Why would you go hiking in Hawaii?!
- hannahJnc
- Mar 17
- 11 min read
Updated: Mar 17
When you think of Hawaii, your mind probably jumps straight to Waikiki Beach, endless golden sands, exotic flowers, and sipping a Mai Tai in the sun. But let me tell you: if you look a little closer, Hawaii has so much more to offer. Especially if you're a hiking addict like me. In this post, I’m sharing my absolute favorite hikes on Kauai and Maui. Trails so breathtaking, they’ll make you feel like you're walking through a glossy Hawaii travel brochure.
First things first: What's different about hiking in Hawaii?
The ground: If it rains, things get slippery. That famous red clay might look cool, but add a little moisture and suddenly you're starring in your own slapstick comedy.
The tricky elevation: Many trails start downhill, which feels amazing at first. But then you remember, that what goes down must come back up.
Kauai’s ridgeline trails: If you're afraid of heights, brace yourself. Many hikes here feature razor-thin trails with sheer drop-offs on both sides. But the views? Insane.
The weather: It’s hot. Even in winter. Bring more water than you think you need.
The chickens: Hawaii is full of feral chickens. If you hear rustling in the bushes, odds are it’s not a scary jungle creature, it’s just a very confident rooster. 🐔
1) Nu’Alolo Trail | Kauai
This was our very first hike on Kauai and, honestly? Mind-blowing doesn’t even begin to cover it. After weaving through dense jungle, the trail finally opens up—and suddenly, you’re staring at the most surreal view of the Na Pali Coast. Towering cliffs plunging dramatically into turquoise waters and you feel like you're in the middle of a movie scene of Jurassic Park.
One thing that was totally new to us? The trail descends all the way to the viewpoint instead of climbing up. Mentally, it felt so wrong (but physically pretty good, haha). Also, at the start of the trail, you'll see a pile of walking sticks. I scoffed at them at first, but in the end, I was very grateful for that stick when the steep sections hit. I assume that stick is the real MVP when it starts to rain or rained over night, as the ground transforms into a slippery slippery mud slide.
The contrast of the fiery red dirt, electric blue ocean, and lush green cliffs is so intense though, it feels like Mother Nature cranked the saturation slider to the max. Unreal.
🚨 Pro tip: At some point, you’ll reach a viewpoint with a railing. If you think that’s the best spot, don't be fooled! There’s a sneaky little path just past the railing, and yes, it looks like it leads to nowhere, but push through a tiny bush section, and boom: The most unreal panoramic view of the Na Pali Coast awaits. (Check AllTrails and download the trail to make sure you're on the right track!)
Quick Facts:
Distance: 13 km (round trip)
Elevation gain: 700 m
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
2) Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail | Kauai
Usually I'm not a fan of too popular trails because they are too crowded. But this one blew. My. Mind.
Parking for this trail is extremely limited, so we had to take a shuttle to the trailhead. The shuttle must be booked online in advance for $8 USD (and trust me, don’t wait too long – those spots disappear fast). We booked pretty last-minute and only managed to snag an 11:30 AM slot, meaning we started our hike right in the scorching midday heat. It was HOT, but so breathtakingly beautiful that I can’t even be mad about it.
And since the shuttle only drops off a small group every 20 minutes anyway, the crowd on the trail was surprisingly manageable. Most people hike only the 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach and turn back. When we got there after about an hour, the tide was so high that the waves were crashing right up to the rocks, so, no sandy beach for us. But instead we got to witness some massive waves, and I could have watched this for hours!
But we weren’t done yet. Our goal were still the Hanakapiai Falls, which is another 2 miles from Hanakapiai Beach. That meant heading even deeper into the jungle, like, so deep that I was fully expecting a T-Rex from Jurassic Park to stroll past at any moment. 🦖
The trail follows a crystal-clear stream dotted with natural swimming holes that looked way too inviting. Just imagine: the humidity is somewhere around 1000%, the sun is beating down, sweat is dripping off you like you are the waterfall, and then… you dive into one of those refreeeeshing pools. The. Dream.
And then, after about an hour, we heard it. The roar of crashing water. And suddenly, there it was: the Hanakapiai Falls, towering nearly 100 meters high, pouring into a stunning emerald-green pool, surrounded by dense jungle and birds gliding on the breeze. A hidden paradise. And the rewards after that sweaty trek to get up there? Obivously a dip into that cold cold water. I think I've never felt so good, haha.
That icy dip in the crystal-clear water gave us the energy boost we desperately needed for the trek back, because thanks to our “fashionably late” start, time was definitely not on our side. The last shuttle back to civilization leaves every day at 5:40 PM sharp, and we were not about to get stranded in the jungle.
But hey, being among the last hikers on the trail had its perks. The entire way back, we practically had the place to ourselves, which gave the whole experience a totally different vibe. Quieter, more peaceful, and just so surreal.
