Customer Reviews

Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf (

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We (two adults, one 10 year old) just returned from two weeks in Kauai. We didn't venture ANYWHERE without this book. It took us to places we never would have found on a map. The descriptions were accurate, the driving instructions complete, the writing enjoyable without being cutesy, the historical/natural history information fascinating. The "Watch Out" section at the end of each description (which pointed out possible dangers or problems at beaches or hiking trails) was very helpful in determining where we snorkled, body surfed or hiked.

One thing I would changed about the format: The maps for each area would be easier to use if they showed ALL of Kauai, with the area that is referenced highlighted. It was confusing in the beginning to be looking at only part of the island.

Very highly recommended. It made for an excellent adventure!

Kauai Trailblazer is an outstanding guide for families and outdoor enthusiasts with an interest in hiking and exploring Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands. Featured are "user friendly" descriptions of 199 hikes and strolls to mountain ridges, tropical gardens, beaches, jungles, coves, reefs, historic landmarks, ancient ruins, swamps, craters, forests, coastal bluffs, tide pools, towns, canyons, waterfalls, and river valleys. Details are provided for 68 beach (22 of which are only accessible by trail), 42 snorkeling polls (island favorites and hidden coves), 61 mountain bike rides, 27 kayaking waters (13 rivers and steams, 14 bays and lagoons), and 36 surfing spots. The informative text is enhanced with 10 maps and 130 photographs, resource links, and appendices of Hawaiian words, place names, movie locations, hula performances, farmer's markets, wether, flora, history and philosophy. If you are Kauai bound, begin with a thorough perusal of Kauai Trailblazer!

Having never been to the island of Kauai before, Kauai Trailblazer was exactly the type of guidebook that I needed to help plan two weeks worth of adventure in the Garden Isle. My main desire was to snorkle the beautiful water. With it being my husband's first time in Hawaii, I wanted him to see all of the amazing fish that I had told him about. Kauai Trailblazer pointed us in the right direction and we ended up snorkling the most amazing coves! With the book in hand, we hiked beautiful trails that led right up the sides of cliffs to amazing waterfalls and romantic pools. Having an interest in history, Kauai Trailblazer was also able to direct me to museums, landmarks and ruins. Our time in Kauai would have been less fruitful without the help of this book.

Everything about this book is excellent, from the long list of nontouristy things to see -- we saw only two other people all day as we biked the Powerline Trail -- to the remote white sand beaches (Larsen's and Secret). The dirt roads would have been impossible to find without exact directions. The authors don't overdescribe their hikes, although they prepare you for the length and possible dangers. Not knowing what was around every bend added to the surprise and adventure. I guess I liked the fact that most of the things to do were free and we ended up with vacation money left over. Instead of getting a $300 helicopter view, we saw the Kalalau Valley from the hiker's overlook. Being able to watch the clouds drift in and up the cliffs over a period of an hour was a once in a lifetime experience.

This is not the standard boring guidebook. The photos are uncommonly beautiful. We spent the last day going on three of the books four driving tours. It was the perfect ending to our stay and gave us a chance to video the island's highlights. Everyone deserves to see Kauai just once in their life and if you're an independent traveler, this is the only guidebook you'll need.

I purchased this book because of the good reviews by other people. After using this book in Kauai, I found everyone to be correct about their reviews. While visiting a new place, it is very easy to get lost. This book was a wonderful resource, with much to my surprise, very accurate and detailed directions and intructions on how to get to your chosen destinations. This guidebook described detailed landmarks to locate almost any of the sites for all the activities. My husband and family were able to participate in some of the recommended hikes and water activites and found them to be very enjoyable because we had a good idea of what to expect as described in the book. The book is organized and easy to follow for all the different activities with suggested "do not miss" establishments along the way. We will use this book again the next time we are in Kauai.

I lived in Hawaii for 3 years and in a few days will be making my third trip back to Kauai in 4 years (16 days this time - the trips just keep getting longer). I purchased the Ultimate Guide first, read it cover to cover, marked it up, used it, carried it in my pack daily and would rate it 5 stars too, but this other book is excellent too - especially if you're not pressed to spend a day or two on the Garden Isle (my favorite place in the world) and leave. It's not either/or comparing this book and the Ultimate Guide - I suggest you buy 'em both. I believe they compliment each other well. For what it costs to get to Kauai and stay there, this book is money well spent - it will save you lotsa time which is $$$$$. If you're GEN X and only want one book - get this one; if you're just going to drive around the island, get just a road map and freebie brochures at your hotel or the airport.

We made a great discovery, this book Kauai Trailblazer. We bought our copy at the airport when we arrived and it served us well. It was wet and soggy four out of the seven days so we gravitated to the dry side of the island as they recommended and stretched out walking long miles of beach. Right away we found out why this island is known for its rainbows.

Two must do's are kayaking the Wailua River and hiking the Black Pipe Trail in Waimea Canyon. The directions for the maze like trail to Waipio Falls were excellent. We were guided through all the paths twists and turns and ended up immersed in big open landscapes that are beyond words. We kept pinching ourselves. We've blown up many of the photos we took to preserve the memories. Our vacation was very energizing, a once in a lifetime experience.

My only advice is to read it before you go in order to strategize and prioritize. Over and over again it seemed nightfall came way too soon.

THE essential guidebook for visiting Kauai. Contains all the information you will need to enjoy the island: what to bring, where to go, what to do. If you want to hike, surf, snorkel, kayak, bike, sit on the beach, shop, drive around, eat, see points of interest, learn about local history and customs- it's all here. Covers the whole island, including those unique and out of the way places that other books overlook. Clearly written (in a personable, refreshingly candid style) and easy to use, the Kauai Trailblazer sets the standard for travel guides. If you're going to Kauai, this is the book you MUST have!

I've lived on Kauai for thirteen years and consider myself a local. This is the only book I can really recommend to those who have never been here before. A testament to good travel writing. You can flip through the Best Of category, find somewhere you'd like to go and bam, hit the trail. When I'm stumped on where to take visitors, I always turn to this book. Mahalo to these adventure specialists who really know our island and portray it with so much aloha.

These sports gurus get an A+ for the variety of trails and excursions packed into one well rounded volune. The authors do the island justice. THere are enough hikes and bike rides to keep the average vacationer busy for a month. We saw it all, did all we could in two weeks and look forward to more during our next break. Maps A+, accuracy A+, detail A+, photography A+, cultural info A+. We enjoyed using this chunky guidebook.