Hawaii’s hiking trails span landscapes that shift from rainforest to volcanic crater to sea cliff within the same morning — the islands contain over 50 distinct climate zones and trails that climb from sea level to 13,796 feet on Mauna Kea. The diversity means the right hike for one traveler might be completely wrong for another, and the research-backed tips here are designed to help you match a trail to your actual fitness, schedule, and risk tolerance.
Haleakalā’s summit sits at 10,023 feet, but the volcano measures roughly 28,000 feet from the sea floor — making it the third tallest mountain on Earth, even though its visible summit barely scrapes the sky.
The single best Hawaii hike for most visitors is the Kīlauea Iki Trail on the Big Island — four miles, moderate effort, and you walk across a lava lake that was molten rock in 1959. But the real answer depends on which island you’re on and what you want: coastal views, waterfall payoff, or volcanic terrain. Pick your island first, then your trail.
Hawaii’s major hiking islands each deliver a different experience. Oahu offers the most accessible urban-to-wilderness transitions — trailheads within 20–30 minutes of Waikiki. Kauai has the most dramatic coastal scenery, with the Na Pali Coast as the headline act. The Big Island covers the widest variety of terrain, from sea-level black sand beaches to the summit of Mauna Kea. Maui serves up the alien landscape of Haleakalā’s crater alongside the lush Pipiwai bamboo forest. This guide breaks down the best trails on each island with the specific logistical details — reservations, fees, parking, hazards — that make the difference between a great hike and a frustrating one.
Oahu: Quick-access trails with big views
Diamond Head Summit Trail (Lē’ahi) is the island’s most recognizable hike, and it requires planning. The trail runs 1.6 miles round trip with 560 feet of elevation gain, winding through a WWII-era tunnel and military bunkers to a 360-degree view of Waikiki and the Ko’olau Mountains. Entry costs $5 per person, and advance reservations are required — you cannot show up and buy a ticket on-site. Parking is limited inside the crater, and the lot fills early. Arrive before 7 a.m. to beat both the heat and the crowds.
Koko Head Crater Trail is the opposite experience — free, no reservation, and physically punishing. The trail climbs 1,048 old railway ties straight up the side of the crater, gaining roughly 1,048 steps in 1.8 miles round trip. There’s a bridge section over a gap with a bypass trail if heights bother you. Bring at least one liter of water, and start before sunrise for cooler temperatures. The summit delivers views of Hanauma Bay and the southeast coast that are arguably better than Diamond Head’s. Free parking is available at Koko Head District Park.
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail offers the easiest high-value hike on Oahu. It’s a fully paved two-mile round trip along sea cliffs with sweeping windward coast views. No reservation, no fee, and the surface is stroller-friendly. During whale season (November through April), humpback spouts are visible from the clifftop lookout. Parking fills fast on weekends — the lot is off Kalanianaole Highway (Hwy 72) in Waimānalo. The tidepools at the base are worth exploring if the surf is low.
Manoa Falls Trail is Oahu’s most-visited hike — a 1.6-mile round trip through a bamboo and kukui nut forest to a 150-foot waterfall. The trail is muddy year-round, so wear shoes with grip, not sandals. Parking costs $7 at the trailhead lot. Do not swim in the pool at the base due to leptospirosis risk, which is a real bacterial infection present in Hawaii’s freshwater after heavy rains.
On Manoa Falls, the trail is filming location for Jurassic Park and Lost — you’ll recognize the bamboo grove from the opening credits of the TV show. The real payoff is the mossy rock face behind the waterfall, not the pool.
Maui: Bamboo forests and volcanic craters
Pipiwai Trail in the Kīpahulu section of Haleakalā National Park is one of Hawaii’s finest hikes. The four-mile round trip cuts through towering bamboo that blocks out the sky, crosses bridges over rushing streams, and ends at 400-foot Waimoku Falls cascading down a cliff face. The trail is inside Haleakalā National Park — entry costs $30 per vehicle and is valid for three days. The trailhead is at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center, near mile marker 41 on the Hana Highway. Expect mud and bring shoes with serious traction. Check the park’s Kīpahulu page for current conditions before driving the Road to Hana.
