Oahu Hiking

The pedestrian-only trails of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System lead through a variety of climates within a small area, where many unique plants grow. The bugs can get aggravating; pack insect repellent, water, and sunscreen. Allow enough time to return with daylight to spare, never hike alone, and always stay on the trail —unmarked offshoots and access roads may be private and are not maintained. Be careful of hunters while hiking; always wear bright clothing. Drinking or bathing in freshwater streams is not advised, as some areas may have leptospirosis. Never leave valuables in your car, and respect the land by taking out everything you brought. If you get lost during a hike call the Hawaii Nature Center (☎808-955-0100; open daily 8am-4:30pm). For more information, go to www.hawaiitrails.org or www.backyardoahu.com.

Manoa Falls Trail.  (0.8 mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 800 ft. Easy.) This is one of Oahu’s most popular trails, and for good reason. The well-marked path leads from the Manoa Falls parking area through eucalyptus and bamboo groves, over bubbling streams, and by old guava and mountain apple trees. Manoa Falls cascades down a stone face into a pool at the end of the trail. Small fissures in the rock wall contain stacks of rocks left by locals out of respect for the mana (spirit) of the area. (Do not leave valuables in your car. The trailhead is in the same place as the Lyon Arboretum. See for directions. $5 parking available in a private and guarded lot in Paradise Park at the base of the trail.)

Aihualama Trail.  (1½ mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 1200 ft. Moderate.) This trail takes more experienced hikers on a trek that starts 50 ft. before the end of the Manoa Falls Trail and climbs the west ridge of Manoa Valley. Aihualama features bamboo forests and views of Honolulu, Diamond Head Crater, and the valley below. The trail also links the Manoa Valley hikes and the Tantalus area hikes. To get to the Tantalus trails, keep going 1 mi. after the lookout to Pauoa Flats and the Puu Ohia Trail. Otherwise, return the way you came. (Follow the directions through the Manoa Falls Trail to the marker for Aihualama. Not suitable for novice hikers.)

Makiki Valley Loop.  (2½ mi. Elevation gain: 760 ft. Moderate.) Combining three Tantalus area hikes— Maunalaha, Kanealole, and Makiki Valley —this loop takes hikers on an adventure. Hikers start the loop on the Maunalaha Trail, which is clearly marked behind the Hawaii Nature Center. After crossing a bridge the trail splits in two: the Maunalaha Trail continues to the right and the Kaneaole Trail begins to the left. Most people veer right and hike Maunalaha first, but to avoid a steeper uphill climb, head left and start with Kanealole. This path ascends for ¾ mi. and becomes the Makiki Valley Trail just before the Kaneaole Stream. After approximately 1 mi., the trail meets a four-way intersection after passing through a field of Job’s Tears, a tall, thick grass that grows up to 5 ft. tall. To continue on the loop, take Maunalaha Trail, the rightmost path. The leftmost mauka (mountain) side trail is the Moleka Trail (see below) and the middle path (between Maunalaha Trail and a brief continuation of Maikiki Valley Trail) is Ualakaa Trail, an easy ½ mi. path under a canopy forest with a gorgeous view of Diamond Head. It ends at Round Top Dr., while Maunalaha Trail completes the Maiki Valley Loop from the four-way intersection back down the mountain through webs of difficult roots from immense Norfolk pines and eucalyptus trees. The steep ¾ mi. trail ends back above the Hawaii Nature Center. (See directions to the Hawaii Nature Center. Area closes at 6:30pm.)

Manoa Cliff Trail.  (2½ mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 500 ft. Easy.) Known for its range of indigenous flora and amazing scenic points, this trail climbs gradually through a dense guava and swamp mahogany forest, emerging at an overlook with three waterfalls toward the back and a sweeping view of Manoa Valley. Near the end of the hike, the trail connects with Puu Ohia Trail and Pauoa Flats Trail (see below). If you stick with Manoa Cliff Trail, you’ll find that it ends at a third junction, this time with Kalawahine Trail (formerly considered part of the Manoa Cliff Trail). Kalawahine Trail delivers you to Tantalus Dr. via a 1 mi. trek along the contours of Mt. Tantalus through a lush forest that has koa, guava, and banana trees, as well as scenic points looking out across Pauoa Valley.

Toward the end of Manoa Cliff Trail, the path intersects Puu Ohia Trail on the left. This simple path leads ¾ mi. to an overlook at the highest point of Tantalus Crater. Puu Ohia passes night-blooming jasmine, wild ginger, guava, avocado trees, and inspiring views of Honolulu. Past the Puu Ohia fork, Manoa Cliff Trail meets Pauoa Flats Trail on the right. Heading inland, the ¾ mi. Pauoa Flats Trail traverses through swamp mahogany trees before connecting with Nuuanu Trail (see below). (Follow the directions to the Moleka trailhead. The parking lot for Manoa Cliff is the same as the one for the Moleka Trail. The trail starts across the street from the parking lot. To reach Kalawahine Trail from the road, head toward the mountains on Tantalus Dr. There will be a sign for the trailhead on the left, next to a private road about 1 mi. before the Manoa Cliff trailhead.)

Nuuanu Trail.  (1½ mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 600 ft. Moderate.) This trail can be reached from Kalawahine Trail. Climbing up the west side of Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu Trail catches periodic views of Honolulu and intersects Pauoa Flats Trail on the valley side (see above) and the Judd Trail on the cliff side (see below). After peaking atop the ridge, the trail continues down to the Nuuanu Valley floor. (From Honolulu take Pali Hwy. away from town and take a right on Nuuani Pali Dr. Continue approx. 1 mi. until you reach a concrete bridge. Immediately to your right is an open area in the ironwood trees. This is the trailhead for Judd Trail. You can park here, but be aware that it is a high-theft area. Hike Judd Trail in either direction 0.7 mi. until you reach the intersection with Nuuanu Trail. Alternatively, hike on Kalawahine trail until it intersects the Pauoa Flats Trail. Go left on Pauoa Flats Trail about 0.1 mi. to the Nuuanu Trailhead on the left. Nuuanu Trail will end at Judd Trail.)

Judd Trail.  (0.75 mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 200 ft. Easy.) This trail connects Nuuanu Pali Dr. with the Nuuanu Trail and can be reached from either. If you start from the road, Judd Trail crosses a stream and becomes a loop that takes hikers through damp valley of bamboo, eucalyptus, and ironwood trees. The rocks can be slick, so be careful keeping your balance. Midway through the path, the trail connects with Nuuanu Trail. (See above directions for the Nuuanu Trail.)

Kolowalu Trail.  (1 mi. one-way. Elevation gain: 1100 ft. Challenging.) This, one of the area’s most challenging hikes, is for experienced hikers only. The steep trail rises 1100 ft. through dense forest to Waahila Ridge and intersects Waahila Ridge Trail. (The trailhead is on the right side of the Forestry and Wildlife picnic shelter near the Puu Pia Trailhead. You may also access this trail by hiking 2½ mi. along Waahila Ridge Trail, and then proceeding left at the junction.)