Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Pipiwai Trail is punctuated by 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
After 10 minutes on the trail you'll reach the lookout for Makahiku Falls, a 200-foot
plunge which can be anything from a trickle during drier months of the year to a torrent of
violent water during the throes of a flash flood. After Makahiku Falls, the trail will begin
gaining in elevation for another five minutes before emerging in the shade of one of the
most beautiful banyan trees you'll ever see. Branches of sunshine burst through the can-
opy.
The section between “the tree” and the first bridge is one of decisions. Multiple spur
trails lead to waterfall overlooks, offering views of the canyons and pools. Getting in the
water from here is dangerous. Don't do it.
Ten minutes past the tree you'll reach the first of two bridges that zigzag their way
across the stream. This is a great place to snap pictures of the waterfalls and your first
taste of the bamboo forest. You'll notice after crossing the second bridge that when the
trail turns into stairs which climb steeply toward the bamboo, there's an opening in the
railing on the left side where a path leads down to a rocky streambed. This is the Palikea
Stream, and if you rock hop up the riverbed for about 15 minutes, you'll emerge at a wa-