Sliding Sands Trail (Keonehe’ehe’e) drops into Haleakalā’s crater from the 10,023-foot summit rim. The full descent is 11.2 miles with 2,800 feet of elevation change one way — a full-day trek requiring very good fitness. A more manageable option is hiking two to three miles down to the first cinder cones and returning, which still delivers the alien landscape of red and black cinder cones, silversword plants, and complete silence. Sunrise entry (3–7 a.m.) requires a timed reservation costing $1 per person in addition to the park entrance fee. The summit is 30–40°F at that hour — bring layers. The climb back out is the hard part; watch your energy on the descent.
Waihe’e Ridge Trail offers a less-crowded alternative to the Road to Hana hikes. The five-mile round trip climbs 1,563 feet along a ridgeline with views of valleys, waterfalls, and the ocean on Maui’s wet north side. Parking is free in a gravel lot 0.9 miles up Maluhia Road off Kahekili Highway (Hwy 340), near mile marker 6.9. Expect mud and clouds; start early for the best chance of clear views.
Big Island: Walking on lava
Kīlauea Iki Trail is the most unique hiking experience in the United States. The four-mile loop descends 400 feet from lush rainforest into the solidified lava lake of the 1959 eruption. You walk across the crater floor — cracked, steaming, surreal — following rock cairns (ahu) across the hardened surface. The trail starts from Crater Rim Drive inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance costs $30 per vehicle. Start early morning to avoid midday heat, and carry plenty of water. Check the NPS page for Kīlauea Iki before heading out — trail closures occur with volcanic activity.
Pololū Valley Trail is a short but steep one-mile round trip (400 feet of descent) to a remote black sand beach on the Kohala Coast. The trailhead is at the end of Akoni Pule Highway (Hwy 270), about 30 minutes past Hawi in North Kohala. Parking is in a small overlook lot that fills fast. The beach is wild and windswept with a strong shore break — swimming is usually unsafe, but the view and isolation are extraordinary. You might spot wild horses in the distance.
Devastation Trail is an easy, paved one-mile round trip through the landscape altered by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. Cinder fields, skeletal trees, and regenerating ōhi’a lehua forest make this a perfect option for families or anyone who wants volcanic terrain without a strenuous hike. It’s inside the national park, so the $30 vehicle entrance fee applies. The trail connects to the Kīlauea Iki overlook, making it easy to pair both hikes in one morning.
The endangered Haleakalā silversword (‘ahinahina) grows only on Haleakalā — it lives 3–90 years, produces a single stunning flowering stalk, then scatters seeds and dies. Park staff protect them by fencing out ungulates and removing non-native plants. Stay on marked trails and avoid stepping on fragile seedlings.
Kauai: Na Pali and Waimea Canyon
The Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast is 11 miles one way — among the most famous hikes in the United States. Most visitors hike the first two miles to Hanakāpī’ai Beach as a day hike, which requires a day-use permit through the Hā’ena State Park reservation system. Beyond Hanakāpī’ai requires a camping permit issued by lottery. Permits sell out months ahead — book as far in advance as possible. The trail is narrow, exposed, and dangerous when wet. This is not a casual hike.
Waimea Canyon Trail system offers multiple options without the permit headache. The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” — 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, 3,600 feet deep — has several trails branching off the canyon rim road. The Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls is a solid moderate option at roughly three miles round trip. You can connect the Cliff Trail and Black Pipe Trail for canyon interior views. No reservation is required, and parking at the lookouts is free. Check the DLNR page for Waimea Canyon State Park for current trail conditions.
