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With its breathtaking scenery and temperate weather, Hawaii is easily one of the best places to hike. From scenic valley hikes to verdant mountain hikes, Hawaii has it all—you only have to know where to look.
15 of the Best Hikes in Hawaii
Hawaii is literally paradise for adventurous, outdoorsy people, particularly those who appreciate a great hike. While it’s tough to narrow down the best hikes in Hawaii to just 15, we know you’ll love these trails if you give them a try.
1. The Diamond Head Crater (Oʻahu)
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Elevation Gain: 500 feet | Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate | Distance: 2 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park
Diamond Head is located on Oahu, referred fondly as “The Gathering Place.” Diamond Head, also called Lē‘ahi, is one of the island’s most famous landmarks. If you’ve never been to Hawaii but recognize it, perhaps because it was in the 2014 film “Godzilla”!
Created by an eruption over 500,000 years ago, Diamond Head is a US national monument managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources State Park Division. The trail is two miles long but is very steep and includes a set of stairs.
2. Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail (Oʻahu)
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Elevation Gain: 560 feet | Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate | Distance: 2 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Free
Makapuʻu Point Trail offers inspiring ocean views along the Windward Coast of Oahu. At the end of your hike, you’ll see the historic lighthouse across the way. The lighthouse was built over a century ago on a cliff above Makapuʻu Beach.
(It’s illegal to access the lighthouse, so please don’t attempt it.) If your visit to Oahu is during humpback season (around November through May), you should take a pair of binoculars.
The trail is a fabulous location to whale watch from land, and you might see water spouts or whales breaching as they find a place to birth their calves. As an aside, you should wear thick-soled shoes due to the kiawe plants in the area, which have sharp thorns that grow up to 1” long.
3. Koko Crater (Oʻahu)
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Elevation Gain: 990 ft | Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult | Distance: 2 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Free
Koko Crater, like Diamond Head, is a crater that the Koʻolau Volcano formed. During World War II, the US military built bunkers on top of the crater and a railroad system to access them.
The Koko Crater trail uses the defunct railway as its path. While the hike can be difficult for less experienced hikers, the view of Hanauma Bay makes the trek worthwhile.
4. Mānoa Falls (Oʻahu)
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Elevation Gain: 633 ft | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1.5 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Paid parking
Mānoa Falls trail is famous due to its use in Hollywood films. You might recognize the scenery from “Jurassic Park” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” The hike is easy, and the trail is open from sunrise to sunset.
However, you shouldn’t start your journey in the late afternoon for safety reasons. While the hike is a “must-do” if you’re on Oahu, you should be aware of a couple of things.
The pools at the bottom of the falls are known to have Leptospirosis and therefore are unsuitable for swimming. Additionally, there is a history of hikers fatally falling from the top of the falls. Please be extra cautious at the top of the falls.
5. Kōkeʻe State Park (Kauaʻi)
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Elevation Gain: 1,180 ft | Difficulty Level: Difficult | Distance: 3 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park
There are seven trails at Kōkeʻe State Park, but we’ll focus on the Awa’awapuhi Trail for simplicity’s sake. This trail starts near mile marker 17 and goes on for just over three miles, where it stops at the top of the ridge.
Once you reach the ridge, which is at 2,500 ft elevation, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Awaʻawapuhi and Nualolo Valleys. It’s the most difficult trail at the park, but your view of the Na Pali Coast will make the trek worth it.
6. Kalalau Trail (Kauaʻi)
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Elevation Gain: 5,000 ft | Difficulty: Difficult | Distance: 22 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Day-use reservations and parking permit fee
The Kalalau Trail was initially built at the end of the 1800s and was the access point to get to the Napali Coast by land. Historically, there used to be a foot trail connecting villages in old Hawaii along the coastline.
Although this hike isn’t for the faint of heart, your hard work is worth the reward—an unbelievable view of the Na Pali coast, with its rigid cliffs and beautiful beaches, including Keʻe and Hanakapiʻai.
The hiking trail is graded and you should expect the trip to take all day. A permit is required to access the trail and only paid parking is available unless you’re local.
7. Puupehe (Lānaʻi)
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Elevation Gain: 134 ft | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: Less than one mile (one-way) | Cost: Free
Puupehe is a well-known landmark that rises 80 feet from the water at the coastline between the Manele and Hulopoe Bays.
You’ll start at the Manele Bay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai and hike the path for roughly 20 minutes until you find yourself facing this poignant and romantic marker of one of Lanai’s most beautiful and tragic love stories.
8. Koloiki Ridge (Lānaʻi)
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Elevation Gain: 222 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4.2 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Free
This enjoyable trail starts at Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort. The route takes you along a forested path that leads up to a ridge with fabulous ocean views.
Unlike many other trails on this list, you are welcome to bring your dog along with you with the caveat that it is on a lead or leash.
9. Waihee Ridge Trail (Maui)
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Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Distance: 4 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Free
Waihee Ridge Trail is one of Maui’s most popular hikes. Its verdant views of Maui’s northern coast are stunning. Walk through a guava thicket and native forestry as you enjoy the panoramic scenes of Central Maui, including Wailuku.
