than moderately-easy even for two younger and relatively healthy people.

The view from the top was awesome...breathtaking...unbelievable...or so my son told me. This is a healthy, say challenging hike. Well worth it for those that can scale the peak. Sadly not all of us were up to the task. That's ok, we got shave ice while they were all sweating like pigs. It is a great hike, but not for the feint of heart. The views from half way up were worth the effort. Glad my son made it to the top...so I have pictures to see the view. ;-)

This is a great length for a hike, about 2 miles up and down. It took us 45 minutes up and about 35 minutes down. Parts are pretty steep but the views make it so worth it. One of my favourites in quite a while. A fantastic way to spend 2 hours. I'd HIGHLY recommend.

My wife and I hiked this trail early in the morning (6:30) to avoid the heat. Nice hike, somewhat strenuous, but not overly so. We are both in our early sixties and hiked it roundtrip in a little over 2 hours, which included some time to take pictures along the way and at the top. Make sure you take some water with you, and follow the main trail.

We did this hike from the east side, it took us about 2 hours in total, up down and time taking pics at the top. There are lots of shady points to catch your breath. We did it in the middle of the day and was very hot, so maybe do earlier or later when cooler and make sure you wear trainers. At the top you do have to climb up the rocks and just before the very top, you see a pathway to the left which leads you directly under the top rock and is like a wind tunnel, which is fab for cooling you down, keep your eye out as it’s hard to miss!

Definitely strenuous, but worth the effort. We're late 50s, early 60s in decent shape. Wish I had my poles with me! It's really doable without, but would have been nice. Slippery in some places so be careful. Lots of younger folks barefooting it for better stability. Almost 360 view of the area.

I hike sleeping giant each time I travel to Kauai which is 2-3 times per year. If you hike early it not too hot and mostly shady. Great hike for fitness and very scenic. It is about 1.5 miles up and you should go all the way to the chin and forehead past the tables. Be very careful if you go to top.I recommend the hike.

Parking is a little tight and the navigator does know where the trail head is. The hike to the picnic table is 1.7 miles uphill with a couple rocky scrambles. If you walk another ten minutes you can hike to the top and stand on the precipice. We didn't because of the heat and our water bottles were empty.

After reading all the reviews, we debated about whether to attempt the west or front trail. We could see the road to the east trail was all backed up so that wasn’t an option. We are fit 60 year olds but I have trouble descending steep slippery trails, even in boots and with hiking poles. Our first attempt was the front trail but hit a very muddy section at the beginning and turned around. The west trail was actually mostly dry with just a few damp spots. Funny thing is, it joins the front trail in .25 mi. after which the steep section begins, so on the front trail you end up hiking a much longer (almost 2 miles) flat section. The hardest part is getting up a 3 ft rock. There is a nice view of Hanalei Valley and Bay, but the view of the east side from the pavilion is unfortunately obstructed by tall bushes. We chose not to go out on the spur to see the 360 degree view. Coming down was actually much easier than I had imagined it would be. There are footholds and roots on the steep slippery portions. Hiking poles make it much easier.

There is an almost 700' elevation gain in a mile from the East trailhead. The trail can be slippery even if it hasn't rained. This trail is not for the faint of heart! There are some gorgeous views.

The trail will take some effort and need to have enough water when the sun is on. But the view are priceless.

Sleeping giant trail was worth the 2 mile hike the 360 views on top made it worth it! Hiked up the east side trail and there was a sign that said left side shelter to go to the top of mountain to see the views and then right is west side trail. Make sure to bring lots of water.

Sweet views, STEEP trail, one of the better hikes on Kauai. We parked a car at the end of the trail, recommend if possible.

We attempted to do this hike at sunrise but got a bit of a late start from Princeville. Although the sun was rising as we were hiking, it was still a great experience, not too hard and just take your time going up. Nice rewarding views towards Kapaa from the bench at the top. If you decide to go further it is a bit exposed and windy but not too bad. The views are great.

This is a hike/climb with 2-3 minor rock 6ft climbing sections, total of over 1,000ft assent.

I would suggest planning for to be on trail for 2-3+ hours depending on your fitness condition.

Bring good hiking shoes, (leave your Zumba shoes at home), plenty of water, and maybe even some salty snacks, beef jerky etc.

Do this hike before tackling the mini 2mi Kalalau Trail.

This was such a great hike! My husband and I aren’t avid hikers but made it up the trail to the very top. I would consider this an easy hike for seasoned hikers and a moderate hike for people who have never hiked before. There are a couple of good spots along the way to stop and take a breather. Also lots of shade which we were thankful for. There are some spots you need to do minor rock climbing and coming down was harder than going up. The end of the trail is when you get to a couple of picnic tables under a covered roof. However, you can keep going to the “sleeping giant’s chin”. The trail becomes narrow, and if it rained recently, quite muddy. However, if you youuthat far, you won’t be disappointed. The views of the east coast are amazing!

My wife did this hike a couple of weeks ago. Great place for a photo opp at the end. I don't love heights, but was able to do all of this hike no problem at all. Beautiful scenery. It gets wet there often, so can feel pretty humid. We each took a couple small bottles of water and it was more then enough. Would definitely do it again.

Fun trail and not too difficult—except when it rains! Normally going back down is easier but this time we had to go slower as the Heavens opened up and made everything pretty slippery. We couldn’t find parking so had a family member drop us off and pick us up.

Hiked up the east side of the trail. Great views from the top. Trail is switch backs and some rocky climbs at the end to see the views. 31/2 miles total.

