I enjoy this trail because it offers great views, has plenty of shade and isn't too strenuous. Recommendations: Park near camp site 1 and walk up the hill to the start. When you end, you'll be at your car. If you're looking for the WWII plane crash remnants, I'd recommend starting at the lower level, where most hikers exit (near camp site 1). It's hard to miss when you're coming from this direction. If mosquitoes like you, bring plenty of bug repellent. My husband never gets bitten, but I tend to end up with mosquito bites. Pack a lunch and enjoy from one of the benches with a view on the hike or at one of the picnic tables at the end of your hike. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Great loop trail for all hiking levels. Mostly shaded, but sunny at some spots, so wear protection and bring water. When I'm unsure of what hike to choose I usually choose this one because: 1. It's takes 2 hours or less 2. It's an easy/medium hike 3. It's mostly shaded and is easy to get to There are plenty of other hikes you can do in under 2 hours, but this one makes me feel like I've accomplished something and actually burns calories while simultaneously feeling like I'm on a long (sometimes leisurely) walk. A few things to know: -Bring WATER, it can get really hot and muggy -Bring sunglasses, a hat, or sunblock -Bring a cell phone in case you get turned around -Stick to the obvious, well worn trail -At the end, walk up the stairs to the paved road, walk that road uphill until you make it back to where you began. Very enjoyable trail for all ages; perfect for rain or shine. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - A few is us hiking, taking a stop to drink water - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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The hubby wanted to take the kids out to get some fresh air. So he decided to take a family hike. The kids enjoyed it. The hike itself was easy enough for the kids to do, it is a pretty long hike for my kids but there were a few rest stops with beautiful views that they enjoyed. It's a nice way to get the kids out for some fresh air especially after the covid stay at home order. It's also a good way to get them to exercise. The hike can be muddy especially after some rain, at some points even more because the deeper into the trail you are the less sun it gets so definitely be prepared with good shoes. Overall this is a good family friendly hike. I'd definitely recommend it. read more

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Some important cool factoids about this hike: -It's generally safe. Save for the potential trips and falls that may happen if you're not careful on the slippery parts, or in my case, just going downhill too fast and falling graciously on my hands. The trail isn't scary and you don't have to worry about falling off a cliff because it's a foot wide trail. You got it made here. -The appearance of boars is slim--on our hike we heard a boar rustling above, i saw a glimpse of it, but that's about it. We were safe and no other wild animals graced us with their presence. -The trail takes about 2 hours if you're doing it for mediocre exercise. So if you're trying to get some blood circulating and you have a few hours in the day, this would be a good choice. It's cool, shady, and you get a pretty good workout here. -It's near an ancient heeiau. That's pretty cool already. This was my boyfriend's and my 5th hike in 5 days and it was fun. We enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful gingers we came across. So incredibly fragrant! the best perfume ever. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YME1iPtP8oesgU3eleJc8A/your_photos From this hike there are several points where you can see the H3--a little sad and cool at the same time. There's also a couple spots where there are benches if you need a rest or just wanna enjoy the scenery. It's definitely a great place to gain your zen moments and relieve stress. Yelp 365 Challenge: 64/ 265 read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Ginger on Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Wanting to get away from the city or a change of scenery? Aiea loop is a great trail for all ages! Warning though, it IS a LONG hike. Everyone mentions how long and muddy it is, and it is very true. Lol. I hiked with my husband and one year old. Dogs are allowed too. Please bring lots of water, snacks, and wear good shoes. I saw a guy wear those open toe sandals and he ended up taking them off. Lol. It felt like we were in a huge park. Trees were huge and lots of shade. Views were amazing of course and there were benches to sit and rest. Trails were wide enough for dogs and families to walk, but be careful of muddy terrain that you may slip. There are cliff areas and big fallen trees that may require you to maneuver skowly. Also, there are other smaller trails. We actually ventured onto one and ended up higher than expected and stumbled on the view of H3, Koolau mountains, and Pearl Harbor. Saw wild pineapples and flowers too! Warning though, you'll add an extra 2 hours though. We wanted to spend only 2-3 hours but ended up a little over 5 hours doing this. Lol. Thank goodness our baby slept most of the time. Advice, pack an umbrella. It rained hard on us and lucky we brought one cause we covered our daughter. Everyone kept saying they wished they brought one. Lol. Don't get scared when it's passed 3 hours and you're wondering if you're on the wrong trail. Lol! Stay on the main trail and keep going. You'll see markers of course. read more

