8 BEST HIKES NEAR WAIKIKI
If you’re staying in Waikiki and looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, hiking is a great way to get out into nature and experience the stunning scenery of Oahu. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing hikes near Waikiki. From easy strolls to challenging treks, there is a hike for every skill level and preference. With breathtaking views of the coastline, lush forests, and picturesque waterfalls, these hikes are a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast visiting Oahu. BEST HIKES NEAR WAIKIKI In this blog post, I’ll share all of my favorite hiking trails near Waikiki. All of the hikes will be within a short drive and many of them will be accessible by walking from Waikiki or a cheap Uber. The idea of this article is to share the best trails near Waikiki for those days you don’t want a big journey to reach the trailhead from your hotel. I’ve pinned the trailhead of each hike on my list to the map below so you can that all of these hikes are near Waikiki and easily accessible from your hotel. TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON OAHU Ultimate Luxury: Lotus Honolulu – Diamond Head View, Great Waikiki Location My Favorite: Aston Waikiki Beach – Best value in Waikiki & Great location Value Hotel Waikiki: Surfjack Hotel is easily the best value (luxury) hotel in Waikiki Diamond Head Crater The Diamond Head Crater Hike is one of the best hikes near Waikiki. This 3km out-and-back trail is one of the most popular walking trails on the island, providing a steep challenge and amazing views of Waikiki and the southern coastline of Oahu, Hawaii. Although it is paved the whole way, it is still a must-do activity for visitors staying in Waikiki! Read the full blog post: Diamond Head Hike Manoa Falls Located less than fifteen minutes from Waikiki, the Manoa Falls trail offers visitors a chance to enjoy a short hike through the filming locations of Jurassic Park and the television show LOST before reaching the massive waterfall. It’s one of my top recommendations for visitors looking for a short waterfall hike near Waikiki. The trail is well-defined for the entire route, which gives you plenty of freedom to take in the wondrous scenery. So, don’t miss out on this amazing hiking experience while you’re in Waikiki! Read the full blog post: Manoa Falls Hike BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN HAWAII When you book your Hawaii Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use Discover Cars. They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal! Manoa Cliff Trail The Manoa Cliff Trail is a 4-mile round-trip hike that winds through the lush tropical rainforests of the Manoa Valley. It’s a great route for a short morning hike near Waikiki or for some exercise after work in the forest. The unique feature of this trail is the bamboo hallways, which are an incredibly beautiful part of the Manoa Cliff Trail. Read the full blog post: Manoa Cliff Trail Pu’u Pia Trail Looking for one of the best hikes near Waikiki? Pu’u Pia Trail is a must-visit! This stunning hiking trail is located in Oahu, Hawaii, and offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the island. The trail is easy-to-moderate and winds through a lush forest, providing picturesque views of the Ko’olau mountain range. Although relatively undiscovered by tourists, this trail is a popular destination for locals seeking a peaceful and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. So, if you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque hiking experience near Waikiki, Pu’u Pia Trail should be on your list! Read the full blog post: Pu’u Pia Trail Makiki Valley Loop Trail The Maikiki Valley Loop Trail is a beautiful hiking trail, located just a few kilometers out of the town center, and offers visitors a green oasis of lush forest and peaceful trails, providing a natural getaway from the hustle and bustle. As you hike through the trail, you’ll be surrounded by walls of green, ferns reaching over the trail, natural tree arches to walk through, and the constant sound of running water. It’s truly a picturesque and peaceful hiking experience that you don’t want to miss out on while you’re in Waikiki. Read the full blog post: Makiki Valley Loop Mau’umae Trail The Mau’umae Trail (Pu’u Lanipo Trail) is one of my favorite hikes near Waikiki and leads you all the way up to the scenic Koolau Summit Trail. You can actually start this trail from your hotel in Waikiki as it is so close and doesn’t add too much distance to the hike. The route is pretty adventurous with muddy slopes and some minor rope climbs. You won’t find too many others on this slightly overgrown trail. I combined this trail by looping up along the Koolau Summit Trail to Mount Olympus and coming back down via the Wa’ahila Trail. Read the full blog post: Mau’ume Trail Ka’au Crater Hike The Ka’au Crater Trail on Oahu, Hawaii is an unreal adventure with three waterfalls, a
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If you’re staying in Waikiki and looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, hiking is a great way to get out into nature and experience the stunning scenery of Oahu. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing hikes near Waikiki. From easy strolls to challenging treks, there is a hike for every skill level and preference. With breathtaking views of the coastline, lush forests, and picturesque waterfalls, these hikes are a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast visiting Oahu.
BEST HIKES NEAR WAIKIKI
In this blog post, I’ll share all of my favorite hiking trails near Waikiki. All of the hikes will be within a short drive and many of them will be accessible by walking from Waikiki or a cheap Uber. The idea of this article is to share the best trails near Waikiki for those days you don’t want a big journey to reach the trailhead from your hotel. I’ve pinned the trailhead of each hike on my list to the map below so you can that all of these hikes are near Waikiki and easily accessible from your hotel.
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON OAHU
- Ultimate Luxury: Lotus Honolulu – Diamond Head View, Great Waikiki Location
- My Favorite: Aston Waikiki Beach – Best value in Waikiki & Great location
- Value Hotel Waikiki: Surfjack Hotel is easily the best value (luxury) hotel in Waikiki
Diamond Head Crater
The Diamond Head Crater Hike is one of the best hikes near Waikiki. This 3km out-and-back trail is one of the most popular walking trails on the island, providing a steep challenge and amazing views of Waikiki and the southern coastline of Oahu, Hawaii. Although it is paved the whole way, it is still a must-do activity for visitors staying in Waikiki!