We started the hike on the eastern side which is where google maps told us to go. There maybe another path that starts on the west side (at least that is what we heard). The elevation climb was not that difficult. What could be a problem for some is the amount of rocks and tree roots along the trail. If you are worried about maintaining your footing this may not be the hike for you. Definitely do not go there with flip flops. As stated the view is worth the work and the hike takes about an hour up and 45 back at least from where we started.

It is not easy hike but it is also not the most demanding. It is worth the climb. The view from the top is amazing. You can see most of the east Kauai. And on the way there are some guava trees and if you are lucky with some little guavas on it.
Because it can be muddy I would recommend hiking boots. We also have hiking poles and they were quite useful.

Good trail with great views. Parts of the trail are VERY muddy. It took us about an hour to hike to the top.

As a Colorado native I was excited to hear about this trail - good incline - amazing panoramic views with a couple challenging rocks to climb over then head left and get the cave at the final view point.

A bit muddy and slippery on the way down but very manageable

Only challenge was having the trail not well marked in the beginning led us off track for about a mile on another track until we found another hiker -

Just keep going up in the beginning - the big trees show the way-don't get sidetracked by the trail marker that says 2 miles.

We ran most of the way up and took us about 40 minutes up and 20 minutes down.

We walked this trail three years ago and this time it was impossible to walk given the wetness of the trail. The trail was so muddy you could not get a grip and we turned around after walking for ten minutes. If it has been a rainy, do not bother to walk this trail.

Its harder than you might think so wear good shoes. No slippers (flip flops). It can be hot so wear a hat. The views are incredible and the path is well marked. Definitely bring water to drink!!

The weather was crappy for beach activities when we were in Kauai. Thus, we ended up hiking. This was a fun trail with nice views at the top. The last mile is pretty tough, but not too difficult on the rest of the trail.

This was a fun, moderate trail with a little bit of scrambling in just a couple places. The place we were staying was closer to the East Trail, so that’s the route we took. There is a small parking lot.

Signs mark the beginning of the trail and there are markers for every 1/4 of a mile. Honestly the beginning of the hike is steep and a little more rocky, but as you get closer to the top the path is smoother.

Like others have said, when you get to the place where the picnic tables are, keep going! The best views are past this point- you’ll see the path that leads to the ridge to the left as you get up to the picnic covering. Once along the ridge, I’d stay to the right. There is a little bit of scrambling you may have to do, but the views are worth it!

I can see how this trail could be muddy after a rain, but when we went it was dry. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and take water. It took us 2 hours and 40 min, but we stopped and took lots of pictures. We also went all the way to the ridge. If we just did up to the picnic tables and back it would have been 2 hours.

My Grandaughter did this trail in about 3 hours and took many great pictures i think this trail is good for Family or Couples as long as there is not a lot of Rain trails can get muddy

We so enjoyed this hike. It is moderate with some good hills and any decent hiker should be able to do this trail with ease. You get a good workout and should be extra careful if it's wet

The East trail has the nicest views on the way up-down. Slippery on the top third after rainfall. The last section from the picnic table / shelter is not nearly as death defying as the guidebook makes it out to be, and the views from the top are fantastic.

Sleeping Giant above Kapa'a town is a relatively moderate climb, with plenty of views at and near the top.
Bring water, bc it's warm and humid, be ready for muddy and slippery towards the bottom, and bring camera for the views!

We began this hike earlier today at about 4:25pm and hit our turnaround point at about 5:30pm.

We started at the trailhead at about 155 feet elevation and stopped at about 1,165 feet or roughly about a 1,000 foot elevation gain. I say roughly because my iphone 15 and my Gaia Map app do not agree exactly.

It is a fairly even climb generally. There were markers at the 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mile points, but nothing after that.

At 5:17pm (47min) we reached the fork to Nou Nou West Trail, but continued on.

Shortly after that we met a guy who told us we were only about 10 minutes from the top, but to be sure to continue past the covered picnic tables. Pass the tables, we descended for 1-2 minutes before climbing again. At about 6-7 minutes past we started a steeper climb on rocks. At about 10 minutes past the tables we climbed steeply to the top of the rocks. We could have continued on to our right, but we called it quits as we did not want get back in the dark. We had gone about 1.8 miles. We spent a solid 5 minutes or so on top before heading back down.

I regret not snapping a pic of the distances which would be much more informative.

The climb was very nice as we had very little sun on us the whole time. While much of the trail would be shaded anyway, a significant portion would not be. As it turns out, we did not need hats at all this late in the day.

We hit the trailhead sign again at about 6:35pm. I took most of my pics on the way down so it took at least 5-10 minutes longer going down.

We very much loved this hike. I rated it 5 in the context of its beauty, especially its views, and decent challenge of almost 4 miles round trip at OUR STOPPING POINT and a 1000 foot elevation change. Had we more time, we definitely would have continued further. Our ages average 60 and we are semi-active in general.

Great hike, good times, amazing views. Worth the work up the gradual inclines. Lots of good restaurants nearby for celebration after. Bring water and wear good shoes, for best results. And you’ll want your camera

We thought... oh, we have an hour, let's hike up there. The hike starts as a beginner trail in the middle of a random neighborhood (the north trail). After about 20 mins you are seriously climbing. The trail is great but many roots and lots of dirt (so it would be terrible on a rainy day). The views were absolutely worth the work. However, give yourself at last an hour each way. Bring water.

