Diamond Head Summit Trail on Oahu climbs 560 feet over 1.6 miles round trip, passing through a World War II-era tunnel and military bunker before emerging at a 360-degree view of Waikiki and the Pacific. It’s the most-visited hike in the state, and for good reason — the payoff is immediate. But Hawaii’s trail system runs much deeper than one landmark crater. Across six main islands, the terrain shifts from paved coastal paths to knife-edge ridgelines above the Na Pali Coast, from bamboo rainforest to the floor of an active volcano. This guide covers the hikes worth planning around, with the real logistics — reservations, timing, parking — that determine whether you actually get to hike them.
Sliding Sands Trail descends 11.2 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation change into Haleakalā’s volcanic crater floor — a landscape of red and black cinder cones, silversword plants, and complete silence.
Hawaii’s best hikes aren’t the ones with the biggest names — they’re the ones you can actually get into. Diamond Head and Kalalau grab the headlines, but trails like Makapu’u Lighthouse and the Kīlauea Iki loop deliver just as memorable an experience with less planning hassle. Pick the island you’re visiting, then match a trail to your group’s stamina and your reservation status. The research below walks through both the iconic and the underrated, with the specific permit and timing details you need.
First‑time hikers
Families with kids
Experienced trekkers
Below is a quick-reference comparison of the trails covered in this guide. Each is discussed in more detail further down, with specific tips on parking, timing, and what to expect on the ground.
| Trail | Island | Difficulty | Distance (RT) | Key Highlight | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Head Summit | Oʻahu | Easy–Moderate | 1.6 mi | 360° summit view of Waikīkī, Koʻolau Range | Required |
| Koko Head Crater | Oʻahu | Strenuous | 1.8 mi | 1,048 railway ties to panoramic coast view | Not required |
| Makapuʻu Lighthouse | Oʻahu | Easy | 2 mi | Paved coastal trail, humpback whales Nov–Apr | Not required |
| Sliding Sands (Keoneheʻeheʻe) | Maui | Strenuous | 11.2 mi | Haleakalā crater floor, cinder cones | Sunrise entry required |
| Pīpīwai (Bamboo Forest) | Maui | Moderate | 4 mi | 400‑ft Waimoku Falls, towering bamboo | Park fee only |
| Kalalau (Nā Pali Coast) | Kauaʻi | Strenuous | 22 mi | Sea cliffs, hidden valleys, remote beach | Permit required beyond 2 mi |
| Waimea Canyon | Kauaʻi | Moderate–Strenuous | Varies | “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” 3,600 ft deep | Not required |
| Kīlauea Iki | Big Island | Moderate | 4 mi loop | Walk across solidified lava lake (1959 eruption) | Park fee only |
| Pololū Valley | Big Island | Moderate | 1 mi | Black‑sand beach, Kohala Coast views | Not required |
Oʻahu: Urban Trailheads and Ridgeline Views
Oʻahu’s trail system is the most accessible in the state. Many trailheads sit within 20–30 minutes of Waikīkī, making it easy to fit a hike into a half-day window. The variety is real — coastal walks, volcanic craters, rainforest waterfalls, and ridgeline scrambles all within a short drive of Honolulu.
For a completely different kind of workout, the Koko Head Crater Trail climbs 1,048 old railway ties up the inner rim of Koko Crater. It’s steep, fully exposed to the sun, and relentless — but the 360-degree view from the top takes in Hanauma Bay, the southeast coast, and the windward shoreline. No reservation is needed, and parking is free at the Koko Head District Park lot. Bring at least a litre of water and start before sunrise if you can. A bypass trail exists for the bridge section over the gap near the top.
Mānoa Falls Trail — 1.6 miles round trip through bamboo and banyan trees to a 150-foot waterfall — is Oʻahu’s most-visited rainforest hike. Parking at the trailhead costs $7 ($4 for kamaʻāina and military). The trail stays muddy year-round, so wear shoes with real grip. Don’t swim in the pool at the base; leptospirosis is a real risk in Hawaii’s freshwater pools.
