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An epic trail off the beaten road where locals go. We loved the various vegetation and beautiful surroundings. It's a short Nu'uanu jaunt which takes hikers to an enchanting 10-foot waterfall and swimming hole. To find Judd Trail, you get access from Nu'uanu Pali Drive. Head mauka, you'll see the entrance on the right side of the road. Once on the trail, cross a rambling stream. At the next trail marker, head right staying close to the water while walking downstream. Within half-mile, you'll hear the sweet sound of waterfall with a clearing on your right. Make your way down the hill, and you will be greeted by an enchanting swimming hole--which was supposedly been popular among Hawaiian royals. Continue hiking the Judd Trail loop, and you'll pass through groves of pine, eucalyptus, guava and bamboo trees. I got a natural hiking "stick" which I picked up in the trail that was helpful for the hike. I loved it as my companions did!
This is a fantastic place for a short hike. The loop takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and the trail offers plenty of shade and beautiful scenery. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often. You can park your car on the side of the road, and the trail entrance is marked by an information sign. As with all hiking trails on the island, it's best to avoid going when it's raining or has rained the day before. On a sunny day, the trail is peaceful, and you can enjoy the tranquil waters. The water pool is 5 minutes into the hike if you start on the right side and there were some that was jumping in and swimming. Definitely a must see with ease of access and with a couple of waterfalls.
Judd Trail is fairly short so we combined with another trail. The trail is muddy in spots but not so bad that we needed crampons. This is a great trail for warm sunny days since most of it is covered by a canopy of trees. Really beautiful foliage and the creek flowing through it. Some very interesting trees along the trail. Definitely a pleasant short hike on warm day. If heavy rain is expected it would be best not to hike this one because of the chance of flash flooding. Parking is along the road and fills up later in day.
Mahalo to my cousin who brought me to this trail!There's a lot to see for a short and easy hike: bamboo forest, large boulders, plenty of cool flora and a refreshing pond to swim in. There's also a small rock cliff in continuous use that makes for some fun jumps! I'd definitely recommend this as a short and easy hike with plenty of shade and a refreshing swim at the end. As others said it can muddy in some areas, but still worth the hike for taking in the scenery and a swim!
11/26/20- I HIGHLY recommend this hike. I normally prefer a hike up the mountains with a view of the ocean, but this hike is great with all the trees which keeps you nice and cool. There's a small river you have to cross which is fun. I would rate this hike as easy and very kid friendly. It shouldn't take you more than an hour to complete. The only downside is finding parking which is basically just to park on the side of the road. After a rainy few days this hike was more muddier than normal so be prepared to get dirty. Even on a holiday there wasn't too many people around so it's easy to socially distance. We kept our masks on the entire time, only taking them off when we needed to drink water. Please kokua and don't leave any trash behind. There's no trash bins in the area so be sure to take your trash with you and dispose properly. Have fun!
Over the course of several years I've managed to hike almost all of the Oahu hikes listed in a book called "Hiking the Hawaiian Islands" (Suzanne Swedo). Three hikes however, I'd not hiked because they were so short that they seemed not worthy of rising from the sand to do so. This year though, I endeavored to check off two short ones by hiking both in a single day. Judd Trail was the second of the two I hiked on a dry, sunny day in January. The Judd Trail is accessed by crossing a creek which was deep enough to require that I take off my shoes before crossing. I got wet up to my knees but later saw a group get through without taking off their shoes. Half of them wound up with soaked shoes; the other half successfully navigated the rock crossing. Once across the creek there's three trailheads and only one trail marker. Take either the middle trail or the one to the left and you'll be on the Judd Trail, a muddy, shaded loop which takes about 40 minutes to navigate. The trail isn't particularly well-marked and we did see people who managed to get lost but I do think that most people should be able to follow the loop without that happening. Just pay a bit of attention and keep your eyes open for some colored ribbons in the trees (marking the trail) that appear infrequently here. The real payoff of this trail though and the reason you probably want to come here? For that, after crossing the creek, take the trail on the far right. You'll not go far at all but as you go you'll be beside that creek. Quite soon you'll find the ginger pools to wade in, with the small cascading falls as a backdrop. The one I was with got in up to his neck and I think that's what you should come here for. It created the sort of video footage that, when shared with others, caused them to say "I want to go there next time I'm in Hawaii" and start asking for very specific directions. Because I'm all about the reward I'd recommend you do the hike first then reward yourself with a soak in the ginger pools. Good things come to those who wait, so wait. A pretty easy hike followed by a soak in the pools won't take up much of your day.
