Chin of the Sleeping Giant – Nounou Trail Shelter loop from Wailua River State Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Kauaʻi County

Wailua Homesteads

Chin of the Sleeping Giant – Nounou Trail Shelter loop from Wailua River State Park

Hard

5.0

(6)

hikers

Chin of the Sleeping Giant – Nounou Trail Shelter loop from Wailua River State Park

02:36

8.43km

250m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: November 5, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 4.86 km for 32 m

After 5.07 km for 66 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.32 km

Pedestrian Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Bridge across a small river near the start of the sleeping giant hike.

Tip by

4.30 km

Aloha bench

Highlight • Viewpoint

A little rest from the climb

Tip by

4.94 km

Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) Summit View

Highlight • Summit

Great hike, gorgeous views, not for the faint of heart, wear good hiking boots with traction!

Tip by

5.03 km

Rock Window With View of the Pacific Ocean

Highlight • Natural Monument

Through the rock window you have a beautiful view of the coast and the Pacific 😊

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.07 km

Chin of the Sleeping Giant

Highlight • Summit

Climb onto the giant’s chin to feel on top of the world. Be very careful though, steep cliffs on all sides of the rock.

Tip by

5.26 km

Nounou Trail Shelter

Highlight • Rest Area

Rest area shortly before the final climb.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.28 km

Fruit Stand at the trail head

Highlight • Rest Area

Grab some vitamins for your hike. .50c each. They’re really delicious, we absolutely loved the oranges.

Tip by

8.43 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.92 km

2.11 km

778 m

404 m

228 m

Surfaces

2.90 km

2.26 km

2.02 km

768 m

248 m

228 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (310 m)

Lowest point (90 m)

Weather

Today

Thursday 12 November

27°C

23°C

18 %

Additional weather tips

It’s going to be hot on your activity. Make sure you bring plenty of water.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 2, 2023,Kaua'i - Sleeping Giant

Aloha from Hawaii!!! After the somewhat bumpy journey, the first hike on the garden island. You can clearly see why it is called that in the photos. It starts from the free 🅿️ next to the soccer field in the Wailua Homesteads. First a little next to the road through the town, we might like it here too 😊 then …

Showing Translation