15 Hawaii hikes that you will love to do!

ALOHA!

One of the most popular things to do in Hawaii no matter which Hawaiian island you visit is to go hiking!

There are tons of hikes that you can do on your own.

You can do hikes with amazing views on all of the major Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai.

Some of the best hikes do require a car, but there are also many that you can do without a car.

So whether you are going to Hawaii by cruise ship or staying a few days on land, you can go hiking on any of the islands.

This includes hikes with ocean views, mountain views, through lava fields (remnants of past volcanic activity!)

Below I will give you the short list of the best hikes you must consider visiting on a first trip to Hawaii!

 

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I’ve done a lot of hiking in Hawaii, and for the vast majority of hikes, I think trail running shoes are perfect. My favorite outdoor shoe brand for trail running shoes is Salomon.

See the salomon trail running shoes for women and salomon trail running shoes for men.

Sometimes I’ve also had proper hiking shoes for hiking in Hawaii, and my favorite outdoor shoes brand for hiking shoes is Merrell.

See the merrell hiking shoes for women and merrell hiking shoes for men.

Basically the main difference between running shoes vs trail running shoes vs hiking shoes is the thickness of the sole.

If you’re hiking on pure lava rock for example, the thicker the soles the better. If your hikes will be on dirt trails, you will likely be just fine with trail running shoes.

Trail running shoes and hiking shoes tend to give more traction than regular shoes, so these specific types of shoes do tend to be better for hiking in Hawaii.

Always break in new shoes so you won’t have surprises out on the trail!

 

If you want to go national park hiking in Hawaii, you want to go to Maui and the Big Island!

Maui has Haleakala National Park, and the must-do hike there is Sliding Sands Trail. (Aside from hiking, the Haleakala sunrise tour is super popular.)

The Big Island has Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the must-do hike there is the Kilauea Iki Trail. (Stay a few days near the national park at the Volcano Cottage.)

Otherwise, there are lots of hikes with mountain views and ocean views, coming up below!

Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks for your hike!

 

I’ve done tons of hikes in Hawaii, and I think if you choose any of these hikes below, as your ONE hike to do in Hawaii, you will love it!

 

 

Oahu (Honolulu)

Each of these hikes are 1-2 hours long.

Since most cruise ships are in Honolulu cruise port all day long, you will have time to do any of these hikes on a cruise ship visit.

 

1. Diamond Head Summit Trail

Diamond Head is near Waikiki, so this is a good hike to do if you want to stay near Waikiki. This will give you classic Waikiki views!

 

 

The easiest way to get there is by bus (map) using your HOLO card that you buy at ABC Store in Waikiki and using google maps to navigate.

The Waikiki trolley green line goes to Diamond Head if you want to add in some more sightseeing.

You can also get there on a one-way bike ride through bike sharing!

After your hike, you can have fish tacos at South Shore Grill (menu). They say they have the best fish tacos in Honolulu. (I went here after seeing it on a Netflix show! 😆 Terrace House Aloha State)

Since Diamond Head State Monument requires reservations, you’ll need to buy tickets through the Hawaii state park system in order to do this hike. It’s $5 per person and $10 per car. See current fees.

 

 

2. Manoa Falls Trail

The Manoa Falls Trail is close enough to Waikiki that this is another convenient enough hike to do from Waikiki, which makes it one of the easiest waterfalls to see from Waikiki.

Well, if you consider the hike easy enough, that is. 🤪

 

 

You can get there by bus (map). I’ve done the Manoa Falls Trail on a cruise ship visit so it’s reasonable to go to from Honolulu cruise port too. (Really I would say if you can get there by bus, anything is reasonable to go on a cruise ship visit!)

After your hike, you can go to the Lyon Arboretum that’s right there (reservations required).

The Manoa Falls Trail is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time. There is a parking fee if you drive there.

It’s also possible to do a guided hike to Manoa Falls.

 

 

3. Koko Crater Railway Trail

The Koko Head hike is famous for the stairs that you climb all the way to the top of the crater! Amazing ocean views will be there at the top.

 

 

You can get to the Koko Crater Railway Trail by bus (map).

If you go by bus, after your hike you can stop by the Leonards Bakery food truck that might be in the Koko Marina shopping center. Leonards is famous for malasadas.

The Koko Head hike is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

If you don’t mind hiking with your snorkeling gear, the Koko Head hike is across the street from Hanauma Bay. But Hanauma Bay does require reservations, or you can get a Hanauma Bay snorkeling tour.

 

 

4. Lanikai pillbox hike

The Lanikai pillbox hike will give you ocean views with the picture-perfect Mokulua Islands!

 

 

You can get to the Lanikai pillbox hike by bus (map). I’ve also done this hike on a cruise ship visit coming from Honolulu cruise port.

Afterwards, you can go to Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach. (Kailua Beach has proper beach facilities.)

