Hiking Oahu Trails

Introduction:

Visitors and residents are often amazed to discover that on an island that is just under 600 square miles, there are more than 50 hiking trails, ranging from 2-15 miles long. Hawaii trails are some of the most spectacular in the United States but, as with all outdoor activities, there is always a chance of injury. The following information is not intended to scare people out of going hiking, it is simply intended to illuminate some of the potential dangers and to point out some of the special qualities of Hawaii's trails. The information contained here is limited so please utilize the resources listed below if you would like more information. For those who want to hike with a group, the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) leads hikes on Saturday (easier hikes) and Sunday (difficult hikes) for a small fee. I encourage supporting HTMC because many of the trails on Oahu would not be maintained without their efforts. Check their web site for the current schedule. Some hikes are only open to members. I hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy Hawaii's trails during your stay here.

What to expect/how to prepare:

Most of the trails in Hawaii have significant elevation gain and can go up and down, again and again. Do not use the distance of a hike to gauge its difficulty: a 4-mile hike could possibly take all day, even for experienced hikers.
Trails are sometimes very narrow (not much wider than a person).
Trail summits at higher elevations are often in the clouds. Under such conditions, visibility is limited, it is wet, and it can can be very cold and windy. It is possible to suffer from hypothermia even in 70 degree temperatures. Those doing advanced hikes should be prepared for such conditions.
Hikes often have a combination of shade and sun so prepare for mud, sun, and mosquitos. Always wear sunblock, have a long-sleeved shirt and hat, and don't expect to wear the same shoes to dinner that night. Many people will take an extra pair of shoes (or even a change of clothes) in the car and change at the trail head when the hike is over.
Tree cover and ridges often block cell-phone coverage.

Read the trail description (see credits, etc. below). Advanced hikes should only be done by those in good physical condition. Note: many of the hikes are in and out. It is possible to do a novice-level hike by doing a smaller portion of an intermediate or advanced trail.
Do not EVER leave valuables in your car. They WILL be stolen. Take all cash, wallets, jewelry, cameras, etc with you on the hike or leave them at your hotel. Break-ins are a chronic problem at trail heads and beaches.
Just as a precaution, please file a "flight plan" with someone who is not going hiking with you. Let them know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
If you are on a trail that has stream crossings and it starts to rain, turn around and get off the trail immediately. Even dry stream beds can fill with water and become uncrossable within a brief period. Remember, most of the rain falling on the ridges is going to run down to the lowest point.
Pig hunters & wild pigs: Hawaii has a large number of wild boars and people who hunt them. Pig hunters usually hunt with dogs and knives (not guns) and they do not wear bright orange vests like mainland hunters. The hunters are usually far off the trails when they are actively hunting (because that is where the pigs are) and just use the trails and entry and egress routes. Although people say that the pigs will attack, I have seen pigs on the trail countless times but have never seen one attack anything. However, common sense would dictate that one never provoke a wild animal, especially young ones (they usually have parents that get upset about that sort of thing).
Leptospirosis: contracted through exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, normally the water gets into the system through open wounds or the mucous membranes. See link for more informaiton.
Air evacuation: it is dangerous for everyone involved when someone needs to be air evacuated from a trail so please be careful ;)
Wild fruits: the following items are edible and some are quite tasty, but if you don't know what it is, don't eat it:
thimble berry, guava, white guava, strawberry guava, lilikoi, mountain apple (guavas and lilikoi have lots of seeds).

What to bring:

A day pack: you need your hands free for safety and you should never hike without a few basic necessities.
Water: take at least 1-2 liters of water, more for a longer, hotter hike.
A nice lunch or snacks. why hike all that way and just turn around and leave. Take some time to sit down, relax, and enjoy the view & tranquility before heading back to civilization.
Small first-aid kit.
Take a light wind-breaker or rain jacket.

Hikes:
NOTE: Most links on the hike list go to a description on the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) web site. These hikes are also listed on Back Yard Oahu (their site has pictures).

