Hiking to the Best Views in Hawaii
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I’m a mountain person more than a beach person. I like to spend a little time at the beach, but lying there or participating in water sports holds my attention for only so long. My preferred beach time is about 1 ½ hours and then I’m done and long for a change of scenery.
So what in the world does a non-beach person do in Hawaii?
We hike.
Hawaii is synonymous with sand, waves, lifeguards, and underwater delights but don’t overlook the thousands of great hiking opportunities on the islands! While I was in Oahu I visited the beach occasionally, but I made sure that I found the trails too. Luckily I had a few friends on Oahu who also liked to hike and took me to some of their favorite and easy spots to get some spectacular views and a little bit of exercise.
Table of Contents
Old Pali Road Trail Hike
This used to be the old highway used to get from the leeward to the windward side of the island. It was literally built on the side of a mountain barely hanging on – it was an adventure to traverse to the other side of the mountain no doubt. It’s now been replaced with a proper 4-lane highway complete with a tunnel, but parts of the old highway are still there to hike on.
To get there you have to go through tourists. They are there for the lookout and the spectacular view – but you can go much deeper than that! From the lookout, go down to the right and go past the ‘closed’ sign away from the tourists at the lookout snapping photos. Take the old Pali Highway through dense jungle perched along the side of this lush mountain, you will be walking along old parts of the highway as you descend. Ron also picked fresh guava off the trees and we snacked on them on the way down! We hiked about 45 minutes down and then slowly turned around and came back up. You can hike all the way through to the end though.
Difficulty: Easy (until you turn around and come back up!)
How to get there: You can start at the top or bottom. We started at the Pali Lookout (the top)
More information: www.hawaiistories.com/eric/2005/04/24/old-pali-road/
www.oahumom.com/2011/06/hiking-old-pali-road.html
Kaiwa Ridge Trail Lanikai Pill Box Hike
On the windward side of the island above the town of Lanakai are perched old army bunkers (pillboxes) on the ridge. They provide a spectacular view of the ocean and Lanikai below. This is a ridge trail so there are no trees or shade here – but you do get a strong wind keeping you cool. The hike took Yen and me about 1 ½ hours, but you could do it much quicker if you didn’t take as many pictures as I did.
I also enjoyed a nice rest at the pillboxes and simply sat there and took in the view. Yen actually spent her birthday camping in the pillbox recently in order to watch the sunrise – a beautiful and brave idea! The best part is after you are done with the hike, you can go take a dip on that beautiful beach you peered down on from the top!
Difficulty: Intermediate – it’s steep in the beginning – but the steep section is short. You need to be sure-footed as you are on the ridge and you are scrambling around rocks, but I saw families with young kids doing it – so don’t be too intimidated!
How to get there: You will see the trailhead directly across from the Mid-Pacific Country Club. There should also be a small sign further up this “street” indicating the Pillbox Hike.
More information: www.best-of-oahu.com/lanikai-pillbox-hike.html
www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGP040-030
Discover things to do on Lana’i – not your typical Hawaiian island
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail Hike
The lighthouse trail is an easy but rewarding hike taking you to a view like no other on the island. You hike upwards toward the only working lighthouse on Oahu, but you will end up above it at the end. You aren’t allowed to get to the lighthouse as I certainly tried but was stopped by a big menacing fence! The trail is simple and paved the whole way but it does have a constant upward slope – good for the quads! There are no trees along this paved trail, so if it were sunny it would be a scorcher. However, I went when it was moody, rainy, cloudy, and windy. The skies were perfect for photography and captured the massiveness of the island.
Difficulty: Easy to sort of intermediate (only for the climb…but it’s completely simple!)
How to get there: The park and trailhead are located off of the Kalanianaole Highway (Hwy. 72) at the southeasternmost point of Oahu.
More Information: www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/oahu/index.cfm?hike_id=23
www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/hiking_and_camping/makapuu_lighthouse.htm
Kawainui Marsh Trail and Ulupo Heiau Hike
Ron and I worked off our haupia (coconut) jello shots from the night before by doing this easy hike along the marsh. The Kawainui Marsh Trail, which is paved and runs through the marsh, is perfect for riding bikes as well as walking or jogging. It is about three miles long, paved, meandering through marshland with unobstructed views of the Ko’olau mountains. When we reached the end of the trail, we kept going up the hill and for a short walk on the highway to get to the Ulupo Heiau (sacred place).
The massive stone platform of the heiau measures 140 by 180 feet. It was believed to be an agricultural heiau and offerings and ceremonies there were for improving harvests. Since this was a sacred place – I also decided this was the perfect place to leave the many leis I had received on the island. So hopefully I added a little bit of good karma to the taro crop planted below the heiau!
Difficulty: Easy!
How to get there: Ulupo Heiau is a mile south of Kailua Rd, behind the YMCA. Coming up the Pali Hwy from Honolulu, take Uluoa St, the first left after passing the Hwy 72 junction. Turn right on Manu Aloha St and right again onto Manu O’o St.
More information: www.aloha-hawaii.com/oahu/kawainui-marsh-and-ulupo-heiau/
www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/ulupo.cfm
I love articles like this that are full of real, useful info as well as gorgeous photos.
Bookmarking for next trip to Hawaii (hope it’s soon!). Thanks!
these are very nice photos. hope to see some day. i wish they were around here. like to hike and ride.it nice to see the ocean behind and the old trees there.
i cant find the exact words to describe those stunning views in Hawaii. I would definitely include this in my bucketlist. Great post!
Btw, i also enjoy trekking more than beach bumming. Cheers!
I’ve done the Old Pali Road Trail and it was definitely a spectacular view, but don’t think I’ve done any of the others. Didn’t even know about the lighthouse! Lucky you to have friends who can show you the secret spots.
