My better half and I are looking to hike and camp Kauai for a week in Fall 2009.

I know that you can stay at the State parks for around $5 a night.

Does anyone have any routes/areas that will take us about 5/6 days to trail? We're thinking of the north west area of Kauai.

We also plan on spending our final night there in a hotel. Can anyone recommend a night hotel with pool (and hot showers!!) thats not too expensive?

Many thanks in advance

Taansend

The Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast on the northern end of Kauai is nice but only 11 miles and probably will only take you 2/3 days.

There aren't any 5-6 night hikes unless you plan to travel only a couple miles a day. The most remote and most traveled ( and most beautiful) are the Napili coast and Waimea canyon. Both lend themselves to excellent long 3 day hikes in very different situations. (I prefer the canyon, and have hiked most the nat parks on the mainland). 3 days in the canyon and 2 days at poipu (coast/ hotel/beach) would be my favorite kauai time.

There aren't any 5-6 night hikes unless you plan to travel only a couple miles a day. The most remote and most traveled ( and most beautiful) are the Na Pali coast and Waimea canyon. Both lend themselves to excellent long 3 day hikes in very different situations. (I prefer the canyon, and have hiked most the nat parks on the mainland). 3 days in the canyon and 2 days at poipu (coast/ hotel/beach) would be my favorite kauai time.

The best hike is to the Kalalau Valley. Go to Haena (end of the road in Hanalei) for the trail head. It's a walking hike with lots of traffic. The first beach is Hanakapiai - a vast expanse of sand and some caves. You have to cross a river to get there. Very nice place to just sit and relax. There is one more beach further in, then the third beach is Kalalau. It is usually recommended that you spend the night there since going in and back out in one day is pushing it (and you wouldn't enjoy the scenery). You should get a camping permit from the county before you head out. Don't be surprised to see a few people who live there and who may be au natural. The water in the river may look clean, but be warned that it can contain leptospirosis or other critters.

Second option is hiking from Kokee. Best to let someone know where you are going if you're going hiking, just in case you run into trouble. We've had some hikers who just disappear and they have never been found. It's a beautiful area - lush, green, wet, deep valleys with red and orange hues on the rocks. Some people say it's better than the Grand Canyon. Enjoy!