I made one attempt to get up this trail and it started to rain - I aborted and went back on a sunny day. I HIGHLY recommend that you do NOT do this one in the rain or when it has recently rained. Part of the trail is the water runoff channels on the hill. It is a rustic trail but not at all very difficult, I would rate it a good "medium" difficulty. It is 1.6 miles to the top according to my GPS and climbs 1200 feet. I am 75 and made the return trip with several viewing stops along the way in 2.5 hours. It could be done faster but I suggest you take some time to enjoy the nature along the way. The most challenging spot is about a third of the way up where you are faced with a 20 foot vertical cliff. It has small foot holds so quite doable but at first glance appears like it could not be the trail. Vistas are in many spots along the way and it gives great views of the entire coast line and from the top also in the inland direction. If you need a rest when you reach the top (forehead of the giant) there is some tables and a shelter available. There is NO sanitary facilities so be prepared and remember that what you take in you must take out. People are observing this as I saw no garbage along the way. Great walk - Great views - Great walk.

If you are into hiking and want to brush up skills this hike is great. Well marked trail I consider moderate with a couple of challenging spots and a rewarding view. We went early AM with minimal hiker traffic. I am a runner and 59 years old.

My wife and I decided to check out Kauai since we usually just go to Oahu. As this is the ‘garden island’ we decided to check out the Sleeping Giant trail. As trails go, it didn’t take too long and the views were spectacular. It wasn’t too crowded and many of the people we met at the near top shelter had hiked it before. It was a bit vertical but it only took about an hour each way. Also, on the way there we heard on the radio how fungus being transferred on your shoes could kill some of the tree population. They have a brush and bottle of alcohol at the trail head for before and after but it was empty. Please BYO. The best part was my wife does not like camping or anything related to it. She is not a hiker and had to pick up some cheap shoes at the local Walmart for traction and for something that can get muddy. Picture Meredith in Parent Trap. Her comments on every step were entertaining. She was a fun sport about ‘enjoying’ nature. All I needed was a gecko. 🤣 Yes, I’d do it again, though it would have to be by myself 😏.

Short hike that will get your heart pumping! Climb 1247 ft elevation in 1.8 miles. Only a few areas that were difficult to maneuver and was more like rock climbing. Great little picnic shelter almost to the top. Could be tough if it had recently rained and made slippery. 65 years old and I did it with hiking poles which made the downhill easier on the knees so o would recommend using them if you are of a more mature age lol.

we stayed in poipu and this was an easy drive to the trailhead. we went a few days after rain, but were in no way prepared for the condition of this "hike". reading this trail being described as muddy is laughable, and completely inaccurate. most of the trail looks like a water pipe, with two banks of mud on either side and muddy water in the middle for you to slosh through. it's not a hard hike by any means, but it's not a hike really at all. the views were good, but definitely not worth it. i even told a few people when we got back to the lot that it wasn't worth it.

Solid three mile round trip hike. If you are a regular hiker and are familiar with hills and a little bit of mud (there is not too much mud) you will do fine. We hike regularly in Western NY and the ADK Mountains and this was more like a Finger Lakes Trail than an ADK mountain. It is about three miles round trip and you gain about 1,000 feet of elevation on the hike up; there are lots of switchbacks though so you don’t fell the elevation gain as much. Lots of pretty views on the way up and at the top. Took us about 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. Nice hike to stop at if going between the north and south ends of the island. And of course once you do the hike you can’t miss the Sleeping Giant every time you pass it on the highway, in fact you keep seeing it clearer and clearer!

There are spectacular views from this trail, but there is a cost. The trail is not very well maintained with deep ruts, steep terrain and numerous roots to catch your boots. This trail would be very difficult after a rain, when it's muddy. We were caught unawares of a near vertical rock face, about 15 feet high, that required some scrambling to surmount. This was quite challenging for some, especially for those 70+ years of age. I would do this again, but would be better prepared with hiking poles. We did not get to the top due to steep terrain.

Moderate level hike with gorgeous views!! We finished in just under 2 hours, including taking pictures at the top and a few very short water breaks. A couple areas are more like rock climbing and could be difficult for someone that doesn’t get around well or has a fear of heights. We are 41-51 age range and “fittish” and didn’t have any issues. I would not recommend taking small children to the very top.

The two mile East trail is easy to follow and has parts that are muddy and it hadn't rained in a few days. After a rain it would be fairly muddy and slick. We are in our sixties and had to no issues. At the top you get an excellent view of entire area.

Loved this hike! There are some spots that are pretty muddy, so go early before they get really bad (and so you find a place to park!). It took my husband and I about 2 hours (mid-30’s) and found it to be an easy walk/hike. Views from the Giant’s Forehead were amazing and really did feel like we were on top of the world!