The Best Oʻahu Hikes

Hit the trail and surround yourself with Oʻahu’s exciting scenery. Whether strolling by the ocean or journeying through lush rainforest, Oʻahu’s hikes captivate trail blazers of all skill levels. A thrilling adventure awaits in this blissful paradise.

While outdoor lovers can easily find fun things to do in Honolulu and Oʻahu, it’s important to treat the land respectfully—appreciate it without interfering with the natural habitats. Join us as we guide you to stunning vistas and unforgettable experiences.

Coastal and Beach Trails

Feel that cool ocean breeze and the sand between your toes. Breathtaking beaches line the coast of Oʻahu. Just wait until you see the sunset over the ocean.

Kaʻiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) Trail

One of the most popular hikes in Hawaiʻi, the Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail, offers panoramic views of Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach. While it’s always fun to meander along the beach, this hike has a more unique experience in store.

Keep an eye out as you move along the trail’s 1.6 mile length, and you’ll eventually encounter old military pillboxes. Built during World War II, these lookout posts were strategic positions for gun batteries. The elevated vantage point granted Oʻahu’s soldiers a decisive advantage against invasions from the sea.

Come to see a piece of Hawaiʻi’s history. Stay for the sweeping views across the Mokulua Islands and the Koʻolau Range. The Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail’s 613.5-foot elevation gain makes it more difficult than flat hikes. However, walking the entire length only takes about 40 minutes, and this trail is free to hike.

Kaʻena Point Trail

The Kaʻena Point Trail winds around the Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve and takes you along the coastline. At around six miles long, the walk can be difficult for beginners and takes just over two hours. However, the first trek to the reserve stops at 2.5 miles. Pack a picnic lunch to be ready for a leisurely journey.

Birds flock to the trail and reserve, drawn by the isolation from urban environments. While some species, such as the Laysan albatross, tend to be skittish, you might still catch a glimpse of these majestic avians flying into the nest. As you cross tidepools and beaches, you could even see a Hawaiian monk seal napping between dunes. But be careful and don’t get too close to them!

Kaʻena Point Trail is a favorite for wildlife lovers. The surrounding land is a Wahi Pana, a sacred location where spirits begin their journey toward the afterlife. There's no charge.

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail

For our performers, lighting accentuates movements, enhancing drama and suspense. It’s impossible to overstate its importance to a good show. Of course, marine navigators may say the same thing about lighthouses.

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse holds the distinction of having the largest lens of any lighthouse in the United States. Its powerful beam shines 21 miles. out to sea, illuminating everything in its path. This beacon is also the highlight of a trip along the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail.

Of course, other exciting rewards await explorers who embark on this scenic hike, spanning nearly two miles with a gentle 498-foot elevation gain. Once you reach the cliffs, rest and enjoy the incredible views.

Whales migrate through this area from November to May, and seabirds are known to rest upon the coastal rocks. Much of the hike follows a paved trail, making it comfortable for the whole family. And here's the best part: This hike won't cost you a dime.

Diamond Head Summit Trail

Around 300,000 years ago, an explosion tore apart Diamond Head, leaving a massive crater. Of course, volcanic activity isn’t unusual across the Hawaiian islands. The archipelago constantly shifts and changes under its influence.

Dramatic scars like the enormous crater of the Diamond Head Summit Trail are quite rare. If you happen to see a glimmer coming from the earth, it’s possible that you saw what sailors believed to be diamonds. In fact, this trail got its name for sailors mistaking calcite crystals for diamonds.

Like other volcanic areas, Diamond Head is teeming with life. This short 1.6-mile round-trip hike to the summit and back offers an array of diverse plants covering the slopes. This moderately difficult hike has an elevation gain of about 557 ft. Despite the challenge, its panoramic views of Honolulu and Waikīkī make it well worth the trip.

Koko Crater Tramway to Kokohead Lookout

Looking for the best view of Hanauma Bay and Oʻahu’s eastern shores? You'll find it on the Koko Crater Tramway to Kokohead Lookout trail. This hike isn't for the timid. If you want to conquer the Koko Head Stairs, you’ll push your calves to the limit. Over 1,000 steps across railroad ties await you, and the hike offers little shade.

