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10 Hiking Trails in Oahu That You Shouldn't Miss
The Hawaiian island of Oahu is a surfer’s paradise, with swelling waves that can reach epic heights. No wonder, then, that it’s the site of one of the world’s premier competitions, the Triple Crown of Surfing. If hanging ten isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the beautiful beaches – particularly famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Art connoisseurs will appreciate the annual Hale'iwa Arts Festival, a celebration of local crafts, painting, jewelry, sculpture, dance, and music.
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1. Ka’au Crater Hike
2. Moanalua Middle Ridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By PilotView
We were looking for a "good" hike to do. My daughter wanted to hike from the Hilton Hawaiian Village up to the top of Diamond Head. Nice, but a little vanilla. I challenged her to do something a little more challenging. We agreed on the Pali Puka Hike. Problem was we got confused with directions and ended up at the parking lot for the start of the Moanalua Valley Trail Hike. This hike is the "legal" way to gain access to the Stairway to Heaven (Otherwise know as the Haiku Stairs). We thought that the hike we were attempting (Paki Palu) was an easy 2.2 miles out and 2.2 miles back. WRONG. We were there, so not realizing what lay before us, we started the hike. Very little water, no food, a little candy, cameras and fortunately GOOD hiking boots. (Note - If you do this trail, the whole thing is 10-12 miles in length, start no later than 0830 am, have plenty of water, food, good boots and gloves for climbing the last sections). The first 2.8 miles is a nice little hike, ANYONE can do it. At the 2.8 mile point you come to a fork in the road, go LEFT. Do NOT go right like we did initially. We went 30 minutes the wrong way, had to double back, this ate up a lot of our daylight. Once back at the sign, we went left and immediately all hell breaks loose. The entire climb ascends some 2,600', most of it after the split at 2.8 miles. If it's muddy, it's really tough. Intermittent cloud cover, and rain makes its even more challenging. Since we started out so late, we did not see any other people until we were well into the hike and they were returning. Most being successful, a few tapped out at the rope sections. Every single group however started that from whatever point we met them at, it got a lot steeper from that point on. And it did. It is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY, but exhilarating. People have died on this trail. A lot of the time you have 1.000' vertical drops on both the left and the right of you and the path is only 2' wide. If you don't like heights, don't do this hike. Up and up and up we went. our pace slowed dramatically as a result and with 0.9 miles to go, while not having reached any of the most challenging rope sections, my daughter (27), wife (55) and myself (60), decided that we did not have enough daylight left to complete the hike and return down the mountain safely (like it was even safe in the first place). We turned back. Phenomenally beautiful photos. Absolutely 10 out of 10 in regards to challenge, adventure, craziness, confidence building etc. I am amazed that one of the three of us did not get seriously injured at sometime in our adventure. Although we failed, I sort of understand how people must feel, not being able to complete a venture like Everest etc.. initially stating that they would never attempt it again and then the next year, there they are. So I guess we'll see. There was a 75 year old, purple haired hippy looking dude who supposedly does the thing 5 times a week and completed it over 800 times. He's in great shape and I guess acts as a guide for hire. So there's hope for me I guess.
3. Pu’U’Ohulu Kai
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By secretagentgs - Honolulu, United States
This hike is affectionally known as the pink pillbox hike. It’s on the west coast Oahu so it’s off the beaten path so-to-speak, but this hike and locale is amazing!! It’s a good hike, definitely not for the weak hearted since it’s high up and on a winding path that is narrow at points and offers no protection from sliding off the path. But you have to check it out, and I highly recommend going at sunset...the views are AMAZING! There are a few different pillboxes & artifacts from a war and a time past! Super cool spot!!
4. Pu`uOHulu
5. Diamond Head State Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,500 reviews
A dormant volcano crater.
Reviewed By alp107
Great hike to do on Oahu! Try going early to miss the tourist runs ???? Great hike to do with kids and the whole family. Please note this is not a stroller-friendly hike. If by the time you get farther along the hike and don't feel like using the stairs (they're steep!), try the alternate (but longer) route of the ramp ways. Overall, this is a short hike with beautiful and great views of the south shoreline of Honolulu. Stay hydrated as this can be a dry climb up the half crater that is Diamond Head. ????
6. Manoa Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
A popular area with a great hiking trail.
Reviewed By neilkotak1971 - Honolulu, United States
Manao valley is located about 20 minutes from Waikiki, drive towards paradise park and you will see the real rain forest here. If you choose to take a tour book with Karma Tour of Hawaii and they will guide you to amazing places on this valley with Aloha spirit.
