One line summary: 6.6 miles, 4 hour hike roundtrip (not including rest at the peak)…read more We actually went up to Mt. Olympus from the Wa'ahila Ridge Trail, but whichever way you get here BE PREPARED. This hike will kick your butt, at least it did for us. We were not prepared for this one. Countless times we were going to throw in the towel but pushed to the end. Unlike most of the major ridge peak hikes (Kuliouou, Mariner's Ridge and Hawaii Loa Ridge) the finish point at Mt. Olympus doesn't have a large area to relax and take in the view. Still, you won't find many people up here because this hike is pretty tough. At least for us. The total hike was 6.6 miles (according to Mapmyhike app). It took us about 2 hours and 15 mins to get from the Wa'ahila Ridge Trail head to the top of Mt. Olympus. It took us about 1 hour and 45 mins to get back down. Part of the problem was that we were just so exhausted that climbing out of Wa'ahila Ridge Trail took us much longer than it should have. There are A LOT of ropes on this trail, A LOT of going up/down, up/down, up/down... so that when you're going back down (finished) the trail you still are working out after being exhausted. There is a section of ropes that I would say is about 50 feet up a pretty steep incline, a part of this has small footholds and another part is just hillside you can scale (with ropes). Either way, pretty wicked for someone that isn't prepared. Once you hit that section of ropes you're close to the end but still not quite there, you'll want to give up but push a little more. The views are pretty amazing at the top and you'll have some great panoramic shots from Hawaii Kai to Diamond Head all the way to Ewa Beach from the last 1/2 mile as you're ascending. The views of Manoa get even more dramatic but the views of Waikiki and Kakaako are pretty fantastic too. I know we'll be back to do this one again but it will definitely be awhile, this was truly one of the harder hikes we've been on.

After my first failed attempt at a hike last week I was all about "maintained" hikes this week…read more Mount Olympus had been on my list for some time but I had been avoiding it because its known for being a cloud magnet and it had been cloudy all week. I woke up to cloudy skies but I was in need of a hike so we decided to attempt hiking up to the top of Mount Olympus via the Kolowalu Trail. The Kolowalu trail shares a trailhead with Pu'u pia but is a steeper and shorter alternative route to get up to Wa'ahila Ridge. Most of Kolowalu was covered and cool which was a nice change from most of the hot exposed ridge hikes I had been doing but it was definitely no easy walk in the park. The trail is steep and never really plateaus out, so don't plan on having a picnic or anything. I think it took us about an hour till we got to the junction of Kolowalu and Wa'ahila Ridge. At the junction you will see a sign warning you that upper Wa'ahila Ridge is unmaintained, don't let that scare you away. There a couple narrow, sketchy spots at the end but nothing that can't be done if you stay on the trail and don't try anything stupid. :-) From the beginning of the junction, to the top expect to go over at least 4 or 5 hills. Make sure you have shoes with good traction because you'll be doing a lot of climbing up red dirt stairs that you see on most of the other Ko'olau trails.You'll think you're close, but your not. I think we came across a couple of open grassy areas to take a break, but unfortunately those are not the summit. Once we actually got to the top, we walked along the ridge with Olomana, Kaneohe on our left and Ka'au crater on the right. It was my first time seeing Ka'au crater from the left side, since Lanipo gives you a good view from the right. We finally made it and were all smiles when we saw the stake with a few pink ribbons tied on it. It was pretty windy so we didn't hang out for too long. It rained on our way down so I cannot emphasize the importance of good shoes. Thank god for my vibrams because I think I could have gotten seriously hurt if I had been in old sneakers. Make sure to bring water, snacks, and a extra t-shirt for after. Both of my friends were shivering at dinner after because they were still in their sweat and rain soaked shirts. *Going up to Mt. Olympus from the beginning of the Wa'ahila Ridge is an easier route that starts from the top of St. Louis Heights. YELP 365: 125/365

Friendship Garden has 72 reviews as of 1/17/2025 and I was wondering why. I think the name explains…read moreit. It's a short, garden trail inside a neighborhood rather than a real hike. As I was walking this trail, my brain is telling me this is a mini Aiea loop trail with great view of the Windward side of Oahu. Parking is a challenge. The location is inside, one way, Kokokahi Place neighborhood so there's only street parking. We were lucky to find spacious area to park. The view here is great considering we only hike up 20-30 minutes. Total trip length was 2 miles. That was little disappointing because I like to get most out of my hikes. I feel like I got ripped off on this hike with little sweat. As for intensity, you do have to climb up but lots of ropes to help you. Luckily it was a dry day so no mud. This trail is quite narrow so it may not be kid friendly. Also, if you're on the taller side, watch out for branches. This is not State trail so it seems like it's not kept up regularly.

If you need an escape from daily life to catch a breath and rekindle friendships, then the…read moreFriendship Garden is the perfect place. This is a very short hike that loops around, so you shouldn't be running into anyone on the narrow pathway. Start right, like driving! There's nothing steep, treacherous, or difficult. The Friendship Garden is very well maintained. Maps and information are provided at the beginning. At the top, you'll find beautiful views Kaneohe Bay. There's also a pathway that leads to another hike that's clearly more difficult and not apart of the Friendship Garden. Warning signs posted! The only difficult thing might be finding this place because it's quite hidden, deep in a residential area. It's located on Kokokahi Pl, which you can reach from Kaneohe Bay Dr. Just drive all the way up, and it'll be to your left. You can only park along the side of the road. Make sure to leave enough space, and also be mindful of the signs! No parking from 6-11AM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which is probably trash pick up days. Overall, a really nice, easy hike with well maintained pathways. It might be a journey to get there, but it's worth it. Bring friends and make new friends!

