Chasing Waterfalls and Crater Views: O'ahu’s Top Hiking Gems
Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean from pillbox #2 along the Ka’iwa Ridge Trail (Lanikai Pillbox Hike)
My first – and so far only – trip to Hawaii took us to O’ahu. The catalyst for the trip was to run an Xterra half-marathon trail race, but the trip was so much more! I’ve heard that each of the Hawaiian islands has its own personality. What I loved about O’ahu is that it offered so much variety.
We experienced Hawaii’s beautiful beaches, snorkeling in its turquoise waters, inspired sunrises, waterfalls, history and island culture. In this article, wander with us around the island as we take you on some of our favorite hikes, tours and beach days.
Of course, one of the first decisions when starting to plan your trip is where to stay. There are many beautiful hotels and resorts on O’ahu, especially if you choose to stay in or near Honolulu. But if you want something different, consider staying at a VRBO. We found one on the eastern (windward) side of O’ahu, in a house up on a hill, and the benefits were amazing! We had a full kitchen and a lanai (patio) with a view of Koko Head and a barbecue. Keep reading to learn more about how that shaped our experience.
Hikes on O’ahu
In the week we spent on O’ahu we did three spectacular hikes - not including our hike/run through Kualoa Ranch (keep reading for more on that experience). All three were listed on Hawai’i Guide’s list of "Best Places to Hike on Oahu” and all three were amazing!
Our hikes ranged from an easy, albeit muddy (we were there in the rainy season), hike to Manoa Falls, to the strenuous, adventurous climb up Koko Head that offered stunning views from O’ahu’s eastern side.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for products and/or services we love. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for choosing to wander with us. We hope your adventures are filled with as much joy and awe as we’ve experienced!
Koko Head Stairs
Our first hike was definitely the most challenging, but what an adventure! The Koko Crater Arch Trail (also known as the Koko Head Stairs) was an advanced hike to the top of Koko Head. It was only about a mile-and-a-half round trip, but took nearly three hours. To reach the summit, there are more than 1,000 railroad ties to climb straight up the mountain. The railroad path is leftover from World War II when the trail was used to transport supplies. Today, the hike leads to panoramic views that are well worth the effort.
Ka’iwa Ridge Trail / Lanikai Pillbox Hike
This was probably my favorite hike. Like Koko Head, the trail has a historic context rooted back to World War II when the concrete structures (“pillboxes”) were used as lookout stations. Today, they are covered in colorful graffiti that give the area a feeling of nostalgia that changes with each new tag left by visitors.
We started hiking in the dark (definitely bring your headlamp or a flashlight) and made it to the summit just in time to sit and watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. Sitting atop the pillbox at dawn provided a spiritual space to reflect before continuing further along the trail.
Manoa Falls Trail
This was a gentle hike, just over a mile and a half roundtrip. The 150-foot Manoa Falls was beautiful and could be the perfect ending to an afternoon walk through the rainforest. But, we’d heard about an old banyan tree - some say it’s haunted - and wanted to check it out. To get there, we followed a trail leading off the main Manoa Falls Trail, this one more difficult as we navigated all the roots and muddy patches. But, the reward of witnessing the giant tree with its stringy above-ground roots draping from its branches to the earth, was a site to behold.
Time to visit Hawaii
“When nothing is sure, everything is possible,” a message that spoke to me among the Kaka’ako Street Art murals in downtown Honolul and continues to inspire me today. We spend a lot of time working and caring for others and there are times when we question a lot. But wandering the world and experiencing different locations and cultures through the eyes of the people we meet along the way brings joy and hope for the future. The “aloha spirit” of Hawaii, embracing peace, kindness, connection and ohana (family) is no exception.
Aloha, fellow wanders.
☞ Keep reading for more about O’ahu’s beaches, tours and food.
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