Great Hiking Trails on Oahu

Description:

Diamond Head (Le'ahi) is the most recognized landmark in Hawai'i. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968 as an excellent example of a tuff cone. The trail to the summit of Diamond Head was built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army Coastal Aritllery defense system. From the trailhead to the summit of Diamond Head Crater, you will cover 0.8 miles one-way and climb 560 feet from the crater floor. The summit of the crater and the uppermost level of the Fire Control Station are at an elevation of 761 feet. Bunkers along the crater rim were built in 1915.

The trail follows an eneven and steep terrain , requiring caution and appropriate footwear. Portions of the trail involve steep stairways so take your time. Other portions of the trail go through long, dark tunnels, hence a flashlight is suggested. The weather here is always hot. A hat, sunscreen and plenty of water are recommended. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a safe and leisurely round-trip hike.

Description:

Kalawahine Trail contours the edge of Pauoa Valley, winding in and out of gulches along the way. It offers some great views of Pauoa Valley and the northern end of Honolulu. Vegetation is diverse along this trail, including mamake, koa, bananas, ginger and albizia. Moreover, 1.1 miles down the trail, you will come to a junction on the right with Manoa Cliff Trail. If you choose to continue along Manoa Cliff Trail, you can loop back to Round Top Drive. Then, carefully walk the road (to your right) back to your car. If you continue straight past the Manoa Cliff junction, Kalawahine Trail ends at Pauoa Flats Trail, where you can go right or left. If you go left, Pauoa Flats Trail will take you to Aihualama Trail (on your right), Nuuanu Trail (on your left), or a lookout over Nuuanu Valley (continue straight on Pauoa Flats Trail past the Aihualama junction). If you go right on Pauoa Flats Trail from Kalawahine Trail, it will end at a junction with Manoa Cliff Trail. There is a system trail map here.

Terrain: Mountainous. Thick, partially native forest. Directions: From Makiki Heights Drive, go uphill on Tantalus Drive. When you get close to the top, just after going over a narrow bridge,...

Description:

Getting There: Proceed mauka on Round Top Drive to the parking lot on the opposite side of the road directly adjacent the Moleka Trail. Manoa Cliff Trail is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The trail begins in a thick swamp of mahagony and guava forest, ascending slowly. Shortly, the trail bursts out onto the cliffs above Manoa Valley. The trail contours the cliffs above Manoa Valley, and around Tantalus Crater to Pauoa Valley. This trail offers spectacular views of Manoa Valley, and 3 waterfalls in the back of the valley. Once out of the thick guava forest, the trail becomes mostly native, offering hikers the opportunity to view koa, ohia, mamaki, haha, kokiokeokeo, and many other native plants. This trail is also a good place close to town to view amakihi and apapane. Look carefully over the ginger, just before the Puu Ohia junction, for a unique view of Kaneohe.

This trail will intersect three other trails. The first intersection will be with Pu'u Ohia Trail on the left. The second intersection will be with Pauoa Flats Trail on the right. This intersection has a map of the entire Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The Manoa Cliff Trail ends at the junction of Kalawahine Trail,...

Description:

Getting There: Proceed along the Manoa Cliff Trail from Round Top Drive. The first intersection will be the Puu Ohia Trail on the left. The second intersection on the right is the Pauoa Flats Trail. Pauoa Flats Trail is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. Pauoa Flats trail traverses through ginger, swamp mahagony and eucalyptus. It contours Pauoa Flats and connects with Aihualama, Nuuanu, Kalawahine and Manoa Cliff Trails. Hike Kalawahine Trail 1.5 miles from Tantalus Drive until it ends at Pauoa Flats Trail. 2. Or, take Pu'u Ohia Trail to the Manoa Cliff Trail and go left. Continue mauka on Manoa Cliff Trail until you reach the Pauoa Flats Trail intersection on the right. There is a trail map at this intersection. 3. Or, hike Manoa Cliff Trail from Round Top Drive. The first intersection will be with Pu'u Ohia Trail on the left. The second intersection on the right is the Pauoa Flats Trail. There is a trail map here.

Description:

Getting There: Proceed mauka on Tantalus Drive until you get to the very top of the Drive. Look for the trail head sign on the left-hand side of the road. There is a parking lot on the opposite side of the road. You may park here. Pu'u Ohia Trail is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The trail ascends up through guava and bamboo groves and is lined by ginger. At approximately 0.5 miles, the trail comes to the top of Mt. Tantalus, where there is a Hawaiian Telephone service road. Proceed mauka (right) on this road until you reach the end. The trail begins again behind the left side of the light green building. Continue down through the bamboo forest until the trail ends at an intersection with Manoa Cliff Trail.

