15 Best Hikes on Oahu
Growing up in Oahu, Hawaii meant lots of hiking – and beach days!
Through my years of exploring this island, I gained a knowledge of what people visiting Hawaii would definitely want to do. We put together this article to give back to you guys and provide you with a list of the absolute greatest trails on the island. All we ask is that you make sure to leave each spot cleaner than the way you found it (and this goes for everything you do on the island, not just on hikes!).
There are plenty of hikes on Oahu, but we made sure to keep this list short and concise of only the 15 best. Let’s get into the 15 best hikes on Oahu!
A Look into the 15 Best Hikes on Oahu
From hiking 3,922 steps up to the top of a mountain, walking on ridges that are at some points 2-3 feet wide, to being surrounded by the immersing sounds of a waterfall: Oahu has such a diverse set of things to do and experience. Below is listed 15 of our favorite hikes that will make your jaw drop! We made sure to include enough information for you to be able to take action on experiencing these beautiful hikes. Let’s kick off #1 with the infamous Haiku Stairs…
1. Stairway To Heaven (a.k.a. Haiku Stairs)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total time: 4-6 hours
Best time to hike: Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
- Lots of water
- Snacks
- Jacket (get’s quite cold – especially closer to the top)
- Gloves (for gripping onto the slippery railings – really glad we brought a pair)
- Hiking shoes
- Camera
Keep in mind:
- It might rain at times so dress appropriately
- This hike is illegal – there is now guards on site 24/hrs a day. You can get up to a $1,000 fine and possibly arrested.
Hiking the Stairway to Heaven for sunrise was one of the most rewarding, yet the scariest experience of my life. Starting off the hike by sneaking past a guard before dawn and hiking in the pitch black to be greeted by a long staircase of nearly 4,000 steps. With both unsteady and slippery railings and steps, you get a feeling of unease. At some points, the stairs go completely vertical and you’re left gripping on for dear life as the strong wind blows from all directions; It’s no question why so few have the courage to take on this hike!
Reaching the very top takes extreme perseverance as there are checkpoints along the way that makes you question continuing. As the sun rose, the sky cleared up and left us with the most beautiful glow and sunrise we’ve ever seen. It’s no question why so few have the courage to take on this hike.
If you’re looking to hike the Haiku Stairs, then you need to check out our full guide. We include things from what to bring, timing your journey, avoiding security, different starting points, and much more.
2. Pali Notches
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total time: 1 to 2 hours
Best time to hike: Morning
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- This hike is illegal – people have fallen/have been put into life-threatening conditions – hike at your own discretion
There’s a reason why this hike is on the top 15 best hikes on Oahu! Hiking the Pali Notches is for the extreme adventurers. With strong winds blowing from all directions and walking on a ridge that gets as narrow as 2-3 feet, this hike is no joke. It is one of the most dangerous hikes on the island and is only recommended for experienced hikers. Please make sure to research this hike plenty before taking it on. Use due diligence and if you ever feel uncomfortable: turn around!
3. Tantalus Tower
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: 1 hour
Best time to hike: Sunset
We recommend you to bring:
- Jacket (extremely windy at the top of the tower)
- Camera (the views at the top during sunset are phenomenal!)
Keep in mind:
- Can get quite muddy
- The actual tower is fenced off and is government property – hike at your own discretion
The hike starts off with a slight incline and after roughly 5-10 minutes you are greeted with the most beautiful bamboo forest. It took us about 20-25 minutes to get to the tower. When climbing the tower, there are strong winds blowing from all directions. At the top of the tower, the winds at some points make the whole tower shake and can be quite scary – but the view during sunset make’s it one you cannot miss!
4. Lulumahu Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Total time: 2 hours
Best time to hike: Anytime
We recommend you to bring:
- Water
- Snacks
- Bug Spray (there are lots of bugs!)
- Light rain jacket
- Hiking Shoes
- Camera
Keep in mind:
- Can get quite muddy
- Lots of bugs – make sure to use some sort of insect repellent
- Parking lot only can hold up to 20 cars
- This hike is on private property
Lulumahu Falls is an incredible waterfall trail located just off the Pali Highway. We include how to reach the parking lot and how to hike it here. As you approach the waterfall, you will get anxious to see it due to the roar of the falls. It’s one of the best feelings in the world visiting Luluamhu Falls and standing underneath it after a hot day (the water is extremely cold!). Keep in mind, though, that the trail is located on private property.
If you’re deciding between hiking to Lulumahu Falls or Manoa Falls, if you can, I would say hike them both. They are both special in their own ways. Lulumahu Falls gives a much more “raw” feeling and the actual waterfall itself is typically much fuller. On the other side, Manoa Falls gives a very Jurassic Park kind of vibe – one that you cannot miss out on. The waterfall itself at Manoa Falls is typically a lot less impressive, to say the least. If you are looking for a less crowded, less touristy hike, then Lulumahu Falls is the hike you are looking for!
Click here to read our full guide on hiking to Lulumahu Falls
5. Makua Cave
Difficulty: Moderate
Total time: 1 hour
Best time to hike: Sunset
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- It can get pretty hot closer to sunset – so bring lots of water (and wear sunscreen)
- The west side is the dryer side of the island so if you want everything in your photos to be green – make sure to come after rainfall
Viewing the west side of Oahu from Makua Cave is absolutely spectacular during sunset. You simply can’t miss this hike – It’s easily my favorite hike for sunset on this side. If you want more of a view of the entire west side, then we would recommend checking out the Maili Pillboxes. Since you’re in the area, make sure do the rest of the things we go over on the 10 Best Things to Do on West Oahu. West Oahu is highly underrated and features some awesome little gems that you cannot miss out on!
