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Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua

Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua

Hard

2.6

(2)

riders

Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua

04:01

87.0km

940m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 31.0 km for 230 m

Permit required

After 31.6 km for 230 m

Permit required

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.26 km

Waipouli Beach Park

Highlight • Beach

Waipouli Beach is a more low-key park by the Waipouli Beach Resort. There is public beach access on the south end, and it's a hangout spot for Kauai’s monk seals, right off the biking coastal path. This area is family-friendly, with shopping, coffee shops, activities, and hiking very close by. It has been marked as a wonderful spot to see the sunrise.

Tip by

2.88 km

Kapaʻa Beach Park and bike path

Highlight (Segment) • Beach

Kapa'a Beach is a long beach with golden sands that parallels the Kapa'a Bike Path. The full name is Ke Ala Hele Makalae, meaning “path that goes by the coast." Most people simply call it the Kapa‘a Bike Path or Kaua‘i Bike Trail. This bike path is a multi-use path that totals about 7 miles.

Tip by

5.53 km

Keālia Beach

Highlight (Segment) • Beach

Keālia Beach is a long, white sand beach popular for whale watching during the winter. Surfers frequent here, depending on the swell and wind conditions. The north end of the beach can be good for swimming and boogie boarding. Keālia Beach has lifeguards, restrooms, and showers. The Kapa'a Coastal Path is awesome for biking and is paved.

Tip by

8.59 km

Donkey Beach

Highlight • Beach

Donkey Beach is a secluded beach in the northeast of Kauai. The beach was a very popular nudist beach, but isn't anymore as the current owners decided against it. As the water is pretty rough here, it's not the perfect beach for swimming and snorkeling, but still a very nice spot for sunbathers and to take a little break after a long day of hiking.

Tip by

31.0 km

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Highlight • Natural Monument

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands. On the point, there is the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse. Visitors can also see the Kīlauea volcanic vent and look at the ocean from the top of a 180-foot ocean bluff. This area is a great place to spot seabirds that cannot be seen from land, like the red-footed booby, great frigate bird, and Laysan albatross. This parking area is not the end of the pavement, but sometimes there is a gate that is shut, stopping bikers from biking the rest of the way to the lighthouse on the tip of the point, just 0.2 miles north.

Tip by

31.4 km

Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

Highlight • Monument

In the north of the island, the visit of this lighthouse is recommended. Here there is the possibility of a guided tour in the tower. You can also learn a lot about the diversity of birdlife. Of course you can also see the nēnē here. With borrowed binoculars you can also go on whale search.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

40.7 km

Anini Beach and Honu Point

Highlight • Beach

Anini Beach is considered one of the safer beaches, but always practice ocean safety as there is no lifeguard on duty. The winter months can be more dangerous for swimming. Anini Beach has the longest reef in all the Hawai'ian Islands. It's a great place for snorkeling, picnicking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing. Anini Road goes parallel to the beach and can get quite close.

Tip by

52.0 km

Hanalei Valley Lookout

Highlight • Viewpoint

A nice view of the farm areas. You can even see the cultivation of the famous taro plants.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

87.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

52.7 km

18.6 km

10.0 km

5.70 km

Surfaces

77.9 km

9.09 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (140 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 12 June

27°C

20°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Description

The Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua is a truly ambitious road cycling route, rated difficult, covering 54.0 miles (87.0 km) with a substantial 3089 feet (941 metres) of elevation gain, taking around 4 hours and 1 minute. This isn't your typical scenic cruise; it's a demanding ride that attempts to connect two very different parts of Kauai, best suited for experienced cyclists looking for a significant challenge and who are comfortable with less-than-ideal road conditions for bikes.

What to expect on Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua

Expect a ride of two distinct halves, each with its own character and challenges. The section leading to Donkey Beach utilizes the Ke Ala Hele Makalae, a paved multi-use path known for its stunning coastal views and gentle grades, passing landmarks like Kealia Beach. This part is generally easy. However, connecting to the Hanalei Valley Lookout on the North Shore involves traversing significant distances on main highways, which are described as "sketchiest" for road cycling due to narrow shoulders and heavy traffic. The Hanalei area itself offers beautiful views of the valley and taro fields, but includes moderate elevation changes and steep climbs like Hanalei Hill. This route is for highly confident cyclists who are prepared for varied and often challenging road conditions, including busy sections.

Planning your visit

It's important to understand that a direct "Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop" is not a commonly recognized or recommended road cycling route. Donkey Beach is accessed via the Ke Ala Hele Makalae path on the east side, while Hanalei Valley Lookout is on the North Shore. Connecting these two points by road would require traversing significant distances on main highways that are generally not considered bicycle-friendly due to narrow shoulders and heavy traffic. Cyclists looking to experience both areas would typically drive between them and then cycle the distinct routes within each region. If you choose to attempt this connection, be prepared for challenging road conditions and heavy traffic, especially on the main highways.

Trail details

Distance: 54.0 miles (87.0 km)
Elevation gain: 3089 feet (941 metres)
Difficulty: difficult
Estimated time: 4 hours and 1 minutes

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Donkey Beach – Hanalei Valley Lookout loop from Wailua

Waipouli Beach Park

Kapaʻa Beach Park and bike path

Keālia Beach

Donkey Beach

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

Anini Beach and Honu Point

Hanalei Valley Lookout

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