This is a super friendly beginner hike! Well not like your first hike ever but maybe 5th one ever? Its comparable to Manoa Falls! It was not rainy at all but there is some incline. Beautiful views and done within 2 hrs. Theres not a lot of people like, starts off with lots of shade. Sun hits you for about 20 mins towards the end. Parking is sparse, but just keep driving up, its only street parking. Gl. Theres also lots of strawberry guavas!!! read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Hiked this trail and Kolowalu together. This one in my opinion is easy, now that being said that you don't like hiking trails with lots of roots this one is not for you. Loved views and the rainforest vibe of the trail. There were some interesting trees along the trails. Old grown trees, one has a massive root system. Another with a root that wrap around the base of another tree. The climb up is easy, with multiple view locations along the way of Manoa Valley, mountain ranges and Honolulu. If you want a fairly quick morning hike or want to combine with another this is a nice one to do. Although easy wear good shoes/boots bring water, especially if no breeze (humid). I would not do if it looks like heavy rain, looks like water would flow down trail in some areas. read more

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Relatively easy trail. Took about 1.5 hours to complete the hike, round trip. The Google Maps navigation for this trail is misleading, so you need to follow the physical signs that are present in the neighborhood. We passed by many duos and small groups, even one lady with a dog... but the trail is not busy at all. I hiked this trail with my partner and we spent a majority of the hike in solitude. There are many roots along the trail. I found myself having to take steep steps. It can get very muddy. It rained during my hike there. I would recommend shoes that are slip-resistant and with ankle support. I loved how you get to see both city and mountain forest views when you get to the top. read more

TLDR: avoid when rainy, avoid if you have ankle issues, come with an empty bag during guava season (July - August)! Pu'upia is a great little hike in the back of Manoa valley. It's short but has a lot of roots along the trail and a couple of short steep uphills, so be cautious and maybe pick a different trail if you have ankle issues. The trail can be very muddy if it rained recently, but is a good pick for hot days because of the cool forest air. My personal favorite thing about pu'upia is the strawberry guava trees. The top of the trail has tons of guavas that typically fruit around July to August. We always make sure to do this hike during guava season and usually come home with a gallon of guavas with tons left of the trees! Strawberry guavas can be sour when raw even at their ripest. When cooked down with some sugar they make for a delicious jam, juice, or dessert addition. read more

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Great little hike in the middle of Manoa. What I love about it is that any level of hiker can enjoy this. The scenery is all at the top. I enjoyed this 40 min hike with a friend. You go slow and enjoy being in the thick of mature. The beautiful vegetation and lovely tall trees allow little to no sun through which is great for me. I don't like sunny hikes. We started early so that we wouldn't catch the crowd if there was any to come on the weekend. A word of caution, do not hike if it's rainy or it has rained recently. It will be extremely slippery and muddy. read more

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I'm not a fan of climbing, getting dirty, or attacked by bugs, which are all one is bound to expect on a hike. My friend Pamela P and I are determined to meet weekly for some regular exercise, and also equally determined to not cancel on exercise plans. So this morning when she suggested this hike she found on a hiking website, I made myself say ok. So the website author claimed this was an easy hike. It's not. Well, not to someone who's been sedentary this past two years, like me. I should also point out peeps with knee and/or ankle pains (also me) probably should think twice because of all the rocks and giant tree roots. One wrong foot placement and ... A few times I wanted to turn around because I'm absurdly afraid of falling, and getting dirty. The trail gets narrow at certain points; please let the uphill folks pass. As others may have mentioned, bring sunscreen, a hat, bug spray, hydration, and shoes that can get dirty (because they will get dirty). Walking sticks may help with the slippery parts. I would also prepare a plastic/old washable sheet to protect the interior of your car (esp if it's muddy). Rags/towels/wet wipes would be handy for wiping down your sticky self too. There are no trash cans on this trail (like other trails I suppose?), so please take your trash with you when you leave. We passed several duos and trios, including one mom with a baby in the baby carrier and her young daughter, on our way up and down. So it's really not that hard, I suppose, but it's all relative isn't it? #38 read more

