If you pass by the Poipu side, we recommend this easy and very pleasant hike along the steep and colourful coast to Gillin's Beach, offering beautiful views of the ocean and the ridge between Lihue and Poipu. Allow 2 hours for the round trip.
1The start of the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
Park in the small parking lot at Shipwreck's Beach. Be careful, this one doesn't have a large capacity, so it's best to get there early. Otherwise, there is a second dirt parking lot a little further up the beach at Pe'e Road.
Once you arrive on the pretty beach where surfers often come to catch the waves, follow it east (or left) until you reach the end of the beach. From here you'll notice a path that takes you up to the small headland at the end of the beach and up a little until you reach a beautiful panorama that offers the first beautiful views of the coast.
2The Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
From this point follow the path that runs along the ocean, crossing some sandy areas at the beginning of the itinerary that can be a little difficult to cover especially in hot weather. But this section is not very long and quickly leads to new views.
After a few hundred metres, the land turns ochre and in the distance you can see the Poipu Bay Golf Course whose impeccable green offers a new hue in this postcard setting. You will also notice on the side of the path the traces of an ancient "heiau", a stone temple built by the first inhabitants of the island of which it still bears some stones.
The trail now arrives at the golf course, which you will have to walk along for several hundred metres along its impeccably trimmed lawns. Once past the golf course, the path winds its way through the heart of denser vegetation, composed of large bushes.
After the small cape, just follow the trail for another 500 meters to finally reach the famous Gillin's Beach!
But don't turn back so soon! You could also take the opportunity to explore the Makauwahi Cave which is located a few dozen metres from the beginning of Gillin's Beach.
To get your bearings, go to the small dirt car park near the beach (see map at the bottom of the article) where a sign will show you the way to the cave. You can also go to meet the tortoises of Lida's Field of Dreams next to the car park. Note that these sites are also directly accessible from the road.
If you are motivated, it will still be possible to continue after Gillin's beach to reach Kawailoa Bay, or even extend the walk a little more to discover the small remote beach of Ha 'ula Beach.
A pleasant stroll along the seaside, with the ridge in the background.
The colours of the path before reaching the golf course.
I'm Sandrine, originally from Toulouse, France, and a passionate traveler. I first discovered the islands in 2017, and it didn't take long for me to fall completely in love with Hawai'i. I loved it so much that I came back the very next year! Then, in 2019, I decided to leave everything behind and set off on the adventure I had always dreamed of: traveling around the world. My five-month-old daughter came along for the journey. After exploring the Pacific, we made Hawai'i our home for three unforgettable months. During that time, I immersed myself in the islands, exploring, mapping, and documenting almost every point of interest, from the iconic must-see places to the hidden gems most visitors never get to discover. And I came back once again in 2022!
That experience led to the creation of Smartrippers, and later Trip-Hawaii, driven by my desire to share everything I've learned about Hawai'i through my travels since 2017 — my favorite discoveries, practical advice, and insider tips to help you plan your trip with confidence and make the most of your time in the islands. My goal? To save you time, take the guesswork out of planning, and help you experience Hawai'i at its very best, so that your trip can be every bit as magical as you've dreamed — and perhaps even become one of the most unforgettable journeys of your life.