Hikers on scenic Hawaiian trail through diverse landscapes

Hiking Guide

Top trails for every skill level across Hawaii's sacred landscapes

The Hiker's Handbook: Top Trails for Every Skill Level

Hawaii's parks offer some of the most diverse and spectacular hiking in the world. From casual coastal strolls to grueling multi-day treks, there is a path for every adventurer. This table consolidates some of the best hiking options, allowing you to quickly find a trail that matches your island and ability.

Each trail offers its own unique window into Hawaii's natural and cultural heritage, from walking across steaming volcanic craters to following ancient Hawaiian paths through sacred valleys.

Essential Hawaii Park Trails

Trail Name	Park	Island	Length (RT)	Difficulty	Why Leilani Loves It
Diamond Head Summit Trail	Diamond Head State Monument	Oʻahu	1.6 miles	Moderate	The quintessential Oʻahu hike with an unbeatable payoff view of Waikīkī. A great workout with a dose of military history.
Kaʻena Point Trail (West Side)	Kaʻena Point State Park	Oʻahu	5.4 miles	Easy-Moderate	A hot, sunny coastal walk to a sacred point. The feeling of solitude and the chance to see monk seals and albatross make it special.
Pīpīwai Trail	Haleakalā National Park	Maui	4 miles	Moderate	A magical journey through a dense bamboo forest leading to the towering 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Pure rainforest immersion.
Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands)	Haleakalā National Park	Maui	Up to 11 miles	Strenuous	Hiking into the Haleakalā crater is like walking on another planet. The colors, cinder cones, and profound silence are unforgettable.
Canyon Trail	Waimea Canyon State Park	Kauaʻi	3.4 miles	Moderate	This trail offers a different perspective, taking you down into the canyon for incredible views and leading to the top of Waipoʻo Falls.
Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail	Hāʻena State Park	Kauaʻi	8 miles	Strenuous	A challenging but rewarding trek along the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail, followed by a muddy, rocky path to a breathtaking 300-foot waterfall.
Kīlauea Iki Trail	Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP	Hawaiʻi	4 miles	Moderate	Descend through rainforest to walk across the floor of a still-steaming crater that was a molten lava lake in 1959. A truly surreal experience.
Puʻuloa Petroglyphs Trail	Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP	Hawaiʻi	1.4 miles	Easy-Moderate	A walk across an ancient lava field to one of the largest petroglyph fields in Hawaiʻi, offering a direct connection to the ancient people of the area.