Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
We hiked all 11 miles of the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast as a family — me, my wife McKenzie, and our two boys — and spent two nights camping on Kalalau Beach.
This trail has been on my list for a long time. It’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, but also one of the more technical and exposed trails we’ve done as a family. There are long sections where the trail narrows, the drop-offs get real, and you have to stay focused. It’s not just a scenic walk — it demands respect.
We went in with a lightweight setup so we could enjoy the miles instead of grinding through them.
We brought the Haven Spectre with Spectre Pads in Dyneema and our lightest rainfly configuration. Total trail weight for the shelter system came in around 4.3 pounds, which made a huge difference over 22 miles of hiking.
Pack weights ended up like this:
- Mine: ~25 lbs
- McKenzie: ~15 lbs
- Both boys: under 10 lbs with their REI packs
Keeping things light made the whole experience better, especially on the more exposed sections of the trail.
Once we made it to Kalalau Beach, it felt like stepping into a different world. Huge cliffs, a massive valley behind us, and one of the most unique campsites you can imagine. We had great weather, calm nights, and honestly some of the best sleep we’ve ever had outside.
On our rest day, we hiked back into Kalalau Valley. I went as far as I could toward the back of the valley, and that ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Scattered throughout the valley were ancient Hawaiian terraces and rock walls — signs of the people who once lived and farmed there. Seeing that history, that far back in such a remote place, really puts things into perspective.
It’s easy to think of places like this as untouched, but they were home to people who knew how to live off the land in ways we’ve mostly lost.
This trip had a little bit of everything:
- Big exposure and technical hiking
- Lightweight backpacking
- Family adventure
- History and culture
- And one of the most incredible beach camps anywhere
Kalalau is special. It’s not easy to get to, and that’s a big part of what makes it what it is.
If you’re thinking about doing this trail, go prepared, go light, and take your time. It’s worth it.
⸻
🌎 HavenTents.com
📱 instagram.com/haventents
😊 tiktok.com/@haventents
#KalalauTrail #NaPaliCoast #Backpacking #HavenTents #Ultralight #FamilyAdventure #Camping #Hiking #Kauai #Hawaii
We hiked all 11 miles of the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast as a family — me, my wife McKenzie, and our two boys — and spent two nights camping on Kalalau Beach.
This trail has been on my list for a long time. It’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, but also one of the more technical and exposed trails we’ve done as a family. There are long sections where the trail narrows, the drop-offs get real, and you have to stay focused. It’s not just a scenic walk — it demands respect.
We went in with a lightweight setup so we could enjoy the miles instead of grinding through them.
We brought the Haven Spectre with Spectre Pads in Dyneema and our lightest rainfly configuration. Total trail weight for the shelter system came in around 4.3 pounds, which made a huge difference over 22 miles of hiking.
Pack weights ended up like this:
- Mine: ~25 lbs
- McKenzie: ~15 lbs
- Both boys: under 10 lbs with their REI packs
Keeping things light made the whole experience better, especially on the more exposed sections of the trail.
Once we made it to Kalalau Beach, it felt like stepping into a different world. Huge cliffs, a massive valley behind us, and one of the most unique campsites you can imagine. We had great weather, calm nights, and honestly some of the best sleep we’ve ever had outside.
On our rest day, we hiked back into Kalalau Valley. I went as far as I could toward the back of the valley, and that ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Scattered throughout the valley were ancient Hawaiian terraces and rock walls — signs of the people who once lived and farmed there. Seeing that history, that far back in such a remote place, really puts things into perspective.
It’s easy to think of places like this as untouched, but they were home to people who knew how to live off the land in ways we’ve mostly lost.
This trip had a little bit of everything:
- Big exposure and technical hiking
- Lightweight backpacking
- Family adventure
- History and culture
- And one of the most incredible beach camps anywhere
Kalalau is special. It’s not easy to get to, and that’s a big part of what makes it what it is.
If you’re thinking about doing this trail, go prepared, go light, and take your time. It’s worth it.
⸻
🌎 HavenTents.com
📱 instagram.com/haventents
😊 tiktok.com/@haventents
#KalalauTrail #NaPaliCoast #Backpacking #HavenTents #Ultralight #FamilyAdventure #Camping #Hiking #Kauai #Hawaii
