Nounou Kuamoo


Location
East Side, Wailua Homesteads
Length
5 Miles Round-Trip
Topography
1,200 feet Elevation Gain through forested areas
Difficulty
Moderate
What to bring
Water, Hat, Sunscreen
Features
Picnic Table

The Nounou Kuamoo Trail is a favorite hike that will lead you over the Opaekaa Stream across a quaint wooden bridge and through a forest of strawberry guavas.  For a quick hike and nice picnic area you can stop at the covered picnic table at the .75 mile. This valley vista will reward you with views of Kalepa Ridge and upper Wailua Homestead. The Nounou Trail continues along the west side of Nounou Mountain and meets up with the west side trail at about 1.8 miles.

Past a grove of large bamboo, the Kuamoo Trail joins the Nounou West Trail in the beautiful cathedral forest of Cook Pines planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. At this intersection head up the mountain through the trail of Cook Pines.  As you make your way to the top you will find yourself surrounded by large pines, fragrant strawberry guava, wild orchids and eucalyptus trees.

At the top of the trail, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of mount Waialeale, Anahola’s Kong mountain, Wailua River Valley and the coastline from Kealia to Kalapaki,.  The picnic table at the top is a great rest spot for a picnic and shelter. You can continue on along the ridge toward the giant's head, but the trail becomes more difficult, and requires some climbing to traverse. At the end of this spectacular hike you will be treated to a 360-degree view of East side of Kauai.

The reason for the name "Sleeping Giant Trail " is because you will hike across the chest of the giants profile that is easily seen from the ocean side or Kapaa side of the mountain.

Hiking Trails

 

North Shore

East Side

South Side

West Side

Hanakapiai Trail

Kuilau Ridge

Mahaulepu

Awa Awa Puhi Trail

Kalalau Trail

Moalepe Trail

 

Kukui Trail

Okolehao Trail

Nounou East

 

Pihea Trail

Powerline Trail

Nounou West

 

Waimea Canyon Trail

 

Nounou Kuamoo

 

Waipoo Falls Trail

 

 

 

 

 

Beaches