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Went there first time it was a little rainy, was told you shouldn't walk the trail when it's muddy so we walked around the parking lot. We tried it again on another day since it's been sunny lately and glad we did. The trail was perfect, it was damp but the mud was hard so no slipping. Lots of greenery and shade, weather was nice, the view of the H3 was amazing. It took us a little over 2 hours to complete, totally worth it. Suggest parking in the second lot as the trail ends there, the walk back to your car is a little steep if you park where the trail begins. We did bring an extra pair of shoes to change in case it got muddy but didn't need to. Definitely a good work out also good for children and pets. read more

I love this trail. It's cardio city on a rainy/muddy day. I enjoyed it so much that I want to do it again in the rain. Also, I want to check out the other trails on the loop too. Perhaps one day I will. I have never hiked the these trails before, only spent a day on the camping grounds during an excursion in my elementary days. The loop trail is pretty easy but it has it's ups and downs with twists and turns. It was so much fun though. The views were awesome. The day I went, there weren't too many people on the trail which is kind of a good thing. Before you leave your house to hike here, wear a good pair of hiking boots, majority of the trail is very slippery. Bring bottles of water, snacks, a jacket and bug spray! Enjoy! read more

I tried this hike with some friends in the summer of 2013. I never hiked here before. But we went on a day it rained earlier but still hiked it. Man it was muddy with mosquitos and bugs. I tripped when we climbed a hill to see the view and my shorts was caked with mud. We still continue on with the trail. I recommend not to go when it rained cuz towards the end of the hike, you will encounter several trees you need to go over or under, any quick move can be a disaster. I definitely wont go when it rained. Fast forward to Jan 2015, just three days ago. I did this hike with a new group of people including my bf. It didn't rained for days so the hike was perfect to go on. I didn't fall or trip so great day to hike. The same part towards the end was muddy so I slowly crossed over. Shoes didn't appear muddy as the first time hiking Aiea loop. I warn early that there is a hill that caked with mud. It is very slippery when it rained that my friend had to hold my hand as I descended down the hill cuz I felt I might fall. But the hill was dried this second time. Have a great time hiking the trail and bring mosquito repellent with you. read more

A splendid hike that is fairly easy for all levels and abilities. What it lacks in sweeping mauka and makai vistas, it makes up in with the sheer diversity of flora and fauna. We enjoyed picking (and in the case of the wild fruits--eating!) Mountain Apple (a.k.a., Strawberry Guava), Yellow Guava, Blue Vervain, and Fiddlehead Ferns, while enjoying the display of numerous orchids and other flowering plants. From the arboreal perspective, there are majestic trees that surround the hiker, and except for the beginning 1/4 mile, the majority of the trail is pretty much covered. At the halfway point, there are impressive views of H-3, Pearl Harbor, and even Ka'ala Peak (highest point on Oahu). Definitely recommend this hike for all ages. The 5 mile round trip makes this very doable for a morning or afternoon. We hiked it during a late September afternoon and it wasn't too hot, crowded, or unpleasant in any way. We even enjoyed some unexpected breezes at several points along the trail. So no excuses... just stop reading this review and head out to the Aeia loop trailhead. Park in the first lot you come too so you won't have to hike uphill on your way back to your vehicle. Mahalo nui loa for reading my review. read more

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Awesome 4.8 mile hike for the family. I took the kids ages 15, 11, 8 and they had a blast. The trail is clearly marked so you can't get lost. Please be sure to go on a day that had no rain the day before. Location: Drive up Aiea heights drive and keep going up. The road will get twisty and narrow at the top of the hill. Do not park all the way at the top of the road because the trail ends near the bottom so you'll end up walking uphill to your car. Park in the middle which is past the first bathrooms. The parking lot is to the right side. Kinda looks out of nowhere. After parking, walk up the rest of the road to the starting point. read more

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Alright, so, I'm sort of a sucker for hikes so it's hard to give a bad review for one. Basically, if it's easy or has a ridiculously beautiful view/landmark, I'll give it 5 stars. This one falls more under the first category than the second, but there are some picturesque spots. The most exhausting portion of this hike was walking up the driveway from our parking spot to the trailhead. After that, everything was pretty smooth sailing, and our group even did some interval runs on the hike, which should speak to the fact that it's not particularly difficult. There are a few spots where you have to watch your step, and a few spots that are steeper and muddier than others, but for the most part, it's an easy hike. We finished within 2 hours, found some guava along the way, and there weren't any spots that were particularly muddy despite having a little rain the day before. The trail and be completed in tennis shoes without ruining them as well. I'd suggest bringing a decent amount of water with you on this hike, as it is somewhat lengthy and some spots are warmer and sunnier than others. Notable views include the H3, but there wasn't anything I found particularly "breathtaking." All in all, I could be easily convinced to do this hike again without feeling like there were any spots I dread, which speaks to its simplicity. read more

