Oahu Island Trails by Category

Information about trails on the island of Oahu organized by category.

Trails by Length:
Short | alltrails.com |
Long | alltrails.com |

Moderate Trails

Aeia Loop Trail | 4.5 miles | moderate |
Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area

Diamond Head Crater Trail | 1.8 or 1.9 miles | moderate |
Diamond Head State Monument
- often very crowded (go very early to miss most crowded time)
- observation deck with 360 degree views
- fee to enter
- switchback trail to steep stairs to 225 foot tunnel to more steep stairs to spiral staircase
- wear shoes good for hiking (not flip flops) and bring plenty of water

Kaau Crater Trail | 4.5 mile loop | moderate to difficult |
- watefalls and pools for swimming
- usually not crowded
- the trail can be muddy and slippery
- elevation gain: about 1,940 feet

Lanikai Pillbox Trail | 0.9 miles | easy to moderate |
Kailua, East Oahu Island
- short trail leading to two military pillbox bunkers
- beautiful views of the beach, bay and ocean
- rather step trail that can be crowded

Makapuu Point Lighthouse trail | 2.5 miles | moderate |
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/oahu/makapu-u-point-lighthouse-trail
Waimanalo

Manoa Falls Trail | 1.7 miles | easy to moderate |
Round Top Forest Reserve
- leads to a 150 foot waterfall
- no swimming allowed in the pool
- trail leads to stairs leading to a boardwalk
- in a lush shady rainforest
- trail can be muddy and slippery
- waterfall is most powerful during or after rain (Jan-May)

Puu O Hulu Trail / Pink Pillbox Trail | 1.6 miles | moderate |
Waianae
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/oahu/puu-o-hulu

Hard Trails

Koko Crater Tramway Trail | 1.6 miles | strenuous |
aka Koko Crater Trail
aka Koko Crater Stairs
Within Koko Crater Regional Park
- hike along a step wooden railway
- views of Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head Portlock Peninsula

- can get very hot so earlier or later is best
- bring lots of water, you'll need it
- 1,048 stair ascent requires endurance
- about an 885 foot elevation gain with peak grade about 50%

Koolau Summit Trail | distance: several options | moderate to strenuous |
- diffulty depends on the section you hike
- full trail is oe of the most difficult trails on Oahu
- can be muddy and very dangerous after rainfall
- actually several trails including
----- Konahuanui Ridge Trail | 7.5 miles out and back |
----- Kuliouou Ridge Trail | 4.7 miles, includes stairs |

Kuliouou Ridge Trail | 4.4 to 4.7 miles | diffucult|
Kuliouou Forest Reserve

Moanalua / Kamananui Valley Trail | 9.2 miles | hard |
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve

Olomana Trail | 4.5 or 4.6 miles out and back | difficult to dangerous |
- aka Mount Olomana Trail
- aka Three Peaks Trail
- within Mount Olomana State Monument
- 3 summit peaks (Olomana / Pakui / Ahiki) - long hike so start early
- some sections are dangerous and require extreme caution
- elevation about 2500 feet

Wiliwiliui Trail | 4.7 miles out and back | moderate |
- safer than most ridgeline trails
- about a 1,600 foot elevation gain
- great views
- trailhead is on private property
- start is within an upscale gated community
- get a parking pass from the gate or long walk to parking
- steep steps can be eroded or slippery, some sections have ropes

Forbidden Trails

Haiku Stairs Trail | 10 miles | moderate |
aka Stairway to Heaven
- hiking this trail has been prohibited sice 1987
- fines for illegal entry can be *very* high
- there are efforts to tear down the stairs due to danger
- built in 1942 by u.s. military for transmitting radio signals
- 3,922 stairs up a steep mountain range
- has muddy and steep sections
- can take as long as 7 to 10 hours to hike

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