If you choose to continue left on Manoa Cliff Trail, you will reach a system trail map after about 0.2 miles.

Description:

Hawai`iloa Ridge Trail follows the ridge up to the summit of the Ko`olau`s. The beginning 2/3 of the trail climbs through a dry forest of ulee, ilima and strawberry guava. The last 1/3 of the trail is primarily on open ridge and goes through ohia-koa-akia forest. This 3.5 mile trail offers abundant opportunies to view native plants, and spectacular views of the Leeward side of O`ahu. This trail is quite steep in sections and may be difficult for novice hikers. Sections of this trail have ropes to assist with climbing. Please note that these are not installed or maintained by Na Ala Hele. Be advised that ropes can be more dangerous than climbing unassisted. Hikers should also exercise caution since portions of the trail are also used as hunting areas, when in season. Directions: From Kalanianaole Highway heading east, turn left on Pu`u`ikena Drive. Check in at the security guard station. Here, you must show a Hawaii State ID and sign a liability waiver. Continue on Pu`u`ikena Drive for approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead parking area, next to the Board of Water supply tank. The trailhead is on the right, towards the mountains. Note: The Hawai`iloa Community Association has been... read more

Description:

Located on southeastern side of the island this hike is 2.5 miles in length and difficult. Access to Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail starts on the right at the hunter/hiker check-in station just past the Board of Water Supply cable gate. The trailhead to the ridge begins about 0.2 in on the Kuli`ou`ou Valley Trail and proceed up the ridge to the summit of the Ko`olau Range. About two-thirds of the way up the ridge, there is a shelter with two picnic tables. From this point, the trail becomes more steep, following the ridge Beyond the shelter, the trail is only occasionally maintained, and may be difficult for inexperienced hikers. The trail ends at the summit with a spectacular view of the windward side of O`ahu and Waimanalo. Return is by the same route. The trail traverses through an assortment of exotic vegetation typical of arid areas: Christmas berry, haole koa, formosa koa, ironwood, Norfolk pine and guava. Beyond the shelter and the guava forest, the trail breaks out of the canopy and into uluhe-o`hia-koa forest. This upper section of trail offers an almost 360 degree view of the island. Caution should be exercised on this trail since it is also open to mountain bikers and hunters. Directions:... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Walk the paved trail to Makapu’u’s lighthouse and spot whales on the way

Description:

Makapu'u Lighthouse is one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks. From the lookout that sits on the cliff above Makapu'u Beach, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Waimanalo Bay, which stretches across the eastern shores of Oahu to Kailua. On a clear day, you can see Molokai - and even Maui - in the distance. The Molokai Channel that sits between the Lighthouse and Molokai, Oahu's closest neighboring island, is a great place to spot humpback whales in the winter (between December and April). A 2-mile paved trail leads to the lighthouse, which was built in 1909.

Description:

Getting There: Proceed mauka (toward the mountain) along Nuuanu Pali Drive until you reach a concrete bridge. Immediately to your right is a dirt parking area. This is the trail head for the Judd Trail. Judd Trail is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The trail starts just below the parking area and proceeds across the stream. Exercise caution while crossing the stream, as the rocks are unstable and slippery. Once across the stream, the Judd Trail forms a loop, so you may proceed in either direction. The Judd Trail traverses through primarily bamboo, ironwood and eucalyptus forest. This trail connects with Nu'uanu Trail about midway along the loop.

Description:

The Kaiwa Ridge Trail climbs up the ridge behind Lanikai on the windward side of Oahu. It traverses through native and introduced coastal vegetation and ends at the first WWII bunker. Kaiwa Ridge Trail is currently an undeveloped trail and receives minimal maintenance from the State of Hawaii. Hikers are advised to watch their step and not to climb the bunkers. Trail offers 360 degree views of Kailua, the Mokaluas and the Ko`olau Mountains. Directions: From Kalanianaole Highway, turn right on Kailua Road into Kailua. Continue through Kailua town (road turns into Ku`ulei) until you reach a T-intersection at a traffic light. Turn right on Kalaheo Road, continuing past Kailua Beach Park, where the road` turns into Kawailoa. Heading into Lanikai, follow the right fork onto Aalapapa Dr., and take a right onto Kaelepulu Drive. When you reach Mid Pacific Country Club (on the right), park in the turnout on the right side of the road, taking note of the No Parking areas. Across the street you will see a dirt trail running along a fence. This is Ka`iwa Trailhead. The first part of the trail is very steep, slippery, and confusing. Remember! This trail is undeveloped.

