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April 12, 2017

The Best Oahu Hiking Trails

Since I was kindly gifted my Ergobaby carrier  I am planning on doing lots of trekking with baby Isla and I can't think of a more spectacular place to do it than in Hawaii! This weeks' guest post comes to you from Michelle at Maps and Muses and she has definitely got me wanted to put my hiking boots on! 

Hawaii is definitely one of the most naturally beautiful places I have ever visited. Recently I traveled to the island of Oahu, which is home to the state capital, Honolulu. Oahu is absolutely gorgeous! Everywhere you turn is a new stunning view. The sun shining down on the majestic green covered mountains is enough to take your breath away. Take advantage of all the beautiful nature Hawaii has to offer, get out of your hotel, pack your hiking and camping essentials, and hit up the best Oahu hiking trails.

The Best Oahu Hiking Trails  

1- Diamond Head Hike: Diamond Head Crater is an impressive volcanic landmark that’s extremely popular with tourists. The trail was originally built in 1908 by the US Army and was used as a military base for decades. Now it’s a 560-foot climb that takes you to a 360º view of the island. It takes about 40-60 minutes to reach the top but it’s a very easy trail. The views of Waikiki beach, the Pacific Ocean, and the Ko’olau Mountains during the hike are incredible. TRAVEL TIP: Get there early! We got there in the afternoon and had to wait for a while in a line of cars trying to park in the lot.

2- Manoa Falls Hike: Manoa Falls is a remarkable waterfall cascading 150 feet down. To reach the waterfall you must hike through the rainforest on a laid out trail. As you’re hiking through the forest all the trees, flowers, wildlife, and views you encounter are incredible. It’s also popular as being known as the place where certain scenes in both Jurassic Park and Lost were filmed. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall and you can park at the Paradise Park lot. STYLE TIP: It does get pretty muddy and slippery once you get to the end of the rocky trail so make sure to leave the flip-flops at home and wear your hiking shoes!

The Best Oahu Hiking Trails

3- Ka’ena Point Hike: This is not really a hike, more of a leisurely stroll with giant mountains on the left side and the mighty ocean on the right. We entered from the Mokuleia side and parked in the parking lot. This trail used to be accessible by vehicle so it’s made of a long dirt road. However you can venture off on the side trails that run closer to the ocean and offer better views and better diversity, in my opinion. Take moments to stop and look out at the enormous ocean. We spotted a whale jumping in the distance at one point! After over an hour you’ll reach the end of the hike where the old Ka’ena Point lighthouse is. Seabirds lay their eggs in the sand here and it is also common to see Hawaiian monk seals bathing in the sun. STYLE TIP: There is no shade on this hike and it’s a long one so make sure to bring a wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen!

4- Lanikai Pillbox Hike: Definitely the most difficult hike out of all the ones we did in Hawaii. It’s very steep and the whole hike is uphill so it’s challenging. However, the views of Mokulua Islands, Kailua Beach, and Lanikai Beach are more than worth it! These were some of the best views I saw my entire week in Oahu. It takes about 40-60 minutes to reach the 2nd pillbox bunker, which is as far as we went. But, you can hike all the way through. TRAVEL TIP: Hoist yourself up to get on top of the 2nd pillbox bunker. Relax and enjoy the gorgeous views of the crystal blue water and green islands in the distance. You’ll feel like you’re in a painting, it’s that beautiful!
Have you been on a hike that took your breath away? Let me know in the comments! Check out this post for the best Hawaiian island to visit!

 You can read more from Michelle at her blog Maps and Muses

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  1. Thanks so much Hayley! It looks great 🙂

    -Michelle
    http://www.mapsandmuses.com

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