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This is a lovely hike I discovered after doing some searches for relatively easy, short hikes in town. With Manoa falls being closed (and usually woefully overcrowded) Pu'u Pia popped up and seemed to fit the bill perfectly! A Honolulu Magazine article suggested to make this an after-work jaunt, and I followed their advice. A friend and I met up at the Manoa Long's parking lot, then took one car up to the hike. It's located in a residential neighborhood. If you GPS "Pu'u Pia Trailhead," your GPS will take you to the street the hike is located on. Then you follow the sign to start the trail. It's amazing, but this 2 mile round trip hike really leaves you feeling like you're "away from it all," even though you're in town. Manoa is so lush and tropical, and the moment you enter the hike, you're engulfed by tall trees, swinging vines and the sound of native bird calls. It's just what the doctor ordered. Everyone complains about how muddy the hike is. It wasn't all that muddy when we went, and it had been raining on and off that morning. There were a few small sections with that wed, sticky mud that your shoes get mudded up in, but you can easily walk around it. Also, people mentioned the tree roots as being an obstacle. I didn't see it that way, as the rooted area isn't that long, and it's totally doable. Going up and in took about 30 minutes to get to the "clearing." The views up there of the Manoa valley are amazing. It was hot and humid during our hike, but the cool valley breezes at the top of the hike made everything worthwhile. We took some pictures and just relaxed for a little while before heading back the same way we came. There's a little offshoot where you can go down a steep hill to a river and a series of waterfalls, however it looks sketchy and can even be dangerous based on what I read online. Proceed with caution if you go there! Otherwise, we turned back and completed the hike in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It was great to get the blood pumping, get in some nature time and change up my weekday routine with this hike! read more

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Pu'u Pia Trail is one of three hikes that I'd left unhiked while trying to complete all of the Oahu hikes in a book titled "Hiking the Hawaiian Islands" (Suzanne Swedo). Why? It's short enough (2.4 miles total) that it didn't seem worthy of the effort. In January I opted to knock this one off my list, packaging it with another short hike in the book, to move one step closer to my goal of doing all of these Oahu hikes. Pu'u Pia is a nice hike through a rain forest in the Manoa hills. It's a short 1.2 miles in then a retread of your steps to get back out. You'll have reached the turn-around point when you've emerged from the rainforest, come into a sunny clearing surrounded by green in every direction, and stumbled over a small bench directly in the pathway. You could keep going from here, into the less navigable, more overgrown part of the trail, but this is where most turn around. Pu'u Pia Trail has the hallmarks of many Oahu hikes I find enjoyable: the starting point is in the middle of the Manoa neighborhood, you park on a residential street (read signs carefully), then follow small signs which lead you into the wild almost immediately. Gone are the houses or any trace that they even exist. You are now in the land of mud, slippery roots, ferns, and greenery of all shades. When you emerge from this it's quite breathtakingly beautiful. Easy to find, easy to navigate, and short, the Pu'u Pia Trail might be just what you're looking for if you need a little something different in your day. Bring a towel to clean yourself up afterwards though; you might emerge a bit muddy. Directions to the trail: From University Avenue onto O'ahu Avenue, turn right onto East Mānoa Road until it becomes a T-intersection with Alani Drive. Turn left and drive until the road makes a sharp right. Park along the road, and continue down Alani lane. Brown State of Hawai'i trail markers point the way. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Not a bad scene to find yourself in after you emerge from the shade of trees. - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I found this little trail during the Covid quarantines when the trails were open but nothing else was. It was the perfect little escape from the city. I've now walked it three times. Parking is on the street in a neighborhood. There is plenty of it and it seems safe enough. You walk down what looks like someone's driveway to the trailhead. Then it's mud, tree roots and blissful shade all the way up. There are tons of fragrant tropical plants that are in bloom along the trail. Near the top, it opens up for an incredible view of Manoa valley and Lyon Arboretum. I could hang out there all day! The trail continues to a city overlook which is ok. But, really the valley view is the winner here. The trail is an out and back, 2ish miles as measured by my Garmin. It's moderate elevation gain, but such a pleasant walk. There are usually a few other people in the trail. Beware, the trail can be very slippery when wet. Wear shoes with good tread. Most importantly, watch where you step. We found a poison dart frog near the beginning of the trail! I was previously unaware that they existed in Hawaii. It turns out there's a tiny resident population in Manoa Valley! So cool!! read more

