|
|
5 Kipu Falls
| |
|
Location: Lihue, Kauai, Kauai County
Height: ~15 ft.
Access:  
Distance: 0.2 miles (RT)
Elevation: 250 ft.
Season: year-round
Difficulty: 
Lat/Long:21.95047, -159.41923
Directions:From Hwy 56, about 2.9 miles south of Lihue, turn south on Kipu Rd. Drive 1.2 miles to the bridge over Huleia Stream, and park along the road.
|
|
Kipu Falls is a small 15 ft. waterfall located near Lihue on Kauais east side. The waterfall itself is nothing too interesting, but it is quite a popular area because it has a gorgeous swimming hole and is great for jumping off the falls into the pool.
Kipu Falls can be accessed from a trail alongside Hule'ia Stream, on Kipu Rd. just before the bridge. I had heard from some sources that access to the waterfall is on private property, and was unsure about coming here. However, I am a bit baffled by those sources. There are no signs indicating the trail is trespassing. And clearly, the trail to the falls is outside the fence marking the property line. It seems certain to me that Kipu Falls is completely accessible on public land.
The trail itself is a bit overgrown but leads down to the brink of Kipu Falls. There is really not a good view of the falls from here. But this is where you would go if you wanted to get to the top of the falls for jumping off. On the other side of the stream is a ladder, which would allow you to get down to the swimming hole (or get back up after jumping off the falls). When I was here there were already a few locals gathered here swimming, and jumping off the falls.
If you would like to get down to the base of Kipu Falls for taking pictures (ie. not swimming or jumping), then do not go down to the brink of the falls, but continue on the trail to the end. When you get to the fence marking the private property line, there is a steep path leading down to the pool. It is a bit tricky and could be slippery, but is not too bad. Once at the bottom, you can enjoy Kipu Falls from the base without getting wet (if you so desire), take lots pictures, and watch everyone jumping off into the pool.
As an aside, you may want to know that you can actually pay money to go to Kipu Falls if you so wish. There is a guided tour that takes people on a kayak tour up the Hule'ia River, and then to Kipu Falls for swimming. I do not know about you, but paying a company over $150/person to go to a 15 ft. waterfall (which you can come to easily, for free) is not something that is on the top of my list. Now granted, they do take you to one or two other waterfalls on the tour (which, I do not believe you could go to otherwise), but still, I recommend you save your money for doing something else on Kauai.
Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:
Other waterfalls nearby:
|
