A lovely hike along a graded dirt path that steadily gains elevation as you walk past trees, wildflowers, hillsides covered in bright green ferns and enjoy views of Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on Earth.
Listen to the breeze in treetops, birds singing, and on still days, the burbling water in the creek hundreds of feet below.
When you reach the meadow and its gorgeous 360-degree views of mountains so close they appear you can reach out and touch them, you will forget that civilization ever existed.
Warning: once you set foot in the meadow, you may be inspired to sing, do yoga, qi gong or become uncharacteristically quiet in appreciation.
Upon soaking up the ambiance, either turn around and return the way you came, or walk on for another one to four miles along the trail as you please.
Kuilau Trail
Location: East Kauai, mauka (toward the mountains)
Parking: At trailhead 7 miles up Kuamoo Road
Length: 2½ miles round trip
Time: 1 hours + time to appreciate the views
Elevation: 700 feet
Difficulty level: Easy dirt trail