At the back of the circle go around a yellow gate and take the one-lane, paved road heading into the valley. By the second utility pole, bear right on a grassy road and register at the hunter/hiker check-in mailbox on the left. The road narrows and becomes the Kuli`ou`ou Valley Trail, which contours above intermittent Kuli`ou`ou Stream. Reach a signed junction by a boot cleaning station. After brushing any weed seeds from your boot soles, proceed straight on the valley trail. (On the right the Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail switchbacks up the side of the valley.) Cross several side gullies while contouring above the stream.The improved trail descends briefly to Kuli`ou`ou Stream and ends there. Climb steadily on a rocky, narrow route to reach a waterfall chute with a small pool, which is usually dry. First try to click on the “Get Directions” icon at the top of this page. If you are taking TheBus, click on the "Transit" icon at the top of the search bar. You may need to change the starting address to your current location. Clicking on TheBus link provided below will also take you to TheBus website.

If driving from Kalanianaole Highway heading east, take a left on Kuli‘ou‘ou Street toward the back of the valley. Follow the curve to the left, and take a right on Kuli‘ou‘ou Road. Proceed mauka (towards the mountains) on this road, turn right on Kala‘au Place. Find street parking along Kala‘au Pl. Do not park at the end of the cul-de-sac where it says "No parking". Proceed on foot to the end of the road and past the cable gate on the access road. The trail begins on the right of the access road at the hunter/hiker check in station.

At the back of the circle go around a yellow gate and take the one-lane, paved road heading into the valley. By the second utility pole, bear right on a grassy road and register at the hunter/hiker check-in mailbox on the left. The road narrows and becomes the Kuli`ou`ou Valley Trail, which contours above intermittent Kuli`ou`ou Stream. Reach a signed junction by a boot cleaning station. After brushing any weed seeds from your boot soles, proceed straight on the valley trail. (On the right the Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail switchbacks up the side of the valley.) Cross several side gullies while contouring above the stream. The improved trail descends briefly to Kuli`ou`ou Stream and ends there. Climb steadily on a rocky, narrow route to reach a waterfall chute with a small pool, which is usually dry.

1. Stay on the trail.

2. Check the weather

3. Watch the time

4. Avoid undue risk

5. Read all posted signs

6. Respect other trail users and trail head community

7. Pack out at least what you pack in.

• No Alcohol
• No Motorized Vehicles
• No Commercial
• No Littering
• No Open Fires
• No Plant Sand Dirt Rock Removal
• No Smoking

• Dog Hunting
• Dog on Leash
• Hiking
• Hunting

!!!PLEASE READ!!! When accessing this trail please be respectful to the trail head community by keeping noise down, not littering and parking responsibly.

Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.

Downloadable resources are provided below

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the valley trail in 1934 to provide access to the Kuli`ou`ou Forest Reserve for reforestation.

Campers must find legal parking in the adjacent neighborhood. Please park responsibly and do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Always yield to hikers. Do not slide around corners or slide down the trail. Careless mountain biking damages the trail and causes erosion. If accidents are reported or damage to the trail is extreme, the trail may be closed to mountain bikers.

• Parking

Hunting may be in progress on or near this hiking trail. Hunting dogs may be off-leash while engaged in the hunt. Hikers must keep their dogs leashed at all times and remove dog waste while on this trail.

Dry valley, short, steam side, thick forest

• Nature Study
• Stream

• Dangerous Footing
• Flash Flood
• Hunting Area
• Uneven Surface

In the forest look and listen for the white-rumped shama. It is black on top with a chestnut-colored breast and a long black- and-white tail.

The shama has a variety of beautiful songs and often mimics other birds. A native of Malaysia, the shama has become widespread in introduced forests such as this one.

Lining the gullies are kukui trees. Their large, pale green leaves resemble those of the maple, with several distinct lobes. Early Polynesian voyagers introduced kukui into Hawai`i. They used the wood to make gunwales and seats for their outrigger canoes. The flowers and sap became medicines to treat a variety of ailments. Early Hawaiians strung the nuts together to make lei hua (seed or nut garlands). The oily kernels became house candles and torches for night spear fishing.

Watch for the `elepaio, a small native bird. It is brown on top and white underneath with a black throat and a dark tail, usually cocked. The bird roams the forest understory catching insects on the fly or on vegetation. `Elepaio are very curious, which is why you can sometimes see them.