7 hiking trails in O'ahu, Hawai'i
O'ahu is not only known for its beaches, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu but also for its amazing trails and stunning waterfalls. A quick fact: O'ahu hosts approximately 4.5 million visitors each year; that's more than 4 times its population! Now let's talk about the hikes I have done in O'ahu. Keep in mind the time and difficulty may vary from person to person according to physical fitness and health conditions.
- Koko Crater (Difficulty: Hard, Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip, Time: 2-3 hours)
- Parking lot opens at 6am -- I recommend getting there super early to find a parking spot and avoid the sun and crowd. There's no shade after 8:30am.
- Don't leave any valuables or anything visible in the car.
- There's a restroom across the parking lot.
- Bring water, wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
This is a STEEP hike offering a stunning view of Hanauma Bay, East Honolulu, and Big Island. Definitely worth it! It's a total of 1,048 step tracking tracks of railroad tiles. It was used by the military during World War II to transport supplies and people to the top.
2. Manoa Falls (Difficulty: Medium, Distance: 3.2 miles roundtrip, Time: 1.5 hours)
- Parking fee: $8 general, $4 military
- Shady, rocky, green and wet hike
- There's food concession right before the parking lot.
- Bring a rain jacket, water, and comfortable shoes.
This hike offers a relaxing path through the tropical rainforest featuring a lot of nature, birds singing, water flowing and a rewarding 150 feet waterfall at the end of the trail.
3. Diamond Head (Difficulty: Easy, Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip, Time: 1 hour )
- Parking is $10 plus $5 per person. You can also park outside the park and walk.
- All out-of-state visitors must have reservations to enter the park.
- They open the gate at 6am and close it at 4pm
- There's food concessions and restrooms
- The trail starts paved, then stairs and bunkers with a panoramic view of Honolulu and the ocean.
I recommend going early to avoid the sun and the crowds. Diamond Head is a crate formed during a single eruption many years ago. During winter you may be able to see humpback whales!
4. Likeke Falls (Difficulty: Moderate, Distance: 0.8 miles, Time: 30 mins)
- Street parking OR you can park at the golf course for a $10 fee.
- Mostly shaded but uneven path; it can also get muddy if it rains.
- The trail might get tricky; make sure you keep right when it divides in two paths.
- You can use the restrooms behind the golf course facilities and the view of the mountains are stunning from there!
5. Lanikai Pillbox (Difficulty: Moderate, Distance: 1.7 miles, Time: 1 hour)
- Popular hike to go see the sunrise! The view of the Mokulua Islands and the ocean from the two pillboxes is truly stunning.
- Bring water and comfortable shoes. It can either be very dry or slippery if it rains!
- No shade or parking lot (you have to street park in the neighborhood), so I recommend going as early as possible.
This is a STEEP hike almost all the way up but definitely rewarding, you won't regret it.
6. Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail (Difficulty: Easy, Distance: 2.5 miles, Time: 1.5 hours)
- Here's your paved trail!
- Again, there's no shade so prepare for it!
- Parking is limited.
- If you come during winter, bring binoculars and find the humpback whales!
Lots of lookouts with amazing views of the ocean, the whales and the lighthouse. You can see Moloka'i and Lana'i on clear days. You can also see islets at the end of the trail which are used as bird sanctuaries.
7. Ma'ili Pillbox (Difficulty: Moderate, Distance: 1.6 miles, Time: 1.5 hours)
- Street parking; don't leave any valuables in the car.
- We were lucky to go on a cloudy day but definitely bring water, hat and sunscreen because there's no shade.
- Somewhat steep at the beginning but then it's pretty flat with cliffs to one side.
The views from the pink pillbox are very rewarding! You get 360 panoramic views of the west side are so worth it.
If you found this blog useful, please share with your friends! Follow my Facebook One Way Ticket and Instagram onewayticket_k
