© Sven Bannuscher, 2014

© Sven Bannuscher, 2014

National Geographic recently posted an article by Maryellen Kennedy Duckett naming Kauai’s jaw-dropping views of the Na Pali Coast as one of the Best Trips of 2017.  For those of you who have been there, this is not a surprise.  It is an incredibly beautiful site.

This is what she had to say about Kauai:

“No-filter Kauai stole the show in the Jurassic movies and more than 60 other feature films. The island’s ubiquitous aerial tours do deliver jaw-dropping views of the towering Na Pali Coast sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and other blockbuster locations. But plunging deep into the Garden Island’s wild side requires hitting a trail. Marked hiking paths lead onto the floor of Waimea Canyon, through the shallow bogs of Alakai Swamp, and across unbelievably lush landscapes. One newer route, the five-mile Wai Koa Loop Trail, passes through North America’s largest mahogany forest. For off-the-beaten-path treks, go with a local, says Hike Kaua’i With Me owner Eric Rohlffs. “A guide can take you to less traveled spots while keeping you safe, and educating you on all things Hawaii, such as identifying instead of trampling plants found nowhere else.”

They also posted a beautiful video of the Kalalau Valley on the page.  Head on over to check it out.  www.natgeotravel.com/besttrips2017 Also named in the article were Finland, Baja California, Banff in Canada, Cloud Forests in Ecuador, Via Dinarica in Western Balkans, Tiger National Parks in Central India as well as several cities.

For more information, photos and videos of the Kalalau Trail, check out the links on this site.

View from the Kalalau Lookout on Kauai, Hawaii

View from the Kalalau Lookout on Kauai, Hawaii