This review is for the Nuannu trail, which has the same trailhead as Judd trail. - Should have known better knowing this trail is in Nuannu. Very VERY muddy. I've done my fair share of Manoa trails and this trail exceeded all of them in muddiness. That's because most of it is canopied and Nuanuu barely ever see the sun so the trail doesn't dry out. Do it on a sunny day if you can find one. - Not much elevation gain so nothing to write home about in terms of views. You're surrounded by a lot of vegetation - it's one of the greenest trails I've been on - but that's about it and things get old quickly after a mile or so. - The Alltrials distance and time estimate are off more than marginally. Budget more time especially on a rainy day.
It's a pretty nice trail. It's starts right off with a tiny waterfall and some interesting banyan trees. You have to cross a stream right away so you'll get your feet wet. You come to the fork for the look and you can either follow the muddy Nuuanu stream or head up the hill to this pine forest which just looks interesting with its height and it's even arrangement. The cool part of this trail is that it links up to a larger network of trails which was my intent initially. I went on a very wet day. My goal was to take the Judd to Nuuanu to Aihualama this Manoa Falls. Unfortunately due to heavy rain the Nuuanu leg which heads pretty steeply up a bamboo covered hill to the ridge was extremely muddy and slick. No traction at all. I need to try again on a dry day
Judd trail is a great spot for photography. A flowing stream with picturesque trees with exposed roots extending into the water. As far as the hiking trails are concerned, I've never really had to venture too far into it for what my purpose is. I do, however, see a lot of families that take the hikes into the forest beyond. One word of caution though, streams are very beautiful, but one downpour upstream can unleash a torrent of water cascading down from the hills above. This can turn a beautiful, serene environment into a very deadly area. So just be mindful of the weather before you venture out and never cross fast flowing streams. If you do get stranded on one bank, wait it out, it's better than getting hurt. My purpose here is photography. There are many areas that offer everything from portrait backdrops to long exposure type of shots. There's definitely something for every level of photographer. Be mindful of other photographers and never enter their shot. Extend common courtesy to them as they were there first and just wait till they're done. A little common sense goes a long way and you'll gain the respect of other fellow photographers. I've had several occasions where rude/obnoxious photographers will just walk right through your shot, if you accidentally do this, a simple apology goes a long way and you'll probably even be making another friend. The only bad part about this spot is the parking and the rain. If you're fortunate enough to snag a parking at the entrance to the trail, count your lucky stars. Otherwise it's wherever you can find parking along the street. If you have a big vehicle, it may be challenging at times versus having a small car that can hug the side. Be mindful of your choice though, there have been break ins reported along this stretch of road. Also, be careful if it's been raining. The ground gets really soggy and slippery, so have the appropriate footwear and clothing. Mosquito repellant is a must! Other than that, have fun and take in the beauty of this special place! Four Stars * * * *
5 months ago
When you arrive at the map location: You'll see a small sign on the side of the road. You can park right on the dirt shoulder and start the hike from there. You'll begin by walking downhill for a couple of minutes until you reach the river. To continue the hike, you'll need to cross the river by stepping on the rocks. Once you cross, you'll be right in front of the Bamboo Forest. There are four different paths branching out. We chose the path to the right, following along the river. After about 7-10 minutes, you'll see: * First steep path going down with the rope We skipped this one -- it looked a bit too risky. * Second path leading down If you follow it, you'll reach a small natural pool (a little water basin where people swim). We didn't swim, but some people were enjoying the water. It looks refreshing and clean. After visiting the pool area, we went back up and continued the full loop. * Total time: 25-30 minutes * Trail conditions: some sections are a bit steep, muddy, and slippery * Difficulty: moderate but not dangerous * Shoes: wear good hiking shoes * Cell service: we had full service the entire time A short, fun, and beautiful hike surrounded by bamboo, river sounds, and greenery. Perfect for a quick adventure! read more
10 months ago