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I should've read the sign more carefully warning me (supposedly my boyfriend knew but didn't tell me) it was about a 5 mile hike... towards the end I told my boyfriend to leave me behind because I was exhausted. I realized how unfit I was from this hike. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars because the scenery wasn't as great as I thought. I only enjoyed one of the scenery. Tips: 1. Definitely bring snacks and water (at least 1.5L). Maybe because we were unfit we drank about 3L of water together. We were so hungry and thirsty in the end - we went straight to jamba juice and taco bell. 2. Highly recommend using bug spray or use mosquito bracelets. We had one around the wrist and ankles. We ran into some people in the opposite direction and were talking about how long we were hiking for... then he saw the mosquito bracelets and say good idea. I gave him the bracelet around my wrist THINKING that we were almost done but nope! We still had 30 more minutes and towards the end it was wet and humid. I felt the mosquito on me. Came out with 4 bites. I bought these on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017G1051Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 read more

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Ascending. Good trail. Just don't go if it's been raining. It's really muddy, slippery. It took us 3hrs coz of all that, and we had few stops for pictures and relaxed a bit, give the dogs water. Overall, friendly and good for the whole family. Summer would be perfect to go. Not out in the open so it won't be hot, and not muddy. read more

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Be prepared for a long hike! There's a sign when you enter the trail telling you the hike is 2-3 hours long and if you take the long route (because my boyfriend loves to do that ) it can be long and all uphill. Nonetheless, the scenery was worth it. So breathtaking. There's places on this island that just take your breath away and make you realize that living in the expensive Hawaii is not so bad after all and this place is def on point. There's lot of parking but make sure to park at the first parking lot you see because you'll end up at the bottom of the hike. It can get muddy so make sure you come with athletic shoes. There's bathrooms outside in the parking lot. I didn't go in it because I just have public restrooms. There's a picnic area with lots of tables and greenery. Perfect for the whole family! read more

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VERY RELAXING AND BEAUTIFUL TRAIL! Very easy hike! If you mainly want to observe nature this hike is ideal for you. Very good hike to take the kids with. Also has camping ground if you want to stay over. Has an amazing view of the H3. Breath taking views and beautiful place to take pictures Easy to find and not much people go on this trail. There is a separate access to a waterfall but be careful because it's very muddy and it near a cliff. Great place to go and have a picnic as well Muddy if going the day after raining There is public Restroom... read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

This trial doesn't get enough credit. It might not have all the scenery that a pillbox has, but this is a great hike especially for those who don't want to drive too far and live near the area. The trial is 4.8 miles and can take you around 2-3 hours to complete, it usually takes 2 hours. What I like most about this hike is that there is a lot of shade because you are basically in the woods. The downside for this hike is that it can get muddy, so that means just don't go when it has rained. It was a sunny day when we went, but because it was in the mountains, there was a drizzle, which my family didn't mind. Just be prepared to get your shoes all dirty and to pack some wet wipes to wipe off all that mud on your legs. There is plenty of parking in the area and a few bathrooms which is nice. Just if you are able to, park at the beginning and start your hike from there going upwards because if you park at the top and start your hike there, you will be dying trying to go up the road to get back to your car. And likewise, if you park at the top, I would probably start your hike from the first parking lot and walk down. You can see the H3 from this hike. During the hike, there are a few benches to take rest stops at which is nice. This gives you great exercise and doesn't feel as strenuous. it does give a great view of Pearl Harbor during the hike. You can bring your dog on this hike as long as it is on a leash. Overall, the hike was long enough to feel like I got a good workout and didn't have too much of an incline which I liked. read more

I hike the trail for the first w/ my Family's on the Friday. very relaxing with a nice view around you. The trail was pretty long but my Family's did enjoyed it and made it the end. You'll see a lot of different trees n plants around you. Be safe read more

