It's definitely worth the drive. Go in the morning before the warm air from the ocean rises and meets with the cool air and forms fog. It was foggy at the top and the 1 mile hile wasn't worth it. We drove down a little way to the Awa'awapuhi Trail, which is a 6.2 mile hike round trip. The hike was a little rough for me since I'm not used to it, but it warmed me up for the Kalalau Trail later on in the week. The views at the end was worth it!! I don't have pictures of the greener cliffs! I was so sad that I didn't take more pictures. If you aren't doing a helicopter or boat tour of the NaPali coast, this is a must do!

The first time we drove up to Waimea Canyon, with the intention of going all the way to the top in Kokee State Park to the Puu O Hila Lookout and a hike on the Pihea Trail, the clouds had rolled in making the hike impossible; the clouds covered the entire view at the top (though not of the Waimea Canyon itself, which was a spectacular view). But we went back a couple of days later and enjoyed the most fantastic hike under crystal blue skies with a gorgeous view of the Na Pali coast. The Pihea Trail is very hikable for most people - even our 4 and 7 year old girls made it all the way to the Pihea Vista (2 miles - it took us about two hours). Highly recommended, but go early (we got there at 8am and when we finished the hike, a lot of people were arriving and it was getting crowded and getting hot). I am sure there are many fabulous hikes in the area - use the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook as a reference. And stop at Jo Jo's Clubhouse for shave ice in Waimea - a fantastic value.

it was a rainy day when we went got in the car and drove northwest and ended up at the canyon it was 2 hr drive with multiple stops, worth the view feel like you are on top of the world, there are hiking trips but we werent dressed properly. worth the visit will return for a hike to the waterfall.

We drove to the top of the canyon, stopped at the lodge for lunch on the way (funny little place, but good tuna sandwiches). Amazing views. Look out for car sickness on the way down, my husband decided he was a race car driver.