An epic trail off the beaten road where locals go. We loved the various vegetation and beautiful surroundings. It's a short Nu'uanu jaunt which takes hikers to an enchanting 10-foot waterfall and swimming hole. To find Judd Trail, you get access from Nu'uanu Pali Drive. Head mauka, you'll see the entrance on the right side of the road. Once on the trail, cross a rambling stream. At the next trail marker, head right staying close to the water while walking downstream. Within half-mile, you'll hear the sweet sound of waterfall with a clearing on your right. Make your way down the hill, and you will be greeted by an enchanting swimming hole--which was supposedly been popular among Hawaiian royals. Continue hiking the Judd Trail loop, and you'll pass through groves of pine, eucalyptus, guava and bamboo trees. I got a natural hiking "stick" which I picked up in the trail that was helpful for the hike. I loved it as my companions did! read more
This is a fantastic place for a short hike. The loop takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and the trail offers plenty of shade and beautiful scenery. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often. You can park your car on the side of the road, and the trail entrance is marked by an information sign. As with all hiking trails on the island, it's best to avoid going when it's raining or has rained the day before. On a sunny day, the trail is peaceful, and you can enjoy the tranquil waters. The water pool is 5 minutes into the hike if you start on the right side and there were some that was jumping in and swimming. Definitely a must see with ease of access and with a couple of waterfalls. read more
Judd Trail is fairly short so we combined with another trail. The trail is muddy in spots but not so bad that we needed crampons. This is a great trail for warm sunny days since most of it is covered by a canopy of trees. Really beautiful foliage and the creek flowing through it. Some very interesting trees along the trail. Definitely a pleasant short hike on warm day. If heavy rain is expected it would be best not to hike this one because of the chance of flash flooding. Parking is along the road and fills up later in day. read more
3 years ago
Mahalo to my cousin who brought me to this trail!There's a lot to see for a short and easy hike: bamboo forest, large boulders, plenty of cool flora and a refreshing pond to swim in. There's also a small rock cliff in continuous use that makes for some fun jumps! I'd definitely recommend this as a short and easy hike with plenty of shade and a refreshing swim at the end. As others said it can muddy in some areas, but still worth the hike for taking in the scenery and a swim! read more
11/26/20- I HIGHLY recommend this hike. I normally prefer a hike up the mountains with a view of the ocean, but this hike is great with all the trees which keeps you nice and cool. There's a small river you have to cross which is fun. I would rate this hike as easy and very kid friendly. It shouldn't take you more than an hour to complete. The only downside is finding parking which is basically just to park on the side of the road. After a rainy few days this hike was more muddier than normal so be prepared to get dirty. Even on a holiday there wasn't too many people around so it's easy to socially distance. We kept our masks on the entire time, only taking them off when we needed to drink water. Please kokua and don't leave any trash behind. There's no trash bins in the area so be sure to take your trash with you and dispose properly. Have fun! read more
Over the course of several years I've managed to hike almost all of the Oahu hikes listed in a book called "Hiking the Hawaiian Islands" (Suzanne Swedo). Three hikes however, I'd not hiked because they were so short that they seemed not worthy of rising from the sand to do so. This year though, I endeavored to check off two short ones by hiking both in a single day. Judd Trail was the second of the two I hiked on a dry, sunny day in January. The Judd Trail is accessed by crossing a creek which was deep enough to require that I take off my shoes before crossing. I got wet up to my knees but later saw a group get through without taking off their shoes. Half of them wound up with soaked shoes; the other half successfully navigated the rock crossing. Once across the creek there's three trailheads and only one trail marker. Take either the middle trail or the one to the left and you'll be on the Judd Trail, a muddy, shaded loop which takes about 40 minutes to navigate. The trail isn't particularly well-marked and we did see people who managed to get lost but I do think that most people should be able to follow the loop without that happening. Just pay a bit of attention and keep your eyes open for some colored ribbons in the trees (marking the trail) that appear infrequently here. The real payoff of this trail though and the reason you probably want to come here? For that, after crossing the creek, take the trail on the far right. You'll not go far at all but as you go you'll be beside that creek. Quite soon you'll find the ginger pools to wade in, with the small cascading falls as a backdrop. The one I was with got in up to his neck and I think that's what you should come here for. It created the sort of video footage that, when shared with others, caused them to say "I want to go there next time I'm in Hawaii" and start asking for very specific directions. Because I'm all about the reward I'd recommend you do the hike first then reward yourself with a soak in the ginger pools. Good things come to those who wait, so wait. A pretty easy hike followed by a soak in the pools won't take up much of your day. read more