Read the full blog post: Diamond Head Hike
Manoa Falls
Located less than fifteen minutes from Waikiki, the Manoa Falls trail offers visitors a chance to enjoy a short hike through the filming locations of Jurassic Park and the television show LOST before reaching the massive waterfall.
It’s one of my top recommendations for visitors looking for a short waterfall hike near Waikiki. The trail is well-defined for the entire route, which gives you plenty of freedom to take in the wondrous scenery. So, don’t miss out on this amazing hiking experience while you’re in Waikiki!
Read the full blog post: Manoa Falls Hike
BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN HAWAII
When you book your Hawaii Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use Discover Cars. They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal!
Manoa Cliff Trail
The Manoa Cliff Trail is a 4-mile round-trip hike that winds through the lush tropical rainforests of the Manoa Valley. It’s a great route for a short morning hike near Waikiki or for some exercise after work in the forest. The unique feature of this trail is the bamboo hallways, which are an incredibly beautiful part of the Manoa Cliff Trail.
Read the full blog post: Manoa Cliff Trail
Pu’u Pia Trail
Looking for one of the best hikes near Waikiki? Pu’u Pia Trail is a must-visit! This stunning hiking trail is located in Oahu, Hawaii, and offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the island. The trail is easy-to-moderate and winds through a lush forest, providing picturesque views of the Ko’olau mountain range.
Although relatively undiscovered by tourists, this trail is a popular destination for locals seeking a peaceful and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. So, if you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque hiking experience near Waikiki, Pu’u Pia Trail should be on your list!
Read the full blog post: Pu’u Pia Trail
Makiki Valley Loop Trail
The Maikiki Valley Loop Trail is a beautiful hiking trail, located just a few kilometers out of the town center, and offers visitors a green oasis of lush forest and peaceful trails, providing a natural getaway from the hustle and bustle.
As you hike through the trail, you’ll be surrounded by walls of green, ferns reaching over the trail, natural tree arches to walk through, and the constant sound of running water. It’s truly a picturesque and peaceful hiking experience that you don’t want to miss out on while you’re in Waikiki.
Read the full blog post: Makiki Valley Loop
Mau’umae Trail
The Mau’umae Trail (Pu’u Lanipo Trail) is one of my favorite hikes near Waikiki and leads you all the way up to the scenic Koolau Summit Trail. You can actually start this trail from your hotel in Waikiki as it is so close and doesn’t add too much distance to the hike. The route is pretty adventurous with muddy slopes and some minor rope climbs. You won’t find too many others on this slightly overgrown trail. I combined this trail by looping up along the Koolau Summit Trail to Mount Olympus and coming back down via the Wa’ahila Trail.
Read the full blog post: Mau’ume Trail
Ka’au Crater Hike
The Ka’au Crater Trail on Oahu, Hawaii is an unreal adventure with three waterfalls, a desolate crater, and a perilous peak. This trail has it all and it’s one of the more challenging waterfall hikes on Oahu. If you are ready for a big adventure, you’ll see why many people rank this as their overall favorite hike on the island. It’s probably the toughest hike near Waikiki and the most adventurous trail you’ll find that won’t cause you to travel too far from your hotel.
Read the full blog post: Ka’au Crater Hike
HAWAII HIKING PACKING LIST
Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and that’s why there are so many rescues. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Below are my four Hawaii hiking essentials.
- Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket: This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
- Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots: For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
- Black Diamond Head Torch: I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
- Darn Tough Socks: These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.
Lulumahu Falls Hike
Lulumahu Falls is a popular hiking destination for both locals and tourists on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Despite its popularity, the waterfall retains its natural beauty and offers visitors a peaceful escape into the lush greenery of the surrounding forest. The short hiking trail leading to Lulumahu Falls is a mild trail although it can get muddy.
Read the full blog post: Lulumahu Falls Hike
Mount Olympus Hike
This slippery, muddy adventure takes you up to the Koolau Summit Trail on Oahu, challenging you with some solid incline and a few steep sections requiring a rope. While not the most extreme hike on the island, it still offers a challenging hike for adventurers seeking a thrilling experience.
Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views that extend to both sides of the island, making it a beautiful reward for all your hard work. So, if you’re up for a challenging but rewarding hiking experience near Waikiki, the Mount Olympus Hike should definitely be on your list!
Read the full blog post: Mount Olympus Hike
Wiliwilinui Ridge Hike
The Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail hike on Oahu is a rugged adventure onto the spine of the island. The 7.6km out-and-back route has almost 500 meters of elevation as you wind up a series of stairways and forest paths to reach the Koolau Summit Trail. It’s probably the furthest away from Waikiki when looking at the other hikes on this list but still quite close. I love climbing up the ridges above Honolulu and looking back down over the crowded Waikiki from my little oasis up in the hills.
Read the full blog post: Wiliwilinui Ridge Hike
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this guide about the best hikes near Waikiki.
WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort (Overall Favorite): In the heart of Waikiki, this high-end resort is right on the beach with a private lagoon.
- Sheraton Waikiki (Luxury): A luxury resort with the most amazing infinity pool on the island, which overlooks the beach.
- Ewa Hotel Waikiki: (Value): Ewa Hotel is just one block back from the beach and is just over $150 USD.
- Waikiki Beachside Hostel (Budget Choice): A budget alternative, which is still in an amazing location.
- Disney Aulani Resort (Family Choice): This is a resort your kids will never forget. It honestly feels like you are living in a theme park.