We were lucky enough to have friends that live on the island within walking distance of the trailhead. We did this hike with a 4-year-old, a 7-year-old, and 4 adults. We did not go to the very top but enjoyed the hike up and the views from the top where the picnic tables are. When the mud is wet it can be slippery and there was one spot that required a large step up but I would recommend for an easier hike with a reward at the top.

Short drive to trail head; adequate parking, but no facilities. You need good hiking shoes/boots. The trail has three pretty steep sections that require hand holds. At about a half mile the trail to the left goes straight up, the trail to the right goes down slightly. GO TO THE RIGHT. There is a picnic table near the top. Some stop there. The last section is very steep. I would not do this hike if it was wet. View from top was good. Total time up and down, three hours.

Tough but fun trail. Could get slick in the rain as it is quite steep and the trail is mostly mud. We enjoyed it and the views towards and at the top are quite amazing.

If you are into hiking and want to brush up skills this hike is great. Well marked trail I consider moderate with a couple of challenging spots and a rewarding view. We went early AM with minimal hiker traffic. I am a runner and 59 years old.

This is a good hike if you have limited time. The trails are well marked with rest stops along the way. If you get out of the trail into the forest there is some rock climbing to do. Beautiful birds & green lizards.

This is a moderately difficult hike. The trail is fairly wide and it's mostly uphill with only a few level spots. It was not muddy the day we went so we had no problem with footing. The views at the top were very nice and worth the effort to get there.

This is a great workout. We didn’t listen to reviews and went in the middle of the day - IT WAS HOT! It was a definitely a good workout and would be slippery if it was wet. Bring plenty of water - you will want it. Great way to work off a few calories from all the delicious food and drinks!

Really enjoyed this hike. It started raining on the way down, so it was a little slippery. We found out later that we had taken the steeper hike, but still worth it.

Great hike. Moderate in ease level but worth the views at the top and along the way! Fairly complicated to find the entrance to hike and parking limited in the area

Try to do this hike a little before sunrise and you will not be disappointed! Its an easy hike. There are a lot of different types of trees to look at on your way down when it is lighter. Mosquitos we not an issue but bring bug spray just incase.

It's a well marked trail but finding parking is difficult due to the limited number of parking spaces.

Although the hike was muddy because of hurricane Olivia rains, the trails were narrow in some places, and were well kept and groomed. Would be nice to have a marker at the top to describe the aspects of the view and the Trail itself.

This is a great hike. Was a bit steep for me to climb all the way but went as high as I could. The views are awesome. Do take water with you. My grandson got himself worn out and fell asleep in the car and when we got back to our hotel, he slept the rest of the night! He was knocked out. Maybe next time, we'll make it to the top. lol

A small hike with many meters of altitude guarantee a gigantic view of the land to the sea. Medium difficulty, challenging is a climbing point on the rocky slope. On the top a small picnic area, to the left of it a viewing area to enjoy.

I hiked the sleeping giant in a cloudy day, which is about everyday on Kauai:). This is a nice moderate hike. Not too strenuous, but it is uphill. There are some parts that require climbing up on some rocks, which was fun. It started drizzling on the way up and rained harder on the way down. Hiking in the rain felt like an adventure!

I saw a couple of folks hiking in sandals and flip flops. Definitely would not recommend that in this hike or any other hike.

This is a must do if you like to hike and want some great views of Kapp'a. The hike is only about 2 miles round trip, but the humidity and parts of the trail are rugged, so you will sweat! The view is worth every ounce of sweat, just make sure and take some water with you.

Trail very nice, expect mud, slippery, some straight up section with narrow footings but doable for beginners. Not recommended for very young children. Expect muscle aches after coming back down... by parking there is screwdriver, and spatula to take major mud off shoes... bring water... View on top is amazing!!!!! This is a MUST TRAIL!!!!! If you came all the way to Kauai and you do not do this trail you missed it all.

Steep uphill. We took the East trail. There is also access by West trail or South. Go for East or West. Amazing Views from the peak. Not much of a jungle trip, a bit dryer on this hike.

Getting to the top of this trail you are rewarded with stunning views. It is a trek though! If it rains it’s going to be a muddy, slick walk. Add that to some pretty steep sections and it is a hike to take seriously. Follow the signs, stay on the marked trails. Bring water and a snack and you are good!!

Embracing our jetlag, my husband and I woke up early to reach the top in time for sunrise. We are avid hikers in good shape, and were able to summit in less than an hour. Definitely hike past the picnic area and up to the nose/chin lookout. If you are doing this hike in time for sunrise, definitely bring headlamps! And in general - this is a hike, so wear appropriate footwear (sneakers or hiking boots...can't tell you how many people I saw stumbling in sandals). The views along the way down (once the sun were up) were beautiful as well.

Beautiful views!! This trail is VERY muddy. You need decent shoes aka hiking shoes. Do not attempt in sneakers, you will ruin your shoes. Small parking lot, get here early before it gets warm.

The West Trail of Sleeping Giant was a great hike to do at the end of the day! The trail is clearly marked and easy to follow. For anyone who has hiked before I would classify this hike as easy and for people who are new to hiking I would say the trail is moderate. The trail has a steady incline with some scrambling required to get to the top at the end of the trail, but it's worth it for the views! You will be rewarded with sweeping views all around and if you follow the side trail that goes left when you reach the top there is a cave/whole in the side of the mountain you can explore.