This review is for the Nuannu trail, which has the same trailhead as Judd trail. - Should have known better knowing this trail is in Nuannu. Very VERY muddy. I've done my fair share of Manoa trails and this trail exceeded all of them in muddiness. That's because most of it is canopied and Nuanuu barely ever see the sun so the trail doesn't dry out. Do it on a sunny day if you can find one. - Not much elevation gain so nothing to write home about in terms of views. You're surrounded by a lot of vegetation - it's one of the greenest trails I've been on - but that's about it and things get old quickly after a mile or so. - The Alltrials distance and time estimate are off more than marginally. Budget more time especially on a rainy day. read more
2 years ago
......so much mud.. maybe 2 hours to do a full loop but just way too much mud- there is a nice stream +waterfall and lots of paths/loops read more
4 years ago
LOVED THIS HIKE!!! Super easy and has a cute waterfall you can swim in- make sure to wear bug spray bc the mud/water attract them pesky mosquitos read more
It's a pretty nice trail. It's starts right off with a tiny waterfall and some interesting banyan trees. You have to cross a stream right away so you'll get your feet wet. You come to the fork for the look and you can either follow the muddy Nuuanu stream or head up the hill to this pine forest which just looks interesting with its height and it's even arrangement. The cool part of this trail is that it links up to a larger network of trails which was my intent initially. I went on a very wet day. My goal was to take the Judd to Nuuanu to Aihualama this Manoa Falls. Unfortunately due to heavy rain the Nuuanu leg which heads pretty steeply up a bamboo covered hill to the ridge was extremely muddy and slick. No traction at all. I need to try again on a dry day read more
3 years ago
Great trial. You will get muddy. Make sure you wear wet shoes or proper sandals for hiking read more
Judd trail is a great spot for photography. A flowing stream with picturesque trees with exposed roots extending into the water. As far as the hiking trails are concerned, I've never really had to venture too far into it for what my purpose is. I do, however, see a lot of families that take the hikes into the forest beyond. One word of caution though, streams are very beautiful, but one downpour upstream can unleash a torrent of water cascading down from the hills above. This can turn a beautiful, serene environment into a very deadly area. So just be mindful of the weather before you venture out and never cross fast flowing streams. If you do get stranded on one bank, wait it out, it's better than getting hurt. My purpose here is photography. There are many areas that offer everything from portrait backdrops to long exposure type of shots. There's definitely something for every level of photographer. Be mindful of other photographers and never enter their shot. Extend common courtesy to them as they were there first and just wait till they're done. A little common sense goes a long way and you'll gain the respect of other fellow photographers. I've had several occasions where rude/obnoxious photographers will just walk right through your shot, if you accidentally do this, a simple apology goes a long way and you'll probably even be making another friend. The only bad part about this spot is the parking and the rain. If you're fortunate enough to snag a parking at the entrance to the trail, count your lucky stars. Otherwise it's wherever you can find parking along the street. If you have a big vehicle, it may be challenging at times versus having a small car that can hug the side. Be mindful of your choice though, there have been break ins reported along this stretch of road. Also, be careful if it's been raining. The ground gets really soggy and slippery, so have the appropriate footwear and clothing. Mosquito repellant is a must! Other than that, have fun and take in the beauty of this special place! Four Stars * * * * read more
9 years ago
Really fun. Short and easy hike , with some climbing over rocks and crossing the stream. The cool pool at the end is gorgeous and fun. Somehow, my group missed the turn for the pool and took a longer hike than necessary. It was still really fun. There are signs along the trail, but they do no lead to the pool. read more
6 years ago
It's haunted!!! If you plan to hike here, you better read those reviews! Apparently, its a loop hike. You definitely can get lost because the trees all look the same. OMG! I may have overreacted a lil bit there. But a place with no signal on your phone, and not that much people around, darn creepy. However, it was a really nice hike. Taking pictures here are beautiful. Parking can be a little complicated and confusing because people park anywhere near the entrance (as long as you don't block the cars coming). You have to cross a river, hopping on rocks to get to the other side...the beginning of the hike. There are a lot of signs to tell you where to hike, but it goes both ways. WTH?! Around 15-20 minutes hiking, you should be able to see/hear a mini waterfall at the bottom. It's really small, but really nice. Like a secret mini Tarzan land. Make sure to spray some insect repellent because I got so many bites. Scratching all over the next day. Quite irritating! argghhhh! I really don't know if I would hike here again. Oh yea, there's also a Nuuanu trail along the way, don't take that unless you wanna hike a loooooooong one. read more
