Although the main highway has few stretches truly safe for cycling, there are several great places on Kauai for two-wheeling. The Poipuarea has wide, flat paved roads and several dirt cane roads (especially around Mahaulepu), while the East Side has two completed legs of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae multi-use trail (www.kauaipath.org/kauaicoastalpath), eventually intended to extend from Anahola to the airport in Lihue. For now, the 2.5-mile Lydgate Park loop connects it with Wailua Beach, while another 4.1-mile leg in Kapaa links Lihi Park to Ahihi Point, just past Kumukumu (Donkey) Beach, 1.5 miles north of Kealia Beach Park. Mountain bikers can also ride the scenic 5-mile Wai Koa Loop Trail at the Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea, or attempt more challenging trails in actual mountains, if it’s not too muddy.
Several places rent mountain bikes, road bikes, and beach cruisers, including helmets and locks, with sizeable discounts for multiday rentals. In Poipu, Outfitters Kauai (www.outfitterskauai.com; 888/742-9887 or 808/742-9667) charges $25 a day for hybrid bikes and $25 to $45 for Kona-brand mountain or road bikes; reservations are recommended. The shop is at 2827 Poipu Rd., Poipu, in the Kukuiula Market strip, across from the fire station. Outfitters Kauai also leads twice-daily, 4 1/2-hour downhill Waimea Canyon bicycle tours ($109 adults, $89 kids 12–14) that follow the Kokee Road spur to Kekaha. Some find the experience memorable, but I think there are better places on Kauai to cycle, and certainly better ways to see the canyon.
Kapaa has choices for both adventurers itching to explore the single-track trails in the mountains and vacationers just wanting to pedal the coastal path for a couple of hours. Kauai Cycle (www.kauaicycle.com; 808/821-2115) offers cruisers for $20 a day but specializes in road and mountain bikes for $30 a day ($45 full-suspension), with helmets, locks, maps and advice on current trail conditions. No reservations are needed; just walk in to its store and repair shop, which also sells clothing and gear, at 4-934 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, north of Ala Road, makai side (across from Taco Bell). Families in particular will want to take note of the shiny Trek beach cruisers, tandems, and trailers from Coconut Coasters (www.coconutcoasters.com; 808/822-7368) at 4-1586 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, just north of Kou Street on the ocean side. Hourly rentals start at $8.50 (half-day, $18); reservations are recommended. Hele On Kauai Bike Rentals (www.kauaibeachbikerentals.com; (808) 822-4628) has the best bargains for beach cruisers and children’s trailers, at $5 an hour, $15 all day; its main store is on the south end of Ke Ala Hele Makalae, next to Ono Family Restaurant, 4-1286 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, with satellite locations in Princeville and Kapaa.
On the North Shore, Pedal ’n Paddle in Hanalei (www.pedalnpaddle.com; 808/826-9069) rents beach cruisers for $15 a day ($60 weekly) and hybrids for $20 ($80 weekly); reservations are recommended during holidays and summer months. It’s in the Ching Young Village Shopping Center, 5-5190 Kuhio Hwy., makai side.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