Description:

Located on southeastern side of the island this hike is 2.5 miles in length and difficult. Access to Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail starts on the right at the hunter/hiker check-in station just past the Board of Water Supply cable gate. The trailhead to the ridge begins about 0.2 in on the Kuli`ou`ou Valley Trail and proceed up the ridge to the summit of the Ko`olau Range. About two-thirds of the way up the ridge, there is a shelter with two picnic tables. From this point, the trail becomes more steep, following the ridge Beyond the shelter, the trail is only occasionally maintained, and may be difficult for inexperienced hikers. The trail ends at the summit with a spectacular view of the windward side of O`ahu and Waimanalo. Return is by the same route. The trail traverses through an assortment of exotic vegetation typical of arid areas: Christmas berry, haole koa, formosa koa, ironwood, Norfolk pine and guava. Beyond the shelter and the guava forest, the trail breaks out of the canopy and into uluhe-o`hia-koa forest. This upper section of trail offers an almost 360 degree view of the island. Caution should be exercised on this trail since it is also open to mountain bikers and hunters. Directions:... read more

Description:

Hike along a meandering trail off the Pali Highway in the Ko'olau rainforest to beautiful Maunawili Falls, a large swimming hole fed by a waterfall that is over twenty feet tall. Significant efforts have been made to allow easy access to this treasured hiking trail. There's a secret rock slide just past the waterfall itself, so bring your bathing suit and wade in the pool beneath the falls. Many daredevils enjoy jumping into the pool from various heights upon the cliff, but be sure the water level is suitable before jumping! The hike itself takes no longer than two hours round trip, and is suitable for small children. To get there, take H1 to the Pali Hwy, and follow it to Kailua. Turn right at the second Auloa Road. Keep right after the turn but veer left onto Maunawili Road. Turn right onto Kelewina Road. Park around the corner from the trail head, on Lola Road.

Description:

Hau`ula Loop Trail begins on the right side of the access road, just past the hiker/hunter check-in station. Where the trail branches off, take the right fork which climbs up the adjoining ridge. It crosses Waipilopilo Gulch, then travels makai (towards the ocean) on the next ridge overlooking Kipapau Valley to return back across the gulch, around the makai side of the ridge, and rejoins the start of the trail. This trail goes through groves of planted ironwood. It also offers great views of Hau`ula and the ocean. Remnant native species in the Waipilopilo Gulch include lama, alahe`e, `ohi`a, hoawa, akia and a`ali`i. This trail is a good family trail. Directions: From Kamehameha Highway in Hau`ula, turn onto Hau`ula Homestead Road (across from Hau`ula Beach Park). When the road makes a sharp curve to the left, continue straight onto the access road. Park along the road before the cable gate, taking care not to block the gate. Continue on foot past the gate and the hunter/hiker check-in station. Hau`ula Trail begins on the right side of the access road, just past the check-in station..

Description:

Kaunala Trail begins in a stand of paperbark trees and contours in and out of several gulches. This 2.5 moderatly difficult trail offers good combination of ridge and valley trail and offers great views of the north shore and Waianae Mountain Range. Moreover there are great views of the north shore and Waianae Mountain Range. There is an interesting combination of native and introduced vegetation along this trail. The last portion of the hike is along a dirt road. When you break out of the forest onto the dirt road, go right. About 0.25 miles up the road, you will come to a large iron gate. Continue around the gate and go right at the road intersection. Continue down the road, past the trailhead (now, on your right) to the entrance gate and your parked vehicle. Directions: On Kamehameha Highway, from Haleiwa heading towards Sunset Beach, turn right on Pupukea Road (at Foodland). Continue up the road, past the Pu`u `O Mahuka Heiau, until the road ends at a gate and Camp Pupukea. Park below the Boy Scout camp along the road.

Description:

The Kealia Trail switchbacks above Dillingham Airfield. At approximately 1 mile, the trail crests the cliff, becomes a dirt road and continues up the ridge. This road connects with the Kuaokala Access Road. This short trail offers great views of Waialua and Haleiwa towns and the north shore. There are also great views of Dillingham Airfield and the fixed-wing gliders as they soar overhead. Directions: From Farrington Highway, after passing Camp Mokuleia, turn left into the third entrance to Dillingham Airfield. Proceed straight ahead 0.4 mile, to parking near the airfield tower. From the parking area, head toward the mountain, crossing the access road you just came in on, and enter the gravel road. Go through the cable gate and continue left down the road, just past the broken-down airplane and building. When the road forks, stay right. The road will end at a fence lined with WWII bunkers. Proceed through the gate at the fence. The trail begins here.