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Good, long, easy hike. You get a nice view of the H3 during your hike. It's flat so that's great because I hate elevation hikeS. Takes about 2 hours to completely finish. If you start near the bathroom it works the best. The end is super super muddy even if it hasn't rained in days. Very popular and plenty of parking. Daughter hated it because she got muddy but I burned like 1900 calories so cry all you want, but it was worth it read more

Aiea Loop Trail - H3 - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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Great trail! we took our dogs, and loved it. definitely was a bit muddy. we also went back and got photos done at the same location a few months later! love this spot. read more

Aiea Loop Trail is the perfect hike for those looking for a trail to run or a longer, but safe and easy trail. It's considered "family friendly" but many young walkers probably can't handle the 4.8mile journey. I wore my almost 4year old for a good portion of the trail. The trail officially starts at the upper parking lot and is well marked, but it ends at the bottom lot behind the bathrooms; if you start at the top that means you'll have to then walk back up the hill AFTER you've already walked over 4.8miles. You can simply park at the lower lot and follow the trail (there will be no sign though) to the left behind the bathroom to avoid walking up a steep hill. The trail offers a multitude of terrain and adventures; trees to climb for fun; wide trails to eroded narrow ones; down trees blocking the path requiring you to go under, over and around them; views of the valley; views of H3; dry and hot weather; rainy and cold weather. So just be well prepared: good shoes, bug repellant, water, snacks, and sunblock. Trek on Yelpers! read more

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Start it from the top or the bottom, this 4.8 mile hike can be completed in two and a half to three hours. If you're looking for a nice stroll through a shaded forest, Aiea Loop Trail is the hike for you. It's best to avoid days after the rain because the certain areas get muddy & form goopy puddles. As I've mentioned, you can start from the top at the trail head or from the bottom in the campgrounds because you'll end up at either end. It'd be a good idea to think of where you want to park based on where you'll be ending the hike. Hoards of stray cats, roosters & wild boars can be seen around the parking lots if you're into animals. It's a relatively easy hike, but my only complaint is that it's long. It just seems to drag on with no real challenge except for having long-standing stamina to keep walking on. Climb a few rocks here, under the fallen trees there & watch your step for exposed branches, but that's about it. Nature really took its toll on the trail, especially since the little stream is no longer there, disappearing under runoff. The view is essentially peekaboo sights of the H3 freeway & the mountainous backgrounds. I'm curious about the fallen WWII plane, but to no avail have I found the trail markers leading to this piece of history... I've been told that its now hidden under fallen trees. This hike seems to be of the likes for unleashed dogs, babies on parent's backs, joggers & families with kids. It's the perfect excursion for long conversations in the walk of nature. read more

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Review #023 - 2016 Aiea Loop Trail is a much easier hike compared to all the others that I've done on Oahu. The full hike took the 5 of us about 2.5 hours, which for me was considered a success since we stopped and took lots of pictures and stopped to rest and what not. My son actually enjoyed the hike more than any of us. He's a very energetic kid. I love the fact that there are a lot of trees because I need the shade to keep away from the sun. Yep, I am one of those Asian girls who's afraid of a tan. It started drizzling in the middle of our hike so we had to find a tree to keep from getting soaked, but thank goodness the rain passed pretty quickly. I'm also one of those girls who's afraid of getting soaked before going back into the car. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - August 2014 - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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I'm glad that a lot of people like this trail way more than I do. I've been coming this state park for many many years now, as it's only up a ways from where I live. So in essence, as a hiker, this is my home trail...even if it's my least favorite. Yesterday the most interesting thing happened to me. I usually drive up here after washing my car to clean the remaining areas (interior, rims, etc) outdoors. As I was wiping down my tires, I hear a rustling on the trail. I got apprehensive as it was getting louder, esp since it didn't sound like human feet trampling around the brush. From the trail head (not the main one at the top, one a ways down) out comes a boar, then a few moments later, two piglets. My initial reaction was to dig out, being I've been chased on different trails twice in this same situation. Instead, I slowly put down my spray and cloth, went into the car and turned on my cell camcorder to tape the footage you see here. Why I'm whispering, don't ask: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEPh02lGcxE Though my first sighting, I've always known there were feral pigs at the top of Aiea Heights. I also doubt anyone would've believed this story if I didn't document it. People, just a warning to be careful when hiking Oahu trails. If your not an experienced hunter or professional tree climber like me, get the hell out of there if you ever see boar piglets in the woods. If you get too close, their mom WILL chase you! All I can say is that after the ordeal, I still continued to clean my car in the open. I was constantly looking over my shoulder with a sense of dread, just in case that damn pig was up to something sneaky. One can only imagine getting bum-rushed from behind, the same way Bigfoot snuffs those pranksters in those beef jerky commercials. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - It was raining at the loop trail when I took this. Photo by Eric Alcantara - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Great hike! Almost 5 miles and is, well, a loop! Easy parking. I would park at the very top and then when you end, it kicks you out in the middle lots and you just have to walk up a bit to your car. The path is level for the most part but by parking at the top, your walking down if anything. Went at 8am and took my too pups on the hike with a friend. Took a lot of stops to give the dogs water, it can get hot but there are shady spots too. Overall, easy parking, easy hike, dog friendly, I would definitely do this one again! read more