Maui: From Bamboo Forest to Volcanic Crater
Maui’s hiking splits cleanly into two worlds: the tropical rainforest of the Kīpahulu District and the volcanic moonscape of Haleakalā’s summit. Both fall within Haleakalā National Park, so a single $30 vehicle entry covers both — valid for three days.
The Pīpīwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District near Hāna takes the opposite approach. It’s a 4-mile round trip through towering bamboo forest that blocks out the sky, crossing streams and banyan-root tunnels before opening to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The trail is consistently muddy — traction is non-negotiable. No reservation beyond the park entry fee, but the drive to Hāna is long; plan for a full day if you combine the trail with the Road to Hāna. NPS Kīpahulu page.
For a less-crowded option, the Waiheʻe Ridge Trail on Maui’s west side offers 5 miles round trip with ridgeline views over valleys, waterfalls, and the ocean. Parking is free in a gravel lot off Maluhia Road. Expect mud and clouds; start early for the best chance of clear views.
Kauaʻi: The Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon
You’ll earn every view on Kauaʻi. The oldest main Hawaiian island has been carved by millions of years of erosion into the state’s most dramatic hiking terrain — sheer sea cliffs, a 14-mile-long canyon, and ridgelines that drop thousands of feet straight to the Pacific.
Flash floods on Kauaʻi’s valley trails can develop in minutes. Avoid hiking in stream beds or valley bottoms after heavy rain, and never cross a flowing stream that’s above knee height. The island receives some of the highest rainfall on Earth — Mount Waiʻaleʻale averages over 450 inches per year.
The Waimea Canyon Trail system offers a less committing alternative with equally big views. The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” runs 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep. The Canyon Trail to Waipoʻo Falls makes a solid 3-mile round-trip moderate hike along the canyon rim, with layered red and green cliffs dropping away beside you. No reservation needed, and parking at the lookouts is free. You can connect the Cliff Trail and Black Pipe Trail for deeper canyon views. DLNR Waimea Canyon page.
The Sleeping Giant (Nounou) Trail on Kauaʻi’s east side offers a shorter ridgeline option — 3.4 miles round trip with panoramic views of the coastline, Wailua River, and Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The east trailhead off Haleilio Road has a small free lot. The “chin” of the Sleeping Giant rock formation is the turnaround point.
Big Island: Walking on Lava
The Big Island’s hikes are unlike anything else in the state — trails cross cooled lava lakes, skirt active calderas, and drop into valleys carved by eruptions. The scale alone shifts your sense of what a hike can be.
For a shorter family-friendly option, the Devastation Trail runs 1 mile round trip on a paved accessible path through a landscape flattened by the same 1959 eruption — cinder fields, skeletal trees, and ʻōhiʻa lehua regeneration. It’s flat, takes about 30 minutes, and connects to the Kīlauea Iki overlook. Same park entry fee applies. NPS Devastation Trail page.
The Pololū Valley Trail on the Kohala Coast descends roughly 400 feet over a steep switchback trail to a remote black-sand beach. Round trip is about 1 mile — short but steep, and the return climb is a solid heart-pumper in the humidity. The valley floor is rugged and the shore break is usually too strong for swimming. The lookout at the trailhead is worth the drive even if you don’t hike down. Parking is in a small overlook lot that fills fast. GoHawaii Pololū page.
Reservations, Safety, and What to Bring
Reservations have become the single most important piece of any Hawaii hiking plan. Diamond Head, Hāʻena State Park (the Kalalau trailhead), and Haleakalā sunrise entry all require online booking before you arrive. The links are straightforward — gostateparks.hawaii.gov for Diamond Head and Hāʻena, recreation.gov for Haleakalā sunrise. Book as far ahead as you can; Diamond Head slots in particular fill days in advance during peak season.
Start every hike early — before 7 a.m. for popular trails. Afternoon clouds routinely obscure summit and ridgeline views, and the morning window gives you the clearest light and the coolest temperatures. Carry more water than you think you need. Hawaii’s humidity and UV intensity deplete reserves faster than mainland hikes at the same elevation. A solid rule is one litre per hour of hiking.
