Taking adventures is what brings most people to Hawaii. Like you, many travel to O’ahu for the amazing views, the crystal clear water, and the warm weather. Hiking in O’ahu is a great way to explore the nature that this island has to offer.
You don’t need to pay for most of these hikes in O’ahu because most of them are free!! You will find the occasional hike costs anywhere between $5 and $25. Most of the time you will run into a parking fee rather than an admission fee.
In hopes you not missing out on any of these hiking opportunities in O’ahu Hawaii, I have made a list of where all the best hikes are. These are categorized according to which part of the Island you want to hike.
- East Side
- Southside
- Northside
- West side
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O’ahu Hiking Map
Quick Stats for Trails in O’ahu Hawaii
Click on the name of the desired trail for directions.
| Distance | Parking | Difficulty | Cost | Views | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East side | |||||
| Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail | 2 Miles out and back | Free/ easy access | Somewhat easy | Free | Lighthouse |
| Waimea Valley Trail | 1.9 Miles out and back | Available | Easy | $6-$25 | Forest/ waterfall |
| Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail | 4 Miles round trip | Scarce/free | Strenuous | Free | 360 Mountain views |
| Koko Crater | 2 miles out and back | Available | Moderate | Free | 360 Crater view |
| Lanikai Pillbox Trail | 1.25 miles out and back | Free/Easy access | Moderate | Free | 360 mountain views |
| North Shore | |||||
| Ehukai Pillbox Hike | 1.5 miles out and back | Available | Strenuous | Free | Coast/mountains |
| Ka’ena Point Trail | 5 miles one way | Available | Easy | Free | Bays, Beaches, ocean |
| Kealia Trail | Between 10 and 17 miles | free | Moderate | free | Boardwalk, forest, 360 views |
| Southside | |||||
| Manoa Falls | 1.6 Miles round trip | $5 | Moderate | Free | Waterfall/ jungle |
| Lulumahu Falls | 1.7 Miles round trip | Free | Intermediate | $2.50 for day permit | 50 ft waterfall/jungle |
| Ka’au Crater Trail | 7.3 Miles out and back | Free | Difficult | Free | 3 waterfalls/crater/ jungle |
| West Side | |||||
| Diamond Head | 2 Miles round trip | $5 | Easy | Free | Crater/ coast/lighthouse |
Hiking on the East Side of O’ahu
The east side of O’ahu offers some of the most diverse trails from hiking on a ridge to finding a lighthouse on the cliff side. Don’t miss out on these amazing and adventurous hikes!
1. Waimea Valley Trail in O’ahu
The Waimea trail is considered one of the easiest trails to hike around O’ahu. The path is paved which makes it perfect for your family, especially if you have a stroller.
There is a waterfall at the end of the trail that you and your family can swim. If you need a life jacket there are some provided at the beginning of the trail for a small fee.
You can check out Waimea Valley’s website for current admission prices. Prices range from $6-$25.
Prepare: Absolutely no dogs are allowed on this trail. Be prepared for a fee before you begin your hiking journey.
2. Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail
This trail is one of the many trails that take you to the top of Ko’olau Mountain Range. The Kuli’ou’ou is the easiest trail to access and hike at this mountain range. It is also the shortest and safest route to the top of this particular area.
Parking is kind of tricky because it’s behind a cul de sac on Kala’au Place. The trailhead is at the end of that road.
You could run into some rain or clouds during your hiking journey. It’s important to dress accordingly and prepare for rain even if it’s not in the forecast. Don’t worry if your day seems cloudy because there could be a short burst of wind that will quickly clear way cloud coverage.
Prepare: for some strenuous, often confusing trails. The trails have been known to disappear from time to time, but are easy to find again… just keep going in the same direction the trail is already going.
Bring a lot of water and snacks. The further you climb the colder it becomes, bring a jacket.
3. Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail in O’ahu Hawaii
You can find the Makapu’u lighthouse trail along one of the most beautiful highways on the island, Kalanaianaole Highway.
It is easy to access, and you don’t need to hike the trail to see the surrounding beauty. You do, however, need to hike 2 miles (one way) to see the Makapu’u lighthouse.
We never did hike this trail in O’ahu because we arrived during the middle of the day. This was one of the many hikes I wish we had taken because the views look gorgeous!
We did, however, get to enjoy the scenic views from the parking lot. There were even some old-time war relics dotted across the mountainside.
Prepare: You may be spending quite a bit of time here because the trail is long and there is more to see than a lighthouse.
4. Koko Crater
Koko crater used to be a volcano that housed a railroad. In fact, the leftover railroad ties make up the trail to the top of this crater. Some of the ties are missing, but as of today, there are approximately 800 ties left.
The elevation to the top of Koko crater is 1,208 ft. Although this O’ahu trail is a straight shot to the top, it is fairly strenuous. You will have 1 mile up the mountain and 1 mile down. You won’t get lost on this trail, just follow the railroads.
Prepare: Drink a TON of water, as the trail gets extremely hot. Practice those stair climbers before you go! Most of the trail is stairs.
5. Lanikai Pillbox Trail
You may want to hike the Pillbox trail for its 360 views but beware of the tricky trail ways. In the beginning, you may have to grab onto some ropes to pull you up the steep hills.
