Guides
Steep, narrow and sometimes frightening, the Olomana Hike offers great views of Kailua, the mountains and the ocean
The Olomana Hike is one of the top hikes in Oahu if you are looking for a challenging hike with unbelievable views. It is only about 1.5 miles to the first peak (there are three in total), but there is more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and some parts have dropoffs on both sides of the trail. Ropes have been added in a few places to prevent you...
Peak offers panoramic views of Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
The Diamond Head Summit trail hike is likely the most popular hike in Oahu, and for good reason. While fairly steep, this moderate 1.5-mile round-trip hike starts from the middle of the Diamond Head volcano crater and climbs about 560 feet up the side to the top of the rim. The Diamond Head crater is more than 3,500 feet in diameter and is part of...
Dramatic and always scenic. Hiking the Waihee ridgeline up in the Maui mountains.
This 4.5 mile round-trip hike in West Maui Forest Reserve promises lush scenery, great valley views and some dramatic ridge-line hiking. As on the windward side of all Hawaiian islands, you're more likely to be in for wet weather and muddy conditions. But it's not all that bad, since this means waterfalls are plentiful, the vegetation is greener...
A nice hike through the jungle to great view of Kailua, Maunawilli Falls, and a swimming hole
The Maunawilli Falls Trail is a great hike in Kailua along the river that eventually stops at a beautiful waterfall with a great swimming hole below. Many people like to jump from the waterfall into the pool below, and some with a bit more courage even climb higher to the side of the waterfall to jump further (try at your own risk). The trail is...
A short hike to the base of Manoa Falls, passing through movie scene locations from Jurassic Park and Lost
This short hike will take you to 100ft Manoa Falls. The trail can be quite muddy, so make sure to wear proper shoes (you will be sorry if you wear flip flops, because your toes will easily slip around once they get muddy. Several scenes from the TV show LOST were filmed here, as was parts of Jurassic Park (you can see posters in the building with...
A gradual climb to see a magnificent lighthouse and migrating whales
This hike in the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline offers great views of the eastern shore as well as views all the way to Moloka'i and Lana'i on a clear day. If you are here between November and May you may be lucky enough to see humpback whales migrating between Oahu and Moloka'i and Lana'i. Look out for water spouts in the distance. This entire...
A unique and very special waterfall hike where your adventures begin even before you reach the trailhead.
A favorite Maui hike, yet for some people the drive to the trailhead alone is excitement enough. The Hana Highway is sixty miles of scenic but curvy coastal road, reportedly featuring 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of which are single-lane bridges. If you relish your driving experiences then the Hana Highway alone is a "must-do". The 4 mile round...
Descend into the enormous and otherworldly crater of Maui's Haleakala National Park
Maui's highest point is the summit of Haleakala, where you'll find the immense caldera of possibly the largest dormant volcano on the planet. This short hike descends into the crater to explore the dramatic history of the mountain with its many cinder cones and lava lava flows. Elevation gain: • 1,600ft (from 8,300 – 9,900ft) Tips: •...
Explore the exotic Na Pali coastline in search of secluded beaches and spectacular waterfalls.
When hiking the trails of Kauai you can be forgiven for expecting to meet a T-Rex around the next bend, or to spot Indiana Jones running by with one hand on his hat and the other grasping some ancient artifact. Hollywood is a big fan of the this Hawaiian island's spectacular landscape, which is why it's a popular filming location for movies like Raiders...
Combining two of Kauai's best hikes take us from dramatic coastal cliffs to an exotic boardwalked swamp trail.
Kauai, the oldest and westernmost inhabited Hawaiian island has a terrain and climate like nowhere else. This hike combines some of the best features of Kauai into an unforgettable hiking experience. Take a westerly drive around Kauai until you run out of road and you'll find yourself at the Pu'u O Kila Lookout marveling at the views of the plunging...
Hiking, shopping and eating in paradise
Long before Waikiki became a tourism mecca, an adjacent 300-acre tract of land at the base of Diamond Head was set aside for a public park because it wasn't considered suitable for anything else. Since it was one of the few places on Oahu where rain almost never fell, Hawaii’s King Kalakaua designated Kapiolani Park as home to a permanent horseracing...