This is one of our favorite trails and we've done it twice now. Read the guidebooks about the different trail heads you can access to get to the view points. We did both the really long one and then a shorter but slightly steeper one. I'm rather short, so it was quite the climb in a couple of places but it is so worth it. We did NOT hike past the picnic tables, I've read too many reviews about it so I didn't want to risk any accidents just for a different viewpoint. The views from the landing at the tables is spectacular enough. I can hardly wait to go back to Kauai and do this trail again!

The hike is challenging but offers nice views. Bring water and good shoes. The view from the top is basically the same view as the views on the way up (although there is a view into an adjacent valley that is pretty).

This hike is around 4 miles RT. There are quite a few switchbacks to climb to the top but the trail itself is pretty smooth (not super rocky). You could not do it with a wheelchair though. When you get to the top, you can see all around the entire island almost! Go early as it gets hot!

This hike is not too difficult. I wouldn't categorize it as easy because it has some hills but it's doable for anyone in decent shape.

This an excellent hike. We went with COCO who did an excellent job. We went to the top and got great pics.

Expect to get muddy/where runners! Make sure you keep walking after the picnic tables as the last 15 min. Is the best view! There are some challenges but with help in some spots it isnt too hard for kids 7+. The mud gets slippery so take a walking stick that are piled up at the front entrance! It really helps!!! Enjoy

This small mountain has much to offer. It has a fun trail, it is strenuous enough to provide exercise, and it has excellent views from the summit (the Giant's "head") and from a nearby outcrop (the Giant's "chin"). And it's just minutes from the airport or from the Kauai Beach Resort. I stayed in Kauai for a week and climbed it three times. With a slower partner the round trip took just over 2.5 hours, but when I did it solo my round trip took just one hour and ten minutes.

Most of the trail is easy, some moderate, and a couple portions could rate difficult (especially the on the decent). The views of the eastern coast and adjacent valleys are spectacular. I DO NOT recommend the trail for small children, or pre-teens for that matter. There are a few drop offs that you do not want small children bouncing around. The ascent from the east trail has openings in the tree line for great photo ops.

Super fun hike. We did it in about 2.25 hours. It is pretty uphill, little slippery, and some minor climbing. Totally worth it. Make sure to check out the wind tunnel and higher, which are past the picnic area. 360 beautiful views at the top. We did the East trail.

My wife and I took this hike , I believe 2.6 miles. It was hot and took longer than we thought it would because we asked some young couple how long it took them and they said one hour up and one hour down the hill, it took my wife and I one and a half hours up and one and a half hours down = three hours along the way we met some very nice people a woman 6 month pregnant an older lady with a cane ( approx. 65 years old) and a family that encouraged us to go to the Chin of the sleeping giant which we did and when we go to the chin there was a young teenage girl dangling her feet over the cliff of the Chin. It is such a beautiful site from the top , it is a tiresome going up hill and slippery in some areas where rain water may have accumulated over night but the reward once you are there is well worth it, There is a picnic area with picnic tables about 10 minutes from the top if you wish to rest and take a water break. The view from the top you can see for miles, what a magnificent view of the beach and cost line. My wife and I look forward to our next trip to Kauai so we can do it all over again.

This hike was just perfect! Just difficult enough to get some good exercise but not so hard that you are burnt out when you are done! The views are amazing at several stops along the way!

East trailhead is a 3.5 mile round trip, strenuous climb up then down the mountain. Well worth the time and exertion. When you reach the top be sure to go all the way to the cave and archway for the best views. We could see diamond head mountain in the horizon.

This is a great trail very close to the town of Kapaa. It is also known as the Nounou trail. It has a pretty rapid climb at first but there are beautiful ocean views! There is a small covered picnic table near the top. When you arrive at the top don't forget to take the small trail that goes to the left. There are some pretty awesome wind caves there! The trail is about 2 miles (4 round trip). Beautiful views at the top!

Wear sturdy shoes, bring a hiking stick (just for balance in case there are muddy sections), and by all means: bring a camera!! If you aren't sweating bullets on this hike by the time you get to the top, you took a remarkably relaxing pace. But regardless: you will be rewarded with 360-degree views when you get to the 'chin' or 'nose' (you decide).

Nice easy hike, great views, parking limited to get there early. For the adventurous, you can hike down to waterfall so bring your swimsuit and towels.

If you're fresh on the island this is a very good initial trail to get your heart rate up. Steady incline the whole way, but nothing that will hurt you. Ensure you stay on the trail as we took a turn and ended up climbing a sketchy rock face! At the top there's a picnic table and an ok lookout, but in order to get the magnificent view you'll have to do a bit of climbing. Head to the trail on the right hand side from the lookout. *Not recommended for very young children or the elderly.*

I spontaneously accepted an invite from a very new friend to watch the sunrise with him up on Sleeping Giant the next morning, and so after a coffee at 440am I was ready to be picked up & driven to a trail to begin the adventure. Headlamps and all, we headed up the trail in the pre dawn darkness, it was pleasantly challenging due to the lack of light but not too bad. Watching the sunrise at the very top was a truly breathtaking & spiritual experience - the very thing I needed to remind me that I am so much more capable & connected than I sometimes feel in my “real” life where the minutiae of life can be overwhelming. I highly recommend this experience & I hope to do it again in 2020 when I return to Kauai 💜

Trail head has a parking lot. Decently steep with a few rocks to climb 5-10min in and then again to get to the tippy top. Worth the hike and climibing for the great views!