On the way in, we had clear, panoramic views of the Na Pali Coast. But by the time we were hiking back, the cliffs were wrapped in this milky mist. Probably a mix of ocean spray and the low afternoon sun and it was pure magic.
And despite approximately 2,056 photo stops, we actually made it onto the second-to-last shuttle. 😅
Facts:
Distance: ~13 km (round trip)
Elevation gain: ~500 m
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
3) Awa’Awapuhi Trail | Kauai
This trail is basically a Hawaiian nature documentary on fast-forward, taking you from dense forests to lush green cliffs in just a few kilometers. Kind of a scenic binge-watch!
Now, AllTrails reviews weren’t exactly glowing. Apparently, people complained about a total lack of views. But we figured, why not see for ourselves? Unlike the sunny days before, the weather decided to switch things up, clouds rolled in and settled into the valley without planning to leave anytie soon. So, when we reached the first lookout (yes, there are actual lookouts, despite the reviews!), all we could see was… a solid wall of white mist. 😅
Dieser coole Trail führt durch mehrere Mikroklimazonen – vom dichten Wald bis zu grün bewachsenen Klippen! Ein bisschen wie einmal Hawaii-Netflix im Schnelldurchlauf.
But since the trail starts downhill, we got lucky. By the time we reached the main viewpoint, we were just below the cloud. The turquoise ocean peeked through, and with every passing second, the valleys on either side slowly revealed themselves. It was like nature was putting on a dramatic slow-reveal, unfolding jaw-dropping rock formations and birds soaring effortlessly through the canyon. Absolute magic. The only thing disrupting this dreamlike setting were the occasional helicopter tours buzzing overhead. Sure, it must be an epic ride, but for me, nothing beats exploring the world on my own two feet.
Top moment of the hike? A very confident rooster had zero interest in the scenery and decided to claim the viewpoint as his own (and yeah, probably hoping for some snacks). Honestly, he stole the whole show. Definitely my “chicken of the day.” 🐓
Then came the rain. 🌧️ And let’s just say, we got a preview of just how slippery this trail can get. Luckily, hiking uphill in the mud was easier than sliding down, but hiking boots and a trusty walking stick (which you can snag at the trailhead at the beginning of your hike) are absolute lifesavers when the red clay turns into a slip ‘n slide.
Post-hike pro tip: Stop by Kōkeʻe Lodge. Just a few minutes from the trailhead, you'll find refreshing smoothies, next-level coffee, insanely good cornbread (a Hawaiian specialty!), and, of course, a bonus round of wild chickens.
Facts:
Distance: 10 km (round trip)
Elevation gain: ~600 m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
4) Sliding Sands (Keonehe'ehe'e) | Maui
Total scenery switch-up! 🌋 Instead of lush jungle oases and red clay trails, we found ourselves in a landscape straight out of another planet: black lava fields, fiery volcanic rock, and vast, surreal craters.
We got super lucky and snagged a permit for sunrise at Haleakalā Crater (these permits drop online two days in advance at 7 AM sharp, and by 7:01 AM, they’re usually gone!). So, at 3:30 AM, we crawled out of bed, drove 1.5 hours up the winding mountain roads, all while being hammered by sideways rain. By the time our GPS said, “Arriving in one minute,” I was thinking, “Really? All this for a sunrise in the rain?!” 😭
But then, a few seconds later (and I'm not kidding): boom! We reached the top, and just like that, the sky opened up. Suddenly, we could see stars, and within minutes, we layered up, climbed the rest up to the peak and were witnessing one of the most magical sunrises above the clouds. I swear, I’ll never forget the way those golden clouds glowed while misty waves of fog gently drifted below us. ✨
From there, we set off on the Sliding Sands Trail. This trail has its name for a simple reason: the fine volcanic sand gives way under your feet, making you feel like you’re gliding (or gracefully stumbling) down a black sand dune in slow motion. The trail starts near the summit of the volcano and takes you deep into the crater. But here’s the catch: It’s all downhill at first, so while you’re lost in the jaw-dropping views, it’s way too easy to forget how far you’ve wandered. And spoiler alert: every single step down, you’ll have to climb back up. 😅
The incline isn’t too steep, but at over 3,000 meters elevation (plus, let’s not forget that lovely 3:30 AM wake-up call), your legs will remind you.
The views are absolutely unreal though. It feels like floating above the clouds, hiking past mini craters, and seeing the ground shift between deep blacks, rusty reds, and lush greens against the bright blue sky.
There's also a rare find! We spotted a (few hundred) Silversword (Haleakalā-Āhinahina), one of the rarest plants on Earth. These silver, alien-like plants only grow at high altitudes in Hawaii, can live up to 50 years, and then bloom once before dying. It honestly looked like someone had casually sprinkled luxury décor throughout the crater.
Pro tip: Even if it’s a balmy 22-30°C (72-86°F) down at sea level, it’s a whole different world up here. 🥶 When we arrived, it was 3°C (37°F), and we were so glad to have all the layers + a rain jacket. The air is thin, it’s usually windy, and as soon as the sun rises, it burns. So, sunscreen, loads of water, and a solid windbreaker are absolute musts!
