26 Best Hikes In Oahu, Hawaii
It’s hard to come up with a list of the best hikes in Oahu Hawaii, because there are so many good ones!
Oahu may be the busiest and most populated Hawaiian island, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great Oahu hikes and nature trails to get away from the bustle and see some spectacular mountains, beaches, and waterfalls.
I’ve spent many months exploring Hawaii over the years, and especially the island of Oahu, and I think hitting up the hiking trails is definitely one of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii.
A few of these trails are difficult or technical, but there are also lots of easy hikes on Oahu for the families and older folks, including some Honolulu hikes that you can reach a short distance from the city.
Without further ado, this is my guide to the top Oahu hikes and hiking trails! In my opinion, these are some of the very best hikes in Oahu Hawaii.
Best Hikes In Oahu Hawaii
1. Stairway To Heaven (Haiku Stairs)
This Oahu hike is epic, scary, and slightly illegal. Still interested? The ‘Stairway to Heaven‘ takes you to the top of the Ko’olau mountains via 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom. At some points, the stairway is almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain.
There’s an old World War II radio station at the top of the mountain, but the stairway has been closed since the 1980s, and fines of up to $1,000 have been given out to people caught climbing it. The area is even patrolled by security guards around the clock.
Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason — it’s one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth!
I first discovered this hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique.
Even after traveling in many countries now, this is still probably my favorite hike in the world. It may never be topped!
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,625 feet (800 m)
Difficulty: Hard
2. Moanalua Valley Trail
If you want to see the ‘Stairway To Heaven’ legally, with virtually no chance of fines, you can hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail on the back side of the same mountain. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven.
The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs, but you can reach the ‘Stairway To Heaven’ at the top and go back down in either direction when you’re done.
Keep in mind, to stay 100% legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, you’re still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal.
However, it’s possible to take some great pictures on the stairs and then leave via Moanalua without hiking the entire stairway from top to bottom, that way you get to experience two epic hikes in one.
The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. You definitely want good weather for this hike. Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky.
Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. The main reason to take the back way is to stay legal and rule out any possible fines.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet (850 m)
Difficulty: Hard
3. Crouching Lion Hike
Crouching Lion is one of my favorite Oahu hikes. It’s a short but epic trail that ends with a panoramic view of the mountains and jungle at Kahana Bay, in northeast Oahu.
You can stop at this hill after an easy hike, or keep going up the mountain and the trail will eventually merge with Pu’u Manamana, one of the scariest and most dangerous cliff trails in Hawaii.
All in all, Crouching Lion is definitely one of the best hikes in Oahu!
Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 300 feet (90 m)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
4. Lanikai Pillbox Hike
The Lanikai pillbox is one of the easiest Oahu hikes and also one of the most popular spots on the windward side of the island.
This hike takes you to a couple of World War II-era concrete bunkers above Lanikai Beach, and the 360 degree views that you get on top of the bunkers are amazing.
It’s a very short hike (you could probably do it in 15 minutes if you rushed), but it’s all uphill and a bit strenuous, so it still feels plenty challenging.
Last, but not least, the Lanikai pillbox is one of the best sunrise and sunset spots on the whole island!
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 450 feet (140 m)
Difficulty: Easy
5. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
This one’s not really much of a hike per se, but it’s more like an easy stroll on a path around a lake.
Even so, it’s one of the most stunning places on the island of Oahu, and it’s free to visit, so you can’t miss it. This hike is a great one for families or older folks.
The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden has more than 400 acres of Jurassic Park-esque tropical scenery, making it perfect for a morning walk or jog. The lake has stunning reflections if you go in the early morning.
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 100 feet (30 m)
Difficulty: Easy
6. Chinaman’s Hat (Mokolii Island)
The Chinaman’s Hat island, also called Mokolii island, is a neat little mini island that got its name from the unique shape that looks kind of like a traditional Asian rice farming hat.
This is a little island located on the windward side of Oahu, and the best way to reach it is by kayak, or sometimes it’s also possible to wade to it when the tide is low.
You may not see this one very often on lists of the best Oahu hiking trails, but the climb to the top of the ‘hat’ is a good, rocky scramble and you’re rewarded with some amazing views of the Ko’olau mountain range!
Distance: N/A
Elevation Gain: 200 feet (60 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
7. Diamond Head Lookout
The Diamond Head hike is a paved trail with railings most of the way, taking you to the top of the old Diamond Head volcano crater.
From the top, you can look out over Waikiki and the whole Honolulu cityscape, and you also get to see the remains of some World War II pillboxes.
This trail can be pretty busy with tourists sometimes, but I still think it’s worthwhile for the city views from the summit.
Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (150 m)
Difficulty: Easy
8. Pink Pillbox Hike
The Maili pink pillbox hike is another ridge hike that takes you to some small World War II bunkers on the west side of Oahu, including a pink painted bunker at the top of the ridge.
You can walk inside any of these concrete bunkers or climb on top of them, and you get some great views of the Waianae neighborhoods in the distance.
This hike is starting to become popular, but it’s still not as crowded as some other trails like Diamond Head or the Lanikai pillboxes!
Also known as the Maili Point Hike, this one ends with awesome views of the nearby beaches, highway, and suburbs from above.
It’s a fun family friendly Oahu hike with a pretty mild set of dirt switchbacks all the way to the top of the mountain. Pets and kids can do it, and the main challenge is just the mid-day heat.
The graffiti covered pillboxes have amazing views of the coastline and ocean at Waianae. There are slit windows inside the bunkers, so you can look out of them while hiding from the sun for a bit!
Distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (150 m)
Difficulty: Easy
9. Ka’ena Point Trail
The Ka’ena Point hike takes you to the remote western tip of Oahu island. You can do this hike from two different starting locations (Waianae or North Shore), and both are nice.
Ka’ena Point is a pretty quiet part of the island and it’s also a wildlife sanctuary, so it’s a great place to see Hawaiian monk seals, humpback whales, and other animals!
In one hike, I counted half a dozen monk seals lounging on the rocks at Ka’ena Point.
Best Easy Hikes On Oahu
Oahu has quite a few easy hikes that are manageable for families with kids, as well as older folks.
These are some of the best easy hikes on Oahu Hawaii:
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Kailua)
- Diamond Head Lookout (Honolulu)
- Manoa Falls (Honolulu)
- Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden (Kaneohe)
- Likeke Falls (Kaneohe)
- Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail (Kaneohe)
- Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail (Hawaii Kai)
- Waimea Falls (North Shore)
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike (North Shore)
- Ka’ena Point (North Shore)
- Pink Pillbox Hike (Waianae)