Oahu is heaven for hikers with tall mountains, volcano cones, lush jungle, waterfalls, and streams. From easy hikes perfect for families to really challenging trips to the mountain peaks and steep ridges, there is a hike for everyone. It rains a lot in Oahu, so the trails get muddy and erode quickly even with the best maintenance, so planning is important as well as good hiking shoes.
Diamond Head State Monument Trail
One of the major Honolulu landmarks, Diamond Head is a volcanic cone of a 300,000-year-old crater that dominates the city and offers spectacular views of the island and the ocean beyond. It is today a State Monument, protected for its natural and historic importance. To enter the park, you have to approach it from the eastern side through a short tunnel that leads to the center of the crater. Once inside, walk to the west side to start the 560-foot climb. The dirt path is full of switchbacks, loose gravel, and potholes, and it ends in 99 steps, so you will probably work up a bit of a sweat, but even kids can do the hike, and the view is definitively worth it.
Diamond Head State Monument Trail, 18th Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815
Aiea Loop Trail
The Aiea Loop Trail is 4.8-mile long trail with an elevation gain of 900 feet and a trailhead in a park near the campground. The trail runs most of the way along the ridge above the Halawa Valley and is surrounded by groves of fragrant lemon eucalyptus trees, Norfolk pines, and native ohi’a and koa trees. It is full of steep switchbacks, and you will have to jump over a stream and a few tree roots, but you will love the view of Oahu’s southern coastline from Pearl Harbor and the Wai‘anae Range to Diamond Head and Honolulu. The trail is considered moderately strenuous and can be done in less than three hours.
Aiea Loop Trail, 99-1849 Aiea Heights Dr, Aiea, HI 96701
Ka'ena Point Trail
The trail to Ka'ena Point Trail follows an old dirt road that goes to the westernmost point of O‘ahu. The area is now part of the Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve, a wild and remote area that protects some of the last remnants of Oahu’s coastal sand dunes and native plants and birds. It is a great spot to watch whales in the winter. The 3.5-mile long trail starts in the Keawaula Section of Ka‘ena Point State Park at the end of the paved road. The dirt trail follows the shoreline with small beaches hidden among large boulders and occasional tidepools, with steep cliffs looming above. About halfway through, you can see two small blowholes.
Ka'ena Point Trail, Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791
Kuliouou Ridge and Valley
The 2.5-mile trail to the Kuliouou Ridge starts about 0.2 miles on the Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley Trail and from there keeps climbing up the ridge to the summit of the Ko‘olau Range. About two-thirds of the way up the ridge, there is a small shelter with picnic tables and a guava forest just beyond. From this point, the trail follows the ridge and becomes very steep, gaining 2000 feet in elevation. It runs through a canopy of native trees such as haole koa, Formosa koa, Christmas berry, ironwood, and Norfolk pine. It ends at the summit where spectacular views of Oahu’s windward side will take your breath away.
Kala'au Place, Honolulu, Oahu, HI
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
The 3.3-mile long Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail (both ways) is one of several trails running through the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. The nice paved trail starts right at the parking lot and goes uphill along sea cliffs to the observation deck. The views of the windy southeastern coastline with Koko Head and Koko Crater are spectacular. From the lookout, you can take a short trail downhill to the historic 1909 red-roofed Makapu‘u Lighthouse, but the lighthouse is off limits. The lookout and areas all along the trail offer great views of the ocean and occasional passing whales. The trail is fairly difficult and steep, and you will gain 1220 feet.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail, Waimanalo, HI 96795
