Hiked this trail on April 30th 2026 while vacationing in Hawaii. We ubered there from our hotel at around 12pm and spent a good hour and a half to 2 hours there. It was beautiful! Total jungle/rainforest vibe. Everything was so green and dense. Slippery and muddy so we were glad we wore our hiking boots that day. It also rained multiple times but honestly it was lots of fun! When we made it to the waterfall it looked really pretty. Great for photos - the whole trail was great for photos honestly. It is quite a popular trail so be prepared to see a good amount of people. Wonder how it would have been if we went early in the morning (we did Diamond head that morning FYI). So happy we got to visit Mānoa Falls! read more

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We hiked about 2.35 miles out and back and the scene was so breathtaking! We came here early and paid $7 in parking fee and started hiking! The water fall was nice and I love the green green foliage!! Beautiful! There was also access to a restroom and a snack shop by the entrance of the parking. read more

Manoa Falls Trail is a beautiful 1.6 mile trek on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The trail is part of the Honolulu Makau Trail System, which consists of 17 other trails that are in close proximity to one another. The climate allows for an abundance of plants and wildlife where tropical birds and native flora can be seen. We were mesmerized by the breathtaking, panoramic views of the misty jungle as we hiked uphill. At the end of the trail, we were rewarded with the most spectacular view of the 150-foot-high Manoa Falls, which flowed straight down a large rock face into a plunge pool. The cascading water, the splashing spray and mist of droplets, lead to a truly unforgettable experience! Definitely recommend coming early to beat the crowds and wear closed shoes you don't mind getting muddy! read more

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This is a nice hike that's not too challenging but it can be quite busy. I don't feel that everyone practices great trail/hiking etiquette because it brings out people who don't hike much or at all, and that can be frustrating. Pretty views, and it's an easy in-and-out hike that has a waterfall at the end and can be completely in a short time and then you're on your way. Parking is $4 for kama'aina. Be sure to put on bug spray if you're susceptible to mosquito bites. I recommend good shoes as the trail is rocky and it's easy to roll your foot if you step on a rock the wrong way and it moves around. read more

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The Manoa Falls Trail is a solid hike if you want something close to Honolulu. This was my second time here, first time was about 15 years ago. The rainforest scenery is the main highlight for a break from the beaches and crowds. Lots of greenery and shaded sections that make it cooler, although still humid, so bring water and get prepared to sweat. The trail is clearly marked but can get muddy and slippery, especially after rain, so wear good shoes, but you don't need hiking boots. We went while raining and also didn't need hiking sticks. It's not hard since there are enough rocks all along to provide traction, but pay attention to the roots and uneven spots. Round trip took about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace with a short stop at the falls just for photos. You can't go down to the falls and there's only a small landing area for viewing at the top, so it can get crowded. The waterfall is nice, but not necessarily worth the hike if you're not into hiking. read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Manoa Falls - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I read somewhere that this was an easy hike, but I really have a hard time with that description. The trail is covered in rocks, so you're walking on rocks of a variety of sizes the whole time; a bit hard on the ankles if you step down wrong! The rocks aren't embedded into the ground, so they can shift when you step on them. There are also a bunch of really steep steps that you'll have to either climb or go around. Being not very tall, these steps almost came up to my knees! I can't imagine doing this hike if it's wet and slippery. Luckily, it was dry when I went. A good thing about this hike is that it's shaded much of the time. Lots of trees and large leaves, bamboo, and other foliage provide a nice covering. There are areas where you can sit to catch your breath or have a snack. One thing, though, be prepared to be feasted upon by mosquitos while you're sitting there! Once we got to the top, the trade-off for a dry trail was the mediocre water fall. Not much water coming down, but I guess I'd rather have a tiny water fall than a wet and slippery trail! Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, bring water, and maybe a walking stick. I had on tennis shoes and that was okay. I know others have mentioned a snack bar, but I didn't see one. The gatekeeper was selling sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and wipes. It cost $7 to park in the lot. Good way to spend a little bit of time outside of the madness of Waikiki! read more

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This is a solid hike easily reached by bus from Waikiki. The trail is pretty rough and uneven, which made me glad that I had brought my hiking boots. Definitely a workout in a wonderfully lush forest environment. The falls and surrounding topography are impressive and it was good to get out of the urban environment for a spell. read more