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If you aren't a fan of treading mud, full stop here. If you are, two tips for you - wear hiking boots with good grip, and long pants so you don't get poked in the bushes. Very easy hike if you take out the mud factor - not much incline, very short (~1 hour 10 minutes). But it's in Manoa so it's always rainy and the trail never gets a chance to dry out, which means it's muddy and slippery all the time. My sneakers looked like they rolled in mud afterwards LOL. Most of the trail is canopied. Muddiest in the beginning. There are some tight bushes at the end so long pants really help. The view is lackluster, the trail is boring, and the mud gets you on higher alert throughout. Good for anyone looking for a quick hike but not much to write home about beyond that. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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What do hikers in Manoa do when their valley has mysteriously avoided the daily rains two days in a row? Besides feed Pudge, they go hiking in their own neighborhood. Pu'u Pia is a hike located on a small hill towards the back of Manoa Valley, running about two miles round trip. Elevation rise is about 400 feet over a mile. There are no amenities whatsoever aside from a covered picnic area a few hundred feet into the trail and a bench at the summit. Parking is whatever you can find on the nearby residential streets. There's also a nearby bus stop. The road to the trail head has residential homes surrounding it, so keep the noise down. Bring bug repellent, and leave a towel and wet wipes in your car for your muddy return. This trail can be unbelievably muddy and slippery, thus a two day dry spell (I can hear you Kapolei people laughing over there) seemed like the perfect conditions. Well, folks, still muddy, and thus deepest apologies to my sister and her new shoes. The trail itself is largely a gradual incline towards the summit, through varying flora species over mud, rocks and tree roots. There's not much of a view until the latter half of the hike, where picnic perfect clearings give a panoramic view of the back of Manoa valley. The summit itself as of May 2018 is largely overgrown and blocks most of southern Honolulu from view. There's a questionable looking trail that branches off about half way between the summit and turn that may head towards the Waiakeakua or Naniupao waterfalls, but that's for another day. Pu'u Pia does officially connect with Kolowalu Trail, which then connects to the Wa'ahila Ridge Hike. I personally thought it was an easy (aside from the mud) hike, but I can clock Kokohead in 24 minutes without proclaiming to the Heavens "I'm never doing this again" or wanting to die an ignoble end upon that cursed mountain with a backpack loaded with a camera, big first aid kit, and a 40oz Hydroflask. I'd rate this a novice, abet muddy hike. read more

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This hike is not all bad, but it's just not for me. Maybe if you live within walking distance (so parking isn't an issue), visit after a dry spell (assuming the wet parts of the trail dry out), and some of the foliage were cleared to unobstruct the view, it would be worthwhile. Without these stars aligning though, I can think of a lot of other hikes I'd rather do. PROS: Mostly shady CONS: Lack of parking; muddy; most of the view blocked by trees I think we got lucky finding parking (on a nearby residential street) because we saw no other spaces open as we walked from and back to the car. Google Maps does a good enough job of leading you to the trailhead. I normally like shady hikes, but they do often have the unfortunate side effect of preventing the wet ground from drying out, and that definitely seems like the case here. I wondered if it was just muddy the day we went, but I see that a lot of other reviews also mention the muddiness, so it's probably a regular thing. There were a couple of areas that I wouldn't have risked traversing had it been any more wet/slippery than it was - I've learned the hard way that sometimes you're fine going up, but coming down is a problem. Not that there were any portions of the trail that I thought were dangerous; I just prefer not to risk slipping and falling in mud. Near the top there was a bit of a clearing that had a nice view of a canopy down in the valley, but at what looked like the very top, I could barely see any part of Honolulu. We continued farther beyond that point for maybe 10 minutes, and although there seemed to be a path, it appeared to only continue downhill without much promise of a better view, so we turned around and headed back. read more

I gonna run this down for you for a second... Nice canopy Short hike (2.4 miles round trip) Some challenging inclines Slippery when wet (muddy) Beautiful untouched mossy undergrowth Nice view of Manoa Valley Fun for kids and adults Not overly strenuous Be out by lunch Parking is kinda iffy, street parking Get your tush out (not literally), enjoy some views, get some exercise, and bring the fam....how could it get better than that right? read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Was looking for a short hike Bc the weather has been iffy with the possible hurricane. Knew this was a muddy hike but we decided to take our chances. I'm glad we did. Yes, it was muddy. But it was short and sweet! Definitely need to watch your footing, but aside from that this was the easiest 2 mi walk in the woods! Super beautiful views of manoa valley and nice breeze at top. We stopped at the bench, but unsure if that was the correct "end" to the trail. Tons of strawberry guava on trail so if you like that fruit, bring a bag to harvest some! Parking is on narrow winding streets in residential neighborhood so be respectful. We put the trailhead name in gps and it took us right to where we wanted to be! My 15.5 year old dog loved it! read more

