A Hiker Shares Her Favorite Trails in Hawaiʻi

If I’m not working or chasing south-shore waves on Oʻahu, I’m somewhere in the mountains. And usually with a dog.

I’ve been hiking in Hawaiʻi since I was a kid, trekking the 4.8-mile ʻAiea Loop Trail on Oʻahu with my family or wandering along the ridges of the Koʻolau Mountains with friends. Hiking is one of my favorite ways to get outside, commune with nature, calm my mind and disconnect. And it’s (usually) free!

This Saturday—the first Saturday in June—is  National Trails Day, a day that not only celebrates all public trails in the U.S. but encourages people to help maintain them, clean up public spaces and advocate for equitable access to quality green space. And Hawaiʻi has no shortage of great trails on every island. Here are some of my favorites.

Kaʻena Point State Park, Oʻahu

Kaʻena Point State Park, Oʻahu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

The 3.5-mile hike through Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve on Oʻahu westernmost promontory is truly special. Not only is the area steeped in Hawaiian history and legend, it’s also one of the last intact sand dune ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands. And if you love wildlife, this is the place for you: Spot wedge-tailed shearwaters, Laysan albatross, Hawaiian monk seals and dolphins off-shore along this well-graded trail to the point. Winter months bring humpback whales.

Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail, Kauaʻi

Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail, Kauaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

The first time I did the Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail was two years ago for a story that ran in our Summer 2022 issue. I wound up going back that same year with my then-5-year-old son. This mostly flat trail runs about 4 miles along Kauaʻi’s rugged southern coast. Starting at Shipwreck Beach, it offers gorgeous views of coastal cliffs, tide pools, sand dunes and, of course, the ocean. The best part, though, was exploring the Makuawahi Cave, largest limestone cave in Hawai‘i and one of the richest fossil sites in the Pacific. (It was my son’s favorite detour, too.)

Kīlauea Iki Trail, Hawaiʻi Island

Kīlauea Iki Trail, Hawaiʻi Island.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Every time I’m at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park—which is just about any time I’m on Hawaiʻi Island—I’ll hit the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It’s easily one of my favorite hikes in the national park. Turns out it’s one of the most popular, too. The first part of the roughly 3-mile trail meanders through a lush rainforest with native ʻōhiʻa trees and hāpuʻu (Hawaiian tree fern) and forest birds. Then you descend to the solidified lava lake on the floor of Kilauea Iki crater, which dotted with small ʻōhiʻa trees and kupukupu in the cracks and crevices of lava rock. I love the otherworldliness of this part of the trail; it’s unlike any other hike in Hawaiʻi.

Momilani Beach Preserve, Molokaʻi

Momilani Preserve, Molokaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Years ago my husband and I planned a hiking weekend on Molokaʻi—and the trail through the 921-acre Momilani Preserve was one of our favorites. Located on the northwestern shore of the island, this 921-acre preserve, purchased by The Nature Conservancy from Moloka‘i Ranch in 1988, protects some of the last intact coastal shrublands in Hawai‘i. It’s pristine and rugged and simply breathtaking. The preserve boasts more than 22 native Hawaiian plant species, including four that are listed as globally rare or endangered. These rare plants, like ‘akoko and ‘ena ‘ena, thrive in this dry, windy, salt-sprayed environment. It’s also an important nesting site for the endangered honu, or Hawaiian green sea turtle. You need permission to hike the preserve from TNC; call (808) 954-6581 or email hike_molokai@tnc.org.

ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail, Oʻahu

ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail, Oʻahu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

There are a few pillbox hikes on Oʻahu, and this one on the island’s North Shore is my favorite. It’s not a super long hike—it takes about 20 minutes to get to the top, then a nice stroll through an ironwood forest to the pillbox. The first part, though, is uphill and tough. But the views from the pillbox—a panoramic look at the island’s northern coastline—is breathtaking.

Awaʻawapuhi Trail, Kauaʻi

Awaʻawapuhi Trail, Kauaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Avid hikers won’t want to miss Kōkeʻe State Park (fees required for non-residents) on Kauaʻi. This 4,345-acre state park features about 45 miles of diverse trails, some, like the Awaʻawapuhi Trail, with views of the stunning Nāpali Coast. The first 3 miles of this trail is a downhill ramble toward a spectacular view of the sheer cliffs and canyons of Awa‘awapuhi and Nu‘alolo valleys along the Nāpali Coast. I’d suggest taking a moment to enjoy the view—and rest, because the trek back is entirely uphill. (We learned that the hard way!)

Pīpīwai Trail, Maui

Pīpīwai Trail, Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/Boogich

I’m not a huge fan of driving the famous Road to Hāna on Maui. But I’ll do it to hike this trail in the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National Park. This 4-mile out-and-back trail follows a string of pools and waterfalls and meanders through a Zen-inspiring bamboo forest to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. It’s not a long hike, but steep terrain and slippery paths can make it a bit challenging.

Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail, Oʻahu

Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail, Oʻahu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

There are a few trails on my regular rotation, and this is one of them. This roughly 4-mile hike in East Honolulu starts in a residential neighborhood—parking is a challenge—and ascends via dozens of switchbacks through a forest of strawberry guava and ironwood trees. Once you reach the ridge, the trail opens up and the climb—literally, you have to climb steps—to the summit begins. Once at the top, you’ll see more native plants like koa and ʻōhiʻa trees and be treated to unobstructed views of Waimānalo, Kailua and even East Honolulu.