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I've been told many good things about Aiea Loop Trail, but when we went on Saturday after it rained, we kind of had a miserable and muddy experience. First, we didn't know there was multiple parking lots and parked at the lowest that said "Aiea Loop Trail". Then we thought the hike started after the main sign said "Turn Right" and so we walked up the long driveway only to find out the hike starts 3 parking lots after we parked. So I feel that they should do a better job with the sign system and mentioned that there are other parking lots or the hike doesn't necessarily start there. When we finally went to the right trail, things started to get muddy and tough. We should have turned around when it started to drizzle a little, but we didn't and went through thinking we would be okay. It wasn't there was many huge fallen trees and the mud mad athletic shoes the worst foot wear to wear. Our shoes got mud, rocks, and wet throughout the whole hike. There was quite a lot of almost slips and slides. But one of the pluses of this hike was the beautiful greenery. According to my friend, she said there's supposed to be mountain apple and/or guava or mango on the first half part of the hike, but we didn't see anyway. There's different types of plants and trees on the hike that made it very beautiful to look at, I never seen a forest look so healthy before. We saw things like bamboos, mushrooms, and even heard some birds! Another plus for this trail is some of the trees have grooves in that allows you to hop over it which helps because sometimes the paths are so narrow (so it's definitely not the best hike for clumsy people like me). They also mark some trees with yellow, light green, and pink strings to tell you the correct path which is good because after a few hours into the hike, you may feel like you're seeing the same thing especially during the second half where you go down to the valley floor and then up again. There's also some benches too in the beginning of both sides of the hiking trail which is cool and allows you to cool down a little. There's also a camping ground and bathrooms in the beginning of the hike. Before the middle part of the hike, you have to climb over this huge ass boulder which seems really scary and not balanced at all. I almost fell down there because the path to get across the other side was slippery and all our foot wear lost its grip from all the mud we collected. But afterwards, you come across a fork in the road that leads to a beautiful view of H-3. After that the path gets somewhat easier, but you have to pass through very tall lemon grass and then a very muddy path which appears to be where all the rainwater passes through. There's a bunch of fallen trees too so you have to be careful when you cross paths. Then 1/4 near the end of the hike, you go down to the valley floor and have to ascend upwards. There's some shortcuts too on some paths, but they seemed to ascend really high and seemed too intense for my friends and I as we were extremely tired. Most of the paths uphill appeared to be where all the water goes after it rains so there was puddles and it was extremely muddy so finding a good path was quite difficult. After 4 hours, we finished the hike and it takes you right where you started. Near the end, you will encounter restrooms and a cabin area with a BBQ. After that, if you parked at the bottom like my friends and I you have to walk down to the bottom. The hike wasn't that bad if it didn't rain or was too muddy, but I wouldn't do this 4.8 mile hike every again. I slipped and fell so many times my legs and hands hurted. There was mud all over us and we just felt itchy from our whole ordeal (I almost lost my hat because it blew away too!) But I saw a bunch of dog owners, kids, parents, and families doing the hike so I guess it's easy for some people, but not for all. Some tips I wished someone would have told me was: 1) Bring sanitizer and soap, there's no soap in the bathrooms. 2) If it rains, be sure you have very good footwear that can withstand the muddy conditions. Also be prepared to get dirty and have spare paper towels to wipe off the mud. 3) Bring a water bottle and stay hydrated. read more