Closed-toe footwear is required on virtually every Hawaii trail. Sandals won’t cut it on rocky, rooty, or muddy terrain. Trail runners or hiking boots with good grip are the standard. Check DLNR trail conditions before every hike — closures happen due to erosion, nesting birds, volcanic activity, or weather. Never bypass a safety fence near volcanic features; the crust over a lava tube can be thin enough to collapse under your weight.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection present in Hawaii’s freshwater streams and pools, especially after heavy rain. Don’t swim in or drink untreated freshwater on the trail. The risk is real, not theoretical, and the infection can be serious.
- Book Diamond Head, Hāʻena State Park, and Haleakalā sunrise reservations before you fly — walk-up entry is no longer an option at these trailheads.
- Start every hike by 7 a.m. for the best views and the least crowd. Afternoon clouds and heat reduce visibility and increase risk on exposed trails.
- Carry one litre of water per hour of hiking. Humidity and sun in Hawaii deplete your reserves faster than you expect at home.
- Closed-toe shoes with real traction are non-negotiable on every trail in this guide. Sandals or flip-flops will turn a moderate hike into a miserable one.
Before You Go — Hawaii Hiking
Which trails require a reservation or permit?
Diamond Head Summit Trail requires a timed-entry reservation at gostateparks.hawaii.gov ($5 per person). Hāʻena State Park (Kalalau trailhead) also requires a reservation through the same site. Haleakalā sunrise entry (3–7 a.m.) needs a reservation at recreation.gov ($1 per person). Beyond the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, an overnight camping permit is required and issued by lottery.
What’s the best time of year to hike in Hawaii?
Any month works, but summer (May–October) brings more direct sun and higher temperatures. Stick to windward-side trails or start before sunrise during the hotter months. Whale season (November–April) adds a bonus to coastal trails like Makapuʻu Lighthouse. Winter also brings more rain, especially on Kauaʻi and windward Maui — check the forecast and trail conditions before you go.
How do I check trail conditions before heading out?
The DLNR publishes current trail conditions and closures at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/trail-conditions. For national park trails, check the specific NPS page — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP and Haleakalā NP both post real-time alerts. Flash floods, volcanic activity, and nesting-season closures can shut a trail with little notice.
What should I pack for a day hike in Hawaii?
Water (one litre per hour), reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, a lightweight rain jacket for windward trails, and a paper or downloaded map — cell service is spotty or nonexistent on many routes. Trail runners or hiking boots with good grip are essential; most trails are muddy, rocky, or both.
Is it safe to swim in pools at the base of waterfalls?
No. Leptospirosis bacteria are present in Hawaii’s freshwater streams and pools, especially after rainfall. Swimming in or drinking untreated freshwater carries a real risk of infection. The pools at Mānoa Falls and Waimoku Falls are posted against swimming for this reason.
From Coastal Trails to Volcanic Summits
The hikes above cover the range of what Hawaii’s trails offer — a paved lighthouse path where you can watch humpback whales from shore, a bamboo forest that closes out the sky, a crater floor you can walk across that was molten rock sixty years ago. Each one requires a different kind of preparation, but the common thread is the same: start early, carry more water than you think, and book the reservation before you book the flight. For more on Oʻahu’s quieter coastlines and local surf breaks, check out our guide to Oʻahu’s hidden shorelines.
References
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). “Trail Conditions & Closures.” dlnr.hawaii.gov, 2026. ↗
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). “Diamond Head State Monument.” gostateparks.hawaii.gov, 2026. ↗
National Park Service. “Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — Kīlauea Iki Day Hike.” nps.gov/havo, 2026. ↗
National Park Service. “Haleakalā National Park — Kīpahulu District.” nps.gov/hale, 2026. ↗
If you’re planning a multi-island trip, our guides to Molokaʻi’s authentic side and Big Island stargazing above Mauna Kea cover two more sides of Hawaii that most visitors miss. For photographers, our photography guide to the islands pairs well with the trail itineraries above.
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