Hawaiian postcards all depict the islands as swaying palm tree-lined white sand beaches with vibrant turquoise waters, but there is so much more to the Aloha State than our killer beaches: the Hawaiian Islands are one of the country’s greatest hiking destinations as well. From beginner to advanced, these 11 trails lead through rainforests, up mountain ridges, and to waterfalls that only exist in your wildest imagination. These are easily the greatest hikes in all of Hawaii, and perhaps even the world.
- Pipiwai Trail, Maui
Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr
Brian Uhreen/Flickr If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail. Located in southeast Maui, off Hana Highway and near the Pools of Oheo, is the unforgettable Pipiwai Trail, a four-mile round trip trek that will take you on quite the enchanting journey through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest to a towering banyan tree, through a vast bamboo forest, and to two impressive, cascading waterfalls — Waimoku Falls and Makahiku Falls, featured above. If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Kalalau Trail, Kauai
Brian/Flickr
Robert Linsdell/Flickr Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is perhaps the most beautiful and remote areas in all of Hawaii. While you can view this magnificent coastline from the air via helicopter tour, one of the best ways to experience the area’s incredible natural beauty is to hike the Kalalau Trail. Perhaps one of the most famous hikes on the island of Kauai, and Hawaii in general, this rugged 11-mile trek along the breathtaking and secluded Na Pali Coast is challenging, even for those in killer shape.The Kalalau Trail is the only land access to this section of the rugged Na Pali Coastline, and traverses five valleys through lush jungle and towering sea cliffs. The trail is, at times, narrow, rocky, and quite dangerous. In fact, according to Backpacker.com, it is one of the most dangerous hikes in America. Still, if you’re in shape and feel confident enough to tackle this daunting hike, you will certainly not regret it.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Kilauea Iki, Hawaii Island
Guy Courtemanche/Flickr
@mptoyama/Flickr This four-mile loop trail, which is the remains of a massive 1959 eruption, is wildly popular among Volcanoes National Park visitors. The trail — which takes hikers through lush rainforests, near active steam and sulfur vents, and across a solidified lava lake — was voted as the Big Island’s favorite scenic hiking trail by Hawaii Magazine. The hike begins near the Thurston Lava Tube on Hawaii Volcanoes’ Crater Rim Drive and descends more than 400 feet through a variety of scenery to the floor of this striking crater. The fiery home of one of Hawaii’s most revered gods, Pele, Kilauea is both Hawaii’s youngest shield volcano (above sea level, that is), as well as the most active.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Stairway to Heaven, Oahu
Shawn Clover/Flickr
Turner/Flickr Located on the windward coast of Oahu is perhaps the most iconic hike in all of Hawaii: the Stairway to Heaven. The official name of this hike, the one you would see on the trailhead if you dared to visit, is Haiku Stairs. The grueling climb totals approximately 3,922 steps, and is both highly dangerous — and quite illegal as well. We clearly don’t endorse this hike, but there is no doubt about it that the Haiku Stairs is considered one of the world’s more famous hiking destinations — and a quick Google search will prove it.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Waimea Canyon Trail, Kauai
Heath Cajandig/Flickr
Heath Cajandig/Flickr Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At ten miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, and is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes — giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. While the lookout provides some stellar views of the canyon, no trip to this renowned state park is complete without a hike on the Waimea Canyon Trail.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Waipio Valley Trail, Hawaii Island
Paul Bica/Flickr
Hector A Parayuelos/Flickr The sacred Waipio Valley was once the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I and is an important site for Hawaiian history and culture. But history aside, “The Valley of the Kings” certainly appears as though it was made for royalty — the valley is surrounded by tropical vegetation and 2,000-foot high cliffs. While the breathtaking Waipio Valley and Beach is often seen from above at the easily accessible lookout, hiking 1.5 miles from the parking lot to the valley floor is well worth the effort — and you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Kaena Point, Oahu
Jongela19/Flickr
Brookpetersen/Flickr The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the “jumping off” point for souls leaving this world.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Sliding Sands, Maui
Joe Parks/Flickr
Jon Wiley/Flickr Located within Maui’s Haleakala National Park at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, the Keoneheehee Trail, also known as Sliding Sands, is definitely not easy, but the landscapes you’ll find within this crater will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet. The photos of Mount Haleakala don’t do the landscape justice. The crater itself is a massive seven miles across, two miles wide, and more than 2,600 feet deep, and lights up in an array of colors: red, green, brown, gray, yellow, and orange. Cinder cones from past eruptions sprout from the ground like pyramids, each a different color, size, and shape.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Kalapana Lava Entry, Hawaii Island
Jeff Moore/Flickr
keppet/Flickr There are very few places on this planet where you can watch flowing lava in person, and even fewer where you can walk right up to it. Kalapana is the safest and easiest to access. There are two paths you can take: one from the east at Kalapana and one from the west, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Not only might you see flowing lava, but you’ll be walking along the youngest land you’ve ever set foot on — which is pretty unbelievable if you ask me.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Ron Cogswell/Flickr This volcanic tuff cone is perhaps the most well-known landmark on Oahu. The view of Diamond Head via airplane is iconic, the hike to the summit is mentioned in every guidebook, and you can even see the volcano from the famous beaches of Waikiki. While many locals think the trail is overrated, the views are absolutely second to none. The crater is more than 3,500 feet in diameter, and has been dormant for more than 150,000 years.Once used for military training, the government-owned property has since been opened to the public, and is now the most iconic hike on the island for tourists. The trail leads hikers on a steep trail more than 500 feet in elevation over 1.6 miles to the crater’s summit — and magnificent views of Honolulu. Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
- Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Hawaii Island
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com
From the south point, we hiked to the famous Papkoleau (or Green Sand) beach, made that way by olivine deposits.