Thanks to previous reviews on the Pu'u Pia Trail, I arrived here from Kaimuki on foot, just because I wanted to do at least 10 miles for the day. I didn't know where it was after reaching the end of East Manoa Road, so I dialed into the Yelp reviews and that was just awesome and a lifesaver. After reaching the end of East Manoa Road, you'd hit Alani Drive. Take a left and follow that road till the end where it turns into Woodlawn Drive. The trail itself is straightforward and it's quite omnious, if you aren't really familiar with it. The trail itself is very scenic and lush and I thought it was quite challenging. It was the first trail that I had to really hold onto stuff for balance and to navigate the uphills and the downhills. It is quite a beautiful hike and I saw a few people coming up and down while I was there. I didn't carry water and maybe I should have. I did fell down on the trail a few times, but thankfully nothing was broken. I guess I am fragile that way. It was raining the hour before I got into Manoa valley, so it can get sippery and slidy when you step the wrong way. While I know I am a novice when it comes to this particular trail, I don't think you can jog this trail, especially when there are tree roots coming out of the ground virtually every step you take. At the trail head, take the left fork. You will see the signage. The other trail will connect to another trail, which will lead you up the mountain ridge that connects you with Palolo Valley. From the reviews I have read before, maybe I just need to come back here and get better. I'd like to jog here eventually and get speedier and not be as chicken about those steeper inclines going up and down the trail. Maybe I am better suited to run on the roads, but I am starting to love the trails though. Nice, quiet, and you can just here just the wind, the birds chirping, and your breathing. I probably would like a better trail, not as uneven as this one, but it's a good way to learn how to deal with rugged trail, rather than a dirt path with trees and other forms of vegetation. A+ read more

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Very easy short trail. Good for a beginner. It took me only 90 minutes. Good for a quick morning workout for a light-moderate hiker. It is in Manoa valley which is usually rainy making the trails muddy at time. I used my spikes which made it super easy to trudge though quickly. A hiking stick would also be sufficient. So beginner hikers should still be prepared. Proper equipment makes the difference. read more

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Pretty short hike in a lovely neighborhood. It's relatively easy to access and it isn't too challenging. Although the first half of the trail is heavily covered in roots. Today it was pretty dry but I can see this being hazardous when wet. Most of the trail is a straight run with a gradual ascent. Lots of tropical Viney trees. There's maybe one or two muddy patches where some zigzagging is required. The midway point is about at a small plank bridge where it gets a bit steeper for a bit and you start head up the ridge. The soil became much drier which made going up hill easy. You'll also notice a lot of pine needles of the ground. Once you get towards the ridge you'll notice it it lush with ferns and almost looked landscaped. The path clears on both sides giving panoramic views of both sides of the Manoa valley and the arboretum. There will be a nice grassy area which seems perfect for yoga or a picnic. The path is pretty flat and straight along the ridge maybe one hill after a clear. The end of the trail has a high bench where you get a nice little peak of Waikiki. Saw Lots of dogs too. Fun trail. Would love to explore the network of trails this one connects to read more

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My friend took a hike on this trail after the Manoa Falls Trail. It's a convenient hike near Manoa Falls and I would recommend it after finishing the Manoa Falls Trail. Google maps will take you to the wrong location. There are signs at the location if you end up going where Google Maps takes you letting you know that it is not the Pu'u Pia Trial. Upon approaching the trail, look for the signs on the streets and it will direct you to the correct trail. Parking can also be tricky around this area. There is no parking lot so we had to park on the side streets along the residential area. The hike was very shaded. It was an easy hiking trail and was quite muddy. The trail can get quite slippery at times, but there are tons of roots protruding from the ground so it helps with not slipping. Because the hike was very shaded, there were tons of mosquitoes! I would recommend bringing lots of bug repellent. At the end of the trail, you will reach a bench. The view is nice at the top, but I've seen better views. However, I think the hike is still worth trying. Pros: easy family hike Cons: parking is crowded since it''s residential parking (no parking lots), lots of mosquitoes read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

