If there’s one thing we’ve learned from years of exploring Hawai’i on foot, it’s that every island has a completely different hiking personality. Oahu gives you dramatic ridgelines, along with a dual city and ocean views. Maui drops you into bamboo forests and volcanic craters. Kauai puts you face-to-face with sea cliffs that feel ancient and untouchable. And the Big Island? You’re literally walking across lava.
We put this guide together because we wanted one place that covers the best hikes across all the major Hawaiian islands — with honest difficulty ratings, real logistics, and no “you HAVE to do this” energy. Some of these hikes we’ve done dozens of times. A few are still on our own bucket list. All of them are worth your time if you’re the right fit.
2026 Note: We’ve included current trail status, parking info, entrance fees, and any reservation requirements as of March 2026. Trail conditions change — always check with DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) or the National Park Service before heading out.
Quick Links: Trail Reservations & Conditions
→ DLNR State Parks Reservations (Diamond Head, Hā’ena, etc.)
→ DLNR Trail Conditions & Closures
→ National Park Service — Hawaii Parks
→ Haleakalā Sunrise Reservations
Before you go: Check out our guides on
→ What to Pack for Hawaii | Things to Know Before Visiting Hawaii | Which Hawaiian Island to Visit
O’ahu — The Gathering Place
Oahu has the most accessible trail system in Hawaii. Many trailheads are within 20–30 minutes of Waikiki, and the variety is unbeatable — coastal walks, volcanic craters, rainforest waterfalls, and ridge hikes with views that make your jaw drop.
Related: 10 Best Things to Do on the North Shore | 10 Best Things to Do in Waikiki | 10 Free Things to Do on Oahu
1. Diamond Head Summit Trail (Lē’ahi)
Diamond Head Trail approaching the summit — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Island: O’ahu | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance: 1.6 miles round trip | Elevation: 560 ft gain
Cost: $5/person | Parking: Limited inside crater | Reservations: REQUIRED
📍 Diamond Head State Monument, Monsarrat Ave entrance, Honolulu, HI
The most iconic hike in Hawai’i, and for good reason. The trail winds through a WWII-era tunnel and military bunkers before opening up to a 360-degree view of Waikiki, the coastline, and the Ko’olau Mountains. Reservations are now required — book online through the DLNR website. $5 per person entry fee. Get there early (before 7 AM) to beat the heat and the crowds. The stairs near the top are steep but short.
2. Koko Head Crater Trail
Koko Head Crater from the Makapu’u trail — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Island: O’ahu | Difficulty: Strenuous | Distance: 1.8 miles round trip | Elevation: 1,048 steps
Cost: Free | Parking: Free at Koko Head District Park | Reservations: Not required
📍 7604 Koko Head Park Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825
This is not a hike — it’s a stair climb. 1,048 old railway ties straight up the side of Koko Crater. It’s brutal, especially in the sun, but the views from the top are some of the best on the island. Bring at least a liter of water. Start before sunrise for cooler temps and a spectacular view. There’s a bridge section over a gap that some people find intimidating — there’s a bypass trail around it.
3. Manoa Falls Trail
The lush rainforest along Manoa Falls Trail — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Island: O’ahu | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1.6 miles round trip | Elevation: 800 ft gain
Cost: Free (trail) | Parking: $7 ($4 kama’āina/military) | Reservations: Not required
📍 3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
A lush, shaded rainforest walk that ends at a 150-foot waterfall. This trail was used as a filming location for Jurassic Park and Lost — and it looks exactly like you’d expect. The trail can be muddy year-round, so wear shoes with grip (not slippers). Parking is $7 at the trailhead lot. Don’t swim in the pool at the base — leptospirosis risk is real in freshwater pools.
4. Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Ka’iwa Ridge Trail)
Island: O’ahu | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance: 1.8 miles round trip | Elevation: 600 ft gain
Cost: Free | Parking: Street parking only | Reservations: Not required
📍 265 Kaelepulu Drive, Kailua, HI 96734 (across from Mid Pacific Country Club)
Our go-to sunrise hike. A short, steep climb to two WWII pillboxes overlooking Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands. The colors at sunrise are unreal — get there by 5:30 AM. Free, no reservation. Parking is tight on residential streets, so be respectful of the neighborhood. The trail is well-worn but has some loose rock near the top. Great family friendly hike.
5. Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
Island: O’ahu | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 2 miles round trip | Elevation: 500 ft gain
Cost: Free | Parking: Free lot (fills fast weekends) | Reservations: Not required
📍 Off Kalanianaole Hwy (Hwy 72), Waimānalo, HI 96795
A fully paved coastal trail with sweeping views of the windward coast, Rabbit Island, and — during whale season (November through April) — humpback whales breaching offshore. This is the most accessible hike on the island: stroller-friendly, no special gear needed. The tidepools at the base are worth exploring if the surf is low.
DLNR — Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail Info
Maui — The Valley Isle
The otherworldly landscape inside Haleakalā Crater — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Maui’s hikes take you from tropical bamboo forests to the surface of what feels like another planet inside Haleakalā Crater. Many of the best trails are along the Road to Hana or inside Haleakalā National Park, so plan accordingly.
Related: How to Spend 3 Days in Maui | 10 Places You Must Visit in Maui
6. Pīpīwai Trail (Bamboo Forest)
Island: Maui | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4 miles round trip | Elevation: 650 ft gain
Cost: $30/vehicle (Haleakalā NP — valid 3 days) | Parking: Kīpahulu Visitor Center | Reservations: Not required (park entrance fee only)
📍 Mile Marker 41, Hana Hwy, Kīpahulu Visitor Center, Hāna, HI 96713
One of the most unique hikes in all of Hawai’i. The trail cuts through a towering bamboo forest that blocks out the sky, then opens up to Waimoku Falls — a 400-foot waterfall at the end. Located inside Haleakalā National Park near Hāna. $30 per vehicle park entrance (valid for 3 days). The trail is muddy — bring shoes with serious traction and expect to get dirty. Worth every step.
→ Haleakalā National Park — Kīpahulu District
7. Sliding Sands Trail (Keonehe’ehe’e)
Island: Maui | Difficulty: Strenuous | Distance: 11.2 miles RT (or 4 miles to first cinder cones) | Elevation: 2,800 ft descent/ascent
This trail drops you into the floor of Haleakalā Crater, and it feels like walking on Mars. Red and black cinder cones, silversword plants, and complete silence. You can do a shorter out-and-back to the first cinder cones (about 4 miles), or go the full distance to connect with Halemau’u Trail for a traverse. Bring layers — it’s 30–40°F at the summit. The climb back out is the hard part.
📍 Haleakalā Visitor Center parking, Haleakalā Hwy (Route 378), Maui
Cost: $30/vehicle (Haleakalā NP) | Sunrise Reservations: REQUIRED ($1/person) if arriving 3–7 AM
→ Book Haleakalā Sunrise Reservations | Haleakalā NPS Info
8. Waihee Ridge Trail
Island: Maui | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 5 miles round trip | Elevation: 1,563 ft gain
This hike on Maui’s wet, green north side offers ridgeline views that rival anything on the island. You’ll look out over valleys, waterfalls, and the ocean. Less crowded than the Road to Hana trails. Expect mud and clouds — that’s part of the charm. Start early for the best chance of clear views.
📍 Maluhia Road off Kahekili Hwy (Hwy 340), near mile marker 6.9, Wailuku, HI 96793
Cost: Free | Parking: Free gravel lot 0.9 mi up Maluhia Rd | Reservations: Not required
Kaua’i — The Garden Isle
The Nā Pali Coast — one of the most dramatic coastlines on Earth — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Kaua’i is the hiking island. The oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, its terrain has been carved by millions of years of erosion into some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. Several trails require permits or reservations — plan ahead.