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Once I had finished a quick hike to Kapena Falls, the next trek on my agenda for the morning was Manoa Falls, only about a fifteen minute drive from my first waterfall of the day. The Manoa Falls trail is much more well-traveled than the Kapena Falls trail, with several groups of fellow hikers also making the hour and a half round-trip hike to the falls. An official tourist attraction, the Manoa Falls Trail has an official welcome center, with restrooms, and there is a $7 fee to park. All in all, this was a tougher, longer, and more dramatic hike than the trail I had traversed earlier in the day, and it was quite a satisfying hike, to boot. The Manoa Falls Trail is located in the Manoa Valley, inland from Honolulu, off the Pali Highway, and along the way towards the eastern side of the island and the towns of Kailua and Waimanalo. From the moment you arrive at the parking lot for the falls, you know you're in the middle of a rainforest. Indeed, the entire two hours or so that I was there, it was raining almost the entire time, and as you might imagine, the surrounding landscape is lush with all kinds of tropical greenery. Very surreal and very beautiful! The Manoa Falls Trail is approximately 1.6 miles long, and it took me a little over an hour to hike to the falls and back. Though listed as an "easy" hike, I found the wet, humid conditions made the oftentimes uneven trail a bit slippery in spots and surprisingly harder going down the slick surface than ascending it. In the end, this trail was well worth it, and I left this hike with a very accomplished and satisfying feeling. Manoa Falls is approximately 150 feet high and quite a nice treat to celebrate reaching the end of a gorgeous trail full of beautiful Hawaiian rainforest scenery. If you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Honolulu and are looking for a nice, moderate hike to see a beautiful waterfall set in an even more beautiful rainforest full of lush, tropical foliage, I highly recommend the short trip to Manoa Falls. read more

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Long story short, there were barely any falls when we came to Manoa Falls. Compared to photos I had seen online, the waterfall that day was more like a dribble, indicating that the volume of water will be largely dependent on the amount of rain. Luckily, the 1.6 mile (round trip) trail is not too grueling, but it is very rocky. Although it starts out flat, around halfway through, the path begins to ascend and continues sloping upward the rest of the way. You'll encounter a number of tall cement steps as well, but there is a narrow strip of path on the side if you want to avoid them. Even though it wasn't raining that day, the trail was still a little muddy, so we had to particularly watch our step on the way back down since some rocks were slippery and/or loose. For experienced hikers, this trail is probably considered easy, but I'd consider it medium difficulty for those who don't hike often, especially with the fairly high humidity level that comes into play. I saw a range of footwear on the hike with some people sporting durable hiking boots, a few in sandals and others in sneakers. I was in running shoes and slipped a couple times, so I recommend wearing shoes with good traction. The hike is family-friendly and it took us about two hours total, factoring in a few moments of rest while going uphill. There was a clear warning to avoid the water at the bottom of the falls due to the risk of Leptospirosis bacteria, so it's probably a good idea to stay away from the streams along the way too. Once you reach the viewpoint of the falls, it's completely walled off, so I didn't see a way to get down to the pool of water anyway. Here, everyone lines up for a photo to commemorate their completion of the hike, so it gets quite crowded. Despite being bummed with the final view, I enjoyed the hike overall and admired all the lush foliage, including ferns bamboo and a plethora of other greenery. Other notes: - Parking is $7. The road to get to the upper lot had a huge pothole and many smaller ones. It needed serious paving. - Near the trailhead, there is a store with snacks and drinks, in addition to a restroom and seating area. read more

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It was an amazing hike and not too hard! I went in the morning (around 6am) so the cooler weather was really nice! It was a little muddy but that's expected! Overall an amazing experience! read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Trees and vines - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Nice hike. Not too long and not too difficult for a non-hiker. Walking down after viewing the waterfall is harder because you feel like you might slip and there's nothing to hold on too read more

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Manoa Falls is such a beautiful and refreshing hike. The entire trip takes about one to two hours and takes you through a lush rainforest filled with greenery. It feels calm, peaceful, and very close to nature, which I absolutely loved. The trail is easy to moderate and can get a bit muddy, so good shoes help. The waterfall at the end makes the hike completely worth it. If you enjoy nature and scenic walks, I highly recommend this hike. It's a great way to experience Hawaii's natural beauty. read more