7. Makiki Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By jingjing2x - Centreville, United States
We've done multiple hikes in Oahu and this trail is one of our favorites. It is fairly easy to moderate level in difficulty mainly because of the uneven trails that you have to contend with. You are basically faced with roots jutting out of the ground or slippery muddy, rocky, gravels. We took the right trail in the beginning which was fairly easy lots of vegetations rainforest atmosphere and a steady ascend. You can hear the birds chirping and water noises from the stream/brook made it a relaxing peaceful hike whereas the left trail was moderately difficult has more jutted roots in the path. The trees are older and larger and not as green. The trail offers just a glimpse view of downtown Honolulu. Definitely wear a good hiking shoes and bring bug spray especially if it rained the day before. There are free parking at the entrance and bathroom/water fountain available right before you enter the trail. It is just minutes from Waikiki so get out there and get a workout before heading to the beach.
8. Olomana Three Peaks Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By riverbenthic - Los Angeles, United States
Here's the deal - this hike is extremely dangerous. You're risking your life to get a photo on top of the first peak. Past that it get's even riskier. I read all of the reviews before my wife and I hiked it, and came to the faulty conclusion that all of the extreme danger came into play if you went past the first peak and attempted the second and third peaks. That is false. There is a section where you risk your life to make it to the top of the first peak. It is a cool hike, and you get a great workout because it's all uphill. But you end up having to make a ridiculous choice at the end of the hike. There are four or five roped sections because the incline is so steep - nearly vertical in some places. If you fall on one of these sections, there's a high probability that you'll break a bone. Of course, if you hit your head, it could be fatal. That's pretty bad, but just wait... The most dangerous section is at the very, very end. When you're about 20 to 30 feet from the top of the first peak, you have to climb a giant rock section to summit in order to get your picture. It's nearly vertical, and if you would slip and fall, you will die. There is no rope, and the fall is hundreds of feet down. You're on the knife-edge of the ridge, and you have to do short section of straight-up free climbing. It's ridiculously dangerous. Of course, you'll want to risk it to get your picture since you hiked for hours to get there, and you're just about there. And you've seen all of the pics online of the folks who have summited. And you can't get the view and picture from the spot you're in. Maybe there's even some folks coming down from the peak - they did it, so why can't you? So we scaled that section to get the picture, but the whole time I knew that it was stupid and risky. Coming down from the peak is even worse because you can clearly see that you will absolutely die if you slip even once. Your nervousness does not help. Then coming down the roped sections becomes worse too because you can see that you'll break a limb or crack your head open if you fall. The fact that so many people summit the first peak without fatal consequences must show that when your life is on the line, you will tend to rise to the challenge out of an instinctive will to live. But why take that chance for a picture? But make no mistake, you are risking your life and the lives of your family/friends/partner/etc.,... if you do this hike. That last pitch to the first peak should technically only be attempted with a harness, ropes, and a belay partner. It's true rock-climbing with deadly consequences. Obviously, we made it back o.k but I told myself that I'd write a review to warn others that you do indeed have to risk your life to summit the first peak. It's just stupid. Attempting the second and third peaks is even more dangerous. Google Olomana Trail/Olomana Mountain to read all of the stories of people losing their lives or having to be rescued with helicopters. There are other hikes on Oahu that give you spectacular views of the ocean from up high. Even though it's also an intense workout to get to the top of the other hikes, you don't have to risk death to get the picture and have a great day. I would recommend choosing one of the pillbox hikes instead. We did those too, and I think that the pictures are even better. (I rated this hike with five stars in the hope that more people would read it).
9. Koko Crater Railway Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,529 reviews
Reviewed By 0120pepe - Chicago, United States
We loved this hike a lot. Views on top of it are astonishing. Hiking up is easier than coming down, even though both way are incredible way to hike. We have done this every time we go to Honolulu and every time is a new experience. Koko head is a must while you are in Honolulu ????????
10. Lanikai Pillboxes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 916 reviews
Reviewed By jamesml2018 - Luzerne County, United States
Have done this hike a few times. Parking can be a challenge, as it’s street parking. The entrance is well marked, and the onset is up a dirt hill which can be tricky when wet. It opens up to an amazing view of Lani Kai and the bay, and from there you follow the exposed ridge to the pill boxes. Some steep area with poor footing, with loose first and rocks. This first part is often crowded, and then end point for many folks. You can continue on through brush and tress, partly covered, but exposed areas continue with amazing views of Kailua, Waimānalo, and the Ko’olaus. The descent to Kano Kai Drive is via a gulley and requires careful navigation, due to loose rocks. There are branches to use to hold onto.