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"4.8 miles" of a nice easy-ish hike. DO NOT go on this trail while it is raining. No one wants to come rescue someone that slipped off the mountain. Matter of fact, best not to do the trail right after it rained. There is one stretch of trail on the back end that is at a steep angle that is perfect for rain run-off. Other then these two handy tips, it is a very enjoyable and easy hike (IF you are in ok shape). Most of the trail is either level or at a slight incline/decline. There are many roots across the trail, so please watch your footing. While most of the trail is shaded and treelined, there are a few really nice views of the Wainae Mountain range, North Shore and the Pearl Harbor-Airport area. Oh, there are also a few good views of the H3. (The cars look really tiny way down there.) About 400 meters after you pass the H3 overlook (the H3 will tip you off that you are at the overlook) look for the crash site of a bomber from 1944. It will be on your right side. Blink and you might miss it. It's a tragic, but still neat, part of local history. A quick Internet search will bring up plenty of information on it. The trail is list at 4.8 miles long. The amount of time it takes you to finish it will depend on: - How dry the trail is. Has it rained? - Are you walking and enjoying nature? - Are you running the trail? - Are you that one guy on the mountain bike? Enjoy! read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Grew up in Aiea and yesterday was the first time I hiked this trail. I'm an amateur hiker in ok shape, and it took us 2 hrs to finish it. The hike itself was not hard....there are a few uphill sections that worked up a little sweat. The ground is not level, so be careful of the dips and protruding tree roots. It was also muddy at times, so wear old shoes. I liked this trail bc it's mostly covered and cool, and the day I went was really hot. There are lots of greenery.....trees, flowers , etc. One can even catch a glimpse of the H-3 freeway from certain parts. We started at the above parking lot by the restrooms and finished at the middle picnic area. Just follow the trail.....it will loop around and take you into the forests. We didn't see directional signs, so just stay on the trail. Easy hike, nice scenery, some cardio, and fun times. Hope to make it back there again! read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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I had been here a few times before, but only walked in for a small portion at each entry before turning around for various reasons. But finally...I/we did it!...the entire enchilada! I read just about every review on this place prior to this past trip. So here's my review and let me save you some trouble when it comes to finding that plane... First and foremost...it's no joke when people say it's a muddy trail. We actually did this hike a few days ago on 5 Aug. It started raining before we left our home, which is also close to Aiea...but decided to go there anyway. After all, in Hawaii you never know what the weather may do. When we got there it was sprinkling, but the trail looked dry, so we decided we were crazy enough to proceed. If it started pouring in the first mile then we'd retreat! We took a big chance, but it has also been fairly dry recently so we thought we'd be ok. However, I can clearly see how it can get really bad after a rainstorm for a few days or more...I'd avoid it. Since about 90% of the trail is under tree cover it can take a while to dry out. We felt we couldn't have picked a better day since the sprinkles were enough to take the heat away and had the cloud and tree cover to avoid the heat. Plus, the trees in our case kept us from getting too wet. There is a lot to see for the person who loves the beauty of Mother Nature. It's true, there is not a waterfall or the great overlook of the ocean...so what? There are other things in Hawaii. The trees, flowers, and vegetation in general on this trail are amazing and forever changing. There are roots and downed trees that you must navigate for most of the trail as well. We thought the entire trail was a work of Mother Nature's art. The only thing you need to be prepared for is that it's long and it's not a "loop" or a circle. You begin in one area and end in another. If you park at the entrance then you'll have to go up the steep road to get to your car when you end at the campground. Or you can park at the campground near the exit to enter there instead and then end at the official entrance...then you'll walk downhill to get your vehicle. On a side note: I have read a lot of reviews where people say the last portion and/or last mile of the hike is the worst. This is truly a matter of opinion. We actually thought the last portion was the best. But all of it has a different view to offer. The first portion is nice, but the middle is where the mud and/or water puddles are and the last portion is sort of more enclosed by a tighter trail and lower trees. *My son really wanted to see the downed WWII plane, so I read through almost all of the reviews to try to "puzzle" it together for the best game plan. There isn't one, so don't bother...I'll save you some time. The best idea we got of where the plane is located was from Wendall H. He stated in his review that the plane is located 400 meters after the H-3 lookout on the right. By golly keep your eyes peeled and that is exactly where it is. Thanks Wendall!!! Ignore every last piece of marking tape you see on a tree because they are for something else. Plus,it is not located next to the Bamboo trees. It is probably impossible to give you a landmark since it's trees, logs, grass & a dirt trail. But once you get to the area...keep your focus down low. Good Luck! Why the 4 stars? It's long and there are little to no benches or just a place to pull over to take a break. You need to get creative. The trail is not well marked other than the well-worn main trail and there are a lot of side trails. That said, be careful going off on the little side trails...this is one trail you don't want to get lost on. Plus, it sort of bites that the trail doesn't begin & end in the same area. Don't forget your water, snacks, bug spray and your phone (just in case). You may also need sunscreen. We saw a lot of people hiking alone...don't do that if you aren't familiar with it. A lot of people run this trail too, so be respectful and make way for them. This is a great family trail that even little kids and dogs can do as well. Just be cognizant of the sheer drops here and there. read more

