9 of the Best Hiking Trails on Oahu

The Manoa Falls hike is one of the most popular hikes on Oahu for visitors, and for good reason. For starters, tackling this 1.8-mile (2.9-kilometer) trail feels like you’re walking through a jungle—a relatively accessible one with lots of shade and a clear trail, that is.

At the end of the path, you’ll be greeted with an unbeatable view of the 150-foot (46-meter) Manoa Falls, even getting sprayed with some refreshing waterfall mist.

Insider tip: There’s no swimming allowed in the pool at the base of Manoa Falls, so don't bother packing your swimsuit.

Along with Manoa Falls, the Diamond Head Crater (Leahi) Summit Trail is one of the most popular Oahu outdoor activities. It’s so popular in fact that the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) began requiring reservations for hikers in 2022.

But if you manage to snag a slot, you’ll get to hike Oahu’s most famous peak, all 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) round-trip. From the top, be sure to take a few moments to soak in the views of Waikiki and Honolulu.

Insider tip: For more Diamond Head trail info regarding the required reservations and parking, please refer to the DLNR website.

The Koko Crater Summit—colloquially known as Koko Head—is simultaneously one of the most well-known and one of the most challenging hikes on Oahu. During this hike, you’ll climb up 1,048 “steps”—really, former railway crossbeams—to the top of the crater, and over the full 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers), you’ll cover nearly 1,000 feet (305 meters) of elevation gain.

It’s safe to say all of your leg muscles will be put to work on this 2-hour adventure, but at the end of your herculean hike, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views of southeast Oahu on the clearest of days.

Also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, this easy hike is only about a mile long but offers one of the best views of the windward side’s legendary Mokulua Islands. Take the well-traversed trail up the ridge to the two former military bunkers, which makes for a great vantage point for staring off into the ocean. Since this trail can get hot during the daytime (there’s very little shade), hike in the early morning to enjoy the sunrise.

If you’re searching for an easy but absolutely stunning hike on Oahu, look no further than the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. This 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) trail is paved all the way up—everyone from babies in strollers to active octogenarians can enjoy this hike. At the end, you’ll get to soak in views of Rabbit Island and Kaohikaipu Island State Seabird Sanctuary. In the winter, you might even spot whale spouts in the distance.

As if those views weren’t enough, the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail is also very close to many of the best scenic lookouts on Oahu, including the Lanai Lookout and the Halona Blowhole Lookout, making them easy to add to your post-hike itinerary.

Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail is a special Oahu trail. It offers incredible views of the southeast corner of the island, stretching from Kailua to Hawaii Kai in one panoramic sweep. Basically, it's got the perspective of the Diamond Head, Koko Crater, Lanikai Pillbox, and Makapuu Lighthouse trails, all rolled into one.

Having said that, Kuliouou Ridge is challenging. As you trek the 4.4 miles (7.1 kilometers), you’ll also be working through 1,666 feet (508 meters) of elevation gain. The icing on the cake is the thigh-burning 359 steps to the very top. So while the journey is scenic—filled with different types of Hawaiian landscapes such as pine forests, tropical greenery, and mountain ridges—it’s definitely not for beginner hikers or the faint of heart.

The Maili Pillbox Trail goes by a few different names, including the Pink Pillbox Trail and Puʻu O Hulu. No matter what name you know it by, this 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) hike is ideal if you’re looking for a hike on the West Side of Oahu. It’s not far from the tourist hub of Ko Olina, it’s relatively easy, and it offers beautiful views from the bright pink pillbox (and a few other less brightly colored ones) at the top.

Insider tip: The trailhead for the Maili Pillbox hike is a little bit hidden. Look for a small path in the brush about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) down Kaukama Road.

The Kaʻena Point Trail is a bit of a unique one. First and foremost, it covers the northwesternmost tip of the island, the only coastal part of Oahu inaccessible by car. Second, there are two ways to hike to Kaʻena Point—from the North Shore and from Waianae (the West Side). While they both have their pros, the 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail from the Waianae side is less crowded and a little more scenic overall.

Last but certainly not least, this Oahu hiking trail leads to the Kaʻena Area Natural Reserve, a lovely sanctuary for seabirds and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

The Ehukai Pillbox Trail is about as close as you can get to a beach-to-mountain hike on Oahu. The trail begins right across the street from Ehukai Beach Park, more commonly known as Banzai Pipeline. From there, you’ll hike 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) through rainforest-esque flora up into the northernmost part of the Koʻolau Mountains.

When you reach the eponymous pillbox, you can take a seat and get a bird’s-eye view of the surfers riding the famous swells on the beach below. (They’ll look absolutely tiny after your 774 feet/236 meters of elevation gain.)