Awa’awapuhi Trail in Kōkeʻe State Park runs 6.4 miles round trip through misty forest to a sheer ridgeline with views 2,500 feet straight down to the Na Pali Coast. No permit is needed, and it’s much less crowded than Kalalau. The descent back can be slick and steep — watch your footing.
Practical tips: Reservations, gear, and safety
Four major hikes in Hawaii require advance reservations: Diamond Head, Hā’ena State Park (Kalalau trailhead), Haleakalā sunrise entry, and the guided Halawa Valley hike on Moloka’i. Book these before your trip, not when you land. Parking at popular trailheads fills by 7 a.m. on weekends — never leave valuables visible in your car, as break-ins are common.
Carry more water than you think. Hawaii’s humidity and UV intensity cause dehydration faster than mainland hikes at the same elevation. One liter per hour is a reasonable baseline for strenuous trails. Closed-toe shoes are essential on virtually every Hawaii trail — the terrain is muddy, rocky, and rooty, and sandals or flip-flops will make for a miserable day.
Flash floods in narrow valleys and stream crossings — never enter these areas during or after heavy rain. Floods occur quickly without warning. Leptospirosis is also a real risk in freshwater after rains; avoid swimming in streams or standing pools.
The dry season from April through October offers the best conditions for most trails. November through March brings mud, especially in rainforest areas. At higher elevations on Mauna Kea and Haleakalā, temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer — pack layers and a waterproof jacket. Check the DLNR Trail Conditions page before every hike for closures and advisories.
Before you go — Hawaii trail logistics
Which trails require permits or reservations?
Diamond Head requires a reservation at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Hā’ena State Park (Kalalau trailhead) uses the same system. Haleakalā sunrise entry (3–7 a.m.) requires a ticket at recreation.gov. The Halawa Valley Trail on Moloka’i requires a guided booking — independent hiking is not allowed because the trail crosses private, culturally significant land. Most other day hikes on this list are free and reservation-free.
What’s the best time of year for hiking?
April through October offers the most stable weather with less rain, especially at higher elevations. November through March is still hikeable but expect muddy rainforest trails and reduced visibility at summits due to clouds and fog. Winter brings the added bonus of humpback whale sightings on coastal trails like Makapu’u Lighthouse.
Can you hike near active volcanoes safely?
Yes — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers several safe trails near volcanic landscapes, including Kīlauea Iki and the Crater Rim Trail. Stay on marked trails and follow all park advisories. Check the NPS Hawaii Volcanoes page before your visit, as trail closures occur with volcanic activity. Never bypass safety fences near volcanic features.
What gear should you bring?
Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners, a rain jacket, sun protection (hat and reef-safe sunscreen), at least one liter of water per hour of hiking, snacks, and a phone or GPS device. For longer or remote trails, add a first-aid kit and headlamp. Hawaii’s sunsets come fast — getting stranded in the dark is a real risk if you’re not prepared.
From volcanic craters to coastal cliffs
The trails here cover the range of what Hawaii offers — you can walk across a cooled lava lake in the morning and watch the sun set from a sea cliff the same afternoon. The throughline across every trail on this list is that conditions change fast, and the research-backed detail that matters most is checking ahead: reservations, trail closures, weather, and parking. Pick the hike that fits your island and your fitness, and the landscape will do the rest.
References
DLNR State Parks. “Reservations.” gostateparks.hawaii.gov. ↗
National Park Service. “Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.” nps.gov/havo. ↗
Recreation.gov. “Haleakalā Sunrise Reservations.” recreation.gov. ↗
If you’re planning a full Hawaii trip beyond hiking, our guide to Hawaii’s coffee plantation trail pairs well with a day on the trails — many farms sit near trailheads on the Big Island and Maui. For a completely different perspective on the islands’ volcanic landscapes, stargazing from Mauna Kea or Haleakalā offers views that rival anything you’ll see on the trails themselves. And if you’re visiting Maui between November and April, whale watching from the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail or a boat tour adds a dimension no hiking trail can match.
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