Cliff Jumping Maunawilli Falls

This is one of my favorite hikes in Oahu. And still accessible by bus… In fact, it’s probably better to get there by bus because it’s in a residential area and they don’t like cars parked in front of their homes.

First and foremost, please please PLEASE keep it beautiful. Don’t leave your crap there. Enough People already do that. No need to contribute to the mess.

Second, Have fun! It’s not a difficult hike, just muddy. I did most of it barefoot.

There are two cliffs to jump off here. One is dangerous and the other is less dangerous. The more dangerous one is pictured below. You have to use a rope to lean over the edge in order to see the water and jump very directly out and down. It is a lot of fun, very high, and a little scary.

You can’t see me on the more dangerous one but I am up in the bushes getting the nerve to jump off. It took a while…  For the less dangerous jump,

all you have to do is swim across, climb up, and jump off. See? Not so bad! And if you keep hiking up the other side, there are some little hidden treasures. I’m not gonna tell you much about those, though, because I want you to discover it for yourself. Where would the fun be if I told you everything?

Crouching Lion

This is another one of those hikes in Oahu that is easily accessed by bus. It is right of the highway on the North Shore.

Getting to Crouching Lion doesn’t actually take that long but you can turn it into a really long hike by continuing onward on the trail. I didn’t do the whole thing because I didn’t know it did that till I got there and kept going and eventually ran into some guys who had started waaaaaay early that morning at the other trail head. Either way… The views are wonderful and it’s great for people watching all the people who go up in the name of Instagram.

Like most hikes in Oahu, this is super crazy steep but lacks nothing in the beauty department.

This is a good hike to do in the morning because it’s right near a ton of beaches so you can get fabulously sweaty from the hike and then go cool off in the Ocean right after.

Olomana Three Peaks

This hike in one of the raddest hikes in Oahu. In order to get there you have to go through a golf course so I would suggest doing your research and making sure the golf course isn’t closed for some reason or another. And yes. That did happen to me on my first attempt.

When you go on this hike, make sure to take a good back pack and stuff you’re not too worried about because in some places on this hike there is like 3 feet of trail and straight drop off on either side.

The third peak is by far the sketchiest. SOOOOO steep on both sides, but man is the view worth it! The whole way up and down all three peaks you’ll need to use the ropes that are tied precariously all over the slopes. Without them, the hike would be impossible.

And again, this is another hike that is easily accessed from a bus stop so don’t let transit be a hindering factor.

That there is the trail head. Easily marked right off the Golf Course. 

Travel Tip:

CHACOS!!! You need chacos

because they are perfect for

hiking, walking through murky

waters, walking around in

general and everything else

Hawaii related. 

Trust me on this one.

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Coco Head

This is an Oahu Classic. You just have to do it. Even though it is heavily trafficked and in direct sunlight with no shade. In fact, you might as well do it at sunset because the view is amazeballs.

It is literally straight up from the ground with only stairs to climb. Basically the best glute workout you could ever fathom. Be sure to take a good pack with plenty of H2O.

Pali Puka Hike-a

Aside from being a sacred and historical location it is also amazingly beautiful. It is literally just a hole in the cliff with a straight fall on the other side. The hike changes from being in the jungle to a cliff edge to ropes and back in the jungle. Never a dull moment on the island of Oahu 🙂

Hike the Pill Box and Snorkel Lanikai Beach

Lanikai, or otherwise known as the ‘Powdered Sugar Sand Beach’ is a rather calm beach. It is the kind of beach you go to do snorkel, paddle board, kayak, or relax. It is nestled behind beach homes in a lovely neighborhood.

And just a short walk through the neighborhood you can find the trail head to the pill box hike. Its nice to be able to do the hike and then go cool off in the water after. It is one of the shorter hikes in Oahu but don’t let that fool you. It is still straight up. 

Diamond Head

This is a really cool volcanic state park. I mean… how many volcano’s have you been in? I can’t say I’ve been in too many…. The hike is interesting and involves a lot of stairs and other man made things but the view is priceless. It provides an epic view of the city of Honolulu and is a great photo opp.

Trail Running 

Being an avid trail runner, I can’t say this place is ideal for it given all the steep sections where you need ropes and the trails that are covered in mud and roots, but it is fun… It’s like one of those extreme spartan races with ropes and hurdles and rivers… it’s definitely always something new! There are, however, plenty of races to participate in. I was able to do the bubble run and the ford island 10k.

China Mans Hat

Again… Bus stops right in front of this beach. It is a neat little kayak or paddle board ride out to this island commonly known as China Mans Hat. Can you see why…? I, however did not paddle board or kayak. I swam walked, which I do not recommend. It is dangerous and quite scary because of the currents. But hey, I did it and got to work on time. Would you count this as a hike in Oahu even though it is its own island?

Makapu’u Tide Pools

These are right below a cliff that you scale down on the walk up to the Makapu’u light house. Be careful on the days that you go though because if there are big waves, they will crash right over these rocks and the pull of the waves as they go back into the ocean is really strong. But on a day like this, it is a wonderful and relaxing experience. There are a few blow holes surrounding the area and inside the tidal pools are neat little sea plants. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and chill. You know what else? There is a bus stop near by.

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The Dead Mans Cat Walk

The last rumor I heard about this place is that they tore it out because it’s super dangerous and technically trespassing to get in. But if it’s not torn out, go hike it. It’s a classic and again, offers up amazing views of the island.

Mount Ka’ala: Tallest Peak

You will need a car to get here for sure. Without one you simply won’t be able to do it. Mount Ka’ala is the tallest peak on Oahu and one of the funnest hikes in Oahu. Like all the other hikes there, switch backs are replaced with steep sections where ropes are absolutely necessary. Be sure to do this on a day when there is no fog. Otherwise you won’t get to see 180 degree view of the island.

Kaniakapupu Ruins

You can find these after you walk through a bamboo forest a while and they are worth it. I never imagined Hawaii would have ruins on the islands, but they do. People keep up with giving their respects to them so treat them with reverence. I believe a revered king lived here.  

Natural Rock Bridge

You never would guess this is where it was. It is a hidden treasure of the island that is on the other side of a very ugly hike. But the hike is worth the view! I would say this is one of the cooler hikes in Oahu.

Don’t go on top of the arch though please. Search and rescue shouldn’t have to risk their lives to fish you out if a big, unexpected wave comes and pulls you into the ocean. 

Manana Falls

This hike is best done when the water hole and waterfall are flowing. I did not pick the best day to do this but it was still worth it. Why? Because it is one of the more refreshing hikes in Oahu.

The bus drops you off at the base of a a neighborhood street and all you have to do is walk to the top, keep walking, take the right fork, descend through slippery dirt and roots to here and swing your day away into a beautiful water hole hidden in the jungle

I hope this list of hikes in Oahu helps you make the best of your travels!

Pleasa let me know if you have any questions about any of these hikes or anything else Oahu related. I lived there for 4 months during which I acquired a wealth of knowledge! For some fun Oahu related food suggestions, read my other article What To Eat In Oahu!

HAPPY TRAVELS MY FRIENDS!