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Just did this hike and it was a lot of fun. I've done many hikes, including advanced hardcore ones. This is definitely NOT beginner level like most people reviewed it. I was adamant to leave a review so that people don't underestimate this hike because someone might struggle if they are not used to hiking. I almost brought my mom and I'm glad I did not because she would've struggled and it would've been dangerous for her since she's not used to hiking at all. It is very slippery, lots of loose rocks, pretty steep uphill 1/2 way up and coming back down might be a challenge for some that aren't used to hikes, and you need to watch your step. When you get close to the waterfall, it starts getting more steep uphill for about 5 minutes. We finished the hike in under one hour and we went at 9:30 AM. People started flooding in after 10:30 AM so go early to avoid the crowds. Make sure you wear bug spray, have water, you don't really need a hat or sunglasses because you're covered by the trees with shade. Make sure you wear sneakers with tread or you might slip. Bringing a hiking stick to walk would be a good idea. read more

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Manoa Falls is a beautiful, relatively modern hike located just a short drive from downtown Honolulu. The 1.6-mile round-trip trail winds through a lush rainforest filled with bamboo, giant ferns, and tropical plants felt like I was in an Avatar movie. At the end of the trail, you're rewarded with a stunning waterfall cascading down a cliff. Just beware not to go swimming due to potential health risks, but worth the hike for amazing views. The path can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain, so good footwear is recommended. Bring some bug repellents as you will get bit. Plenty of parking at a small price to pay. Put this on your list for things to do in Oahu. read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Beautiful hike... The last 25% is the hardest Yes I wouldn't wear flip flops! Mosquitos are there! There is a snack shop that sells great dole whip! So glad I got to experience this! read more

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Nice short hike. Depending on when you go, there could possibly be a big waterfall or just a drizzle (as shown in the picture). There's a lot of incline, so be forewarned. It's slippery as well, so wear comfortable shoes with grip. This is more of a medium level hike (not beginner level due to the incline and slippery trails). On the plus side, there were lots of shade, only a minimal sun without shade area, so sunblock isn't even a must (always a nice to have though). I do like that there's a bathroom at the front, so that was very convenient. They also sell bug spray at the front where you pay for parking. Parking is $7 and they do have electronic payment as well. The view here is beautiful! Very green with lots of different plant life. This was my first time here and won't be my last. read more

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Great dog-friendly hike with a nice mix of paved and dirt trails. This is definitely a quintessential Oahu experience if you love a lush, jungle vibe. Good for rainy days: Honestly, this hike is actually better when it's raining or has recently rained. The waterfall is much more impressive. read more

Great hike if you wear the proper gear! lol. Didn't read reviews before going, used info from a friend of a friend... yes, that gets you in trouble! We should have read up on the hike. Instead of taking an hour round trip it took us 90 minutes... had to be careful in sandals! This is March and parts of the trail are slick and muddy. Some bugs, but nice weather. The falls are beautiful and so is the hike. Beautiful trees and plants and moss along the way. read more

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This place is about a 10-minute drive from Waikiki, and parking is only $7. There's a small cafe and a restroom near the parking area. The hike is 0.8 miles and mostly uphill, but the ground is pretty uneven with a lot of rocks and stones. It can get slippery when it's muddy and wet from the rain, so wearing trainers is a good idea--I even saw some folks doing it in flip-flops! Definitely bring some bug spray because the mosquitoes were loving me! The waterfall is super pretty, but just a heads up, there are signs saying no swimming and the trail to get there is blocked off. read more

This was on everyone's list as a must see, but I found it to be totally anticlimactic. $8 to park and then expect that it will sporadically drizzle, the ground/rocks will get slippery, be wet, and MUDDY! And then when you final arrive, we found ourselves standing in front of a very tall but nearly trickle of water... read more

This is a really cool and easy hike that you can do in about an hour. It was about a 5 minute drive from my high school and we were lucky enough to go hiking on this trail before it started to rain (like it always does in Manoa valley). It was muddy (which was expected) but the waterfall at the end was a site to see, especially if you aren't used to seeing them. Parking was cheap and comes with the hike, and if you are military or Kamaaina, you get a discount. read more