First hike of the new year, yay! My friend and I wanted to do something simple, and I'm always looking for new options so this was a good choice. Located deep in Manoa Valley, it's a quick, breezy hike with lots of lush greenery. We went on a weekday so parking wasn't too bad. This trail isn't as popular as many others so I don't imagine that would be a big problem, but it is a tight road at the top near a lot of homes so just keep that in mind. The trail is easy to follow with slight inclines. And yes, it is Manoa so expect mud. It was a bit slippery in some areas so be careful. Make sure you look out for this sign. http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/GXqxc-hVXBhH-kX85G3b_g/l.jpg You'll veer to the left. There is another hike that goes off to the right. Not sure where it will take you, but will need to find out one day. You'll come by this bridge at about the halfway point. http://s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/s-aE7RMt4A-v61rp14j5tQ/l.jpg At a steady pace we were able to get to the top within 30 minutes. You are surrounded by lots of tall trees until the clearing at the top where you a treated to a nice panoramic view of Manoa Valley and a peaking of the city. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Fx6QJyaoArHUQZzRyyksqw&userid=GoVKnFJrpf3vlktTLI7fiA http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/zWyeI-XOexfnVbIiEmMjXw/l.jpg There's a huge bench at the top where you can have a snack/lunch and enjoy your surroundings for a bit. It was very peaceful. http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/Fx6QJyaoArHUQZzRyyksqw/l.jpg Great, short hike! Yet another reason to feel lucky we live Hawaii. read more

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Good trail. A little difficult to find. Decent sights. It was drizzling when we went so the trail was a little muddy and slippery but I would do this again. read more

Taking a step . Walking a bit. Some times it rains. Some times it's hot or humid. But the view is ahhhh read more

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Solid hike in town. Easy, lush and peaceful, especially in comparison to Manoa Falls. I hope Pu'u Pia doesn't become overrun by tourists as it's a nice sanctuary away from the clutter of town. read more

It's a little trickery to find. Muddy and a carpet of roots. Here is a picture of the sign so you know your in the right place. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Sign at front of trail. - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It was my first hike into Pu'u pia. It's great trail and well maintained. It's short hike about 30 minutes without any stops and a view looking over Honolulu. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Panorama of the lookout - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This hike is much harder then everyone here says!! Going up is not bad except you're going up but coming down was extremely slippery. There were locals running the trail and I'm sure they found it easy but for the first time... It was scary!! Nevertheless, I enjoyed the hike, the view was pretty and it was a good workout. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - This sign helped us find the trail!! - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

There is no designated parking lot for this trail, it's all residential parking. I was fortunate to find street parking. But please be considerate of the residents. Don't litter and keep the noise level down. Finding this trail is a little tricky. To start the trail, go to the intersection of Alani Dr and Woodlawn Dr. Walk along Alani Dr and you'll walk along this narrow road between houses. You should then see the start of the trail. If you want to do a quick hike into a forest, this is the hike for you. Overall, it took us 1-1.5 hours to complete roundtrip. I saw dogs and children on this trail so it's a good hike for all. Because this hike is located in Manoa, this trail will always be wet and muddy. Most of the trail is covered and shady until you reach the top. Be careful where you step, the ground is full of tree roots. The trail itself was flat with many inclines and maybe 1 or 2 big hills but still do-able. As long as you stick to the trail (it's pretty defined the route), you will not get lost. Be sure to wear insect repellent. I can imagine this is a breathing ground for mosquitos. Once we reached the top, there's a small bench to rest. Unfortunately, there wasn't any shade here but the view was nice. You could see the mountain range and Manoa area. When you're ready to head back, retrace your steps. read more

This is a good short hike to take if you are in Manoa. Definitely a breath of fresh air from the typical Manoa Falls trail. This trail features quite a bit of plant life but nothing too special; though I heard there are supposedly koa wood trees here. It can get a bit muddy if there was rain fall earlier. It does have a slight incline for the hike that gradually increases over time but it's nothing too tremendous for most people. I believe all of the roots and the mid can make it a bit slippery and dangerous if you don't have good footing. There is a bench at the end of the trail; though you can go farther to the utility poll to get a better view. You get a slight view of the back of Waikiki and the surrounding mountains. I think looking at the trees down below and the mountain view is the best to look at. Be sure to watch for the areas that you can park on the street to not get towed. And be sure to follow the sign at the fork in the trail to the left for this trail. Ease of Hike 4.5/5 read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Trail entrance - looks like you are walking on someone's long drive way on your way in - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This was a great work out with beautiful views. Slippery and muddy if there has been heavy rains and not for the easily winded. Mosquito spray is a must! EnjoY & be safe read more

