Top Ten Hiking Trails on Hawaii

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:

Getting There: Proceed mauka on Tantalus Drive, past the Nahuina Trail head sign. At this point, the road narrows. Look for the Manoa Cliff Trail head sign on the left-hand side of the road. There is a road that proceeds straight up a hill. The Manoa Cliff Trail is directly to the left. Proceed on foot on the Manoa Cliff Trail. Just below the first switchback there will be a connector trail that proceeds ahead and ties in with the Pauoa Flats Trail. The Nuuanu Trail intersection is on the left almost immediately after you reach the Pauoa Flats Trail. Nu'uanu Trail is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The trail ascends the west side of upper Pauoa Valley and Pauoa Flats. Once it reaches the ridgetop, it then descends into Nuuanu Valley. The trail offers panoramic views of Honolulu, the Waianae Range and the airport area. On the Pauoa Valley side, the trail intersects the Pauoa Flats Trail. It also intersects the Judd Trail on the Pali side. The lower sections of this trail may be difficult for novice hikers.

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 more than cooperative in letting hikers and hunters access State land through their gated community. Please abide by all rules and regulations of the association. Do not stop or park in subdivision. There are only ten parking stalls at the trailhead. Hiking groups are advised to car pool..

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:

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: From Kalanianaole Highway heading east, take a left on Kuliouou Street.Drive mauka towards the back of the valley. Follow the curve to the left, and take a right on Kuli`ou`ou Road. Turn right on Kala`au Place, continuing to the the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. Park at the end of the cul-de-sac and proceed on foot past the cable gate on the access road. The trail begins on the right of the access road at the hunter/hiker check in station.

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:

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.

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.