This past winter, my husband and I took our 7-month-old to Kauai to show him one of our favorite places in the world. At the top of our list for activities was hiking the Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail in Ha’ena State Park, a hike we had attempted last time we visited but were prevented because of closed roads and heavy rains in the area.
And, I am so glad we finally got another chance to do it this February when traveling with our baby, as this is one of my favorite hikes on the planet.
This moderate to strenuous difficulty hike, depending on your perspective, is a 4-mile out-and-back trail (8 miles total) of incredible views of the Na Pali Coast, beautiful, lush surroundings deep in Hawaii’s tropical rainforest, and super fun stream crossings. Then, as the cherry on top, once you reach Hanakāpīʻai Falls, you are rewarded with a truly spectacular sight, a 300-foot (91 m) waterfall cascading down into a refreshing natural swimming pool.
Although this is a challenging hike, my perspective, and personal experience is that it is absolutely doable with an infant or children, if you make sure to keep a few things in mind when doing so.
Here are my top tips, and what to pack, for your Kauai hiking adventures with your kiddos:
1. Wear your Baby in a Hiking Backpack
This is a must-do for a fun and smooth adventure. Trust me, investing in a good-quality hiking backpack is a game-changer. Here’s why:
- Comfort for Both Parent and Baby: These backpacks are designed with proper ergonomic support, ensuring you can wear them all day and you’re not left with a sore back at the end of the hike. They’re also super comfy for your little one. Our baby loved it so much, he took two long naps during the hike to Hanakāpīʻai Falls!
- Ventilation: These backpacks are crafted to sit a few inches off your back, allowing airflow to keep you cool. No more being drenched in sweat halfway up the trail.
- Baby’s View: Babies love being at eye level where they can see everything around them. It’s like their own little adventure up there!
- Weather Protection: Most hiking backpacks come with attachable rain and sun covers to keep your baby safe from the elements, much needed in the unpredictable Kauai weather.
2. Bring More Than Enough Water
Bringing plenty of water should honestly be tip #1, especially when hiking in Kauai’s unpredictable climate.
Always pack more water than you think you’ll need because you never know how long the hike will take, what the weather is going to do, and what delays you’ll have on the trail (see blowouts below for our fun delay 😊). Better to have too much than too little!
3. Plan for More Time Than You Think You’ll Need
Hiking with a baby is significantly slower than hiking solo. Even with your little one snug in a backpack, you’ll move slower due to diaper changes, snack breaks, and navigating rough terrain with the extra weight.
For example, our hike to Hanakāpīʻai Falls took about 8 hours for the 8-mile round trip (vs. 6 hours if we would have been solo). This included frequent stops and an hour at the falls to eat lunch, let baby stretch his legs, and enjoy a refreshing dip in the falls.
4. Know the Seasons and Conditions
Kauai’s weather is unpredictable, swinging from sunny and warm to rainy, windy, and slightly chilly. I recommend checking the weather forecast before heading out but also just packing for a variety of conditions regardless.
5. Most Important: Pack Your Bags Well!
If you only read one tip in this post, read below. Packing well is make or break for hiking in Kauai with kids, especially when hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Falls with an Infant. Must pack items:
1. Extra set of clothes:
This is an absolute must for both baby and you. Our infant had a bit of a stomach ache on the day of our hike and had two blowouts into the hiking bag and all over himself and Dad midway through the hike. Extra clothes are a lifesaver in such situations.
Also! Don’t forget extra socks too for when you inevitably miss a rock and plug your whole boot and sock into the river during a crossing!
2. Sun Protection
Whether it’s a hat, sunscreen, or a sun shirt with a hood, don’t forget your gear to help protect yourself and your little one from the sun.
Our 9-month-old used to hate keeping hats on his head, so we often opted for sun shirts with UPF50 and stay-in-place hoods like these from Patagonia. Pro tip: you can often find these shirts on Poshmark for more affordable prices!
3. Padded Changing Pad
Changing diapers on the forest floor isn’t glamorous, but a padded changing pad can make it a bit more comfortable and sanitary.
4. Swimsuit
Once you reach the waterfall, you’ll definitely want to take a dip in the breathtaking falls. Don’t forget to pack swimsuits and a towel for the whole family!
5. Water Shoes
Consider bringing water shoes for yourself or your kids, the rocks and waterfall pools can be slippery and rocky, so water shoes may be a smart pack depending on your comfort walking barefoot.
Also, many hikers opt to switch from hiking boots to water shoes like Tevas or Chacos for river crossings to keep their boots dry.
6. First Aid Essentials
Our family tends to have the bad habit of underpacking first aid supplies, but when hiking with an infant, I always make sure to have the essentials such as baby Tylenol or Motrin, band aids, and hand sanitizer with us to cover until after the hike should anything happen.
Don’t Miss Out on Your Chance to Hike Hanakāpīʻai Falls
You never know when Kauai’s weather might throw a curveball at your bucket list plans. So, if you get the chance to tackle this epic hike on your next visit, seize it! And trust me, bringing your kiddos along will double the fun and make it an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. Happy hiking!