Facts:
Distance: Up to 29.5 km (but you can shorten it as needed)
Elevation gain: ~1,243 m (yes, all uphill on the way back!)
Duration: Variable, depending on your chosen route
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Additional info: For all hikes in Haleakalā National Park, you need a park pass. The pass is valid for 3 days and can be easily purchased online for $30 (or for $55 for 12 months).
5) Waihe'e Ridge Trail | Maui
If dramatic jungle panoramas and epic ridgeline hikes are your thing, this trail is a must-do on Maui! 🌿🏔️
Opposite to all the downhill hikes on Hawaii, this one kicks off with a steep climb (perfect for waking up those legs right away!) and rewards you within minutes with jaw-dropping views, lush green mountains, deep valleys, and endless Pacific blue stretching out in every direction.
Pro tip: Start early! This hike is super popular. The parking lot opens at 7 AM and fills up fast. We arrived at 7:30 AM, and it was already half full. Plus, mornings are cooler, less windy, and your best bet for clear skies.
The higher you climb, the more epic the scenery gets. And the wilder your hair becomes because the ridgeline can get crazy windy. 🌬️ We lucked out with the weather, but on some days, low-hanging clouds roll in and make the trail look like it’s disappearing into the void (still a vibe, but I was stoked to have those insane 360° views.)
My honest opinion: The views along the way were way better than the final lookout. So instead of holding out for an epic reward at the end, just enjoy every step, because, as always, the journey is the destination. 😊
Facts:
Distance: ~8 km (round trip)
Elevation gain: ~500 m
Duration: 2.5 - 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
6) Waimoku Falls | Maui 🌿💦
After all the winding turns of the famous Road to Hana, a shady, adventure-filled trail awaits you in Haleakalā National Park! This 6 km hike leads you through lush rainforest, past giant banyan trees, over bridges, and through an enchanting bamboo forest—until you finally stand in awe before the 120-meter-tall Waimoku Falls.
One of the first jaw-dropping sights on the trail? A massive banyan tree that looks straight out of Avatar. These trees don’t just grow upwards but spread out wide with their aerial roots—creating what feels like a mini forest within a forest. 🌱.
And then comes the grand finale: Waimoku Falls. The thundering water, the misty air, the towering cNerdy nature fact: This one is over 100 years old, has 16+ main trunks, and its root system covers nearly 2,000 m² (that’s almost 5 basketball courts!).
And then comes the grand finale: Waimoku Falls. The thundering water, the misty air, the towering cliffs covered in lush green—it feels like a secret paradise in the middle of nowhere. But a word of caution: Falling rocks and sudden flash floods can be dangerous, so better admire it from a safe distance rather than standing directly underneath! 😉
Just beyond the banyan tree, the trail leads into a dense bamboo forest, where the light dims, and the air feels cool and quiet. The bamboo stalks are so tightly packed that they block out most of the sky, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. And the best part? When the wind moves through, the bamboo creaks and sways, making a sound that’s somewhere between a whisper and a distant bongo party. It’s one of those unexpected, goosebump-worthy moments that makes this hike unforgettable.
After a final stretch of trail, you hear it before you see it. The deep, rhythmic roar of falling water grows louder, and suddenly, the trees open up, revealing Waimoku Falls in all its glory. Standing at 120 meters (400 ft) high, the waterfall plunges down a sheer rock face, creating a fine mist that soaks into the air. The surrounding cliffs, covered in lush green moss and vines will take your breath away. It's one of those places where you just stand still, take a deep breath, and let nature overwhelm you in the best way possible.
❗But as magical as it looks, it’s not the place to stand directly under the falls. Falling rocks and sudden flash floods have made this spot dangerous in the past. So, admire from a safe distance, take it all in, and enjoy the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature’s raw power.
My personal highlight? This trail is lined with mango and guava trees! If you're quicker than the local chickens, you might just score a fresh fruit snack. (I found a perfectly ripe mango, and it was the best one I had in Hawaii! 😍)
Pro Tips:
✔️ Wear hiking shoes—some parts are paved, but most of the trail is muddy and uneven after rain.
✔️ Start early to enjoy the peace of the forest before the crowds arrive.
Facts:
Distance: ~6 km (round trip)
Elevation gain: ~250 m
Duration: ~2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Additional info: For all hikes in Haleakalā National Park, you need a park pass. The pass is valid for 3 days and can be easily purchased online for $30 (or for $55 for 12 months).
These were my absolute favorite hikes on Kauai & Maui, and I’d do every single one again in a heartbeat!
If you’re wondering which island I’d recommend more? 100% Kauai. The landscapes are wilder, more dramatic, and the vibe feels closer to old-school Hawaii. But honestly, no matter where you hike, Hawaii will steal your heart. 💛
Which of these trails would you love to hike? Drop it in the comments! 😊
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