Trail (medium difficulty) that takes about 1 hr at a normal pace to go up. The last leg involves narrow trails and a 20 ft climb but nothing insane. The view at the peak is amazing and worth the time! I decided to run down the trail and by no means am I an athlete...took 27 mins at a decent pace. There is a small covered area near the top that offers shelter from the sun and tables/benches for a picnic. They say it can be muddy after a rain which would I could see would make it more difficult. Parking is very limited at the base and recommend catching a ride...we used Uber/Lyft.

East trail starts from a small parking area. The walk is hot on a hot day but there is a often a nice breeze which really helps. The hike goes to a picnic table area with a fair view. It goes on from there to a couple of spots with more spectacular views. Some may find the trail too scary to go to the end. There were also a few spots on the trail where we had to scramble up some short rocky areas. Easy for young people, impassable for those with any balance issues. Great views along the way and at the top.

Hiked the Sleeping Giant even though it was pretty daunting from the parking area. Lots of elevation gain so a little challenging but we enjoyed and the views from the summit are so cool.

We stumbled across this hike. Very moderate hike. Definitely go to the very top, you have to climb some boulders, not too tough to see the amazing 360views. We chose the pine forest route... loved it.

This hike was tough and for most average citizens that do not hike regularly, perhaps too much. The trail was very muddy, slippery, and very step in spots. You will need all 4 points of contact in areas. Many around me fell in the mud, and not so gracefully. Prepare to get muddy!

The view was amazing but I would honestly think twice before bringing young children or older folks that may not be able to maneuver up and down the trail.

The trail at the top between viewpoints was very narrow, rocky, and slippery. While nice weather down below rain moved in while at the summit.

If you are in descent physical shape, prepared with good hiking footwear and perhaps a walking stick, and not afraid of heights, I say Go For It! I loved it. It was amazing. But every review I read completely underestimated the level of difficulty.

Oh bring 2 bottles of water each and some energy snacks. You will thank me.

Oh, one last thing, don't miss the cave down under the N side of the rocky out cropping at the top. There is a narrow trail that goes down to the left of the main trail at the top. It will take you down to the caves in just a very short distance. Good luck and have fun!!

A wonderful view from the top, but a bit of a hairy climb, especially if it's been raining recently. Totally worth it, however.

Beautiful, make sure you stay on the trail and don't wander off on any pig trails. Some other hikers did and said they were clinging to trees on the side of the mountain. Muddy and pretty steep in places, but a pleasant hike. The giant's "nose" blew off in a storm, according to our kayak tour guide, but you still are able to hike to his forehead.

We did this hike from the East trailhead. This hike is not too long (about four miles...two miles out and back), but it isn't the easiest. Bring plenty of water! There is one small rock to climb up on the main trail, other than that, the trail to the picnic tables is solid. Our guide book made it sound like it was on a cliff's edge, but it's fine. I'm a timid hiker and I made it to the top of the Giant's chin too. However, it does have a cliff's edge so be careful up there. There was also a swarm of insects....(possibly bees) that flew over at the top..not sure if they have a nest up there or were just passing through.

It was a steady sharp incline a lot of the way up- a good workout. Highly recommend this trail. If it had been raining, this would have been a very difficult hike.

My wife and I decided to check out Kauai since we usually just go to Oahu. As this is the ‘garden island’ we decided to check out the Sleeping Giant trail. As trails go, it didn’t take too long and the views were spectacular. It wasn’t too crowded and many of the people we met at the near top shelter had hiked it before. It was a bit vertical but it only took about an hour each way. Also, on the way there we heard on the radio how fungus being transferred on your shoes could kill some of the tree population. They have a brush and bottle of alcohol at the trail head for before and after but it was empty. Please BYO.

The best part was my wife does not like camping or anything related to it. She is not a hiker and had to pick up some cheap shoes at the local Walmart for traction and for something that can get muddy. Picture Meredith in Parent Trap. Her comments on every step were entertaining. She was a fun sport about ‘enjoying’ nature. All I needed was a gecko. 🤣

Yes, I’d do it again, though it would have to be by myself 😏.

we had so much fun on this trail. enjoyed the hike and the scenery hawaii has such beautiful mountain side and ocean views

Fantastic views. Moderately difficult with a rapid 1000ft ascent in the first bit as you leave the parking lot. Terrific views on the way up and at the top. Lots of mud and slippy areas so good shoes are best. 1 hour up and about the same down at a easy pace

This is an amazing hike with breathtaking views. Was a bit tough, and very muddy in some sections, but well worth it! Dress accordingly, and wear proper footwear. We passed some people in flip flops that would just make it more difficult.

Not an easy hike. If you scared of heights, it is not for you. It takes 1.5 - 2.0 hours round trip if you are in shape. Bad idea for kids under 10.

The trail is mostly easy walking, but you are walking up hill going to the top. Only one place on the trail was a little hairy. It appeared the trail had washed away and we had to climb a rock wall. The views on top are amazing.

we hiked the trail and started from the east trailhead. It was steep and little tough going but the views were dramatic. The drop offs along the side where steep in places. You could see the entire series east side of the island.

I hiked Sleeping Giant when I was in Kapaa two years ago and enjoyed it just as much this time. One of the best hikes and views on the island.

I promise a trek you will not forget as you enjoy the beauty of Kauai from on top. This hike is worth you time, effort, and commitment to be able to see out from the Garden Island into the beautiful sea and wonder at its creation. Enjoy this!

I must first confess that I didn’t have hiking shoes which I would highly recommend for this hike! My Tevas were trashed. In fact, given the muddy trail- only wear things you don’t mind if they get stained red from the soil. There are some small but vertical- scrambles over rock. Again, all of the hike is doable even for novices- but having the right shoes is key as well as packing enough water.
The views from the top were worth it!