Intensely beautiful photos! One of the things I love about hiking in Hawaii is all the amazing views that you can get from all directions. I especially love the hike to the Makapu’u lighthouse and the view you get looking over Makapu’u beach and the Pali mountains in the background.
Have you climbed Koko head crater?
Mark – no, I didn’t do the Crater hike…must save a few things for next time!
Great pictures! I’m a beach person myself, but I always make sure I get in at least a couple hikes before I leave the island. There are so many amazing things to be seen in the higher elevation!
This blog brings back memories. We too love to hike and sitting on a beach is really not our thing except to gather a little energy in between snorkeling.
Thanks for that!
Nancy & Shawn
Beautiful and useful post! I didn’t have a chance to do much hiking while I was in Hawaii, but I know there are tons of great hikes just on Oahu alone. It sounds like you tackled a lot of them!
Amanda – I hope next time you are there you can do one of the hikes – they are so fun. And you can go to the beach afterward and cool down!
Am not a big fan of hiking, but the photos you took make me want to change my attitude towards
The walks look excellent especially the Pali Lookout one. I, too, would rather have a good hike than just sit on a beach all day.
I live in Kaneohe,HI and now have all my weekend hikes planned out. Thanks for the pics and paths!
Nice photos, thanks. I remember a great hike into a lovely waterfall just below Pail lookout. Hawaiian islands are special. You can see a couple of my published stories on Molokai and Niihau on my site
Quick Question… Is the Coast Guard Lighthouse at the foot of Diamond Head not a working lighthouse?
I didn’t know there was one there. However I have no idea if it’s working or not. I do know that the one I hiked to was for sure and that the info I found on it said that it was the only working one. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Most of the photos are dull, they should have been taken on sunny days, instead of on cloudy, gloomy days. Over all, these photos rank low in the ones that I have seen about HI. Actually, after having viewed these photos, and if they were the only one that I’ve ever seen about HI, I wouldn’t want to go to there, as it seems to be a very cloudy, sad place. I could have done much better with my point and shoot camera in simple mode.
Excuse me, but you appear to be an “arrogant” traveler…
Hawaii is anything BUT a sad and cloudy place. I go to Hawaii a lot and have family there and there are cloudy days, sure, how do you think it’s such a green place? Why did you bother to comment? The pictures are lovely.
So true! If it weren’t for the rain, then it wouldn’t look so beautiful on sunny days! Thanks for your comments!
Going to Hawaii in Jan…hubby hates the beach so this is great! Thanks..
Very nice images, in spite of the clouds! I’ve been to the island of Kauai 9 times and absolutely love it. Some of my best pictures are ones with clouds. I have some absolutely spectacular pictures (I think) of the Wailua Water Reservoir. The Reservoir looks like a mirror because there was no wind that day……and, it was very dark and cloudy that day.
Also been to the Big Island, Hawaii, 2 times. Next time I go to Kauai, I am determined to check out 1 or 2 other islands!
I haven’t hiked much, and before I ever went to Kauai, I never thought of myself as a beach person, but now I am! But this article also wants me want to do some hiking!
We have hiked in Kauai and found it exhilerating!! End of the road hike is listed as one of the most dangerous hikes in US but really worth the views of the ocean and waterfalls!!
very refreshing views, i like the cool, cloudy, early morning settings, just like yesteryears, surely brought good old memories of hiking. thank you..
I love doing photography on moody days – the clouds really give the shots texture! Thanks for stopping by John!
Have you ever hiked to hidden falls??
No – I haven’t hiked there – is is in Oahu? More reasons to go back! 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Your opening sentence got my attention and ring true with my wife and I.
Hope to visit one day. Other places we love is the English countryside and Colorado because of exactly the same reason.
I lived in Lanikai and Kailua from 1952 to 1956. The Pali Road was our way to Honolulu. I’ll never forget that drive.
Wow – that is SO cool. That road – or what’s left of it looks like quite an adventure! Thanks for stopping by my site! Hope you come back!
iNCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL I CAN SMELL THE HIBISCUS…WOULD LOVE TO VISIT ONE DAY..AND PRACTICE HUNA!
very very nice.lucky u.i love there
only working lighthouse? how about Diamond Head Light? Tt can be seen for miles at sea and is a 2 sector light. Then there is Keana pt. light at the west end of oahu, visaible for 20 miles at sea.
I grew up and went to high school in Kailua. We moved there before the tunnels were built and so used the Old Pali Rd (passed the lookout) almost daily. How incredibly heartbreaking to see the graffiti on the wall of the old road. Is there no place that’s sacred from that stuff???
Unfortunately graffiti is all over the world – especially Europe. I always find it so distracting. Thanks for stopping by my site! I loved Kailua!
Thanks for the link to my blog!
Your photos are beautiful! I really enjoyed seeing these hikes through your lens.
My pleasure – and thanks for providing the additional info! I loved Oahu and loved the Big Island even more! Mahalo!
me gustaron mucho tus fotos. qué buena experiencia de viaje. saludos!
Nice post. The Lanikai pillbox hike is perfect for the beginner who doesn’t want to get caught up in tourist city at Diamond Head. The Old Pali is a nice one as well.
Next time you’re here, check out Wiliwilinui in Kahala/Aina Haina. A fantastic 3-hour ridge trail with unbelievable views at the top (if there are no clouds).
Thanks for the tip – I will be there in November again – so will put this on my list!
There is one error for the caption of the lighthouse photograph. It is not the “only” lighthouse on O’ahu but may be the only lighthouse on the NORTH SHORE of O’ahu, as there is another lighthouse near Diamond Head and lit every evening. Mahalo!