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This is a tourist attraction but with the trip. I took my friend that came out of town and we were able to do it in the pouring rain. The trail is very well maintained, rocky with some high steps but most people can manage, just take your time. The trial is a small constant climb up to the falls and then back down to the parking lot. There are some trail heads off of this trail but if you are not a hiker stick to the out and back. Parking is $7 for visitors, unless you are military or Kama'aina then it is only $4 to park. They do offer bug spray if you forgot yours as you will need it on a normal day. They also sell ponchos during rainy days like the day I went. I didn't buy one but I saw many with them. read more

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Gorgeous tropical rainforest. You're in for a treat with this hike. It took my partner and me about an hour to hike up and down, so about 30 minutes each way. We visited in early September and the waterfall was nice but it didn't have too much water. Due to health concerns, you are not allowed to swim at the bottom of the waterfall as the water is contaminated. Instead of wearing your swim suit, be sure to wear good hiking gear. I would bring the following to the hike: - Hiking shoes: The trail is pretty rocky so good hiking boots or shoes will help. I brought my running shoes, but honestly I wish I had worn sturdier shoes due to the rocks. I can totally see how this trail could be slippery during the raining season. - Water bottle: The humidity is crazy and you will be sweating as you hike up the trail, so don't forget to stay hydrated. - Mosquito repellent and sunscreen: As you walk through the rainforest, you will notice that there are plenty of mosquitos, so be sure to apply mosquito repellent to avoid getting mosquito bites. Additionally, don't forget your sunscreen. - Money: Parking is $7 and you will pay before you enter the parking lot. Once you're finish with the hike, I recommend you treat yourself to some Dole Whip available at the guest center. There are restrooms available and a small store with treats for purchase. Overall, this is a perfect hike to explore the scenic tropical paradise! read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Waterfall in September 2024 - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Easy hike in the back of Manoa Valley. Park for free in the residential area, or pay for parking at the entrance. Takes about 30 minutes up, depending on how many bikers there are. It can get a bit damp, but nothing unbearable. Lots of great photo spots! read more

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Come early bc it is touristy and can get crowded. Paid parking lot. Cute little shop with bathrooms. It was about 2 miles there and back with trail paved with rocks. Might be a bit slippery for seniors but we did observe some seniors showing some grit as well as a young lady slip hard on her okole (buttocks). Overall, nice easy hike through fern gully to a small waterfall (no water access) conveniently located near Waikiki. read more

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Great place to go hiking. Took about 1.5 hours round trip from parking lot to falls. Not a bad casual hike. Great views and plenty to see. Go early in the morning to beat the heat. Highly recommend. read more

Beautiful trail to a waterfall at the top. Lots of wobbly stairs - moderate difficulty to get to the top read more

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Haven't been here for a while. I just went to drop off my son for a school excursion. Very run down. Can't even see the signs. So of course, I didn't see the the drop off/pick up sign. I drove to the parking attendant and asked to drop off my son, he asked me to pay $7. WHAT!!! I said that I will not pay $7 just to drop off. He didn't even give clear instructions where the drop off area was. He didn't even have a booth, he was just in the middle of the driveway. I finally found the drop off/pick up area when I came back later. I guess alot of tourists still go there, it was really croweded. They should think of cleaning that place up. read more

I did this hike in November so it was pretty wet and muddy. It is for sure one of the easier hikes on the island. When you drive up there is a parking guy and you pay him and he gives you a pass. I can't remember how much it was. The parking lot wasn't that big either so I'm guessing it can be busy during the weekends. I hiked up to the waterfall and was gonna go up further but it was just to muddy so I turned back. Don't bring your nice shoes (like I did....even bleach wouldn't make them white again) and bug spray, got bit a few times. Anyways, it was fun, always nice to experience nature........... read more

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This trail was listed as "easy to moderate". It is pretty much treacherous and muddy. They have placed loose rock on it that you can easily dislodge when stepping on. And it is slick and muddy. If you are short the steep stairs and water puddles after the rainy season are difficult to navigate. The falls were really flowing but you cannot get too close to them. The viewing area was flooded. Pretty trail but yeah not fun when you are spending all your time trying not to slip and fall and only looking down. I think they should improve this trail to make it more accessible. I was there a week after record rainfall. But it rains there a lot so I do not think this trail is in anyway safe if you are not extremely balanced and strong. Going down was way worse than going up. read more

