Take a Hike

Add hiking in Hawaiʻi to your bucket list and enjoy checking it off. With stunning waterfalls, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests, every trail offers something special. Lace up and choose your path, where the journey is just as memorable as the destination, and every step invites a new point of view.

BEST HIKES IN HAWAIʻI

  1. Beginner

    On Oʻahu, the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail offers rewarding ocean views along a paved, accessible path. Other great beginner-friendly hikes include Twin Falls on Maui, 'Akaka Falls on Hawaiʻi Island, and Wailua Falls on Kauaʻi.

  2. Intermediate

    Get up close (but not too close) to stunning active volcanic landscapes at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawai'i Island. For more intermediate scenic trails, visit Pipiwai trail on Maui, Manoa Falls on O'ahu, and the Canyon Trail to Waipoʻo Falls on Kauaʻi.

  3. Advanced

    Epic is the only way to describe the 22-mile round trip Kalalau Trail on Kauaʻi, a bucket list hike for many avid hikers. Seasoned hikers can also take on Kaupo Gap Trail on Maui, Puʻu Lanipō on Oʻahu, and the Mauna Loa Summit Trail at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island.

Couple on a mountainside looking over the ocean

Insider Tips

Volcanic activity at Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater is constantly evolving, with new eruptions and changes shaping the landscape. To plan the best time to see lava on your Hawaiʻi Island volcano hike, check the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park page “What’s Going On With The Volcano?” for the latest updates.

Hiking Kalalau Trail: All visitors must have a reservation or a valid Hawaiʻi State ID to enter Hā‘ena State Park. Visit www.gohaena.com for the most up-to-date information.

Bring a bathing suit on your hike, as some trails lead to hidden water holes, waterfalls, or beaches perfect for a refreshing dip. It’s a great way to cool off after the trail and make the most of Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty, just be sure to check conditions and swim safely.

Friendly reminders for beginners and avid hikers alike: pack plenty of water to stay hydrated, wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin, and always heed posted trail signage. Some higher-elevation hikes can get chilly, so bring light layers just in case.

Always check weather conditions before heading out on the trail. Remote areas can be difficult to access, and cell service is often limited, so it’s best to be prepared and avoid getting caught in unexpected conditions.

Hike the Islands
Oʻahu Oʻahu

In less than 30 minutes you can be out of the city and into the wild. Oʻahu’s trails lead to sunny panoramic views or waterfalls in lush forests.

Hike Oahu
Oahu Map
Hawaiʻi Island Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaiʻi Island boasts 10 distinct climate zones, offering hikes across diverse terrain from rainforest waterfalls and panoramic ocean views to petroglyphs in desert-like lava fields.

Hiking Hawaii Island at rainbow falls
Hawaii Island map
Kauaʻi Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi may feel remote, but once you’re there, you’ll want to hike everywhere. Don’t miss the red-hued views of Waimea Canyon or the lush cliffs along the Nā Pali Coast.

Hiking Kauai
Maui Maui

Maui offers endless discovery, from towering 400-foot waterfalls and lush rainforests to rugged trails that open to breathtaking beaches and coastline views.

Hike Maui
Maui Map Image

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This is not an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the activities, events, or providers. Aqua-Aston Hospitality, LLC or its affiliates (collectively, “Aqua-Aston”) assumes no liability for the products or services furnished by the independent service providers who have no affiliation with the Aqua-Aston business. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.