Hiking Trails • Scenic Walking Areas
Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis
Hiking Trails in Honolulu
THE 10 BEST Honolulu Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails in Honolulu
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Historic Walking Areas • Lighthouses
Hiking Trails
Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails • Waterfalls
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
What travelers are saying
- CigarettaholiCGlendale, CA9 contributionsA easy-moderate trail to get a fantastic view of the Diamond Mountains, the lighthouse, the ocean, and the city. Worth the trip. Not much hustle. Absolutely great for new hikers!
We went around 6:30 AM to see the sunrise, and it was very crowded on the top. I imagine it’d be the same case during sunset.Written December 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TeakellieLoomis, CA17 contributionsIncredible view from the top! I am 59 and my husband is 62. We both felt dizzy and nauseous at times, but with frequent stops and water breaks we slowly made our way up. I work out moderately daily and it was still a push for me! Take a hat, wear sunscreen, and definitely take plenty of water! This is a strenuous hike for all ages. The teens and twenty something’s usually zip up and down, but older folks and those with children need longer. Up and down took a total of 3 hours for us. It was totally worth the climb! Note the dad toting his toddler, it’s not a hike I would recommend for young children or anyone with a fear of heights. The route is straight UP. You need very sturdy hiking or walking shoes.Written October 31, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- daloninakValdez, AK50 contributionsReally enjoyed the walk up the lighthouse trail! There is a decent amount of parking, except on a holiday. We visited this time on Thanksgiving and everyone else had the same idea to enjoy a morning walk. We found a place to park near the start of the trail around 7:30 am, but some were parking along the highway before our arrival. The walk starts as a more serious incline and then levels off as you gain altitude towards 500 ft summit. The view are amazing. Bring some water and good walking shoes. There are no toilet facilities. Make sure your camera or phone is charged!Written November 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JenCalifornia169 contributionsBe prepared to pay $7 to park and then wait for a parking spot to open up. The hike to the falls is mainly uphill and very rocky (round trip is about two miles). There is beautiful foliage the whole way. There’s a viewing area of the falls at the end of the trail. If you choose not to obey the signs, you can go down and swim in the catch pool.Written November 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gitanjali I11 contributionsStrenuous uphill hike , many stairs to climb close to the top. But we managed to do it in good time, knee issues and all. Definitely worth the beautiful view of the ocean and the mountains. The path was shaded and generally quiet.Written October 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravellingGail2017Ontario, Canada228 contributionsWent there with my grown son. Arrived at 9:40 a.m. and was done by 11:15. Great cardio. Lots of climbing. Mixture of sun and shade. No mosquitoes. Some mud, but passable. Recommend hiking shoes or boots. Not crowded. Passed fewer than 20 people. Have to keep your eyes on the ground because of uneven ground and lots of roots. Bathrooms at the start of the trails. Easy to get to and from by Uber if you don't have a car.Written June 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Trek212029519826 contributionsMy wife and I did the Ka'au Crater 3 waterfall hike. Though we did not hike around the crater. NOTE: The hike is not a beginner hike. Though my wife and I are not avid hikers we do hikes here and there. This hike can be dangerous and if not careful you can get seriously hurt, get lost, there has been deaths here if not careful you may need to be rescued. We recommend if you do this hike DO NOT attempt to do this hike in the rain, not after a few days of rain or after a heavy rain the day before your hike. Not trying to worry anyone but we want to be real for all to know it can be dangerous. We recommend downloading All trails app it uses satellite and once you lose cell service the app still shows your location and the trail to follow. There are steep inclines, wet clay which is slippery at times your walking on 12 to 18 inched of trail with drop offs on one side and at times in both sides. You will be climbing rocks, using many ropes up the falls and rappelling down using a rope. As everything you do, do with caution and be safe. If at any time you feel its to dangerous do not continue because the hike does become harder and more strenuous as you go. It took us a total of 8 hours to complete this hike with about 45 min of lunch and breaks. We did have to backtrack a few times due to the trail being overgrown, not very visible and the markers are not very clear. Overall it was a challenging hike but well worth it. Very beautiful and a great challenge for us. We recommend this hike just make sure you know your limitations and be safe.Written September 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bob JQueensland, Australia57 contributionsBeautiful hike. Ascent less than a mile in total but pretty strenuous. Pay off in amazing views. Make sure to book in advance - you can't buy tickets at the gate without reserving them first (a weirdly complex system). But only $5 (USD) for a hiker.