The climb up is roughly two and a half miles, and even young ones can join you on the trek as it isn’t too arduous. Unlike other hikes where comfortable shoes can be enough, you’ll want to wear hiking boots to protect your feet from tree roots and mud.
10. Sliding Sands Trail Haleakalā (Maui)
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Elevation Gain: 2,795 ft | Difficulty: Difficult | Distance: 11 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park
Sliding Sand Trails is in Haleakalā National Park. Haleakalā, or House of the Sun, is a dormant volcano located on the island of Maui. The park is famous for its sunrise and sunset watches—after all, the summit has an elevation of over 10,000 feet!
The hike at Sliding Sands is unlike any other, with its otherworldly landscape. It can seem as though you’re exploring an alien planet due to how sparse the vegetation is.
Haleakalā is remote, and all services and stores are at least half an hour away by car, so plan your trip accordingly. This hike is not appropriate for children or those who feel unwell.
11. ‘Iao Valley State Park (Maui)
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Elevation Gain: 200 ft | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1 mile (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park and paid parking
Despite its bloody past, ‘Iao Valley is tranquil and packed with lush scenery. The sound of rushing rivers and waterfalls will soothe your soul as you hike on the paved path, which leads to the top of a lookout point with excellent views of ‘Iao Needle.
This hike is perfect for families, even ones with younger children as compact strollers can be used on the pathways. (Be aware, if you plan to bring a stroller, there are no ramps to access the needle’s overlook.)
12. Wailea Oceanfront Boardwalk (Maui)
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Elevation Gain: 138 ft | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Free
The Wailea Oceanfront Boardwalk is an easy, free trail that guests of all ages can enjoy. Whereas you should opt to get an early start with other hikes, walking the Wailea Oceanfront Boardwalk is ideal in the evening toward sunset.
You’ll enjoy a salty evening breeze as the sky turns cotton candy pink, and if you’re fortunate, you might see whales splashing in the distance!
13. Kalaupapa Peninsula Trail (Molokaʻi)
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Elevation Gain: 1,735 ft | Difficulty: Difficult | Distance: 6.5 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Tour fees
A visit to Molokai is like going back in time. Largely untouched by development compared to Maui, another island in the same county. Hiking on this island will give you a fresh appreciation for old Hawaii.
Kalaupapa Peninsula is a place steeped in significant US history—the Kalaupapa National Historical Park. The park was used as a quarantine zone to reduce the spread of leprosy until 1969.
You need a special permit to hike with a professional guide who will take you to points of interest and teach you about the island’s history.
Permits to visit Kalaupapa National Historical Park must be arranged through Kekaula Tours (808-567-6088) or Saint Damien & Marianne Cope Molokai Tours LLC (808-895-1673). Photographs are not allowed without prior consent due to the sensitive history of the area.
14. Kīlauea Iki Trail at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
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Elevation Gain: 400 ft | Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult | Distance: 4.5 miles (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park
As you probably guessed, the Kīlauea Iki Trail is found on Kīlauea, the youngest and most active volcano on the Big Island. The Iki Trail has crater flooring—you’ll even walk across a lava lake that was filled back in 1959.
The lava lake is a fantastic chance for hikers to watch molten rock cool and solidify. Kīlauea is a major bucket list item for visitors to the island who want to see a live volcano.
Native Hawaiians believe that Kīlauea is home to Pele, the volcanic deity. She is considered family and revered as an ʻaumakua (akin to a guardian).
15. ʻAkaka Falls Loop Trail (Big Island)
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Elevation Gain: 100 ft | Difficulty: Easy | Distance:1 mile (roundtrip) | Cost: Fee to enter the park and paid parking
ʻAkaka Falls Loop Trail is part of the ʻAkaka Falls State Park. The loop trail is easy to hike and there are amenities available on-site including restrooms and trash cans.
However, the trail requires hikers to walk up stairs and therefore may not be accessible to everyone. This hike only takes about 30 minutes and offers splendid views of Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
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As you prepare for your hike, you may have many questions in mind. We’ve prepared responses based on the most commonly asked questions.
What is the hardest hike in Hawaii?
It varies by island, but the Kalalau Trail is considered one of the most difficult and strenuous hikes in the state.
Is hiking free in Hawaii?
Most hikes are free; however, if the trail you seek is located in a National Park there will be an entrance and/or parking fee.
Is Honolulu good for hiking?
Absolutely! Oahu has many excellent hiking spots. But, please, follow local laws and don’t hike on any illegal trails.
Is Maui or Oahu better for hiking?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a hike. Maui is larger than Oahu and has many lovely and adventurous hiking spots. Oahu is famous for its hiking opportunities, particularly for locations like the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail.
What do stacked rocks mean?
Park staff will often use stacked rocks to mark trails and help visitors stay safe. However, visitors should never stack rocks themselves as it can be both culturally offensive and confusing for other visitors who are trying to navigate the trail.
Which Hawaiian Hike Will You Choose?
The jury is still out. While there are many must-hike trails in Hawaii, However, no matter which island you visit, you’ll find incredible hiking trails of varying difficulties that will surely leave you delighted.