6. Tom-Tom Trail
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: The hike can be as short as 2 miles or up to 6 depending on how far you go
Best time to hike: Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- It can get pretty dry so bring lots of water and make sure to wear sunscreen
- This hike is on private property – hike at your own discretion
If you’re looking to a beautiful perspective of the East coast of the island – then you’re looking at the right place. The Tom-Tom trail starts off with a nice incline and continues that for roughly 15-20 minutes until it starts to ease out more. You can stop at any point because there is no definite end to this hike. Since you’re in the area, make sure to check out our article on the 10 best things to do on East Oahu. We cannot recommend visiting the Makapu’u Tidepools enough – especially after hiking the (hot and dry) Tom-Tom Trail.
7. Crouching Lion
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: 1 to 2 hours
Best time to hike: Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- It can get pretty dry so bring lots of water and make sure to wear sunscreen
- This hike is on private property – hike at your own discretion
The Crouching Lion Trail features astonishing views of Kahana Bay and is a hike you should do in any weather condition because of how different it looks from each time. It get’s very slippery, though, so bring some grippy shoes or hiking boots. Parking can be quite difficult for this hike – make sure you park legally because people do get their cars towed/ticketed.
Click here to read our full guide on how to hike the Crouching Lion.
8. Ehukai Pillbox
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: 1 to 2 hours
Best time to hike: Sunset
We recommend you to bring:
The Ehukai Pillbox is located right next to Sunset Beach and is a short yet sweet 1-2 hour hike that features the most breathtaking views of the North Shore. The North Shore is one of my favorite sides of the island – and you will definitely feel the same way after hiking up to the Ehukai Pillbox! We cannot recommend hiking this trail during sunset enough. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the North Shore, click here for the 10 best things to do on the North Shore of Oahu!
9. Maunawili Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.8-mile round-trip
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- Very muddy – wear shoes you don’t care for
Maunawili Falls is one of the most magical waterfalls on the island. It tends to get extremely muddy and it’s no doubt you might slip so make sure to wear shoes that you don’t care for. Roughly half-way through the hike, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of Kailua.
Most that visit here jumps off the top part of the waterfall – which is roughly a 15-25 foot drop. Beside the waterfall is an even higher point to jump off which adds around 10 feet more in height.
If you’re looking for our full guide on hiking to Maunawili Falls, then click here.
10. Mount Lahilahi
Difficulty: Beginner
Length: 0.5-mile round-trip
Best time to hike: Sunset
We recommend you to bring:
Located in Makaha, Mount Lahilahi is a short and easy, yet stunning hike. It includes a little bit of rock climbing, but nothing a beginner can’t do. It took us roughly 20 minutes to get to the top and about the same to get back down. We aren’t the most avid hikers and we barely broke a sweat.
11. Diamond Head Crater
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.4-mile round-trip
Best time to hike: Anytime
We recommend you to bring:
Keep in mind:
- Parking is $5
Being one of the most well-known and popular hikes on Oahu – you definitely need to experience the beauty of Diamond Head. With amazing views of Honolulu and only being 1.4 miles round-trip, this hike is one you cannot miss out on. Standing at the top of Diamond Head, you will quickly realize how small you really are.
12. Hanauma Bay Rim Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.6-mile round-trip
Best time to hike: Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
The Hanauma Bay Rim Trail is a 3.6-mile loop trail located at the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve Park. We would rate the difficulty of this hike moderate. It’s absolutely beautiful during sunrise. After hiking the Hanauma Bay Rim Trail – we recommend snorkeling at Hanauma Bay to cool off. Snorkeling at the beautiful Hanauma Bay is something you absolutely cannot miss out on.
13. Maili Pillboxes
Difficulty: Beginner
Length: 1.5-mile round-trip
Best time to hike: Sunset
We recommend you to bring:
Maili Pillboxes (or Pu’u’ohulu Kai) is a short 1.5-mile hike; It takes a little over an hour to complete. Although short, it can get very hot on this side of the island so bring lots of water. If you’re trying to get the best view possible, then we recommend hiking the Maili Pillboxes during sunset.
14. Makapuu Lighthouse
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: 1 to 2 hours
Best time to hike: Morning or Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
The Makapu’u Lighthouse is located in the southeastern most part of the island and is a short (yet hot) trail. For those of you that choose to hike this trail, we definitely recommend visiting the Makapu’u Tidepools, which adds roughly an hour to the hike but is totally worth it. Something awesome to keep a watch out for is humpback whales, which can be spotted from November to May.
15. Lanikai Pillbox
Difficulty: Beginner
Total time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Best time to hike: Sunrise
We recommend you to bring:
- Water
- Snacks
- Camera
Being one of the most visited hikes out of all the previous listed – Lanikai pillbox is a solid choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy hike for a beautiful view. Due to the popularity of the pillboxes, parking can get pretty tight on the weekend – so visit early.
Looking for more to do on Oahu? Check out our other articles:
- 50 Best Things to do on Oahu
- 5 Best Beaches on the North Shore of Oahu
- North Shore: 10 Best Things to do
- 5 Best Waterfalls on Oahu
- The Stairway to Heaven Oahu, Hawaii: Updated 2018
Mahalo for reading the 15 Best Hikes on Oahu – we really appreciate it 🙂
Click here to read our previous article: North Shore Oahu: 10 Best Things to do