A steep climb to the top of Koko Head Crater with spectacular views in every direction
Koko Head Trail is one of those trails where you ask yourself, "Why am I doing this again?" I am not sure of the numbers of steps it takes to get up to the top but it's a lot. For the most part, the trail can be crowded later in the morning so it's best to go early. The people there range from the very fit to the "Sherpa Grandma/Grandpa." I saw...
Lower Ridge to the start of Mt.Olympus
To get to this hike drive to the top of St.Louis Heights and park in the Wa'ahila state park at the top. Park hours are 7am-745pm. The hike starts off pretty simple on a wide path the just keeps going up. You soon get to a junction where you go left and from then on the hike starts going up and down over the ridges. There are some rocky sections that...
Hiking inside the desolate crater of possibly the world's most active volcano.
The volcanic activity that created the Hawaiian island chain hasn't yet finished working on what's know as the 'Big Island' called Hawaii. If you need evidence, look no further than the lava flows and gas eruptions that spill from the Kilauea volcano located on the south-east side of the Big Island. You'll find Kilauea at Volcanoes National Park...
From an overlook of Mākua Valley Military Testing Area, back down the Kealia trail to Dllingham Airfield.
This track is from LP/OP 14 (overlooking the Mākua Valley Military Testing Area) to the Kealia Trail and back down to Dillingham Airfield. The pash is about 4.6 miles long each way, or about 9.25 miles round trip. The trail is begins and ends on the NW corner of Oahu, and is accessible from the North Shore of the island. The trail is great for trail...
Scramble over the desolate lava beds of Eastern Maui to reach a secluded beach.
Maui might be the second youngest of the volcanic chain of Hawaiian islands, but it doesn't see much geological activity these days. Not that you can tell on this hike, since the 200 year old lava beds you must cross to reach the secluded Kanaio Beach seem relatively new. Elevation gain: • 350ft (from 40 - 160ft) Tips: • The Hoapili Trail...
Climb face of the fabled sleeping giant, and prey you don't wake him!
Nounou Mountain rises from the leeward (Eastern) side of Kauai, known for some of the better island weather. Local legend tells of a giant who feasted so much at a party in his honor that he laid down for a nap and never awoke, and when you see the mountain's resemblance to a sleeping giant from the nearby town of Kapa'a you can see why the legend...
An unforgettable drive from the top of Kilauea in Hawai'i to the Pacific Ocean.
Many people come to Hawaii for the beaches, but Kilauea is a place you do not want to miss on any visit to the Big Island. Set aside an entire day, at least, for seeing Kilauea and all its sites. This drive down the Chain of Craters Drive is an unforgettable journey from the top of the volcano, past volcanic floes and craters from ages past, and down...
6.0 mile trail near Honolulu, Hawaii
The Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail is a 2.25 mile trail that rises almost 1800 feet, before peaking on the spine of the Ko`olau Ridge. It’s a great hike and a tough run, for it is steep, but it is very run-able and offers a great reward in the form of spectacular views. The locals say that you’re suppose to run to the top, come back down to the picnic...
2.9 mile trail near Hau‘ula, Hawaii
Ma`akua Ridge Trail (Papali Trail) is about 2.9 miles long and located near Hau‘ula, Hawaii. The trail is great for trail running and normally takes 1-3 hours. At less than three miles, it's a nice distance, and with lots of shade, it's a good one to do any time, any season. This one can be a bit moister than the Hau`ula Loop Trail.
2.6 mile trail near Hau‘ula, Hawaii
Hau`ula Loop Trail is about 2.6 miles long and located near Hau‘ula, Hawaii. The trail is great for hiking or trail running and normally takes around an hour. This trail isprobably the lesser used Na Ala Hele trails, and with lots of shade, it's a good one to do any time, any season.
4.0 mile trail near Pearl City, Hawaii
Manana Trail (4 mi) is about 4.0 miles long and located near Pearl City, Hawaii. The trail is great for trail running and normally takes 1-3 hours. Just the lower 2 miles of the Manana Trail, this route goes out to the picnic table / camping site, and the trail is in great shape. Good for walking, good for running.
4.8 mile trail near Wailupe, Hawaii
Wiliwilinui is about 4.8 miles long and located near Wailupe, Hawaii. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a half day.