Pretty easy hike except for the stream crossings (over and back). If wearing water shoes, the stream crossings aren't an issue; I was using my hiking boots and didn't want to get them wet (for use the next day) so boulder hopping over was a bit of a challenge but it worked out. There's two small waterfalls and the jackass ginger pool below. I didn't get in the water this time but there were a few people enjoying the water while I was sweating from the humidity! Use bug spray as there's lots of mosquitos. The parking area seems pretty shady as there was lots of broken glass on the ground (we didn't have any problems). This is a nice easy walk with the availability of jumping in the jackass ginger pool at the end. read more
4 years ago
One of my best friends loves to go one this "hike" because the location holds a lot of meaning to him. I think over the course of our almost 7 year friendship, we've done this hike together at least 4 times. When I call it a hike, I really mean that it's a pleasant walk amongst the trees and quiet solitude of nature. You can find the entrance near Old Pali Road. You have to cross a stream pretty early in the hike. If it's a day after heavy rain, like yesterday, this may pose a slight challenge. The hike will also be muddy if that is the case. We walked up a winding hill for a little over half a mile this time around until we reached a light waterfall and decided to turn around. On dry days, this is a cool walk to take. Safe for any age, steep at times, but not very challenging. I certainly hope to return in the years to come. read more
4 years ago
Take an awesome journey through this jungle and releive the stress of your daily lives. Face the loop head on or go "right" to the pool. Take some time off by relaxing in the water or dive, jump, bomb, splash your way to that free feeling spirit we lose during the work week. For an even more awesome adventure, take a left at the fork on the loop and head on up to the Nuuanu trail. Enjoy! The weekends can get a bit crazy here with the limited parking there is on the street. read more
9 years ago
We've done this trail a few times and always have fun! The trail is simple enough, fun for kids to explore and feel like they're in the jungle, and the pools are nice to swim in after. Parking can be a headache if it's crowded but that's pretty much anywhere. Overall a very fun trail read more
4 years ago
Very easy and quick trail. Has some water elements and a little mud. It is mostly covered by trees so it doesn't get very hot. Judd trail connects to a lot of other trails so if you want to keep going you can. But Judd trail is about a mile long. Parking it on the side of the street , easy and free. Right next to the start of the trail read more
7 years ago
PARKING & TRAIL: so we passed the trail on the way up & it took us about 20 min to figure it out. There's a different trail up the street from this one that people were doing so we thought it was Judd trail. Finally we asked and someone said the jackass ginger pools aka Judd trail is back down the street. So we hiked back out and drove our car down the road. We finally found it! When you start the trail it looks like people either go left or right. Stay to the right and cross the river. There are signs. Once you cross there looks to be 3 trails. Stay to the right and follow the one that goes along the river. If you do this then you will get there within 10 minutes. This is a super short hike, but fun and easy. Be careful when jumping because it gets slippery. Also wear mosquito repellent because they are all over near the pool. read more
5 years ago
This is an easy dog friendly hike. Keep to the right after you cross the stream to see the waterfall. Ok read more
12 years ago
I love coming here. Parking is on the side of the street only, and can be cramped, and if it is, maybe you should take a pass. It's usually busy on the weekends, but during the week, it mostly free. As you walk past the sign labeling it as "Judd Trail," your first thought might be that it's really not all that special, the flora is trampled, there might be a slight musty smell, the buzz of mosquitos can be chilling, and signs of overuse by those who really don't care for nature are all to often apparent. But, with most good things, you must go deeper, overlook small blemishes, and give it a chance. What'd got to lose? There is a small steam you cross, this can become a small river during heavy rain season, so be advised. Once crossed, you enter a plush, green bamboo forest. Follow the narrow trail to your right as it rambles it's way through the