David J Laporte/Flickr The southernmost point in the United States is memorable not just for its location, but for the natural wonders you will find there. On the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island is Papakolea, a green sand beach so unique that you will only find one other spot with this iconic sand on the planet. The stunning beach is only accessible via four-wheel drive, or a 3-mile hike, but trust us, the experience is entirely worth it. Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Be sure to add these 11 hikes to your Hawaii bucket list as soon as possible. You won’t regret it.
Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr
Brian Uhreen/Flickr
If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail. Located in southeast Maui, off Hana Highway and near the Pools of Oheo, is the unforgettable Pipiwai Trail, a four-mile round trip trek that will take you on quite the enchanting journey through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest to a towering banyan tree, through a vast bamboo forest, and to two impressive, cascading waterfalls — Waimoku Falls and Makahiku Falls, featured above. If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Brian/Flickr
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is perhaps the most beautiful and remote areas in all of Hawaii. While you can view this magnificent coastline from the air via helicopter tour, one of the best ways to experience the area’s incredible natural beauty is to hike the Kalalau Trail. Perhaps one of the most famous hikes on the island of Kauai, and Hawaii in general, this rugged 11-mile trek along the breathtaking and secluded Na Pali Coast is challenging, even for those in killer shape.The Kalalau Trail is the only land access to this section of the rugged Na Pali Coastline, and traverses five valleys through lush jungle and towering sea cliffs. The trail is, at times, narrow, rocky, and quite dangerous. In fact, according to Backpacker.com, it is one of the most dangerous hikes in America. Still, if you’re in shape and feel confident enough to tackle this daunting hike, you will certainly not regret it.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Guy Courtemanche/Flickr
@mptoyama/Flickr
This four-mile loop trail, which is the remains of a massive 1959 eruption, is wildly popular among Volcanoes National Park visitors. The trail — which takes hikers through lush rainforests, near active steam and sulfur vents, and across a solidified lava lake — was voted as the Big Island’s favorite scenic hiking trail by Hawaii Magazine. The hike begins near the Thurston Lava Tube on Hawaii Volcanoes’ Crater Rim Drive and descends more than 400 feet through a variety of scenery to the floor of this striking crater. The fiery home of one of Hawaii’s most revered gods, Pele, Kilauea is both Hawaii’s youngest shield volcano (above sea level, that is), as well as the most active.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Shawn Clover/Flickr
Turner/Flickr
Located on the windward coast of Oahu is perhaps the most iconic hike in all of Hawaii: the Stairway to Heaven. The official name of this hike, the one you would see on the trailhead if you dared to visit, is Haiku Stairs. The grueling climb totals approximately 3,922 steps, and is both highly dangerous — and quite illegal as well. We clearly don’t endorse this hike, but there is no doubt about it that the Haiku Stairs is considered one of the world’s more famous hiking destinations — and a quick Google search will prove it.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Heath Cajandig/Flickr
Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At ten miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, and is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes — giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. While the lookout provides some stellar views of the canyon, no trip to this renowned state park is complete without a hike on the Waimea Canyon Trail.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Paul Bica/Flickr
Hector A Parayuelos/Flickr
The sacred Waipio Valley was once the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I and is an important site for Hawaiian history and culture. But history aside, “The Valley of the Kings” certainly appears as though it was made for royalty — the valley is surrounded by tropical vegetation and 2,000-foot high cliffs. While the breathtaking Waipio Valley and Beach is often seen from above at the easily accessible lookout, hiking 1.5 miles from the parking lot to the valley floor is well worth the effort — and you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Jongela19/Flickr
Brookpetersen/Flickr
The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the “jumping off” point for souls leaving this world.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Joe Parks/Flickr
Jon Wiley/Flickr
Located within Maui’s Haleakala National Park at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, the Keoneheehee Trail, also known as Sliding Sands, is definitely not easy, but the landscapes you’ll find within this crater will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet. The photos of Mount Haleakala don’t do the landscape justice. The crater itself is a massive seven miles across, two miles wide, and more than 2,600 feet deep, and lights up in an array of colors: red, green, brown, gray, yellow, and orange. Cinder cones from past eruptions sprout from the ground like pyramids, each a different color, size, and shape.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Jeff Moore/Flickr
keppet/Flickr
There are very few places on this planet where you can watch flowing lava in person, and even fewer where you can walk right up to it. Kalapana is the safest and easiest to access. There are two paths you can take: one from the east at Kalapana and one from the west, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Not only might you see flowing lava, but you’ll be walking along the youngest land you’ve ever set foot on — which is pretty unbelievable if you ask me.Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
This volcanic tuff cone is perhaps the most well-known landmark on Oahu. The view of Diamond Head via airplane is iconic, the hike to the summit is mentioned in every guidebook, and you can even see the volcano from the famous beaches of Waikiki. While many locals think the trail is overrated, the views are absolutely second to none. The crater is more than 3,500 feet in diameter, and has been dormant for more than 150,000 years.Once used for military training, the government-owned property has since been opened to the public, and is now the most iconic hike on the island for tourists. The trail leads hikers on a steep trail more than 500 feet in elevation over 1.6 miles to the crater’s summit — and magnificent views of Honolulu. Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com
David J Laporte/Flickr
The southernmost point in the United States is memorable not just for its location, but for the natural wonders you will find there. On the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island is Papakolea, a green sand beach so unique that you will only find one other spot with this iconic sand on the planet. The stunning beach is only accessible via four-wheel drive, or a 3-mile hike, but trust us, the experience is entirely worth it. Read more about this famous hiking trail here.
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