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Pedaling Paradise
Not everything about Kauai is green and lush: Waimea Canyon, a ten-mile-long gash on the island's windswept western side, looks more like the American Southwest than anyplace in Hawaii (in fact, Mark Twain dubbed it the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"). The gorge descends over 3,000 feet to the river below, presenting mountain bikers (and hikers) with trails that range in difficulty from heart-stopping to merely stunning. There's no need to rough it when the ride is over—the nearby Waimea Plantation Cottages make a fine base camp. The century-old sugar plantation cottages retain the reserved luxury of Hawaii's colonial past with modern amenities—at a bargain rate (for this part of the globe anyway). Let the concierge hook you up with bikes and trail maps; all you have to worry about is getting back in time to catch the glorious sunset at the hotel's black sand beach.
Waimea Plantation Cottages
Tel: 800 992 4632
Doubles from $140
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