One of the highlights of our trip to Kauai! This is a 2 mile hike up a mountain with parts at the end that require some rock climbing if you go that far up. It's worth it to stand on top of the rock overlooking the valley and ocean below! Wow! Lot's easier going down than up...but still somewhat of a challenge.

Hike is not too challenging, until you get past the picnic table. The Ultimate Guide Book recommends not going further. It was dry and calm so we did. The walk along the spine of the hill was wide enough that I did not get vertigo but then there is the rock wall to climb up with a fatal fall to inspire caution. Then on top of the "face" I wanted to crawl on hands and knees. We did not go to the "chin" because some bozo was doing yoga poses (no thanks). It was exciting and the view was great- I can say I did it once. A safer hike with a better view is the Koke'e rim trail at the end of the Waimea canyon road.

It would be nice when clicking on and item like this if there was a little overview to accompany the title.

My husband and I went on the East Trail yesterday. 4/16/23 After reading some of the reviews about all the mud we almost didn't go....So glad we did. Very little mud actually. It's about a 5 mile RT hike. Some sections are a bit challenging to go up to the next level so be prepared to wear the proper shoes and bring a good amount of water and maybe even a snack. The views along the way are beautiful esp the accomplishment of getting to the top if you are determined! You'll see lots of foliage, some wild flowers, birds and of course the Kauai Roosters! Enjoy!

Great hike. Our two teenage boys started on east side and came down the west and loved the different views (of course they had us to pick up at different points). Moderate hike with gradual inclines and great views at the top! Slightly muddy but not slippery and boggy. Be sure and follow signage or can easily end of on wrong path. The boys loved this hike.

I'd read a blog article that this was one of the easiest hikes on Kauai. It is NOT (unless you're an expert-level hiker). It is continuously uphill and, at the end, has some serious rock scrambling to get up. But the views from the top are totally worth it. Bring plenty of water, wear good shoes, and bring a snack for energy.

My daughter and I decided to hike the out and back trail before dinner on a Wednesday afternoon. Weather looked favorable so we gave it a go. The first part of the trail is the steepest for the shortest distance, it levels out a bit afterwards, even though thete were plenty of twists, turns, steps, climbs and some bouldering closer to the top. Beautiful views at almost every look out area. There is a bit of a false top, with a picnic table and shelter, but if you keep trekking a but further, you get the true top and amazing views. The cave at the top is a welcome cool temperature. It took us about 3 hours total but it can be done in less if you are moving at a faster pace. Absolutely a must for the adventurous.

So I am 41 and very active. I enjoyed this hike but I wouldn’t say it was easy. If you are afraid of heights I wouldn’t recommend this hike. The day we got home from Kauai someone had fallen and passed away on this hike so it is no joke!

We had wanted to hike this trail for years. Finally had the opportunity, but I, personally, found it too challenging to complete…and I’m in excellent health and am quite fit. It just had parts that I did not feel comfortable trying (like climbing a rock ledge). My husband could have done it and I told him to go on without me, but he ejected to go back down with me. We did get one pretty nice view, though. This was the popular East trail.
Then we tried the “easy” Nounou trail. That had its own set of challenges. It’s a tangle of tree roots and wet leaves in a forest. We did get up to the inland view, which was okay, and then continued on for a while through the bamboo forest. When we realized we were actually headed downhill and that this trail would meet up with the East trail, we turned around. We both had quite a few slips on this trail because of the terrain. So it turned out that, overall, this wasn’t for us (though mostly me).

Sleeping Giant offers great views over the Kapaa area. Save for one difficult rock climb near the halfway point, it's a fairly easy trail. Allow 2 hrs round trip.

This is a beautiful Hike that is early accessible from the town. Panoramic views from the summit are available. It was fairly crowded when we went but still very enjoyable. Probably going in the earlier morning would be a good idea as it was quite warm when we went in April as well. But there are lots of shady points and areas to sit in the shade. We noticed a lot of folks taking pictures at the "chin" and turning back. I'd highly suggest going all the way to the summit as the views are great from there on every direction and it's about three minutes further along the trail and marked. There were a couple places a person had to scramble up the rocks so maybe not as accessible for those with knee or other issues but most should find it to be a lovely shorter hike with great views.

Great trail - well marked and wide trails - Great view at the top. Well graded for all types of hikers.

Worth the climb to enjoy panoramic views of Kauai. Sleeping Giant East Trail has a small parking lot at it's base. The switch backs makes this a very doable trail for most. Towards the top, there was a few spots where we needed to rock scramble. No permit required so we were able to enjoy this trail spur of the moment.

Took my adult kiddos to Kauai for a family getaway. Lots to do - one of which was walk up to the top of Sleeping Giant.

Any age but BE CAREFUL at the top. If you have any balance issues, do not go to top because if you fall, you are not surviving and it's quite dangerous footing.

Beautiful views.

Loved it!

Great, quick hike, with good elevation, good off-trail paths up to the "Nostril." Beautiful vistas, not too taxing. Even though it says 4 miles, my phone tracker had it at over 5 miles.

We hiked past the picnic shelter to the 'face' of the giant. Only do so in dry conditions. This is a nice hike, but bring and use your bug spray.

I suggest you be in good physical condition to do this hike. This is a steep hike and steady climb with a rapid ascent to the top. We were lucky it was a clear day but I could see if it was wet how almost impossible it would be to hike. Hiking poles are your best friend on this hike, without them not sure how I would have done. There is some rock scrambling at a point, nothing crazy but you will have to confront it.

