Best Hikes in Hawaii by Island and Difficulty

Hawaii offers some of the most varied hiking in the world: volcanic crater landscapes, coastal cliff trails, rainforest valleys, and ridgeline walks with ocean views on three sides. The trails are well distributed across the islands, with options from 30-minute walks to multi-day wilderness hikes. This guide covers the best options on each island organized by difficulty.

Best hikes on Oahu

Diamond Head (Easy, 1.6 miles round trip): The most visited hike in Hawaii. The summit trail climbs through a volcanic crater via a tunnel and steep stairs to a bunker at the rim with panoramic views of Honolulu and the coast. Reservations required via gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Best done at opening (6 am) to avoid heat and crowds. See the full Diamond Head guide.

Mānoa Falls (Easy, 1.6 miles round trip): A shaded rainforest walk to a 150-foot waterfall at the back of Mānoa Valley. Frequently muddy; wear trail shoes. The Lyon Arboretum at the trailhead is worth visiting for native plant context.

Koʻolau Summit Trail (Strenuous, variable): The ridgeline trail running along the dramatic cliffs of the Koʻolau Range. Various access points provide ridge walks with sweeping views of both the windward and leeward coasts. The Lanipo Trail from Maunawili is one of the best approaches.

Best hikes on Maui

Sliding Sands / Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail (Moderate-Strenuous, 2-11 miles): Descends from the Haleakalā summit into the volcanic crater, crossing cinder cones and alien landscape. The trail into the crater is easy to start and increasingly strenuous on the return uphill. The Keonehe'ehe'e trailhead is at 9,800 feet; allow extra time for the altitude. Haleakalā entrance fee applies. See the full Haleakalā guide.

Pipiwai Trail (Moderate, 4 miles round trip): In the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National Park beyond Hana, this trail climbs through bamboo forest to the spectacular 400-foot Waimoku Falls. One of the best hikes on Maui. Timed entry required; book at nps.gov/hale.

Twin Falls (Easy, 1 mile): A short, accessible waterfall hike at the start of the Road to Hana. Privately managed; small entry fee. Good warm-up for the Road to Hana day.

Best hikes on Kauai

Kalalau Trail (Strenuous, 11 miles one way): The most celebrated hike in Hawaii, following the Nā Pali Coast through five valleys of extraordinary scenery. The first 2 miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach require no permit; beyond that a camping permit from dlnr.hawaii.gov is required. The full 11-mile trail to Kalalau Beach is typically done as a multi-day backpacking trip. See the Nā Pali guide.

Waimea Canyon Trail (Moderate, 3.5 miles one way): Drops from the canyon rim into the canyon floor along the Waimea River, with views of the red canyon walls. The Kukui Trail is the main access. See the Waimea Canyon guide.

Awaʻawapuhi Trail (Moderate-Strenuous, 6.4 miles round trip): In Kōkeʻe State Park, this trail ends at a cliff-edge viewpoint 2,500 feet above the Nā Pali sea. One of the most dramatic viewpoints in Hawaii with no permit required.

Best hikes on the Big Island

Kīlauea Iki Trail (Moderate, 4 miles round trip): Descends into the Kīlauea Iki crater, which last erupted in 1959, and crosses the solidified lava lake floor. The contrast between the lush rim and the barren crater interior is striking. In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park; entrance fee applies. See the full Volcanoes National Park guide.

Puʻu Ōʻō Trail (Moderate, 5 miles round trip): Through ʻōhiʻa forest to views of historic volcanic features near the east rift zone. Trail conditions vary with volcanic activity; check nps.gov/havo before going.

Pololu Valley Trail (Easy-Moderate, 1.5 miles round trip): On the North Kohala coast, this short trail drops from a scenic overlook to a black-sand beach at the mouth of Pololu Valley. Excellent coastal views and a sense of the remote northern Big Island.

Hiking safety in Hawaii

Carry more water than you think you need: dehydration is the most common hiking emergency in Hawaii, especially on sunny exposed trails. Most Hawaii trails are not shaded. Start early, before 8 am for most hikes, to avoid afternoon heat. Flash flooding is a serious risk on valley and waterfall trails; check weather on the mountain above even if skies are clear where you are standing. Download offline trail maps before you go; cell coverage is unreliable on most backcountry trails. Tell someone where you are hiking and when you expect to return.