The trail’s midpoint may make you pause because 50 railroad ties form a precarious bridge. While you don’t need to cross it, it’s undoubtedly the most thrilling part of the journey. While we’re used to heights, defying gravity may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Those who reach the top earn bragging rights and spectacular views across the island. While the hike only covers 1.6 miles out and back, it ascends 912 feet by the end. Hike the trail for free, and you'll be paid back in spades with stunning views.

Koko Crater Arch Trail From Hālona Blowhole Lookout

Geological wonders can be found in many spots across Oʻahu, but the Koko Crater Arch Trail from Halona Blowhole Lookout gives you a front-row seat to two of the most impressive.

The hike begins at Hālona Blowhole Lookout. As you meander along the trail’s 0.9-mile loop, you’ll travel up the hill of Koko Crater. Sandy coves and rocky coastline scenery flank you, so the view remains picturesque for the entire journey. Koko Crater Arch lies at the end, offering a stunning reward for completing the hike.

While the trail has a 354-feet elevation gain, it’s gentle enough for most travelers. Leashed dogs are also welcome, so bring your furry friend! Fortunately, this trail is also free to hike.

Rainforest and Waterfall Trails

Travel through the mist-shrouded jungle and discover the wild heart that beats within Oʻahu. Oʻahu’s waterfalls and rainforests provide a refreshing escape from the city.

Mānoa Falls Trail

Mānoa Falls may look strangely familiar. That’s not déjà vu. Both the waterfall and parts of the rainforest appeared in Jurassic Park.

While you won’t need to worry about velociraptors pursuing you as you stroll along Mānoa Falls Trail, you’ll still feel like you’re walking through a prehistoric landscape. Perhaps it’s the lush ferns everywhere, but the rainforest has an otherworldly vibe.

As dense as the rainforest is, it’s teeming with life. Watch for colorful native birds and exotic-looking banyan trees. The trail itself only spans 1.7 miles out and back, but the rugged and often muddy terrain makes it moderately difficult.

Even a hike benefits from a grand finale. Once you reach the end, your reward is the magnificent waterfall. While the trail is free to hike, you must pay a small parking fee.

ʻAihualama Trail

At just 1.2 miles long, ʻAihualama Trail only takes about 40 minutes to complete. Its lush bamboo groves and towering banyan trees give it a unique aesthetic. Part of it winds through the Lyon Arboretum, so you may be fortunate enough to see some of its 5,000 plant species.

This trail sometimes gets busy, but it tends to be quieter than other popular hikes. Its tranquil setting makes it a great spot for your dog to stretch its legs while you connect with nature.

If you want a longer hike, this trail is part of the Honolulu-Mauka Trail Network. The 18 interconnected trails allow you to take the adventure in any direction. Hiking this trail or anywhere along the network is free—but locals request your utmost respect as you explore it.

Likeke Falls Trail

A short but somewhat challenging route, the Likeke Falls Trail ventures through thick rainforest near the mountainside. Although the trail only spans 0.8 miles and has an elevation gain of about 216 ft., the hike offers an incredible payoff. Once you reach the end, relax in a tropical oasis with a double waterfall.

For much of your journey, the trail evokes a wild sensation. Towering trees and thick ferns creep toward dirt paths worn into the ground by hikers. If people stopped visiting, the dense plants would soon swallow the trail.

While there’s a lot of greenery around the jade-colored leaves, these flowers take on even richer orange and red hues as they age. The views you get here have a fairly big payoff, and you don't have to pay to see them.

Pauoa Flats via Kalāwahine Trail

Up for a challenge? Lace up your hiking boots and prepare to walk nearly two hours through the rainforest. The Pauoa Flats via Kalāwahine Trail carries you 3.4 miles around the Ko'olau Mountains.

Like Kaʻena Point, the Koʻolau Mountains are sacred spaces revered as the home of gods. It’s easy to understand why when you see the dramatic cliffs and valleys. As moisture-rich winds crash against these cliffs, the sky becomes shrouded in mist, giving the area an ethereal atmosphere.

