Oahu hikes map for your first trip to Hawaii

ALOHA!

Hiking is one of the top things you need to do when you go to Hawaii! And Oahu has a lot of hikes that come with amazing views and are easy to access.

Below I have for you an interactive map of Oahu hikes that I made. These are hikes that I really think you should consider for a first trip to Hawaii, because they have views that you imagine as just so-very-Hawaii.

There are a lot of Oahu hikes you can do without a car. Well, as long as you have time and patience for the bus, that is. I’ve done a bunch of hikes on Oahu by bus, and it’s really not a big deal, as long as you manage your expectations.

Most of the hikes on this list are 1-2 hour hikes, which means you can make the hike your “one big activity” of the day and then take it easy the rest of the day. Do a hike, then have an acai bowl or go snorkeling in Waikiki once you’re back.

If you’re ambitious, it is possible to do 2 hikes in one day too, especially if you choose the 2-hour hikes.

No matter how many hikes you do in a day, and no matter your method of transportation, be prepared with water and snacks!

Now first, I want to explain what’s on the map! The interactive map is at the bottom.

 

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There are partner websites included in this post.

 

OAHU IDEAS > OAHU HIKES | HANAUMA BAY | HULA SHOWS

 

So, here’s what’s on the map!

If you want to go straight to the map, here you go: Oahu hikes map

 

Oahu hikes

Diamond Head hike

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (ocean views along the way)
• Before you go: Diamond Head reservations by time slot
• 10 minute drive from Waikiki, and you need to have a parking reservation
• 15 minutes by bus, and then 10-15 minute walk to trailhead
  • See more about the bus to Diamond Head
• Post-hike food: South Shore Grill for fish tacos!
• There’s a shuttle to Diamond Head
• More: How hard is the Diamond Head hike?

 

Manoa Falls Trail

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (jungle/rainforest hike with a waterfalls lookout as your destination)
• 20-30 minute drive from Waikiki, and there is a parking fee
• 1 hour by bus with 1 transfer required, then 10-15 minute walk to trailhead
  • See more about the bus to Manoa Falls Trail
• Lyon Arboretum is next to the trailhead for a nearby activity
• There’s a shuttle to Manoa Falls

 

Lanikai pillbox hike

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (ocean views pretty much the whole time)
• 40-50 minute drive from Waikiki, with easier parking at Kailua Beach parking lot
• 1.5 hours by bus with 1 or 2 transfers required, depending on if you get off at Kailua Beach and walk to the trailhead from there, or if you want to take the local Lanikai bus all the way to near the trailhead. (Kailua Beach option recommended!)
  • See more about the bus to Kailua Beach

 

Koko Head hike

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (strenuous stair climbing to reach ocean view lookout)
• 30-40 minute drive from Waikiki, with free parking at Koko Head District Park
• 1 hour 15 minutes by bus, with 1 transfer required, and then 20-30 minute walk to trailhead
  • See more about the bus to Koko Head. You can also walk the backroad to Hanauma Bay from Koko Head.
• Post-hike food: Koko Marina Center for Leonard’s bakery malasada food truck or Kona Brewing Hawaii Kai

 

Puu Maelieli Trail

• Hiking time: 1.5-2.5 hours (forest hike to reach ocean view lookout)
• 30-40 minute drive from Waikiki, with street parking in nearby residential neighborhood
• 1.5 hours by bus, with 1 transfer required, and then 5 minute walk to trailhead
• Nearby: Byodo-in Temple

 

Kuliouou Ridge Trail

• Hiking time: 3-4 hours (forest hike to with mountain views and ocean views)
• 30 minute drive from Waikiki, with street parking in residential neighborhood
• 1 hour by bus, with 1 transfer required, and then 30 minute walk to trailhead

 

Ehukai pillbox hike

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (forest hike to reach ocean view lookout)
• 1-1.5 hour drive from Waikiki, with free parking nearby
• 2.5-3 hours by bus, with 1-2 transfers required, then a minute walk to the trailhead
• This hike is on the North Shore, and it’s across the street from the famous Sunset Beach. Also go down the road to Laniakea Beach for a common turtle sighting spot!

 

Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (paved trail along ocean views the whole way)
• 30-40 minute drive from Waikiki, with free trailhead parking
• 1.5 hours by bus, with 1 transfer required, then 20 minute walk to the trailhead along a road with a small shoulder and zooming cars
• See more about getting to Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail

 

Waimea Falls Trail

• Hiking time: 1-2 hours (paved trail at Waimea Valley to reach waterfall swimming spot, passing by botanical gardens and Hawaiian cultural sites)
• 1-1.5 hour drive from Waikiki, with free parking
• 2.5-3 hours by bus, with 1-2 transfers required, then 15 minute walk to trailhead
• There’s a circle island tour to the North Shore that includes time at Waimea Falls
• The highly rated Toa Luau takes place at Waimea Valley

 

👆 Do the Diamond Head hike for the most classic hike to do near Waikiki.

 

👆 Do the Manoa Falls Trail for a hike that doesn’t venture too far from Waikiki.

 

👆 Do the Lanikai pillbox hike to make it a day trip out to Kailua for hiking and beautiful beaches! You can also do some epic kayaking at Kailua Bay.

 

👆 Do the Koko Head hike for a classic Oahu hike going up, up, up! This is a good one to combine with snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

 

👆 Do the Puu Maelieli Trail along side a visit to Byodo-in Temple for amazing mountain views.

 

👆 Do the Kuliouou Ridge Trail if you want a longer hike with ocean views and mountain views.

 

👆 Do the Ehukai pillbox hike as part of a day trip to the North Shore. After your hike, walk across the street to Sunset Beach.

 

👆 Do the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail to walk with ocean views pretty much the whole time. If you have a car, this is a good one to do after Hanauma Bay.

 

👆 Do the Waimea Falls Trail as part of your day trip to the North Shore if you want to take a stroll through botanical gardens and Hawaiian cultural sites.

 

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Oahu hikes map

👆 Explore the interactive map of Oahu that I created! Zoom in to get started and click on the icons for details. The pink pins are what you’d typically think of as proper hikes (aka dirt trails). The magenta pins are paved trails. If you are having problems viewing or using the map, you can view it directly on google maps.

 

More walking on Oahu > Waikiki statue walking map | Banyan trees in Waikiki | Evening Waikiki Beach walk