The views are incredible along the way. Once you hit the picnic table do go past to the very top. I made it almost to the top but got intimidated at the end where you had to ascend a scary looking rock section. My husband did make it to the top and said it was amazing. Going down was easier but the hiking poles, as I said before, were a godsend. We did see a young adult man sitting on the side of the trail halfway down, not looking so good, red faced, sweating, breathing heavily. We hope he was okay, that just goes to show this hike is not for the beginner.

You can hike from the West or from the East on this trail. I chose the east side, maybe more demanding. It's not complicated but not so easy too, have good shoes and water. At the beginning I thought I would do a gentle walk but it's really a path for small trek. Several ways can make you disorientated sometimes, but nothing wrong.The views at 360° (250°because the trees) at the top are really beautiful : the West mountains and the complete East coast.
There is table to picnic at the end, but remember that you are on a sacred site...

Great views, up hill all the way to the top! Definitely not an easy hike, but totally worth the views. Once you make it to the top keep going past the picnic tables, you will not be disappointed- there is a 360 degree view at the top.

I've hiked Sleeping Giant twice, both times in mid day heat (you think I'd learn!), but it's worth it when you get to the top. So far I've only done the East side trail, but this week I'm going to do the West side trail. It's shorter, but steeper.

Mid challenging, fantastic 360 degree panorama on the top. Worth to hike!
Could be muddy and slippery After rainfalls.

Challenging climb with the reward of incredible views. The East trail takes you on a steady climb up the mountain but the journey through the dense forest is a beautiful hike in itself. The trail has a lot of exposed roots & rocks to navigate, so a slower pace is expected. Not to mention the 600+ feet of elevation gain. Overall I would classify this trail as moderate to strenuous. Recommended!!

I hiked the Sleeping Giant Trail from the east and have to say the trail was much better than I had expected! I did this near the end of my trip when we were running out of things to do, but really it should be high on your list of things to do!

The trail is rated as difficult on some websites, which is definitely not true. I would rate this as easy to moderate if you are into hiking, and moderate if not. 1,000ft elevation is not a lot and it is fairly gradual at that. It took me about 1.5 hours up and down, plus some time at the top for photos.

The views on this trail get better and better as you climb higher. You will keep stopping for photos, but undoubtedly the best photos are from the top. That being said, THE TOP IS NOT THE PICNIC TABLE! Nearly everybody I saw stopped at the picnic table and they missed out on the absolute showstopping view at the tippy top. Admittedly, the very top of this hike is quite precarious and involves some steep scrambling. I was actually a little uneasy when I stood on the rock edge overlooking the view as death would be guaranteed if you fell, but man it is worth it. I definitely wouldn't recommend going to the top with children, but if you are all adults I highly recommend it. The views are absolutely stunning.

Also, be careful to stay on the correct path if hiking from the east. You will come across some signs saying stick to the path, then there are two paths to choose from. I got confused and went the wrong way. I only know this because the way I went got progressively more technical, to the point I was basically rock climbing a near vertical rock face. I felt committed at this stage though, so soldiered on, but really I should have turned back as it got very slippy and dangerous. Make sure you follow the arrows and avoid this route! That being said, it definitely shortened the hike considerably. I was at the top in probably 40 minutes while it takes most an hour or more. I came back down the correct way and it took WAY longer but was much safer.

For such a low elevation, the hike was surprisingly challenging. The humidity made the hike a challenge. Bring plenty of water. There are a couple of rock scrambles that are moderately difficult for smaller children/teens. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear: no sandals! The view from the top makes the trek worth it. It's only about 10 minutes from the picnic tables to the top, but it's worth it. The view from picnic tables is blocked by trees.

One warning: on the way down, make sure you take the trail on the right to get back to the West trailhead. The fork is not marked. Don't let some in your group go ahead of the rest. Teenage son did so, took the left fork and ended up alone at the East trailhead. It's a 20 minute drive from west to east trailheads!

Be sure to start at the trail head depending on the length of hike you want to take.
One year we took a short hike, which was a very nice and took a short time; another year we started from a different area and took a long time. The long hike can be a very good workout. Be sure to bring water and have trail snacks.

This was one of my favorite experiences on our 12-day honeymoon in Kauai. We hiked the 2-mile trail up and down. Be prepared for lots of mud, bring snacks, and know that there is very steep climbing involved. My poor wife slipped on the mud twice and got a couple bruises, so take it slow!

Y son and I sprinted up this trail later in the afternoon and had a fun time. We got to the top in a little over an hour, but we hike quickly. There are great views along the way and at the top. Unfortunately, rain showers (and the threat of lightening) chased us off the summit and made the trail slick on the way down. Take the usual hiking gear (I.e., sunscreen, light jacket, water, a snack), and avoid the social trails that are causing erosion

We hiked the trail at noon. Definitely hot so pack extra water. The hike is about 1.5 miles to the picnic tables and then another 10-15 minted to the top. You will want to stop at the picnic, but don’t.

The parking lot for the hike is at the end of the residential neighborhood. Just continue going straight and you’ll see it.

I don’t hike much, so while people say it’s easy it’s not. It’s basically up hill the entire time. I would suggest doing it in the morning. Also, check the weather first because it will be extremely slick if it rains.

