If you’re reading this post, you’re likely looking for some awesome views of Hawaii, which you can definitely find when climbing these Oahu hikes. This is not a comprehensive list of Oahu hikes, but it covers the most well-known hikes on Oahu, including the Crouching Lion Hike, Lanikai Pillbox Hike, the Diamond Head Hike and the Manoa Falls Hike.
Keep reading for more info on each of these incredible Oahu hikes.
1. Crouching Lion Hike
Distance: .8 Miles (Round Trip)
The Crouching Lion Hike is a short and steep hike that can be muddy and at times fairly hard to climb, but the views are undoubtedly worth it. Unlike some of the other Hawaii hikes, you are treated to incredible views along the way, in addition to a stunning outlook at the top.
How to Find the Crouching Lion Hike
The Crouching Lion Hike is eastern side of Oahu on Kamehameha Hwy. The highway itself is fairly slow going, but the views are gorgeous and make it totally worth it. If you are driving from Honolulu, it will take around 45 minutes to an hour to reach the Crouching Lion Hike.
Address: 52-204 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The entrance to Crouching Lion is not marked very well, but you can find it by signs that say “area closed.” The area is not actually closed, just make sure to go in where the “area closed” signs are and climb for a few minutes, until you see the actual trail.
The entrance to the hike is also located along Kamehameha Hwy, so parking can be tricky. I read quite a few reviews on the internet that said not park on on Trout Farm Rd, since your car can be towed from there. Instead, we drove a little further down and parked on the right side of the road, in a parking lot that is for Kahana Bay Beach Park.
Is the Crouching Lion Hike Safe? Haven’t People Died?
It’s REALLY important to note that there are two ways to go up the Crouching Lion Hike – one is the way described here, which is shorter and safer than the longer hike up the Kahekili-Manamana loop, which I definitely do not recommend. It is not considered to be safe, and several hikers have died on the trail, which wraps around for a treacherous hike that takes at least 4 or 5 hours.
When we went, we were really nervous that we would accidentally end up on the Kahekili-Manamana loop rather than the Crouching Lion Hike, but to be honest it wasn’t an issue. We just entered where the signs were and pretty quickly found our way by heading straight up. From my understanding, the only way to end up on the larger loop is if you continue on after reaching Crouching Lion, which takes you along a more narrow trail. If you turn around once you reach Crouching Lion, you should be good!
How long does the Crouching Lion Hike take?
To climb up, it should take around 30-45 minutes and about 20-25 minutes to get back down. You definitely have to use ropes for part of the way up, so if you have trouble climbing or have any physical limitations, this hike might not be for you. There are also trees all along the hike, so you can use the roots to pull yourself up if needed.
That being said, you also don’t have to be in incredible shape to climb the Crouching Lion Hike.
If it has recently rained, prepare to face muddy climbing conditions. No matter what the weather, I would recommend that you wear athletic shoes and avoid flip flops or sandals.
When you get to the top, make sure to beware of strong winds and steep cliffs – when we were there we saw some people that were pretty drunk going out on the cliffs, and we kept hoping they wouldn’t fall. In short: don’t be an absolute idiot on this hike, and you should be fine.
What should I wear when hiking in Hawaii?
I generally recommend wearing comfortable clothes, although Oahu hikes are incredible and you’ll likely want to take photos as well. For way more detailed info on what to wear on Oahu hikes, check out my post on what to wear in Hawaii.
2. Diamond Head Hike
Distance: 1.6 Miles (Round Trip)
Diamond Head is easily the most popular hike in the Honolulu, and for good reason. It offers spectacular views, it is paved and it’s easy enough for children and the elderly. That being said, you’ll still feel the burn on the climb, and there are killer views at the top. The downside? Everyone else will also want to take photos of that incredible Honolulu skyline, so be prepared to wait in turn for photos at the top.
How Do You Get to the Diamond Head Hike?
The Diamond Head Hike is located in a state park very close to Waikiki Beach. It is open from 6am to 6pm every day, including on holidays. However, if you go they allow last entrance at 4:30pm, and the gates to the park are locked at 6pm.
Address: Diamond Head Crater Hike, Kapahulu, Honolulu, HI 96815
It costs $5 per car, or $1 per pedestrian to enter the park, and they only accept cash. You also aren’t allowed to bring pets, unless they happen to be a service animal.
Is the Diamond Head Hike Hard?
In short, no. It is paved literally the entire way up, and we saw both elderly people and young children making the hike. If you’re thinking it might be too easy, we thought it was still definitely worth it thanks to the incredible views of the ocean and Waikiki. We also got some incredible views of the the Diamond Head Crater while on a Hawaii helicopter tour, as shown in the photo below.
When is the Best Time to Visit Diamond Head?
That totally depends on you. Pretty much any time of day you will find major crowds at Diamond Head, but they become more pronounced throughout the day. If you’re an early bird and are willing to try a sunrise hike, you’re likely to find a much emptier trail and opportunities for great photos. Speaking of which, if you want a more detailed guide of the where to take the best photos in Hawaii, check out my Instagram Guide to Oahu.
No matter when you go, you can take incredible photos, you just have to get a little creative and be willing to wait in line.
3. Manoa Falls Hike
Distance: 1.6 Miles
Manoa Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Honolulu area, since it is incredibly close and offers great waterfall views. It’s also very easy and offers stunning views along the entire trail, with the Manoa Falls serving as the grand finale at the end of the trail. Parking costs $5, and will allow you to get fairly close to the trailhead.
Address: 3739 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
The hike is by far the easiest hike we did on Oahu, but it can be muddy. I would recommend wearing closed shoes not because the hike is hard, but because otherwise you run the chance of getting wet and covered in mud on your way to the falls.
Manoa Falls itself is a 150-ft waterfall that is surrounded by large rocks and fallen trees. It is really pretty and makes for some great photos!
That being said, we also thought the trail to the falls was like something out of a fairytale, and we stopped countless times to take pictures.
4. Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Distance: 3.2 Miles (Round Trip)
The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is one of the most stunning hikes on Oahu (in my opinion). It is moderately difficult and takes between an hour to 90 minutes to complete, depending on how far you go. The hike gets its name for the pillbox buildings that are found at the top, which make for fun hangouts and great photos.
It is a fairly steep hike that offers views of Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach and the residential area near the hike.
I would definitely recommend wearing closed shoes for this hike, since it is fairly steep and requires you to have a good foothold along the path. This trail does not require using ropes, but it can be fairly steep in places.
How Do You Get to the Lanikai Pillbox Hike?
The trail for the Lanikai Pillbox Hike is located not far from Lanikai Beach on Oahu’s eastern coast, about a 40 minute drive from Honolulu.
Address: 265 Kaelepulu Dr, Kailua, HI 96734
When you get there, you will need to park in the surrounding residential area, and the entrance to the trail is near the Mid-Pacific Country Club. We ended up parking on the street, but it did take a little while to find a good spot to park to ensure we wouldn’t be towed.
That wraps it up for this guide to Oahu’s top 4 most famous hikes – I hope this was helpful in helping you plan your trip to Oahu! If you need more ideas for your Oahu Trip, check out my travel guide for Oahu, Hawaii. Do you have any tips or questions I left out? If so, please comment and let me know!