Related: How to Spend 6 Days in Kauai | 10 Best Things to Do in Kauai | How to Spend 48 Hours in Kauai
9. Kalalau Trail
9. Kalalau Trail
Island: Kaua’i | Difficulty: Strenuous | Distance: 22 miles RT (or 4 miles to Hanakapī’ai) | Elevation: ~5,000 ft cumulative (full trail)
The crown jewel of Hawaiian hiking. This 11-mile coastal trail along the Nā Pali Coast passes through valleys, crosses streams, and ends at a remote beach that feels like the edge of the world. Most people hike to Hanakapī’ai Beach (2 miles in) and Hanakapī’ai Falls (another 2 miles inland) as a day hike — no permit needed for that stretch. Going beyond Hanakapī’ai requires a camping permit. The trail is narrow, exposed, and can be dangerous when wet. This is not a casual hike — take it seriously.
📍 Kē’ē Beach, end of Kūhiō Hwy (Route 56), Hā’ena State Park, Kaua’i
Cost: Free (trail) but parking reservation required | Hā’ena Entry: RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
→ Book Hā’ena State Park Reservations | DLNR — Kalalau Trail Info
Related: Our Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour Review
The Kalalau Trail — Hawaii’s most legendary hike — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
10. Waimea Canyon Trail
Island: Kaua’i | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Distance: Varies (1–10+ miles) | Elevation: Varies
The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is 14 miles long, a mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep. Multiple trails branch off the canyon rim road. The Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls (3 miles round trip) is a great moderate option. For a bigger day, connect Cliff Trail and Black Pipe Trail for views into the canyon interior.
📍 Hwy 550 (Waimea Canyon Drive), past mile marker 14, Waimea Canyon State Park
Cost: Free | Parking: Free at lookouts | Reservations: Not required
Related: Our Waimea Canyon Review | DLNR — Waimea Canyon State Park
11. Sleeping Giant (Nounou) Trail
Island: Kaua’i | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 3.4 miles round trip (East Side) | Elevation: 1,000 ft gain
A ridgeline hike on the east side of Kaua’i with panoramic views of the coastline, Wailua River, and Mount Wai’ale’ale. Three trailhead options (east, west, and Kuamo’o). The east side trail is the most popular and well-maintained. The “chin” of the Sleeping Giant formation is the turnaround point.
📍 East Trailhead: Haleilio Road off Kūhiō Hwy (Hwy 580), south of Kapa’a, Kaua’i
Cost: Free | Parking: Small free lot | Reservations: Not required
Hawai’i (Big Island) — The Orchid Isle
Crater Rim Trail, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park — Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
The Big Island’s hikes are unlike anything else in Hawaii — or the world. You’re walking across lava fields, through volcanic craters, and along coastlines shaped by eruptions. The scale of everything here is massive.
Related: How to Spend 12 Hours on the Big Island | 10 Must See Places on the Big Island
12. Kīlauea Iki Trail
Island: Big Island | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4 miles loop | Elevation: 400 ft descent/ascent
This trail drops you from a lush rainforest rim down into a solidified lava lake inside Kīlauea Iki Crater. You’ll walk across the actual crater floor — cracked, steaming, and surreal. One of the most unique hiking experiences in the United States. The descent through the ōhi’a forest is beautiful. Follow the ahu (rock cairns) across the crater floor.
📍 Crater Rim Drive, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
Cost: $30/vehicle (park entrance) | Parking: Kīlauea Iki Overlook lot | Reservations: Not required
→ NPS — Kīlauea Iki Day Hike | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
13. Pololū Valley Trail
Island: Big Island | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 1 mile round trip (steep) | Elevation: ~400 ft descent
A short but steep switchback trail down to a remote black sand beach on the Kohala Coast. The valley views from the overlook are stunning even if you don’t hike down. At the bottom, a wild, windswept beach with crashing surf (not safe for swimming). The trailhead is at the end of Highway 270 — about 30 minutes past Hawi.
📍 End of Akoni Pule Hwy (Hwy 270), North Kohala, Big Island (8 miles east of Hawi)
Cost: Free | Parking: Small overlook lot (fills fast) | Reservations: Not required
14. Devastation Trail
Island: Big Island | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1 mile round trip | Elevation: Flat
A paved, accessible trail through a landscape devastated by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. You’ll see cinder fields, skeletal trees, and ōhi’a lehua regeneration. Perfect for families with keiki or anyone who wants to see volcanic terrain without a strenuous hike. Connects to the Kīlauea Iki overlook.