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Perfect beginner hike. Located in Aiea, at the Aiea Heiau. Drive all the way up to the top, and start the walk there. Most of the hike is flat land, but there's some incline at certain parts. You may not have views of the ocean, but you sure do have beautiful scenery of the forest, & you can even see the entire H3 freeway from the the Kane'ohe side. Very pretty, almost seems like the Haiku Stairs, but not as difficult. lol Just remember that it's dirt and when it gets wet, it get's very muddy. So don't go after it rained :) Perfect for families. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - View of the H3 freeway from Aiea Loop trail. - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Lace up them hiking shoes and get your a$$ moving, it's time to experience a different part of Hawaii! Just over 4 miles roundtrip, this hike has some tame uphills and easy-to-conquer obstacles that will satisfy every hiker, from the amateur to the professional looking for a breezy 2 hour or so hike. The trail is wide enough to accommodate the clumsiest of hikers and docile enough to traverse without inducing a heart attack. Fair warning though; the hike can get quite muddy and slippery at times after heavy rains but if you go on an average Hawaii day with at least 2-3 days of sunshine, it's easy going and a great way to view some different looking countryside. From elevated views of the H3 as it climbs to the Southern entrance of the Tetsuo Harano Tunnel to strangely placed pines and eucalyptus trees, this hike offers a vastly different experience than your traditional palm trees and ocean breeze. Instead, you get a distant view of Pearl Harbor and a lemony-eucalyptus laced breeze of the mountain winds. It's not as technically challenging as Olomana or Koko Head, but it is equally as rewarding. I did this with a 1.5 year old on my back and I didn't have a problem. Words of wisdom: -Don't park in the first parking area you see; go up the one way park entrance until you see a wooden structure resembling a public restroom...this is where the hike comes out -Park near the hike exit or you risk going uphill at the end to find your car...it sucks -the actual trail entrance is at the top of the hill where the road turns to go downhill, start at the exit for an easier finish. read more

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Aiea Loop Trail is a 4.5 mile hike. I've done it twice. The first time, there was a bunch of us. So basically, it took us almost 3.5 hours. HAHA. that was due to the "smoke" breaks that was oh so needed. It was a chill trail. I think the "hard-core" part of this hike was hiking THE DEADLY HILL back to the parking lot. We were smart this second time around. We actually hiked this trail today. Smart thing is we parked at the lower hill in which once we are complete with the trail...we can go straight to the car instead of again hiking THE DEADLY TRAIL. THE DEADLY TRAIL was hiked at the beginning to get to the start. it took us 2.5 hours. Best part is the view of H3 and of course acting like a "Lady VS. WILD kinda action of having to climb over HUGE tree barks. :) I recommend this hike...and a GREASY lunch afterwards. ... i had a LARGE Whopper Jr. from Burger King. way to get most of the work out huh. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - view of H3 - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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My wife and I looked for the downed aircraft but couldn't find it. Definitely muddy at times so bring a pair of sandals or flippers for the car ride home. It takes about 3 1/2 hours to do the trail loop. We stopped and looked out over H3 and had lunch. There are lots of edible guava fruit and mini guavas all over the trail. It was windy when we went which was nice. Parking is available at the base of the trail along with water and bathrooms. It's not an intense hike and kids may like it if they're able to walk a few miles. Bring water and a snack and enjoy the views of H3 and the trees. read more

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Warning: very very very muddy! I think it became a 3 hour hike with some stops and picture taking. There's two entrance/exit for the hike. We started from the bottom of the hill and worked our way up. During the hike, there were a lot of off trails, I think it still works out either way. There are views of Aiea freeway throughout the hike. Very breezy during those views. Every so often we stepped into mud puddles and such. Along the way, it drizzled a little too. So be careful, you can slip and fall. There's actually a lot of parking spots at the hike. read more