Definitely recommendWritten March 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Paul StewartCameron Park, CA59 contributionsIt is a very chill and scenic hike with great trails. There are two ways to access this hike. One, there are about ten spots as you head up to Hanaua Bay on the opposite side of the road. Two, park at Koko Crater Trailhead (ton of parking) and walk up the closed (to traffic) road.
Once on the trail, you will see mongoose pop out here and there. The trail is paved, unless you want to make a loop.
Simply amazing views of the Hananua and Waikiki area, all at once.
If you go before snorkeling in the Bay, you get to scout out the areas you want to go. I advise the left side.Written December 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AdsManMelbourne, Australia404 contributionsTL;DR
This hike was so rewarding and yet so difficult (but only because we descended during rain). If it's dry (and has been dry for a few days before), this is an amazing hike. Skip if it's been raining, otherwise you'll get very muddy.
If you have a fear of falling down the side of a cliff - this hike isn't for you, as there are many narrow sections with sheer vertical drops either side. It's totally safe, but you have to be comfortable in these settings.
We arrived at 8:30am and were only the third car in the car park (there's room for at least 20 cars). The total length was 8km return, with the first half of the walk fairly easy, yet once you hit the steps and mud, it becomes a real challenge.
We (wife, myself, 7 & 10 year olds) did this in 4 hours. Total moving time was 2h25m (according to Strava). We ascended in perfect conditions (dry, blue skies) and despite some difficult sections with very steep & uneven stairs, and about three sections where the trail was so steep, you had to hoist yourself up with a rope.
Given our 7 year old made it up fine, I'd say you'll be safe. However, at the very top, after 10 minutes, the clouds descended and we had a fairy heavy rain shower fall for about 10 minutes. This turned the mud / clay path into absolute slop and made the descent that much more difficult. Navigating the steps was hard, as we had to tread in the puddles (no way to avoid them) and the parts with the ropes were super difficult. Mind you, I'm a very fit guy (I cycle for 100km without issue), so I was fine, but the rest of the family kinda struggled.Written June 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MichiganBy728 contributionsWe 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.Written February 15, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Eddy124 contributionsBus#23 towards Sea Life Park(bus will pass by Kaiwi Shoreline parking lot but won’t stop there), walk back 20-30 mins from Sea Life Park bus stop towards Kaiwi Shoreline Trail.Written November 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AngelitaKInver Grove Heights, MN152 contributionsWe enjoyed this hike, it was a good moderate level hike. Very muddy and you end up walking through the water a few times to get to the falls at the end. It takes a good 75 minutes plus to make it to the falls with the mud, the walk up, and all the tree roots you had to navigate through. If it had just rained, I don't know if we would have done it or continued on. It was dry for a few days so we decided to go and it was still muddy, so we knew if it had rained there def could be some issues with deeper standing water and mud spots that would cover your entire shoe up your leg! All in all, good hike, def recommend it, and bring water! We did bring bug spray and used it, had no issues with bugs at all, not sure if it was the bug spray or not, but we had zero issues with bugs. Good luck and enjoy!Written January 29, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- graemeandjanetHornsby, Australia74 contributionsOur guide was Brandon, a friendly and well-presented guy who was obviously
Enthusiastic about his job.
Pickup and return to the hotel was smooth and the day went well.
Ours was a 50 seater bus so we could only go to places with suitable parking...places where you buy things.
In hindsight, we might have gone with a smaller operator that went off the beaten track a bit - no parking at the surf beaches so we didnt stop nor even slow down.
But that's not Brandon's fault.
If you want a generic and straight forward tour then Roberts are the people to go with. But if your looking for something smaller and a bit folksey then try elsewhere.Written May 11, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Netty2 contributionsWhat a fabulous program for the Kieki! My so has gained a wealth of knowledge on how to take care of the planet and I can tell he feels very empowered from this wisdom! The staff are super great and the location is just magical. Memories to last a lifetime for sure!!!Written December 30, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