When hiking the Judd Trail I saw the trailhead for Nu'uanu and decided to hike it another day…read more We went back knowing it would be a longer trail. When researching it on Alltrails found that it connected with a number of other trails and will take you to Manoa Falls as well. Although our plan was to hike awhile a turn back. Interesting variety of landscapes from lush moist creek area, pine trees, ferns to dryer ridge area. The surface moves between roots, mud, rocky, steps to wood planks in marshy areas. Variety of views along the way. The trail can be narrow with steep drop offs. We enjoyed the hike clocking at least 10 miles with elevation change of more than 1700 feet. It's rated hard although I would rate it as intermediate level. Bring lots of water, snacks. Wear sturdy boots, I crampons in case of slippery muddy hills, poles come in handy. Alltrails is handy to stay on the trail.

A beautiful and not too difficult trail (this is for the Moanalua Valley Trail, not the back way to…read moreStairway to Heaven--I didn't go that far). It has a wide walking path and you can go for quite a while before needing to turn back. I did 4 miles in and 4 miles back and it was a great workout. Not too much incline, but enough to make you feel like you accomplished something. Beautiful views and there were hardly any other people on the trail, even on a Saturday. Don't park in the nearby Moanalua Park to do this trail. Park street-side and walk the short distance up.

great and easy parking, lots of places to run around and the trail is very clean. It was busy when…read morewe went but there was plenty of parking. the bathrooms were clean too which was a nice touch. Lots of people all very nice. There wasn't much trash if any and the trails are well kept. we went after a dry season so no streams :( there is leptosplorosis(sp?) so be careful entering the streams with open cuts.

One of my favorite neighborhood trails. Very moderate, peaceful. Perfect place for a picnic.read more

Wow this was a beautiful park to visit. A bit of a drive up st louis heights but once you get there…read moreit is definitely a site to see. With all the large trees it makes you feel like you're in the pacific north west but you're still in Hawaii. Parking- there is a nice size parking lot, nicely paved and ample parking for a holiday monday. At the end of the parking lot there is a small hill to drive up for 2 handicap stalls, but one has porta potties in it. Many shaded areas with picnic tables to sit on and enjoy lunch in the park. There are a lot of tress but if you go towards the edge you can get a view of Manoa valley without doing the hike Go up and towards the right paved path there is a bathroom that is quite clean. No soap so bring your own soap or wipes. Right out side there is a water spout and area to wash your shoes. At the trail beginning there is a spot to brush off your shoes. First time here and definitely would come back to visit and walk around. Enjoy!

Hiked with Gohiking Hawaii today at Lulumahu Falls! Even though I'm local, it was nice to have a…read moreguided tour with someone familiar with this area. Although this hike wasn't exactly kid friendly due to the weather (lots of rain and mud), our guide Tsui was very helpful and patient with us and the young children in our group. This particular hike had many different paths to take to get to the falls, but Tsui picked the best path to suite our needs and skill level. It was reassuring to know that he had hiked this path many times (even at night!), so he knew the trail like the back of his hand. I would definitely recommend using this company for any hiking tour.

Simply awesome!! The guide we had is full of knowledge and experience! If you are looking for the…read morebest hikes in Hawaii, you must go with Gohiking Hawaii. You will have a precious experience that you can find no where else! Thanks for the great fun!!

It's been a few years since I've been on this hike... It was a total of about 2.6 miles up and down…read morebecause we took a side path to come down. So rather than winding back-and-forth, we came straight down and ended up near the tennis courts of the townhouses below. Park on Hui Iwa and meet at the McDonalds at the corner of Kahekili and Hui Iwa. Then walk along the highway opposite Temple Valley until you see a path going up -that's the start of the unmarked trail. Overall shady, short but with enough climbing to get in some cardio. You'll be rewarded with gorgeous Ko'olau Mountain Views and ALL of Kaneohe Bay! Excellent short hike with bay view rewards!

Easy-ish to moderate hike, depending obviously on your fitness level and hiking acumen. No…read morewaterfall at the end, but you're rewarded with a spectacular vista of the Kaneohe Bay area. To get to the trailhead, park on the street preferably or in the shopping area across the street (where the McDonald's is). You can chance it there, but you should be good. Very popular hike, so go early to avoid crowds. So from the shopping center or wherever, follow the guard rail alongside the highway. The beginning of it is at the corner of the road going up to the shopping center. I'd suggest not walking on the right side of the guard rail as it puts you perilously close to oncoming traffic. So hop the guard rail on the left side and follow the really narrow dirt path that leads to the end of the guard rail. To the left, you'll see a sign that says "private property - no trespassing." Ignore that, obviously, and head up the path behind it. It's an in then back the way you came from hike; not sure if it's a loop, but it's about 2 or so miles round trip. The first 1/8th is steep and muddy, with slick, clay ground. Nice people have left ropes on the side so you can use that to get up. The rest of the way is shaded, with rooted paths, lots of local fauna and lots of bugs, too. The last part right before the pillboxes is a very steep incline. Again, there's rope there to help you up if you're not a ninja like I am. First bunker is kinda cool. You can climb down the rusty but stable ladder and get a nice view from the inside. The second one is where you want to be. It's where all the Instagramers are at taking selfies. If you're lucky enough to be there alone, you'll have a nice, meditative moment where you can see the bay. Good hike that's not too hard at all.

Absolutely gorgeous! Staying here in the rainforest overlooking Honolulu and the ocean but with a…read moretropical jungle enveloping you, it's amazing! Wonderful gorgeous hike deep into the rainforest with waterfalls and to die for scenery.

This trail no longer exists. There is a trail on the far right side of the valley (if looking up…read moretowards the mountains) that was cool, but prior posts have you starting to hike/park near a school. We ended up meandering for miles and asking around before we were directed to the crater trail.