What I didn't consider when I first did this trail is that it's a LOOP trail, (hence, "Aiea Loop Trail" - duh, Kristen!) so there is no definite scenic point. Probably the best scene you'll get is the view of the H3, but it's not anything spectacular. On a positive note, this trail is awesome to go on with friends or walk your dog as it's difficulty is easy-medium and doesn't leave you completely winded. I've done this a couple times, finishing on an average of 2 hours. This hike is very safe, the trail is obvious throughout the duration of the hike, and you really can't veer off into unknown woods. Tip: Muddy is an understatement on this hike. You can try as hard as you can to avoid the mud, but sooner or later, your shoes are going to be covered in it. Definitely wear old shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, as well as loose clothing since there are trees that you have to climb over (there are foot notches in the trees, allowing you to hop over with ease). read more

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I checked out this trail yesterday which is way back in Aiea heights. It's 4.2 miles which for me was a pretty significant distance considering I started work at 4:30 AM. It's really pretty and has various environments. Mainly it's winds along the inner side of a long oval ridge. There are many little side trails which offer views of Pearl Harbor and over the valley where the H3 Highway goes. You can pretty much see the entire length up to the tunnel. There is are lots of little pockets of tree forest such as pine, bamboo, ti, mossy areas, and a little jungle area. I went counter clockwise and besides the length, it wasn't bad at all. Very pretty. Most of the trail was pretty wide and well treaded. Not too many narrow areas but some fallen trees which were easy to go over. There were a few manageable muddy patch but the majority of the trail was dry and level. It took me 2.25 hours with frequent stopping and exploring. Honestly the most challenging part was going up the drive way at the end because it leave you at the bottom of the hill. Great trail to spend the day on and take your time. Public restrooms and picnic areas in the park and lots of nice spots to spot and take in the beauty along the trail. read more

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I have to go back and try this trail again when it's not as wet, muddy and slippery! All of that made the hike a bit more challenging and a true workout for me. We paced ourselves and felt bad yet thankful to our friend as she stayed with us and we separated from the big group ahead of us. Almost towards the end of the trail, we noticed several strawberry guava trees with ripped fruits. It was a nice treat to pick and munch on them as we walked! When I wasn't looking down while walking the muddy and wet trail, I tried to enjoy the trees, nature and made a point (when it was safe) to stop for a photo break on the picturesque trail. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Fun and easy hike. Not dangerous at all as long as you watch your steps. It is a great work out hike! Very well kept park and hike. Grasses and bushes trimmed. Falling trees are cut if they block the trail. There are some too big to move but you can always walk around the stump. There are a lot of pretty trees to see. Today there was a refreshing breeze that we enjoyed through out the hike. A little scattered drizzles but it didn't phase us. All the times I came here the ending of the trail had a little higher incline and it was wet. We started from the top entrance. You can also go the opposite direction. My slippers got little muddy but I kept water in my trunk to wash off the mud on my leg and on my slippahz. That's right slippahz! I have to recommend to wear covered shoes on this hike with lots of grip. But I was okay with my Scott's. bring lots of water! Enjoy read more

Aiea Loop Trail - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

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fairly easy trail, it feels like walking through a forest, the trail has nice muddy colors and various elevations. it has a great view of the highway read more

Great trail for a run with mild grades to keep you huffin' and puffin'. Watch out for some gnarly root patches along the entire trail that could definitely put a hurting on your ankles. Along the trail there's an enormous tree that has fallen over into a bit of a valley. If you look hard enough you'll be able to see what's left of a crashed airplane. I was told that it was a downed Corsair fighter from WWII, however with all the damage to it by time, a big ol' tree, and probably people very little is distinguishable but an entire wheel and tire assembly farther down into that valley. I posted a few pictures of it, and it's fairly interesting. read more

Aiea Loop Trail - My buddy checking out what's left of the downed plane - Hiking Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

Fun hike. Did this on a whim January 1st. Planned to just have a look around the park and ended up doing the whole hike.....in flip flops....in the wrong direction. Oh well, it was pretty fun anyway. Not super challenging, like I said...flip flops, but there are some parts that I could see getting really muddy and slick on a wetter day. If you do want a little more challenge, there are plenty of side trails that go up some steeper embankments and such that lead to some great views. Awesome views of the H3 in several locations. See the pics. Also some decent views of Pearl, surrounding mountains, etc. The valley that the trail loops around is really beautiful as well. A friend informed me after the fact that there is a crashed WWII plane visible on this hike...will definitely look into that for the next go round. read more

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