Going uphill for the most part but great shade and breeze. A lot of roots and I mean big roots. A lot of it. Haha but wasn't too bad. Residential parking near the entrance. Looks like your entering someone's driveways but just continue straight to the end. You see a long chain cross over it and it starts the hike. There is another hike that's on the right side we went to the one on the left. Which is where the bench is and has beautiful views. Had some plants you have to walk through Because they grown over the trail but just continue straight and follow the trail. read more

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One of the muddiest, easy trails I know of. Pretty much an easy incline the entire way, with a few steeper spots. I'd call it leisurely if it weren't for how muddy it can be! There are some rooty, slippery parts. For that reason, I'd say wear your hiking boots. I was happy to have mine, while everyone else's feet got soaked, my boots were muddy as every, but my feet were dry. Toward the end, you go through some prickly foliage, not a big deal, but if you're sensitive to that, wear some pants. It's covered just about the whole time, until the end. The view at the summit isn't a jaw-dropper, but it is great and totally worth the quick hike. Nothing at the end of the trail but a small clearing and an uncomfortable bench that can seat 2.5 skinny people. Street parking only, and you'll be walking through a residential area to be quiet and respectful. Suggestions: Mosquito repellent Hiking boots Change of clothes (in the car) Plastic bags (in the car) Lunch/Picnic read more

To get to this hike, head down East Manoa Road keep going until you get to Alani Drive and take a left. Keep going up and you will see a trail head. Find parking and start your hike. If you wanna do a quick hike then this is a perfect. It is around 2 and half miles round trip. Its a nice cool relaxing hike. Surrounded by trees and the tranquil sound of a streams. There is a small incline but relatively easy hike. At the top of the hike, you will see a small bench and beautiful views of Manoa. Bring shoes because you are in Manoa and it gets muddy. Due to surrounding streams, bring bug repellent. This hike is perfect to get out of the house and still have the rest of the day. read more

I can't believe it's 2014 and I've only now hiked Pu'u Pia Trail-or baby hill as I like to call it. This hike is so close to my house that I run by it on the regular. Take East Manoa road and at the fork before the cemetery, stay on the right. When you pass the second part of the cemetery and get to the intersection where you can only turn left or right, go left. Drive all the way up and before you make a right, look for the sign. Park wherever. It looks like you are going into a private driveway on the left of the sign, but it's the right place. Follow the 'driveway' until you get to the trail. The trail is easy and quick. There's a part at the end that really needs a date with a machete. It's narrow and all the fern things are sticking out so I suggest wearing pants or you could get scratched up. I went on a day it had rained and boy was that a bad idea. It was so muddy. There's tons of tree roots that would normally help you with your grip but they ended up being just as slippery as the mud. I would suggest either super grippy shoes or hiking shoes. This hike is very quiet when I went on Saturday morning. I didn't see a soul till I got to the top and only again when I got to the entrance. One of my favorite parts was a clearing near the top before you get to the fern jungle, you can really see the canopy of the Manoa rainforest that you normally just have to imagine. It's breathtaking. read more

If you're looking for a quickie hike to do with friends or family, add Pu'u Pia to your list. I've done this hike several times now, and it's taken me and my friends about an hour and a half to complete. In no time, you'll find yourself with a bird's eye view of Manoa Valley and Waikiki. This hike is in Manoa, and Manoa hikes often mean mud. About the first two-thirds of this hike can get muddy. Bring bug spray, wear shoes with good traction, and watch your step! The good news: most of this hike is shaded, but wear sunscreen anyway, since you'll be exposed to the sun's rays at the very top. Pu'u Pia shares the same trailhead as Kolowalu Trail. To get here, drive up E Manoa Rd until it forks off at the Manoa Chinese Cemetery. Take the right fork and make a left turn up Alani Dr. Park along the right side of the street, facing downhill. After a few minutes of walking up the trail, you will see the junction where Pu'u Pia Trail continues to the left, and Kolowalu Trail branches off to the right. This isn't too big of a deal, but there are beehives at the very top, hidden in the bushes. Just make sure you or your doggy companions don't wander off into the brush, or face bee stings! read more

