Pēpēʻōpae Bog Trailhead - Kaunakakai, Hawaii

Kate Retherford

We hiked from Waikolu Valley Lookout, about 2 miles on the road to the start of the bog trail. It was very slick that day. Trail is sketchy in a few areas due to landslides over the trail. We didn’t get to see the view because of the fog but it was still a unique hike!

Geebin Mak

First time on Molokai and great hike.

Weather: definitely check weather. Has major potential to be a long muddy hike if it rained. It's cool weather up top, so pants and light jacket/tain jacket are advisable. Luckily, we had great weather. No rain the whole time, (Went Sept 2021) was sunny the whole time so we had a great view at the end...it would have been a let down if we got to the end with no views but rain clouds.

Vehicle: We rented a 4x4. Per owner request, we were to park our car at the lookout and then hike up to the trail head. We are experienced with driving off road, and found a few spots that would need a high clearance vehicle. Luckily, when we went the roads were mostly dry. Would be a different story if muddy.

Hike: this a in and out trail, not a loop. You can't get lost as long as you walk the plank. The hike from the lookout to the trail head is about 2.4mi on a dirt road. Then the fun begins. Once you enter the fence, you follow the plank until the end. You feet will get wet...but Stepping off the planks guarantees maybe ankle deep to knee deep wetness. The path is pretty well maintained, a few pieces that are bogged down. Saw some sections with new wood planks.

Husband did not have hiking sticks. I had one stick, but I'm all wobbly so I was glad I had one since we did the cat walk for a mile in. There are grates on the planks planks help from slipping. Stepping directly on the wood plank is like Stepping on black ice. It's very slick.

View: incredible.

Jeffrey Smith

Pepe'opae Trail (2 miles round trip):
What a fun trail!
To get to the trailhead just follow the dirt road from Wailoku Overlook into the Kamakou Reserve for 2.3 miles of muddy slippery 4x4 fun- just don't crash your rental!
This 2 mile out & back "Bog trail" (where water has trouble draining off the top of a mountain creating a very wet ecosystem) has a graded Boardwalk to keep your feet from getting "bogged down"...but dont worry it won't keep you from getting them wet! The trail winds it's way through the bog leading to the Pelekuna Valley Overlook, which will probably be covered in clouds, but if it's not the small grassy area would make a great place for a lunch.
The trail has a wonderfully jungle feel to it but without Snakes that bite or monkeys that steal your food.
Eventhough it was probably hot along the coast, it's a bit cool, damp, and wet here so it's better if you wear long pants and a rain jacket.
This would also be a super fun hike for kids so make sure to bring them along too.

Tingting Lin

Beautiful hike through the rain forest. The main road suggested by Google Maps to the trail head was closed. We had to take the Homelani Cemetery road and spent over an hour on the bumpy road to get to the trail head (some parts definitely requires a 4WD). Be sure to come on a sunny day to have a better view of the valley. We only got a glimpse of it until it was totally blocked by the fog.

Jeff Lum

This trailhead in the Nature Conservancy on Molokai leads to one of the most beautiful views on Molokai and maybe all the islands. The view is of Pelekunu valley. You’ll need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to get there or it’s a nice 2.4 mi hike. Another 1 mile to the lookout over a bog trail on a thin boardwalk.

Brad Widman

Drove here 2 days after some rain and the road after the overlook was very bad. We had a lifted 4 runner and still bottomed out in a few spots. The dirt gets very greasy when it rains up here. The bog hike itself was beautiful and ended with a great overlook of a northern valley. The boards are starting to rot out in some places so be prepared to get your shoes wet and to have to duck and dodge different under brush that is growing up. There is "parking" for 2 or 3 cars at the trailhead. You'll likely have the place to yourself. Some people choose to hike in from the overlook so as not to worry about damaging their truck or getting stuck. The brush is growing up on the road in some areas. Very few spots to pass or turn around on the road.

Lin Kaibin

Miss this gem of Molokai at your peril. The drive up to the outlook in a rented 4WD is an adventure by itself. The 2nd part from the outlook to the trail head was outright adventure. Try not to get bogged down anywhere; no help will come to you.

The trail was like a secret pristine world on the top of Molokai. Little wonder why it's not advertised, we were completely alone during the entire trail. It would be good if less people knew about this trail, to keep it's secrecy to visitors.

Pity we couldn't see much at the Pelekunu outlook as it was completely shrouded in clouds.

Matt Guio

Go early to beat the fog. Probably best park at the overlook parking lot since road to the bog is pretty gnarly. We saw people with pickups and a Nissan Xterra make it all the way to the bog trailhead, but I wouldn't try without a jeep. Sign on the way in says 4wd required. We made it almost to the lookout parking lot in a 2wd suv on a very dry day, and hiked in from there. It's doable but added an extra mile or two which made for a pretty long hike.