The Best Hiking Spots on Oahu

Grab your hiking shoes and let's go! Here are some of my favorite hiking spots on Oahu.

Diamond Head Crater is close to Waikiki. You can get there by car or trolley. Some people even walk there from Waikiki. It's probably about a 2 to 3 mile walk just to get inside the crater, though. The parking lot is located inside the crater. You take a tunnel through the wall of the crater to the inside. They charge about $5 for parking. Restrooms are available near the parking lot. It takes about one hour to climb to the top and back to the parking lot. Allow more or less time depending upon your physical condition. The view is amazing so don't forget your camera. Here is a photo from the top looking towards Waikiki.
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Manoa Falls is an easy, mostly horizontal 40 minute hike that ends at a spectacular waterfall. They charge about $5 for parking at the lot near the entrance of the trail at the end of Manoa Road. You will see towering trees, bamboo forests and a stream along the way. One bad thing is the hungry mosquitoes. Hint: Long sleeves, long pants and keep moving. Allow about 1.5 hours for this hike round trip.
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Stairway to Heaven is probably the most difficult hike on Oahu but don't worry about your signficant other pressuring you to conquer this one any time soon because it is officially closed. A security guard arrives at about 6am and stops people at the bottom and denies them access up the stairs, but turns a blind eye to people coming down the stairs throughout the day (hint,hint). The stairs lead 3,922 steps up the Koolau Pali to the 2800 foot summit of Puu Keahiakahoe overlooking Haiku Valley. The views are breathtaking as you can see BOTH the windward and Honolulu town sides at the same time. The freeway you see below in the photo is the H3 freeway. Vertigo sufferers beware! The stairs have railings so you can enjoy the safety of 3 or 4 points of contact at all times. Another side benefit is not just a cardio and lower body workout, but your arms and chest will get a workout too! Allow about 4 hours for this hike roundtrip, when it officially opens again... of course. ;) There are no public restrooms available at the bottom or anywhere along the stairs.

More information can be found on the Friends of Haiku Stairs website.
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The Lanikai Pillbox Hiking Trail is located in Lanikai and the trail head is near the Mid-Pacific Country Club. From the intersection of Aalapapa Drive & Kaelepulu Drive, go south up the hill. Just before Kaelepulu comes to an end, you will see a private driveway on your left. There is plenty of parking on your right side of Kaelepulu Drive in front of the Mid-Pacific Country Club. Walk up the private driveway and you will see a sign that says "Private Driveway left, Pillbox Hiking Trail, right". Follow the trail. There are no public restrooms. Don't forget your water as it can get very hot on this trail. I saw a dog die of heat stroke once on this trail. It's about a 25 minute hike to the top. Allow 1 hour round trip, plus or minus depending upon your physical condition. The hike is not that long, but it is fairly steep and hot unlike Manoa Falls which is mostly shaded and horizontal. There are old military bunkers at the top. This photo is a view from the top of the Lanikai Pillbox trail of the Mokulua Islands off the coast of Lanikai.
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If you were to drive to perhaps the farthest place you can from Waikiki, then walk another 2.5 miles, a place very far from civilization, then you would find yourself at Kaena Point. It's about a 5 mile round trip trek and very flat. Not much vertical going on here. To get there take the H1 towards the West Coast and north on the Farrington Highway all the way to the end of the road at Kaena Point State Park. This is the north west corner of Oahu. Park your car at the end of the asphalt road and tighten your shoelaces. Remember, don't leave any valuables in your car. There are restrooms at the beach park, but none along the dirt road and trail that leads to the point. Along the dirt road you will find huge windows in the rocks, beautiful birds, and at the point Hawaiian Monk Seals basking on the beach. During November to April, you may get lucky and spot some whales. Shortly before the point, at a place where the dirt road has collapsed into the ocean and you need to use some skill to climb by, look for a cave on your right side right next to the road. You can't miss it. Bring a flashlight and check it out. Allow about 3 hours round trip for the hike. That doesn't count driving time to get there and back.
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My favorite hike is Koko Head Crater. The steep ascent on old railroad ties activates the quadriceps quite well. The view at the top is also amazing and on a clear day you can even see the island of Molokai! The distance between the over 1,100 railroad ties is a little higher than regular stairs making it very challenging and a real gluteus maximus burner. At the top, you will find a dilapidated helicopter pad and old military bunkers. Parking is free at the Koko Head Regional Park. Park near the largest baseball diamond. Allow about 1.5 hours for this hike, plus or minus depending upon your physical condition. There are public restrooms in the park. Hiking early morning or late afternoon is best. The hot mid-day sun can be murder.
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Hiking Checklist:

• Comfortable tennis or hiking shoes
• Sun hat
• Sun block
• Bottle of water
• Camera
• Flashlight?
• Tissue paper... incase nature calls
• Use the restroom before you begin

Aloha,


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