Hawaii · United States
Waimea Canyon Drive
HI 550Waimea to Pu’u o Kila Lookout
Hawaii’s answer to the Grand Canyon: a 31 km road climbing from sea-level Waimea to 1,273 m along the rim of a 3,600-ft-deep canyon of layered reds and greens.
Route 550 climbs from Waimea on Kauai’s west coast through the island’s interior, the southern section running along the canyon’s eastern rim with lookouts revealing its full grandeur. Beyond mile 13 it enters Koke’e State Park as forest closes in, ending at the Pu’u o Kila Lookout at 4,176 ft above the Kalalau Valley. Morning visits beat the midday cloud.
Scenery
Best seasons
In these collections
Waimea Canyon Drive on the map19.1 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 16Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%3.5 – 1,279.4 mPoints of interest3 stops
- Puu Ka Pele LookoutViewpoint13 mi in
- Waimea Canyon LookoutViewpoint4.7 mi in
- NiihauViewpoint13 mi in
Hazards
- Narrow road with blind curves
- Steep drop-offs
- Afternoon cloud obscuring canyon views
- Wild chickens and nene geese
- Limited passing areas
Sources
“Stretching 14 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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