A great casual hike that the whole family can enjoy. There are a few steep inclines but it keeps the hike interesting. read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Carrying an extra 40lbs... but worth the sweat! "Mommy, why are you moving like a slug?" - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a sweet and short hike for anyone who is trying to squeeze in a morning workout if you're in the area! Parking doesn't seem to be a problem since it's tucked back in the valley and away from any main roads. There was plenty of street parking available when I went. The path itself is pretty simple; no crazy twists and turns and it slowly inclines which makes you push a little harder right before you reach the end. Most of the path is shaded from the trees which keeps the hike cool and breezy but watch out for all of the tree stumps and roots! You tend to stare down instead of enjoying the scenery just to avoid slipping or tripping! Once you make it to the top, you reach an open clearing with a bench in the middle and get a beautiful view of the Manoa valley forest treetops! You can also see the Lyon Arboretum if you look towards the left of the valley. I'm sure if you were to go on a misty or light rainy day you could even witness a rainbow or two from the top ;) read more

Pu'u Pia Trail - Beautiful view of Manoa valley treetops when you reach the end. - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

First off, its a fairly short hike at 1.2 miles. Definitely an easy beginner level and a nice stroll through the thick, lush rainforest. The drive up to it is pretty as well as you're going into the valley through a pretty neighbourhood. Lots of pretty flowers and plants, can get muddy so be prepared with good shoes and since its damp make sure to take some bug spray. The end opens up to a nice valley view towards Honolulu with a small bench to sit and relax. Only sad thing is there is a power line running right through that view. Good if you want a quick hike and are trying to keep your hikes on island diverse. read more

This hike is one of my favorites in town because it never seems to be crowded. Its a short doable after work hike with steady inclines right in town. SO Forget driving to hawaii kai to kokohead after work. Beautiful views at the top of both waikiki and manoa. Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you on the way down but be careful you don't sprain an ankle on those tree roots & lose rocks. read more

I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact parking is terrible. It's all street parking and you can't park on the street it's on. However despite this down fall I'd totally do it again! The hike starts off as a small incline and gets steeper as you go. It is kid and dog friendly, but no benches or rest points. Also keep in mind on Wednesday and Sunday wild boar hunting is permitted. Watch your footing, it can be a bit rough on the ankles. You're hiking over a maze of roots. We went in the evening, with our accident prone kids took us about 2 hours to get up and back down. It was raining on the way down, a bit more slippery and muddy for us. No water features or anything like that, just an amazing view of Honolulu on one side and breathtaking mountains on the other. Got to see a double rainbow at the top. read more

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This is a tiny, 2.4 mile round-trip hike that I like to do for exercise. Yes, all hikes are good for exercise, but I only come on this hike to workout...not for great scenery or anything like that. Now don't get me wrong, the hike is luscious and beautiful, BUT if you want to see gorgeous views & lots of atmospheric variety...I suggest you go on a different hike. First thing's first, parking for this hike is near the intersection of Alani Drive and Woodlawn Drive. You will park on the street and walk up a shared driveway to the trail head. About a minute into the hike you'll see a small shack and a fork in the path. To continue up Pu'u Pia, take the left fork. The right fork will take you straight up the mountain on an advanced hike up to the mountain ridge. Also a beautiful hike, but not short and sweet like this one. (Scenery-seekers: take the right fork! Gorgeous views!) The entire Pu'u Pia hike is almost completely covered with lush, green trees. Since Manoa is famous for its regular rainfall, the trail is often muddy and wet. I recommend bringing bug repellant, mosquitoes are plentiful and ruthless! At the top there's a small bench and a small view of the city. Pu'u Pia is great for jogging, the incline is perfect to get your heart rate up in this short distance. It's also a great little hike for kids and pets. read more

Nice short hike as every says. It was definitely a nice change for having hiked Ka'au crater just a week ago. For the most part, the vegetation is cleared out of the pathway - its only at the top where the path narrows down that the brush starts snagging at your legs. Lots of roots and can be muddy, but no sinkhole for your feet to go into. Some inclines, but definitely doable. Top of the hike was nice. Lots of strawberry guava when we hiked up - a lady was picking them to make jam! read more