8 Awesome Hiking Trails in Hawaii (2024)

Are you an adventure junkie? Does the thrill and excitement associated with mountains call to you more than anything else? Is adventure your go-to activity for experiencing happiness? Then, Hawaii, the cherished group of multiple islands is the perfect destination for you. The adventure lovers of the world are always in search of a hike and what better than to have one or even multiples in the amazing destination of Hawaii. 

Adorned with marvelous sandy beaches and shores, Hawaii also has one other side which is no less in beauty than its counterpart. Apart from being beautiful, this site also offers some adrenaline-pumping activities to fire up your soul. Home to some of the most popular beaches around the nation, Hawaii also boasts of some of the most adventurous hiking trails in the United States.

8 Awesome Hiking Trails in Hawaii 

Detailed below are the top 10 trekking trails in Hawaii which are sure to quench your thirst for adventure:

A Hike to the Papakolea Beach

Who doesn’t love a little adventure-filled hike to an amazingly beautiful beach adorned with lush greens and green sand. A trip that is more about the journey than the destination, the climb to Papakolea Beach will take you 2.5 miles on one side to one of the world’s only green sand seashores. Drive along South Point Road and search for “Green Sand Beach” signs, at that point follow the street by foot to the seashore beneath. You will in all likelihood see individuals attempting to complete the hike in shoes and swimsuits, yet don’t be tricked. The climb will require in any situation, one hour on one side with no shade, so don’t forget to carry your water bottle, climbing gear, hiking shoes, and most importantly a sunscreen!Image Source

Akaka Falls Hike

Are you looking for a little trek to a mesmerizing cascade overlooking green tropical rain forests and lots of thrill and excitement?  Akaka Falls State Park situated on the northeastern end of the Hamakua Coast has the right answer for you as they are home to one of the most beautiful hikes in Hawaii. From the short, cleared way, hikers can see the 100-foot Kahuna Falls as well as the 440-foot Akaka Falls, encircled by a lot of wild orchids, local vegetation, and bamboo en route. The trail here is just about half a mile long, making the trek to these falls perhaps the most accessible one on the island. Waterfalls? Check. Rainforest? Check. Scenic views? Check. Flora and fauna? Check. What else do we need?

Kilauea Iki Trail

Do you know how amazing lava tubes look like? Have you ever witnessed one in real life? If not, then you should definitely visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to undertake the Kilauea Iki trek, which is home to these stunning creations of nature. This swift and small hike will bring you past woodlands of local Ohia trees and volcanic landscape into the Kilauea’iki cavity, which got shaped from a volcanic emission that took place 60 years ago. Trekkers should enter the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to get to the trailhead, stopping outside the Thurston Lava Tubes around 9 miles in from the passageway to the recreation center. While the climb is on the shorter side (around 4 miles full circle), the most troublesome part is climbing out and about the crater. Most guests who possess energy for only one climb pick this one, as it’s a remarkable encounter. You can beat the warmth and the other groups by arriving promptly in the first part of the day, keeping in mind that there isn’t a lot of shade on this climb.

A hike to Mauna Loa

Do you want to witness the most scenic hike of your entire trip? Go nowhere else other than the Mauna Loa. Located just to the west of Volcano Village, the Mauna Loa Scenic Strip road will take you up to a height of about 6,500 feet just in about 10 miles. Towards the endpoint, the Mauna Loa Trail starts, which is an 18-mile hike to the top of the spring of gushing lava—yet don’t stress, you’ll just have to walk a few more miles to figure out the lofty and bumpy landscape. This is the biggest volcano on the earth, so in case you’re an extremely experienced hiker, you might need to check the full hike off your wish list. 

Ka’awaloa trail

Want to hit two aims with one single arrow? Ka’awaloa Hike is the perfect trail for you. Otherwise called the Captain Cook Monument Trail, this moderate climb in South Kona guarantees some beautiful and epic rewards toward the end of it. The base of the Captain Cook Monument has a staggering swimming spot, and the bay underneath has been known as a most loved spot for spinner dolphins since turning into a Marine Life Conservation District in 1969. The pathway is steep and proceeds for around 2 miles on both sides, so the route towards will be significantly simpler than the path back. Remember that the loose pebbles may introduce a hazardous circumstance when elusive, so don’t attempt to handle this climb without suitable footwear and a lot of water to battle the exceptional sun heat.

Waipio Valley Trail

Renowned Waipio Valley Trek, the previous home of King Kamehameha, shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers. This secluded and serene hike starts at the Waipio Valley Lookout and gains 800 feet in under a mile, passing the dark sands of Waipio Beach and the plunging Kuluahine Falls. Don’t forget to take a brief look at the Hiilawe Falls from here, streaming 1,300 feet at the backside of the valley. About 6.5 miles full circle, this experience is undoubtedly too hard for novice climbers because of the steep inclines and the length.

Mauna Kea Summit

Are you a hardcore adventure lover looking for an opportunity to undertake one of Hawaii’s most dangerous treks? Mauna Kea Summit is the perfect answer for you. The climb to the top of Mauna Kea isn’t for weak-hearted people. Six miles both the ways and moving from 9,200 feet up to 13,000 feet, most explorers give themselves a time span of eight to ten hours to complete this excursion. Remember to enroll at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center prior to setting out, and plan on being back before dusk. The climate here is flighty and totally remarkable as compared to the rest of the island; it sees snow in the wintertime and cold temperatures for the remainder of the year. This zone is unadulterated wild, and altitude sickness is an unequivocal danger here, so researching about the hike prior to the actual hike on the Mauna Kea site is an unquestionable requirement.

Onomea Bay Trail

Want to undertake two hikes at one place filled with sandy beaches, green trees, and alluring waterfalls? Onomea Bay is the perfect answer for you. It offers two distinct hikes from the Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou. The principal, named the Donkey Trail, follows a stream through the Hawaiian rainforest past a little cascade and to the sea. The second, Onomea Trail, goes just to one side of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and past the Alakahi stream. Many decide to join the path or pair the climb with the professional flowerbed for added experience, and you’ll regularly see individuals with their canines on the road enjoying this amazing creation of man.

FAQs On Hiking Trails in Hawaii:

Q1: Are guides available for help while doing the adventure sports of hiking on the islands of Hawaii?

Ans: Yes, guide service is available at most of the trekking spots for help and better guidance. They charge a minimal amount to give you a full tour of the place.

Q2: What is the best time of the year to visit Hawaii for trekking?

Ans: Although you can visit Hawaii at any time of the year the most ideal time to visit Hawaii for the sole purpose of trekking is during the months of October to March. Because, at this time of the year, the weather is absolutely stunning and amazing for such activities.

Q3: What are some of the much-needed things to carry while trekking in the islands of Hawaii?

Ans: Some of the much-needed things that you should carry while trekking are: a water bottle, a backpack, a pair of comfortable trekking shoes, and a basic first aid kit. All these items come in handy in case of an emergency.