A lush green tropical oasis! This is a great hike to experience the jungle-like dense canopy of plants that surround you throughout the whole hike. It's about a 45 minute hike (uphill) and 30 minutes back (downhill). Note that you should bring tennis shoes because the trail is sometimes wet, full of rocks and you might get a little mud on you. That said, the trail is still safe, but might be challenging for those that are physically impaired. I did see kids and some elderly people hiking so it's doable you'll just have to have good balance for walking on rocks (which is placed there to mitigate slipping in mud because the area is quite wet due to the microclimate). read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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easy 2.5ish miles hike one way ending at a gorgeous waterfall. swimming is prohibited but hard to resist, and hikers often swim anyways. hard to get lost, maps along the way. gradual incline, nothing hard on the quads. read more

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If you're looking for an awe inspiring waterfall, this isn't it! At least not today :). After paying $7 for parking, the first 1/3 of the trail is beautiful, lush green foliage, you can see in your mind Jurassic Park. The second 1/3 is up hill slippery rocks, be careful and don't forget bug spray like I did! The last third of the trail is up hill, steep but dry, until you get to the falls and ask yourself if it was really worth that last 1/3. Overall the beauty of the hike made it worth it, the falls not so much. Always look for the silver lining! read more

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I mean. You cannot do Oahu without hiking this trail. It's fairly easy (though for someone out of shape like me, it was moderately tough) and BEAUTIFUL. Please DO jump into the water once you get to the end. You won't regret it. No photo of the waterfall from me. You have to go yourself. Worth it though. read more

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Pleasant hike to a beautiful, tall waterfall at the end! It's somewhere between easy and moderate. It's an out-and-back that's not too long, but there is a decent elevation gain in the second half leading to the fall. Still, there were plenty of kids on the trail, including an elementary school group. So not the most physically demanding. Plus it's got tree cover for most of the path, so you won't be roasting under the sun. The trailhead is in a pretty residential part of the island, so your best bet is your own car, rather than a ride share/cab. But if you're looking for an enjoyable way to fill two hours, this accessible hike is definitely a great option! read more

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We took the bus from Waikiki to the trailhead- easy to do and saves the hassle and cost of parking. The Lyon Arboretum at trailhead was a lead at surprise, so if the elevation gain of the hike scares you off hiking, do stroll the arboretum. It was more glorious than the false which were actually just a trickle when we were there in December. read more

Mānoa Falls Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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100% recommend for nature lovers! I love this rainforest and how green and vibrant it was. The on and off rain was nice. The rocky terrain and just bright green all around! The waterfall wasn't impressive when I went, but the hike there was amazing. Don't forget mosquito repellent! read more

Nice trail walk to the waterfall. You have the stream and birds to listen to on the way. The path can get a little steep but need to pay more attention to it being slippery. Some people wore sandals but I'd recommend better hiking shoes. Up to you. Have fun! read more

It was a nice distance walk at times got a bit daunting. Must bring water!!lots of gravel and rock on the path which helped as much as it didn't. Not a whole lot to see along the way. It's great if you're looking for an excersizing walk up hill and down. You can't get very close to the falls it has many signs that say keep out although some who were risky climbed over the fence and ventured past the signs. I'd just come off of an illness so that's part of why it was more daunting. A cute little shop with history and items for sale at the beginning of the entrance on the right. No photos of that featured. read more

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This is a short but fun hike that our family took when we couldn't get reservations for Diamond Head. It's amazing that around 20 mins from Waikiki beach you can be up in the mountains and in a dense forest. Definitely recommend insect repellent, but they have some for sale on site if you forget. You have to pay for parking but we felt it was well worth it. The hike is moderate with the upper portions of the trail being muddy and a little slippery with some uneven footing. But most relatively healthy people should be fine. Once you get to the falls please obey the signs and stay behind the fence. It was sad to see many people ignoring the rules from the Park department to try to keep the area as safe and healthy for as long as possible. read more

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