The Lanikai pillbox hike is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

Another classic way to see the Mokulua Islands is through a Kailua Bay kayak tour.

 

 

5. Puu Maelieli Trail

The Puu Maelieli Trail will give you amazing ocean views and mountain views.

 

 

You can get to Puu Maelieli Trail by bus (map) which is what I did.

Afterwards, you can walk across the street to Valley of the Temples (free to walk through) and Byodo-in Temple ($5).

The Puu Maelieli Trail is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

 

 

Maui (Kahului)

Maui has a variety of hikes so you can experience a variety of Hawaiian landscapes all over the island!

You will need a car to do these hikes.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, the Road to Hana hikes I’ve listed below will only be reasonable to do if you have an overnight on Maui because of the time it takes to get there and back. So you will want to do them on day 1. The other hikes, you can make time for on a regular day visit by cruise ship.

The cruise line that regularly has overnights on Maui during a Hawaii cruise is NCL.

 

 

6. Sliding Sands Trail

The Sliding Sands Trail is THE national park hike to do on Maui.

 

 

It’s in the summit district of Haleakala National Park. The Sliding Sands trailhead is near the Haleakala summit, which means that it’s a high altitude hike! (The Haleakala summit is 10,000+ feet.)

You can make it as short or as long as you want. Make it short by hiking out 30 minutes and returning back the same way you came. Make it long by hiking the whole 11 mile trail (and planning for a one-way hike).

Since the Sliding Sands Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, you’ll need to pay the national park entry fee to do this hike. This is $30 per car. See current fees by going to the National Park Service website.

If you are 62+ years old, you get major savings on national parks! You can buy an annual pass for $20, or you can pay $80 for national park entry fees for the rest of your life. See current senior fees.

 

Another classic way to experience Haleakala National Park is by doing a Haleakala sunrise tour.

You can also see the Haleakala sunrise on your own, but you do need to make a reservation at recreation.gov to enter the park between 3am and 7am. (Otherwise you can just show up to the park without any prior reservations.)

 

 

7. Pipiwai Trail

The Pipiwai Trail is another Haleakala National Park hike you can do. It’s a bamboo forest hike that takes you to waterfalls!

 

 

It’s one of the best waterfall hikes in Hawaii.

But this is not in the summit district of the national park, and instead it is in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park.

Kipahulu is a coastal area and in a completely different area, so you’ll do it on a different day than your hike near the Haleakala summit.

You need to drive the Road to Hana to go to Kipahulu (map).

Since the Pipiwai Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, you’ll need to pay the national park entry fee to do this hike. This is $30 per car. See current fees by going to the National Park Service website.

The regular Haleakala National Park pass is good for 3 days (this is the standard pass you’d buy), so you will want to go to both the Haleakala summit side and Kipahulu side within 3 days if this is the way you are paying for national park entry.

 

 

8. Waianapanapa Coastal Trail

The Waianapanapa Coastal Trail is a hike through lava fields with ocean views!

 

 

You’ll go to Waianapanapa State Park to do this Hawaii lava fields hike, which means that you’ll need to drive the Road to Hana to get there (map).

The hike starts at the black sand beach. So you can see a black sand beach too! Don’t miss the lava tube at the edge of the black sand beach while you’re there!

From the black sand beach, the trail goes a couple of miles, but even hiking for 20 minutes out and then returning will be worth it!

Waianapanapa State Park is one of the best state parks in Hawaii.

You can also stay at a Hawaii state park cabin. (There may be a 2 night minimum.) You can go camping too. You’ll make a reservation through the Hawaii state park camping reservation website.

If you do stay overnight, it will also give you time to go hiking on more of the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail. Some of the cabins are just a few steps from the trail!

Since Waianapanapa State Park requires reservations even for a day visit, you’ll need to buy tickets through the Hawaii state park system in order to do this hike. It’s $5 per person and $10 per car. See current fees.

For more lava fun when you’re in Hana, you may consider visiting the Hana lava tube ($15).

For another unique colored beach in Hana, you may like the red sand beach hike. See my post about best Hawaii beaches.

 

 

9. Hoapili Trail

The Hoapili Trail is another hike through Hawaii lava fields! If you want to do a lava field hike without driving the Road to Hana, you can do this hike that’s an easier drive.

 

 

It’s a drive to the end of the road in South Maui past Wailea to get to La Perouse Bay (map).

This is another hike that you can go far or not. Basically you can turn around when you are happy with the lava fields you’ve experienced.

But ideally, you will give yourself 2 hours round trip so you can experience hiking across vast lava fields! This is around how long I was out, and I thought it was great. The trail kept going further.

If you want to keep it shorter, I think 1 hour will be worth it too.

The Hoapili Trail is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

After hiking the Hoapili Trail, you can stop by one of the many snorkeling spots in South Maui. This includes Ahihi Kinau Natural Reserve and Maluaka Beach (aka turtle town).