The trails are eroded because of the foot traffic over the years. The trailhead is located at 265 Kaelepulu Drive and is surrounded by houses.
Prepare: the trails can be pretty steep at times and can be surprisingly tricky. Bring some snacks, water, and great hiking shoes.
Hiking on the North Side of O’ahu
The north side of O’ahu features coastline trails that are fairly secluded.
6. Ehukai Pillbox Hike
This O’hau trail is known for its amazing sunsets, but I wouldn’t recommend this knee-crushing excursion in the dark. In fact, it’s best you don’t hike this trail after 5 PM.
You can find the trail along Kamehameha Highway. Along this highway, you will find either roadside parking for the trail or you can use the Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park’s parking lot.
You will find a sign saying, “Mahalo” which marks the beginning of the trail near Sunset Beach Elementary school.
Prepare: Prepare for an extremely strenuous excursion. Even though this trail is somewhat short it will totally crush your knees. I would recommend you not go if you have any severe health conditions.
7. Ka’ena Point Trail
If you want coastline views on the trails around O’ahu, hike the Ka’ena point path! Most of the trail follows an old railroad bed and sneaks across the coastline. You may even sight whales in the winter months.
There are two access points to this trail. Yokohama Bay is one access point, located on the west side. Mokuleia coastline is the other access point located on the Northside.
Prepare: Though this trail is fairly easy, there is no shade. Most of the trail is exposed to the sun, so wear that sunscreen, and bring a hat.
8. Kealia Trail
There are two access points for this trail. I would suggest parking your car on one end and having someone else pick you up after your hike to bring you back to your car.
Otherwise, you will be hiking an extremely long trail out and back to your car. go to the Dillingham airfield, and the access road will be behind that.
Watch as skydivers and parachutes float through the sky. Try to spot whales out in the ocean or see amazing wildlife. There are countless things to keep your mind occupied so you don’t think about the burn in your legs.
Prepare: Be prepared for various activities being done on this trail. It is popular amongst bikers, backpackers, and dog walkers. Although it is rated moderate, consider the fact that the trail is a good distance, and is mostly uphill.
Booking.com
Hiking the South Side of O’ahu
The south side of O’ahu features several waterfall hikes. Be prepared for fees as these parks are maintained by the state.
9. Manoa Falls
This O’ahu trail was truly an amazing jungle experience. You will see bamboo forests, vines hanging everywhere, and mossy jungle-like trees. The end of your hike will reward you with a 150-foot waterfall.
You can swim in the water, and there were a lot of people swimming when I went. When I heard about the leptospirosis that is in the water, I chickened out. It can give you flu-like symptoms for a couple of weeks.
Technically, there is no fee to hike the trail to Manoa falls. There is a parking fee to park in the lot provided for the trail, but that is only $5 per vehicle.
Prepare: Remember, you are hiking in a jungle-like area, which means rain. Don’t make the same mistake I did and forget your rain jacket. I had to ride home drenched after the hike. It was worth it!!
10. Lulumahu Falls
The only way you would be able to get to these falls is if you purchase a day permit, or illegally hike it. The area is owned by the government.
The parking is technically free, but you do need to display your permit on the front windshield. You can look into purchasing those at Hawaii’s day-use permits.
Prepare: Be prepared for super muddy trails (hike when you know it isn’t going to rain). Know that it is off the beaten path, and somewhat hard to navigate.
11. Ka’au Crater Trail
This Crater trail is not for inexperienced hikers, in fact It’s rated as the hardest trail in Oahu. It will have you hopping across creeks, and using ropes to pull you up some steep inclines. This trail is known to be one of the hardes and most strenuous hikes in O’ahu Hawaii.
The trail is fairly muddy, and should not be hiked in the rain. It is not well marked, so keep your eyes out for the markers along the trail.
Prepare: Be prepared for a challenging trail, that will have you climbing waterfalls. Wear your best hiking shoes, bring food and water, have a Booking.com
Hiking the West Side of O’ahu
Be prepared for extreme crowds when you hike the west side of O’ahu Hawaii. Once you get past the crowds you will find some of the most beautiful 360 views of the island.
12. Diamond Head
One of the most popular hikes on the island gives you some of the best 360 views. Because it is a popular hike, be prepared for many crowds! Try to hit up the trail as early as possible to avoid the heat and the crowds.
The trail takes you on an incline all the way up and a decline all the way down. We caught many people passing out because the air thins the higher you go and the extreme heat.
If you can make it to the top you can see 360 views of the city, mountains, lush vegetation, and the ocean.
Prepare: Bring your water, the heat gets pretty intense. Try and go as early as possible to beat the heat.
Being Prepared to go Hiking in O’ahu
All of these hikes in O’ahu Hawaii are amazing adventures, but make sure you do your own research before you go. Always prepare for the worst when going on a hike, or exploring an unknown area.
Don’t forget your equipment as well. Listed below is a list of equipment that my husband and I swear by when we go out exploring.
Thank you for reading, if you are planning a trip to Hawaii or just want to know more about this beautiful island read more of my posts.
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