Below is a list of the top and leading Hiking Trails in Honolulu, HI. To help you find the best Hiking Trails located near you in Honolulu, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Honolulu’s Best Hiking Trails:
The top rated Hiking Trails in Honolulu, HI are:
- Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve – tropical rainforest featuring hiking trails & access to the famous Manoa Falls waterfall
- Diamond Head Crater Hike – an extinct volcano that is a popular hiking destination with a rugged trail leading to panoramic views
- Koko Crater Railway Trailhead – steep hike up an abandoned railroad track on Koko Crater, with dramatic ocean & city views
- Aihualama Trail – short waterfall trail that connects to the Pauoa Flats Trail & the Manoa Falls Trail
- Kanealole Trail – a short, out and back style hiking trail that connects to the Maunalaha Trail on the lower end and the Makiki Valley Loop Trail / Makiki Valley Trail on the upper end
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve starts with a dirt road that passes through a formosa koa and guava grove. The route passes through native koa-uluhe forest as it reaches the ridge. About 1.5 miles up the access road is the trailhead. The trail ascends the ridge straight to a HECO tower. Continue past the tower to the peak of Koolau. This hike provides views of a variety of native vegetation as well as the leeward coast and Waimanalo from the peak. Note: The Wiliwilinui Community Association has been quite accommodating in allowing hikers and hunters to use their land to access State land. Please follow all of the association’s rules and regulations.
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LOCATION:
Address: Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 808-587-0400
Website: camping.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,details,31711.html
REVIEWS:
“Beautiful hike, well-maintained trail. Awkward to access with Round Top being closed! But the drive and the hike itself was worth the inconvenience.” – Matthew von der Ahe
Diamond Head Crater Hike
Diamond Head Crater Hike is a significant natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resource in Hawaii, as well as one of the state’s most iconic geological features. The Division of State Parks of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing changes to the Diamond Head State Monument in order to improve the visitor experience in and around the crater. The Diamond Head interpretive kiosk was built in 2000 by the Division of State Parks to provide visitor services and hold displays about the crater’s history and resources. Diamond Head is one of the most popular and heavily frequented locations in the state, with daily visitation reaching 3,000.
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LOCATION:
Address: Kapahulu, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 587 0300
Website: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/
REVIEWS:
“Great, well maintained hike that’s accessible for almost all ages. For your average hiker/walker, it’ll take about 45mins to an hour to get to the top. Highly recommend coming during the morning or near sunset to avoid the heat and crowds. $5 per person to hike the trail (not including the cost to park). Come for the views and end your hike with a refreshing snack before you leave.” – Matt L.
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead offers amazing views of the east Honolulu shoreline, Hanauma Bay, and parts of Moloka’i. The abandoned railroad ties that stretch from the crater’s west edge to the top of Koko Crater make up the 1,000+ step walking trail. During World War II, the military utilized them as part of an incline tram to deliver supplies to a lookout station at the summit. Halfway up, there is a “bridge” section with no ground beneath 50 rail steps, however if you’re scared, there is a bypass trail. Koko Head is a popular hiking trail that is within a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki.
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LOCATION:
Address: 7604 Koko Head Park Rd #7602, Honolulu, HI 96825
Website: alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/oahu/koko-head-crater-trail
REVIEWS:
“If you go to O’ahu and are at least reasonably fit, this is a must do experience. A really fit person could do it in an hour, I am reasonably fit and it took me two, with lots of picture taking at the top. This is a real experience and for me, once in a lifetime. It was well worth doing, both for the overall experience and the views at the top. There were a lot of people doing this from kids to retirees. I would suggest starting before 8am and make sure you have a hat and water.” – Andy Smith
Aihualama Trail
Aihualama Trail is a 1.3 mile long out and back hiking trail that connects the Pauoa Flats Trail to the Manoa Falls Trail. Although this is a short portion of path, the height fluctuates from 800 to 1,600 feet, with an overall elevation gain of 800 feet. As a result, this hike is rated as fairly challenging. This portion of route can be accessed in two ways. The Manoa Falls Trail is the first and most popular route. Hike the way until you reach the final waterfall, at which point you can turn left onto the Aihualama Trail. You can connect to the Pauoa Flats Trail by following the Aihualama Trail up.
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LOCATION:
Address: Na Ala Hele: Aihualama Trail, Honolulu, HI 96822
Website: lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/35538/aihualama-trail-activities-oahu-honolulu-hi
REVIEWS:
“A little bit more difficult than manoa falls because it was a unmarked trail with the exception that you can take a picture of the map and follow that. Pretty steep at times and a little mud, but the over all views were amazing and they have a bench at the top to take a break at and soak up all the views, i hope this helps you out, and remember to bring lots of (Water)” – Matt Mccrary
Kanealole Trail
Kanealole Trail is a short out-and-back hiking trail that connects to the Maunalaha Trail on one end and the Makiki Valley Loop Trail / Makiki Valley Trail on the other. The Kanealole Trail began as a dirt road built-in 1906 to connect springs along the Kanealole Stream to a reservoir in Makiki. Before you travel, make sure you read Hiking Safety & Essentials.
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LOCATION:
Address: Kanealole Trail, Honolulu, HI 96822
Website: lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/35541/kanealole-trail-activities-oahu-honolulu-hi
REVIEWS:
“An excellent trail. You can branch out in so many directions from here or do the loop. One side of the loop is a dry climbing ridge and the other is a jungle valley. Lots to experience. I’d say it’s moderate because of the incline and wetness.” – Calvin Z. White
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