 

 

10. Waihee Ridge Trail

Waihee Ridge Trail is a hike in the West Maui mountains that will give you mountain views and ocean views!

 

 

You’ll want to give yourself 2-3 hours to hike.

This hike is on the Kahului side (map) so if you don’t want to venture too far from the cruise port, this can be a good option.

The Waihee Ridge Trail is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

After your hike, you can go to the Iao Valley State Monument to see a famous Maui landmark. Reservations are required for Iao Valley. You’ll buy tickets through the Hawaii state park system. $5 per person and $10 per car. See current fees.

 

 

Lanai

Lanai is an island you can reach by ferry from Maui. It’s reasonable to do a day trip to Lanai from Maui.

The Lanai ferry now departs from Ma’aelaea Harbor. (It used to depart from the Lahaina Harbor which was destroyed in the fire.) I’ve spent around a week on Lanai, which included some hiking!

The most easily accessible Lanai hikes to do on a day trip from Maui are the Sweetheart Rock hike and Fishermans Trail. Both of these start from the main beach of Hulopoe Beach, a 10 minute walk from the Lanai ferry port.

 

 

Big Island (Hilo and Kona)

There is a lot to do on the Big Island, and I think these 2 hikes are ones that you should really consider!

 

11. Kilauea Iki Trail

The Kilauea Iki Crater Trail is a uniquely Hawaii hike because it’s a hike through what used to be a “lake” filled with lava!

 

 

This is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so it’s your national park hike to do on the Big Island.

Here is your Kilauea Iki Trail guide (pdf) from the National Park Service.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on the Hilo side. It’s about an hour drive from Hilo (map). People do also make it a day trip from Kona to the national park, and it’s about a 2 hour 15 minute drive to get there (map).

You may also consider staying near the national park at the Volcano Cottage.

Since the Kilauea Iki Trail is a part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll need to pay the national park entry fee to do this hike. This is $30 per car. See current fees by going to the National Park Service website.

 

 

 

How to save money on Hawaii national parks

If you are going to both Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park within a year, then you want to get the Hawaii tri-park annual pass. It’s $55. (See current fees by going to “buy pass” then “view all site passes.”)

If you will be going to both Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ($30) and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park ($20 – confirm fees), both on the Big Island, you might also consider getting the Hawaii national park pass. It won’t be a cost savings ($5 extra), but you can show your support for Hawaii national parks!

 

 

 

12. Captain Cook Monument Trail

I think the Captain Cook hike is uniquely Hawaii because it’s a hike to see lava fields and ocean views… and it will take you to one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island!

So you can make it a hiking + snorkeling type or day!

The Captain Cook Monument Trail is on the Kona side of the island. It’s about a 25 minute drive from Kona town. (map)

The Captain Cook hike is FREE, and you can go on your own at any time.

 

 

You can also go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay without hiking by doing a catamaran snorkeling tour.

 

 

Kauai (Nawiliwili)

I haven’t properly explored Kauai, so I haven’t done any hikes on Kauai. I did plan to go hiking on my cruise ship visit to Nawiliwili (Kauai cruise port), but the weather seemed terrible (raining), and I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it so I decided not to do it.

So these are Hawaii hikes that I would want to do in Kauai! You’ll need a car to get to these hikes.

 

13. Kalalau Trail

The full Kalalau Trail requires extensive preparation in order to do it, but you can also just hike the first part of it. You’ll need Haena State Park reservations to even do just the first part. This is one of the most famous hiking views of Kauai with ocean views.

Since Haena State Park requires reservations, you’ll need to buy tickets through the Hawaii state park system in order to do this hike.

 

14. Awa’awapuhi Trail

One of the best state parks on Kauai is Koke’e State Park, and the Awa’awapuhi Trail is one of the most frequently recommended hikes on Kauai. So this is one I would want to do! At the end of the trail comes epic views of ocean and mountains.

 

15. Kukui Trail

Another one of the best state parks on Kauai is Waimea Canyon State Park. When I go to Kauai, I will look into doing the Kukui Trail in Waimea Canyon State Park. I will also look into doing the Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls.

Waimea Canyon is a popular sightseeing spot and there are Waimea Canyon combo tours that go to both Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park.

There are also helicopter tours that fly over Waimea Canyon, along with waterfalls and the Napali coast.

 

More Hawaii travel ideas:

• Things to do in Hawaii
• Best waterfalls in Hawaii you need to see!
• Best beaches in Hawaii you need to see!
• Best food in Hawaii you need to try!
• Things to do in Honolulu without a car
• Oahu on a budget (50 cheap travel ideas)
• Best snorkeling in Waikiki (Honolulu)
• Things to do near Hilton Hawaiian Village (biggest hotel in Waikiki)
• How to get from Honolulu cruise port to Waikiki

 

Happy hiking in Hawaii!