📍 Chain of Craters Road, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
Cost: $30/vehicle (park entrance) | Parking: Devastation Trailhead lot | Reservations: Not required
Moloka’i & Lāna’i — Off the Beaten Path
These smaller islands don’t get a lot of hiking press, but they offer some of the most remote and uncrowded trails in Hawaii. If solitude is what you’re after, this is where you go.
15. Halawa Valley Trail
Island: Moloka’i | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 4 miles round trip | Elevation: ~500 ft gain
A guided cultural hike through one of the oldest Hawaiian settlements (dating back to approximately 650 AD) to Mo’oula Falls, a 250-foot waterfall. You must go with a local guide — this is private land and a deeply significant cultural site. The guides share stories about Hawaiian history and the valley’s importance. Respect the land, the guide, and the experience.
📍 Halawa Beach Park, end of Kamehameha V Hwy (Hwy 450), Moloka’i (~1.5 hrs from Kaunakakai)
Cost: $60–$75/person (guided only) | Parking: Halawa Beach Park | Guide: REQUIRED — must book in advance
→ Book: Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike
16. Munro Trail
Island: Lāna’i | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Distance: 12.8 miles round trip | Elevation: ~1,600 ft gain
A ridgeline trail through Cook pine forests to Lāna’ihale, the highest point on Lāna’i (3,370 ft). On a clear day, you can see five Hawaiian islands from the summit. The trail can be extremely muddy and is best in dry conditions. Very few people do this hike, which is part of the appeal.
📍 Keomuku Hwy & Laniola Rd intersection, Lāna’i City, HI 96763 (behind The Lodge at Koele)
Cost: Free | Parking: Trailhead | 4WD: RECOMMENDED for access road
Essential Hiking Tips for Hawaii
What to Bring
Every hike: water (more than you think), sunscreen (reef-safe if near the coast), a hat, and proper footwear. We cannot stress the footwear enough — Hawaii trails are muddy, rocky, and rooty. Flip-flops will ruin your day. Trail runners or hiking boots are the move.
Related: What to Pack for Hawaii
Trail Etiquette & Safety
Stay on marked trails. Pack out everything you bring in. Don’t stack rocks (they may be culturally significant). If a trail is closed, respect the closure — it’s closed for a reason, whether that’s erosion, nesting birds, or safety. Flash floods happen fast in Hawaii — if it’s been raining heavily, avoid valley and stream trails.
Reservations Quick Reference
Diamond Head: Reservations REQUIRED — gostateparks.hawaii.gov
Hā’ena State Park (Kalalau trailhead): Reservations REQUIRED — gostateparks.hawaii.gov
Haleakalā Sunrise: Reservations REQUIRED (3–7 AM entry) — recreation.gov
Halawa Valley (Moloka’i): Guide booking REQUIRED — halawavalleymolokai.com
DLNR Trail Conditions: Check before every hike — dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/trail-conditions
Parking & Logistics
Trailhead parking in Hawaii fills up fast, especially on weekends. Arrive early (before 7 AM for popular trails). Never leave valuables visible in your car — trailhead break-ins are unfortunately common.
Respect the ‘Āina
These trails exist because generations of Hawaiians and conservation workers have cared for this land. Travel with aloha. Stay on the trail, don’t remove plants or rocks, and leave every place better than you found it.
Your Turn, Ohana
Sixteen hikes across six islands — and honestly, we could have listed sixty. Hawaii’s trail system is one of its greatest treasures, and every island offers something completely different.
For the complete island experience beyond hiking, check out our
101 Things to Do in Hawaii — Ultimate Bucket List | 50 Best Places to Eat on Oahu | Surfing in Hawaii
Did we miss your favorite trail? Drop it in the comments. And if you hit any of these hikes, tag us @maryandreidhicks— we love seeing our Ohana out on the trails.
Mahalo for reading!
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