This hike was also very appealing to me but we didn't have the time to do it. (Maybe next time). Here is another post that may be helpful. :o) Aloha

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k30541…

We (Dad, Brother and Me) did this trek in Mid-February (arguably the wettest month of the year). Let me start by saying my dad was in Vietnam, and he thought this hike was worse than anything he'd seen over there. It rained most of the morning but by the time we got to the first tunnel it had stopped (briefly). It was soggy and messy and that was on the easy parts of the trail. I've posted pictures of our adventure on <a href="flickr.com/photos/…"> flickr.com</a>

Let me just add that this is not the hike for those looking to take it easy, the trail is overgrown and sloppy most of the way. as it says in "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" this is not a state maintained trail so your pretty much on your own for most of this hike. Many times we had to crouch under growth just to move along the trail. with in the first 40 minutes we had given up trying to keep our feet dry and just slogged through the mud. There were many places where a pig or boar had torn up the trail and the mud there was soft and very slippery. If anybody in your party has any knee or hip problems this is probably not the hike for you. Much of the trail, especially the parts around the mountain ridge, is sloped away from the hillside.

Recommendations:

1) Start early- We left the house in Po'ipu by 6am and got started on the trail by 7am. With the rain it took us almost 6 hours round trip on the trail.

2) Wear long pants- We didn't and I have the scars on my legs to prove it. The ferns that grow along a majority of the trail only grow to about knee high, so every little twig grabs your lower legs.

3.) Take a walking stick - We found three bamboo sticks left at the trail head by previous hikers so we used those. At the bottom of the first hill and across the first river is a bamboo grove if you prefer to cut your own. If you go that route, remember to cut it with a knot at the end so it doesn't pack with mud. Walking stick are also helpful for knocking down spider webs that cross your path.

4.)Where "disposable" shoes- in other words bring shoes you don't mind sacrificing to the mud. My dad almost lost his shoes in a bog like area where the mud was about 12" deep.

5.) Take more than one flashlight - this is really helpful in the tunnels so you can see the ceiling. We only had the one that we found in our rental house. it was good enough, but if we would have each had one it would have been easier going in the tunnel itself. My dad was in the lead, and although I could see his light up ahead I still bumped my head at least twice I can remember. After the second time I held my walking stick over my head so I could feel the ceiling.

6.)Wear a hat - All along the trail you will be bending over trying to get through the trail a hat will keep you from scraping your head on the branches that cross the trail. Also in the first tunnel there is constantly water dripping from the ceiling for at least the first and last 200ft.

Other than the obvious "bring water and food" I think thats it.

Here are two more websites with other information:

http://home.earthlink.net/~gavilan8/website_kauai05/tunnels/tunnels_index.html

scottge.org/scottblog/2003/10/kauai-secret-t…

I didn't know what I was getting into when I suggested this hike to the family. I'm glad I did once it but I probably won't do it again.

I see now that I can't use HTML in a post. You'll have to copy and paste the following in your browser to see the pictures.

My Pictures: flickr.com/photos/…

Other pages about this hike:

http://home.earthlink.net/~gavilan8/website_kauai05/tunnels/tunnels_index.html

scottge.org/scottblog/2003/10/kauai-secret-t…

Aloha,

I posted this in another similar thread, sorry if you've already seen it:

I just did this hike and posted photos on my blog.

Part 1: http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=181

Part 2: http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=226

Most of the information above is accurate, but the two trip reports give some misleading directions, so be careful.

We just returned from Kauai and did the Secret Tunnels Hike. It was so amazing!!! My husband and I started early to make sure we had plenty of time to finish the final tunnel before heading back. This was our second time doing the hike. The first time we didn't plan enough time and had to stop at the first tunnel and turn back so we could get down before dark. This time we had plenty of time but still couldn't find the alusive third tunnel that leads to the shangra la. We searched for along time and it wasn't until we were on our way back down that we saw the pink flags someone had left marking the trail! UGH!!! We had ran out of time AGAIN but that just means that we get to do the hike again. It's our favorite adventure of all time. The tunnels are great and just so you know - the first tunnel and the second tunnel are connected. Just take the left hand turn at the end of the first tunnel. After you leave the second tunnel go through the tall grass that leads to the dike then follow the small river down the mountain - that's where the pink flags were that we missed and instead went through another tunnel that we had to belly crawl out the end. It was halarious to us - but others might not find the adventure as fun. The belly crawl tunnel leads to the Hanalei river - but the flagged way will most likely be an easier way to get there.

Prepare for LOTS of mud on the trial unless you luck out like we did the second time and hiked on a 'dry' week. You'll most likely try to avoid the mud at first - but like most of us - you'll eventually give in and just trapse through it! Overall, it's a hike to remember. Good luck and I hope you find the Shangra La through the third tunnel!

Sorry to belabor the point, but I need to clarify here: the "first" and "second" tunnel you refer to are sections of one single tunnel. The course of the tunnel never goes above ground, but there are two openings that people can take to exit. At both of these openings, the tunnel takes a sharp left turn, and then turns back to the right again. Local hikers refer to all these sections as the first tunnel.

The real second tunnel is on the other (north) side of the Hanalei river, and it's another .75 miles long. It's also straight with a window at the end where you turn left and follow the curve around to the real exit. But the water in this tunnel is deeper, knee to thigh height, and there are many more wooden braces to climb over.