You’ll need to finish the hike to get the best views of the mountains and rainforest, which also means tackling a 770-feet elevation gain. However, once you reach the Pauoa Flats, there’s space to relax, have a picnic, or take photos. Forget your gym membership. This trail gives you a great workout, and it's free.

Mountain and Ridge Trails

Reach toward the sky as you hike up mountain and ridge trails. Over the millennia, volcanic activity has shaped Oʻahu’s terrain, creating a unique environment.

Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail

Pack some trail mix and conquer one of Oʻahu’s most challenging hikes. Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail traces 4.4 miles around the Kuliʻouʻou Forest Reserve, so you can expect to walk at least three hours. With an elevation gain of 1,666 feet, it’s one of the steepest hikes.

Part of the trail crosses over railroad ties and large plant roots, which adds to the intense workout. Stepping over these obstacles feels a lot like navigating a military training course. However, the exertion is worth the reward because the views from the top of the trail are glorious.

Once you reach the summit, Oʻahu’s southeast coast expands below you like a scene from a painting. Beaches and coastal towns stretch out into the distance, while the Pacific Ocean melts into the horizon. Fortunately, you don't have to pay to enjoy this hike.

Lulumahu Falls Trail

Lulumahu Falls trail is a popular hike—and, compared to other trails across Hawaiʻi, is fairly low elevation. But despite its elevation levels at only 300ft., that doesn’t mean its 1.5-mile-long trail is any less challenging. Many skilled hikers come here to scope out Lulumahu Falls, a 50-foot waterfall that’s well worth the journey alone. But, along the way, you’ll encounter some fairly impressive views, including a clearing that gives way to the Koʻolau mountain range. Visitors, be sure to soak it all in.

Waimano Ridge Trail

Like its name suggests, Waimano Ridge Trail follows 15-miles of graded ridge. While embarking on this path, you’ll be met with breathtaking views, including the unforgettable landscape of the Waimano Valley. Waimano Ridge Trail is a lengthy trek, to be sure, so make sure you’re adequately prepared for this journey and its subtle yet steady incline. Along the way, you’ll spot many tunnels—these were once used for irrigation. Though they’re a bit muddy inside, you can even walk in them—tall folks, you might have to crouch down a tad.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Pack a picnic and prepare to climb. To conquer the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail, you need to scale uneven terrain most of the way, traveling 4.7 miles, and up an elevation of over 1,512 ft. This lack of flat ground makes the hike challenging.

While most mountain trails are surrounded by dense plants, Wiliwilinui Ridge’s scenery evolves constantly. The southern landscape of Oʻahu and the Honolulu cityscape shift in and out of view.

The trail gets its name from the wiliwili tree. As you venture on, keep an eye out for these majestic trees. Their thick, spiny trunks and colorful blooms stand out from the sea of green, but the tree populations are on the decline. Finding one requires luck! You can hike this trail for free, so leave your wallet at home.

Waʻahila Ridge Trail

If you want to get close to nature, there’s no better hike than Waʻahila Ridge Trail. Winding 2.4 miles. through native forest and up an elevation of 499 feet, this trail really brings you up close to wildlife.

For the best experience, start your trek early in the morning. This is when the Hawaiian honeycreepers are most active, giving you the best chance of catching these joyful birds as they perform aerial acrobatics. Look for the distinctive curved beaks and brightly colored plumage.

While the summit is a restricted area, you’re still rewarded with spectacular views of the Koʻolau Mountain Range most of the way up. It’s the perfect way to appreciate the natural splendor of the land, during the sunset in Oʻahu! Imagine hiking such a beautiful trail and not having to pay a thing for entry. That's exactly what you get here.

Concluding Thoughts on Oʻahu’s Majestic Hiking Trails

Hiking across Oʻahu, you’re sure to work up a sweat, but the incredible views will make you forget all that when you see this ancient island from a whole new perspective. After a long day of venturing through the island's trails, stop by the theater for an invigorating performance that will refresh your spirit.

Our performers await to dazzle you as they dance and soar across the stage. Lose yourself in a thrilling storyline that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. Come see our shows in Honolulu. Our heart-pounding performances rival the thrills you get reaching a mountain summit.