Very muddy and at times slippery but a good little hike to get the bloody running! Nice views from the top. About a 45 minute trip to the top, dont bother going ahead any further once you hit the picnic tables. There a two seperate entrances. Do not wear GOOD CLOTHES OR SHOES and take a big stick to walk with

Kaua'i.com has it's description wrong and misleading. To reach the summit from the gradual west side is approximately 6.5 miles. The listed 1.5 miles at the Kaua'i.com site is to reach an overlook with picnic tables. Not impressive overlook. Plus, you reach the trailhead from Kuamoo Road at about the 2.5 mile marker, not from Kamalu Road per Kaua'i.com. We got lost following the website directions, but luckily a local market helped us out. We also didn't make the summit as we didn't pack enough food and water for a 6.5 mile hike, thinking it was only 1.5 miles. Other hikers on the trail were confused like us.

Love this hike. You can stroll; or power hike it! Birds, views, views, views! (and wind! don't blow off!)

The first portion of this trail was quite a hike; very rocky and steep in places, plus one almost vertical climb up with decent foot and handholds from previous hikers, about six to seven feet. My husband and I relaxed a couple times to play it safe since it got hot pretty quick. About halfway up the trail got easier to navigate, and as multiple people have noted, the views are incredible at the top. We met a variety of people on the trail of all different ages and fitness levels, but definitely bring water and don't be afraid to stop and take a deep breath!

My family (husband and 2 teenagers) did this hike. The day we went was nice weather. We are active people (I work out 5-6 days a week)and in good shape. I have a small bit of fear of heights. The trail is described as moderate so I was excited to try. The first mile was a fun hike uphill. I reached a point with some climbing that I “froze” at and decided to call it and let my family continue onwards. I probably would have fainted had I gone on ahead from what my family described. Coming down was 10 times worse than going up. The trail was so slippery and muddy it was impossible to get footing. I had to give up and slide down on my bottom much of the way. This was the type of hike that coming down, I had no idea/recollection of coming up spots so steep. Covered in mud and dirt head to toe. Ruined our clothes. I know some people love this type of hike, it was just over my ability. Views were beautiful for sure. There is a pile of sticks to help you at the bottom of the trail - take one or two to help navigate the mud. And then head to Lydgate Park to wash it all off afterwards. A good adventure!

A fairly easy hike, gets a little steep in a few places. Very slippery when wet so be careful. Don't forget to look back as you are going up, beautiful views. Worth the hike to the top.

I would characterize it as a moderate climb. One hour up and one hour down. Plus it was only 10 minutes from our condo.

I didn't know anything about Sleeping Giant Trail except this: it was less than two miles from my hotel and less than four miles long. How could I not check it out?

And I was glad that I did. I had few hours to kill between the well-known irrigation ditch tubing tour and dinner. I found my way to the trailhead (East route) at 3:30 pm and got going. The trail is somewhat technical (lots of roots, some boulders to scramble up, moderate elevation gain). It was slippery the day I was there. Presumably it's often slippery, given the amount of rain on that part of Kauai; I wore running shoes that were stripped of tread and wished I'd worn hiking boots.

With all that said, it was a pretty hike, just challenging enough to be fun, plenty of flora and fauna to take in, with several scenic lookouts along the way. The top presents a rewarding view of the mountains, river, ocean. Would I drive an hour for this hike? No. Would I drive 20 minutes for it? Yes. It took me 90 minutes to complete, but consider 1) I was hiking solo and jogging the flatter dryer segments and 2) given my late start, the trail wasn't very crowded.

Just finished the EAST TRAIL. First things first: Bring water (at least 1L pP), wear good shoes as it is muddy, bring mosquito spray (or have it on you beforehand). Of course, it will get slippery when it rains (thank you captain obvious). As all trails do. If you're too fat, don't do the trail. Besides that, everyone who ever bought hiking shoes and they still fit can do this trail. It is not hard. When you reach the sign "stay on trail" with arrows to the right, go LEFT, it is easier. Climb a little upwards, then keep right, you will join the trail immediately after. If you can read "no" in pink on a rock, you've gone too far. Go a little back to join the trail. That way you don't need to climb a 2-3m rock. When you reach the chin, there is the most difficult part to climb (which is actually not difficult but that's how hard it will get), see picture. In all, the hardest thing is walking 1hr in the heat uphill. And the view is fantastic!

This was our last hike in Hawaii for this trip. Parking area is really small but we found a spot.
Nice trail, a couple of places where we actually had to climb up a near vertical. But to make up for that there are a couple of benches along the way to rest!
We didn't have time to go all the way but we were tired from several days of hiking, so we were ok with that.

I like to take the steep trail from Wailua House lots. It is very steep and not for small children but it is much faster than the Wailua homesteads trail. Make sure you continue past the pavilion at the top for the best views. Look for the hole in the mountain at the top.

My family of 5 hiked Sleeping Giant and luckily we all wore hiking boots -this is not a flip-flop hike, although we did see a man in his 70's run up and down in bare feet! It is steep in spots and VERY muddy (slippery) in areas. It's not a leisurely hike but fun!

This is a hike to a peak that looks out over Kauai in both directions.
The elevation is approximately 3,500 feet, so it's a pretty good climb, but average difficulty. Lots of mud, but it was totally worth it. I wore keens, which tended to trap little pebbles inside and rub blisters...I kind of think Teva style sandals would have been better. Flip flops won't work on this one.

A trail that could have been moderate got a little tricky due to rainfall and muddy, muddy trails! The trail offered several breathtaking views along the way and the 360* view from the top made sliding back down worth it! No restrooms and bring water and a snack. There is a picnic table just before you arrive at the very top to stop and take a quick break on the way up or back down.