• Why is Oahu a great destination for hikers?
    • Oahu is heaven for hikers with tall mountains, volcano cones, lush jungle, waterfalls, and streams.
  • Are there hikes suitable for all skill levels in Oahu?
    • From easy hikes perfect for families to really challenging trips to the mountain peaks and steep ridges, there is a hike for everyone.
  • What should hikers be aware of when exploring Oahu's trails?
    • It rains a lot in Oahu, so the trails get muddy and erode quickly even with the best maintenance, so planning is important as well as good hiking shoes.

Unique Hiking Trails on Oahu:

⮕ Diamond Head State Monument Trail


Hike steep trails, admire panoramic views of Honolulu and the Pacific.

Diamond Head State Monument Trail

© Courtesy of Eric BVD - Fotolia.com

Location:

Honolulu, HI

Highlights:

Want the best view on O?ahu without needing full hiking boots? Diamond Head is Honolulu’s iconic volcanic crater where a short, rugged trail rewards you with stunning panoramas of the island and Pacific Ocean.

We Recommend This For:

First-time visitors, hikers of all levels, photographers, and anyone looking for a rewarding outdoor adventure right near Waikiki.

What We Love:

The short but challenging 560-foot climb, panoramic coastal views, and the surreal experience of standing inside a 300,000-year-old crater just minutes from the city.
  • Climb 560 feet on a trail full of switchbacks, loose gravel, and 99 steps to reach the summit—you’ll earn those epic views.
  • Marvel at a volcanic cone that’s been watching over Honolulu for centuries and is now protected as a State Monument.
  • Enter through a short tunnel on the eastern side that leads directly into the heart of the crater.
  • Hike with kids or casual walkers—it’s challenging but very doable, and the payoff is absolutely worth it.
  • Capture unforgettable shots of Waikiki, the ocean, and the island from the summit lookout.

Address:

Diamond Head State Monument Trail, 18th Ave., Waikiki, Honolulu, O?ahu, HI 96815

⮕ Aiea Loop Trail


Walk through lush forests, enjoy peaceful views and native wildlife.

Aiea Loop Trail

© Courtesy of PhotoImage - Fotolia.com

Location:

?Aiea, O?ahu, HI

Highlights:

Looking for a forested hike with valley views and a dose of Hawaiian nature? ?Aiea Loop Trail is a peaceful, moderately challenging 4.8-mile trail with sweeping views over Halawa Valley and the southern coast of O?ahu.

We Recommend This For:

Moderate hikers, nature photographers, trail runners, and anyone who loves forest hikes with scenic payoffs.

What We Love:

The eucalyptus-scented air, panoramic views from Pearl Harbor to Diamond Head, and the mix of native forest and ridge-line trail make this a favorite local escape.
  • Hike 4.8 miles along a ridge trail with a 900-foot elevation gain, surrounded by ohi?a, koa, and eucalyptus trees.
  • Enjoy views of O?ahu’s southern coastline—from the Wai?anae Range and Pearl Harbor all the way to Diamond Head and downtown Honolulu.
  • Navigate switchbacks, tree roots, and a stream crossing for just enough of a challenge to keep things exciting.
  • Finish the loop in under three hours—great for a half-day adventure near the city.
  • Breathe in the fresh forest air and enjoy a quieter side of O?ahu that feels a world away from Waikiki.

Address:

?Aiea Loop Trail, 99-1849 ?Aiea Heights Dr, ?Aiea, HI 96701

⮕ Ka'ena Point Trail


Hike along rugged coastline, discover scenic ocean views and seabirds.

Ka'ena Point Trail

© Courtesy of Andre Nantel - Fotolia.com

Location:

Waialua, O?ahu, HI

Highlights:

Craving an off-the-beaten-path hike with wild beauty and oceanfront views? Ka?ena Point Trail leads you to the westernmost tip of O?ahu along a rugged shoreline rich with native plants, seabirds, and seasonal whale sightings.

We Recommend This For:

Hikers looking for a remote, coastal adventure, nature lovers, photographers, and winter visitors hoping to spot whales.

What We Love:

The untouched vibe of the Ka?ena Point Natural Area Reserve, oceanfront dirt paths with tidepools and blowholes, and that epic feeling of hiking to the edge of the island.
  • Hike 3.5 miles one way along a dirt road starting in the Keawa?ula Section of Ka?ena Point State Park.
  • Follow the shoreline past secret beaches, rocky outcrops, and steep cliffs with panoramic ocean views.
  • Spot native seabirds and winter whales in one of O?ahu’s most important coastal wildlife preserves.
  • Discover tidepools and two small blowholes about halfway to the point—perfect for a quick scenic pause.
  • Reach the end of the island at Ka?ena Point, where the raw, wild landscape will make you feel worlds away from Waikiki.

Address:

Ka?ena Point Trail, Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791

Romantic Hiking Trails on Oahu:

⮕ Kuliouou Ridge and Valley


Climb challenging paths, admire breathtaking views from the mountain ridge.

Kuliouou Ridge and Valley

© Courtesy of shamosan - Fotolia.com

Location:

Honolulu, O?ahu, HI

Highlights:

Ready for a sweaty climb with epic views? The Kuli?ou?ou Ridge Trail is a steep but rewarding hike up the Ko?olau Range, ending with jaw-dropping panoramas of O?ahu’s windward coast.

We Recommend This For:

Experienced hikers, fitness-focused travelers, and anyone chasing summit views and a full-body workout in paradise.

What We Love:

The mix of shaded forest and exposed ridgeline, the trail’s natural switchbacks and challenging elevation gain, and that unbeatable summit moment when the ocean and island explode into view.
  • Start on the Kuli?ou?ou Valley Trail, then climb steadily up the ridge to reach the summit of the Ko?olau Range.
  • Rest at a small covered shelter with picnic tables about two-thirds up—perfect for a snack break in the shade.
  • Hike through forests of haole koa, Norfolk pine, ironwood, and guava—fragrant and diverse tropical greenery surrounds you.
  • Climb nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, especially steep in the final stretch where the ridge trail really kicks in.
  • Take in panoramic views of the windward side of O?ahu from the summit—you’ll forget all about the effort it took to get there.

Address:

Kala?au Place, Honolulu, O?ahu, HI

⮕ Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail


Walk along paved trails, enjoy sweeping ocean views and whale sightings.

Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

© Courtesy of jwjarrett - Fotolia.com

Location:

Waimanalo, O?ahu, HI

Highlights:

Looking for a scenic coastal hike with ocean breezes and panoramic views? The Makapu?u Point Lighthouse Trail is a paved climb up sea cliffs along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, offering one of the best lookouts on the island.

We Recommend This For:

Casual hikers, whale watchers (especially in winter), photographers, and families up for a moderate challenge with huge payoffs.

What We Love:

The smooth, wide trail; views of Koko Head and the southeastern coastline; and the chance to spot whales while standing above a historic 1909 lighthouse.
  • Start at the trailhead right off the parking lot—this 3.3-mile round-trip hike is fully paved and leads uphill to the lookout point.
  • Climb approximately 1,220 feet, making it a moderately challenging ascent with consistent sea breezes and shade-free exposure.
  • View dramatic cliffs and the rugged coastline, including sweeping vistas of Koko Head, Koko Crater, and beyond.
  • Spot humpback whales offshore in winter from multiple lookout areas along the trail.
  • See the famous red-roofed Makapu?u Lighthouse from above—though the lighthouse itself is off-limits, the views are unbeatable.

Address:

Makapu?u Point Lighthouse Trail, Waimanalo, HI 96795

Map:


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