bamboo and along Nuuanu Stream till you will be rewarded with what is commonly called Jack Ass Ginger Pool (I like to say it was named after me!). Here, the rugged water fall is often roaring, the mood is serene, and you can just drink in (don't drink the water!!!) the sensation. To return, you climb up the hill above the pool and walk past old growth pines, what looks like red juniper berries (but don't quote me and don't eat them!), and moss cover rocks. It's a short easy hike. Once you have been here enough, you find new paths, there are several trails that lead through the bamboo, but I have found a place where I go, where none of the sounds of the city permeate the surrounding topography. A place so quite and pristine, that often as I lay on a blanket watching the wind rustle the trees, I realize the wind makes no sound. It's my little slice of heaven. I sometime escape here with a book, (often with a wine bottle ;)), picnic with family and/or friends. The quite serenity of this spot stills my soul and relaxes my brain. It is nothingness in the middle of everything. A atoll in the eye of a hurricane. Find your atoll. Aloha read more
Judd Trail is a short, easy hike, with natural scenery consisting of streams, bamboo, ironwood and eucalyptus forest. The trail length is just under a mile (0.75 miles) and it is a loop. This scenic area is located just off the Pali Highway on Nu'uanu Pali Drive. Once your on this road its very easy to find. You will find the trail-head once you reach a concrete bridge. There is not a lot of parking area, aside from the ones you will find along side the road. Be aware that this area is considered a high theft area so do not leave your valuables in your vehicle! When I recently visited the area, it was just as I remembered, scenic and beautiful! However, I did find numerous trails throughout the area, so it was a bit difficult to identify which path to follow. There are ribbons on the tree and markers directing hikers however it can get a bit confusing. Note that along the loop this trail does connect to the Nu'uanu Trail, which is approximately 1.5 miles in length. So if your looking for some great views, this trail connects you to one that offers some great views. Here are some tips for this hike: 1.) Make sure to bring or hide any valuables in your vehicle. 2.) Be respectful of the area by taking your trash with you, and finding a decent spot to park, don't destroy the vegetation by creating your own parking spot. 3.) Make sure to spray your self with bug spray! There are mosquitoes in this area and you don't want to be their feast! 4.) There is a small stream you will have to cross to get on the trail, be careful as the rocks are slippery. 5.) There is no bathroom in this area so go to one before you come here. 6.) Be aware of the following Health Warning: Fresh Water Bacterial Disease - Leptospirosis. You will see this warning by many of Hawaii s fresh water streams! For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm read more
This review is for not only the Judd Trail, but the Nu'uanu Trail, and part of the Pauoa Flats trail as well. We started on this hike from the trail head on Nu'uanu Pali Drive. Parking can be kinda tight her since you have to park along the road, and there isn't too much space. Also, I noticed a lot of broken safety glass on the ground along the side of the road where there was enough room to park, so I guess there have been some break-ins in the past, so make sure you don't leave anything valuable in your car!! Also, if you're prone to becoming mosquito food, then bring some OFF with you. There's a lot of those pesky little buggers up there. We started off on the Judd trail, which takes you across Nu'uanu stream, and through a small bamboo grove, then you start heading up hill. At the far end of Judd Trail (it's a loop) there will be another trail branching off going further uphill. It should be marked by a sign that says Nu'uanu Trail. We turned off Judd onto this trail. From here we spend our hike on switchbacks through Cooke Pines, and other local flora. There were some other interesting sights, like rock formations, rock walls (one with water trickling down, but not enough to be considered a "waterfall"), and great views out of the valley. At a high point on the Nu'uanu trail there is a small grassy clearing with a bench. Some may thing this is the end of the trail, but it continues on. So after a quick stop for taking in the view, and taking pictures of numerous ohia, and other plants we continued on. The hike from this point became pretty easy. There wasn't much of an elevation change, so it wasn't too exerting. We eventually got to the Pauoa Flats trail and turned left. We continued on through another bamboo grove, and sloshed through some mud, and finally got to another fork. If we went to the right to the Aihualama trail we would have ended up going to Manoa Falls, so we turned left instead. This took us out to the end of the trail, a lookout area on the side of Nu'uanu overlooking the reservoir. We could even see part of Kaneohe between the ridges, and the Waianae mountain range to the other side! After our scenic