Hike name	Information/Notes
Manoa Falls (novice)	One of the most popular hikes, with a nice waterfall at the end - hence the name. Those wishing a longer hike (or just a nice little stroll through a bamboo forest) can take the Aihualama Trail which cuts off to the left, just before the falls. No restrooms in the area. Small parking area - lots of break-ins here. Don't leave valuables in the car. If you want to walk a little further, there is a parking lot that will charge you for parking.
Makapuu Lighthouse (novice)	Also very popular, this hike is on an old paved road and is very hot. A great place for whale watching. (See BackYardOahu for description). Afterwards, I recommend a drive just up the road to the Makapuu Lookout. Parking available.
Aiea Loop (novice)	Offers views of H-3 (which is in the Guiness Book of World Recods). This is not a complete loop - the start and end points are not the same and a short walk on the road is required. Restrooms available. Parking available.
Diamond Crater (novice)	One of the busiest hikes on the island. Lots of elevation gain, no shade so this is a hot one, but well-maintained and relatively easy. There is a long, steep staircase and a tunnel near the top (there are now lights in the tunnel so a flashlight is not required). Restrooms and refreshments avaialble at the trail head. Parking available
Puu Pia (novice)	Lush forest, often rainy, look for the native Koa wood tree along the trail, and listen for the beautiful song of the Leothrix. 2-mile round trip and 500 foot elevation gain. This is a beautiful hike but it may be a little difficult to find the right street. No restrooms in the area - street parking only.
Old Pali Road & Falls (novice)	Lush forest, often very wet, remnants of an old cut stone road, and a waterfall along the way. Parking is available at Koolau Golf Course - park in the very last row in the far corner.
Maunawili Falls (novice)	The start of the trail is very wide and super muddy, there is a beautiful view of the Koolau mountains just before the trail goes down to the falls so don't forget the camera. Street parking only and no restrooms in the area. If you enjoy the views in the area you might want to take trip to Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden which is close by.
Kamananui Valley (novice)	Take a walk into the past along an old road from the early 1900s made of cut lava rock, cross turn-of-the-century stone bridges, see the remains of an old estate, and look for ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. I highly recommend planning ahead and purchasing a guide through the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) before the hike. There are 13 markers along the route and you will not know what they are marking without the guide. **Notes about this hike: The link at HTMC is for Moanalua Valley hike which leaves Kamananui about half way in and is slightly more difficult. I included the link for purposes of getting to the trail head. Kamananui follows a wide path that is fairly level and easy. Please use the phone number at the MGF site - the trail is closed to hikers on certain days when pig hunters are in the area. There will be a sign at the start of the trail on such days. Permission is actually only required for groups of 6 or more. Parking, restrooms, and picnic area available.
Wiliwilinui Ridge (novice, intermediate)	One of my favorites, the summit offers views of the north and south sides of the island when clear. 5-mile round trip with 1300 foot elevation gain. No restrooms in the area - small parking area. Access is through a housing subdivision. Hikers must register at the gate.
Kuliouou Ridge (novice, intermediate)	Another favorite, similar to Wiliwilinui Ridge. 5-mile round trip with 1200 foot elevation gain. No restrooms in the area - street parking only.
Hawaiiloa Ridge (novice, intermediate)	Another favorite, similar to Wiliwilinui Ridge and Kuliouou. 5-mile round trip with 1500 foot elevation gain.These 3 hikes are close to each other and terminate on Koolau Summit Trail (KST). For the more adventerous, it is possible to go up one ridge, do a crossover on the KST, and come down another ridge. Hiking any part of the KST constitutes an advanced hike. No restrooms in the area - street parking only.
Kaunala (novice, intermediate)	Beautiful hike on the northshore, begins on a 4-wheel drive road, watch for signs on the left that mark the start of the trail. This is a fairly easy hike, 6-miles with just 500' elevation gain. Closed on weekdays. No restrooms in the area - street parking only.

Credits/bibliography/further reading:

Back Yard Oahu: http://www.backyardoahu.com/
Ball, Stuart Jr. (2001). The Hiker’s Guide to O’ahu: Rev. Edition. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club: http://www.htmclub.org/

About the page author:
I have been a member of HTMC for several years and have been hiking in Hawaii since 1983. I have hiked most of the trails on the island at least once (although I do not always remember them). My main advice to hikers is to never under estimate a trail or over estimate your ability. Some of the most experienced hikers on the island have gotten into trouble on the trails. Please have fun and enjoy the outdoors, but do so safely and responsibly. Please feel free to ask me questions if you are unable to find information that you need through the resources listed on this page.

Aloha
Pam Scott