Paradise is what comes to mind when you hear the word Hawaii. As the 50th state, Americans are lucky to have such a jaw-droppingly gorgeous territory that is so rich in its culture and history as part of our country. When vacationing to one of the Hawaiian islands, we must do our best to respect the āina (land) and leave no human trace wherever we go. With that being said, one of the best things you can do in Hawaii is to explore the beauty that the state has to offer. Come along with me as we take a peek at some of Oahu’s most glorious hikes and determine which one is right for you for your adventure on Oahu.
The first hike we’ll be covering is Honolulu’s Koko Crater trail. It’s a steep hike up an abandoned railroad track, 1,048 grueling steps to the top but once you reach it, you are rewarded with gorgeous, dramatic ocean and city views. The trail starts out relatively mellow up the abandoned railway, but the incline becomes increasingly steeper. There is one frightening section where there’s suddenly an abrupt 40ft drop below the train tracks. Take each step with particular care as one misstep could result in a treacherous fall. Luckily, there is a small path that goes around the drop for those who’d like to avoid any potential danger. After this part, the hike is pretty brutal for the average person. It feels like you’re going straight up a vertical incline and your buns will be burning and your breath will be increasing. We had to take a few breaks. The last little piece of the hike seems like the steepest and most difficult part, but once you reach the top, you can relax and catch your breath, while enjoying the refreshing breeze and a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking Hanauma Bay.
Another favored hike on Oahu is the Lanikai pillbox hike. It is a relatively quick hike in Kailua which features two military bunkers and a sweeping view of Lanikai Beach. You can reach the first pillbox bunker in about 20 to 30 minutes, and after another 10 minutes walking along the ridge you’ll reach the second bunker. This hike is always filled with kids and families, so it is a great hike for beginning to intermediate hikers. Just make sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes and be mindful of the sometimes loose, slippery rocks and gravel. The starting point of the Lanikai Pillbox Hike is located on a small no name street that branches off of Ka’elepupu Drive. You will see it directly across from the Mid-Pacific Country Club. There should also be a small sign further up the road indicating the Pillbox Hike. Next to the sign, you will need to step through some brush and immediately climb up about 10 feet to reach the trail. Enjoy the scenery and then head back to the beach or into Kailua for a nice meal or swim. Going on this hike at sunrise or sunset is the best time.
Manoa Falls Trail is a relatively easy hike that is 1.6 miles round trip.For most of the trail, you are shaded by trees which is nice when you’re working up a sweat. The entire trail you’re walking into a misty tropical rainforest with twisted old banyan trees, tropical flowers, a bamboo grove, and the aromas of eucalyptus trees. This gorgeous hike in the lush green valley leads to a waterfall at the end which some people will take a refreshing dip after their workout. The waterfall is 100 feet high and flows straight down a large rock face into a natural little pool. Bring a towel and swimsuit if you plan to swim. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, the waterfall could be an impressive gush or a disappointing trickle. It's easy to see why producers of the TV show Lost and the movie Jurassic Park filmed certain scenes right here - the mystical quality of the location easily transports your mind to another time and place. The best time to go on this hike is on dryer days on Oahu. The path can get pretty muddy if it’s wet, which will not be fun for your shoes, although there are hoses back at the start of the trail where you can rinse off your muddy shoes.
One last hike we’ll be covering is the Pali Puka trail. Once you arrive at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, head all the way to the left and you’ll find a little entrance in the trees. The Pali Lookout itself is a popular tourist spot but 99% of visitors to the lookout don’t hike, they just look out over the valley. There is a sign at the “entrance” that says ‘Notice: Area Closed! Do not go beyond this sign.’ This warning is there because while it is a short hike, it is very steep and dangerous as for a lot of the trail you will be walking literally along the edge of a cliff. The trail climbs along the narrow ridgeline of the Ko’olau Mountains. High winds and sheer vertical drops make this short hike an exciting trip. The panoramic views provided by this exposed trail are incredible, offering breathtaking views of Oahu's windward coast, from Kailua and Kaneohe all the way to Kualoa. At the trail’s peak is the Pali Puka, a hole or small “window” in the rock face of the mountain, said to be a hiding spot for Hawaiian warriors as they watched for approaching enemies. Use extreme caution when hiking up and down this trail as there are treacherous drops to your death just a few feet away. Just watch your footing and play it safe. There are also ropes to grab onto while scaling the side of the mountain so you won’t slip.
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