stop we turned around and headed back out. On our way out on the Judd trail we decided to pass by the Jack-Ass Ginger pool, and followed the stream back through the first bamboo grove, back across the stream, and back out to the cars. Luckily no one had any broken windows today! This was a fun hike. Not too difficult, but not a cake-walk. There were several good photo-op spots, and it was long enough to feel like it was worth the effort, not just an hour or two of walking. The Judd trail is a nice easy hike through the woods for anybody of any hiking experience level, but the Nu'uanu trail is slightly more difficult. You could even park a car in Manoa, and drive in another car out the Nu'uanu, and go on a long epic hike! I'm not exactly sure how you would go about this, so make sure you research the trails first! You've got options! read more
Loved this hike ! We found parking on the side of the road and continued onto the trail head. The first thing you do is cross a little stream which was refreshing and tranquil. (They shot many scenes from the television show Lost at this location) We went looking for the the Jackass Ginger pool and found it easily. Like others have mentioned, just follow the steam. We had it all to ourselves. We didn't swim but we did hang out for a bit and enjoyed the sound of the water. We resumed the trail after our short break . We went through a bamboo area that was kind of dark and muddy and almost turned back, but I'm glad we didn't . It opened up and the scenery changed quite a bit . The trees changed and it was quiet & peaceful . Be prepared for mud...a lot of mud. The entire time we were on the trail we saw two other individuals . What a treat ! A short video of our experience http://youtu.be/3CRyOmWfrLg read more
7 years ago
Judd Trail. Follow the stream to get to the waterfall. Bring mosquito repellent spray an a bottle of water. Look out for slippery rocks. read more
Beautiful trail ... you do have to cross the stream so if you're hoping to stay dry - good luck! The stream can be low enough for you to cross the rocks without stepping into the water, but if it's not, the rocks are definitely slippery. Trying to avoid dipping yourself ankle-deep is NOT worth possibly face-planting from walking on the rocks (or maybe it could be, it depends on who you're going with and whether or not they'd laugh). Special perks: the entrance is right off Nuuanu Pali Drive, the trees keep it nice and cool and wonderfully photogenic, the trail is considerably easy to follow. It also goes into the Nuuanu Trail if you're up for a longer hike. A relatively easy-going hike. Recommended for photographers! read more
3 years ago
As much as I love looking out to the ocean while hiking, I also love the couple of hikes in Hawaii that are home to Cook pines. Since I'm short, its not hard for me to feel like a midget but when walking through these woods, even my friend whose 6 ft looked like a midget. These trees tower over the forest at about 100+ feet and are fascinating to look at. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=z_jQJi6dNO_GEC1dJObKZw&userid=QkQLnujuiBDP1mNChJYJww Lets just say if you were a monkey, these would be the best playground to have fun in. As you gain elevation, the scenery will change and you will see a rock wall with water trickling down it and then there will be 18 switchbacks. The first 13 or so will fly by but the last few are longgggg. Just to clarify, we did Nuuanu-Judd not just the Judd trail. You know you are the Nuuanu trail when you start going up the switchbacks. After the switchbacks you'll climb a wide grassy trail and can view Tantalus (right side) and Nuuanu Valley/Honolulu (left side). At the end of the Nuuanu Judd you'll turn left on Pauoa Flats and keep walking straight at the next junction (going right would lead you to Aihualama). There is a lookout and a bench at the end of the trail where you can have a snack and although it isn't the best of views, you can see the reservoir which is kind of cool. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=QkQLnujuiBDP1mNChJYJww This hike is perfect for those who want something easy to do on a Sunday afternoon. It felt like it took forever to get to the lookout so if you want to catch up with a friend, might be a good trail to do it on. We made it back to the car in record time, I guess because of all the anticipation on the way up. read more
I wouldn't say that this hike will give you a workout since it's fairly flat, but it's gorgeous! We went hiking in the morning and it was beautiful to see the sun cascading down through the trees. My doggy had a great time romping around the shrubs and greenery and he particularly liked the stream (which at the end, cleaned off most of the mud on his paws). read more
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Nuuanu Pali Dr
Honolulu, HI 96817
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http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trail.php?TrailID=OA+19+002
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Judd Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026
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