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We've taken our kids on a bunch of hikes here on Oahu, kid friendly ones, they're still little. By far, Aiea Loop Trail is their favorite! They've never finished it though, roughly 5 miles is still a bit long for little legs. But every time we go, they're able to go a little further. They love having a packed lunch and finding nice spots to have a picnic while we are there. Obviously, we'll keep coming until they're able to finish. It'll be a celebration when that happens! But it's a beautiful trail, easy enough for kiddos, and we'll maintained. We recommend Aiea Loop Trail for a fun family adventure!
This is a well maintained hiking trail located at thr very top of Aiea hts (same park as Heiau ancient hawaiian burial ground) just drive past Heiau and you will see a bathroom and a nice pavillion with picnic tables and a patking lot...dont park there...continue on till u see "Aiea loop trail" sign (to your right) take that toad till you see another parking lot (this is where you want to park so when you finish hije and walk back to your car you are walking down the hill not up) or there is another parking lot further up thr hill (this is where most people park and start but you will have to walk up thr hill once you finish) either way I guess dependant on prefference. The hike is very popular with alot of foot traffic. The trail is mostly pretty easy (when it rains the trail can get slippery but manageable for sure)mostly dirt and roots and thr incline are very gradual. The majority of the time you will be under the canopy of trees so its not a real hot hike with the sun on you constantly. There are several points where you can see the H3 (pretty cool) and there is even wreckage of a warplane (not much left just the wing) ...All in all A very casual fun easy hike for young ones..dogs (bring your poop bags if you bring a dog) and familes. They have a pavillion with picnic tables at both parking lots...cool place to hang out after your hike...a cool and fun hike!!!
This place will forever hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I had our elopement here a small intimate wedding and I'll forever be grateful for Gods hands that created this beautiful park. If you do plan on eloping here just keep in mind that the time of parking really matters and the space you pick matters as well. Since the park is open to the public from 7am-7pm so it's first come first serve bases. And if you have any elderly folks just make sure there aware that there's small hills to some of the pavilions so you gotta help auntie or uncle walking up and down. Gotta take care of the Kapuna!! The trees and greenery are perfect for pictures and if you go at the right time (4pm) the sun hits all the trees in such a lovely way that you're guaranteed to love your pictures!! Another piece of advice is if you are planning a small elopement go ahead and check out the site first just keep driving and the road will take you around the entire park. And you can see for yourselves what time and area you folks would want to have it. I'm just blessed to know that every time we come up here now it'll have the memory of my husband and I becoming one and remembering all of our loved ones that could attend our special day.
Started from the top parking lot with the opened restroom. Could had used some TLC (the restroom). I squat so who cares LoL. Our first Aiea hike after numerous research. Something moderate for my dad and step mom. In their early 70's and still able to make it through. I fear mosquitoes so I wore long pants and I was sweating my tush off and took sips of water since the restroom was my first stop. Snacked around 2.48 miles in and all you hear is nature, some breeze and the view of passing cars on H3 which was lovely. I'd say 2 hours of a 4.8 mile hike was worth it. Some parts were muddy but nothing a 6 year old can't handle. Saw lots of dog walkers, runners and families with little ones. It was fun, we started about 10 am. My advice is sunscreen, repellent, light back water with water and snacks, maybe some music and most importantly proper shoes. I broke into my running shoes and have permanent red stained dirt in them now. Don't try to look cute or wear sandals on this hike. Can easily twist your ankle walking over the tree roots. I'll do this hike again!
Good moderate trail with really nice views. To get some views you do have to veer off the trail. If it were to rain the trail would be slippery and muddy, so be careful. The trail is well maintained, easy parking, bathrooms at the trail head, dog friendly and great picnic areas by parking. The trails is mostly wide but does become narrow at some points. But the best part of the trail was the SMELL !!!! The eucalyptus trees were amazing, you just wanted to take deep breaths in and enjoy the natural aroma. It was just unreal!
The 'Aiea Loop Trail is about a 5-6 mile trail (depending on where you park). This is one of the longer hikes we've been on Oahu, given most are no more than 2-3 miles. This trail runs along the ridge on the west side of Halawa Valley and offers views of the southern coastline of O'ahu from Pearl Harbor (Pu'uloa) and the Wai'anae Range to Honolulu and Diamond Head (Le'ahi). Not the easiest hike, but also not super strenuous. This hike involves some gradual uphill climbs with a steep switchback and a stream crossing at the end of the trail. The trail may be muddy with sections of exposed tree roots. TIP: check the weather when you come here. If it's been raining for the last few days, I'd come another day. Some days we've come it's been extremely muddy and makes the hike miserable and legs so dirty. Make sure to actual wear hiking shoes too, sandals are no go when it's muddy. As always with any hike--Bring your sunscreen, bug spray, hats, wipes, and even trash bags or boxes for your muddy shoes! Hike Length: 2 hours if we don't stop too much to take breaks. They say it takes on average 2.5-3 hours for most people. It's beautiful and peaceful here. Usually not too many people either. We've probably been here over 20 times and keep coming back! Plenty of parking available. You can even camp here, I've seen people with tents during the weekend. Bathrooms available in the front and the end of trail. Enjoy!
Beautiful and peaceful trail. Love to do it in the morning and have a nice lunch afterwards at yum yum pho down the road. That's what I call a perfect day. What I love about this trail is that it has nice scenery, not crowded, and it's shaded here and there. You can feel that push on upward inclines and then you catch you breath on the declines. Perfect perfect!! Today was the first time I saw part of the airplane that had gone down!! Finally never saw this for all the times I went there. Some nice hiker told us exactly to look to our right and that's the plane remains. I love a peaceful hike ANYDAY!!
It was the perfect day for this hike because the sun was out and the view was clear. This hike maybe a little long for others but I say it was easy to do and follow the trail. It was very peaceful to hear the birds chirping. At times you could hear the cars from the H3 freeway. Some trees were down and landed on the trail. It was no big deal as you can just walk under or over the trunk. Some parts were muddy but still bareable. I didn't wear any hiking shoes, just regular walking shoes. Started the trail clockwise and ended up in the campground area. Overall great hike!
Hiking on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii... For her birthday, my friend wanted to go hiking and requested: Aiea Loop Trail I had never done this hike before - and have always wanted to go. My friend reassured me that she did it about thirty years ago and it was no problem (obviously, she had a memory issue). Hah! I'm a very trusting friend (we met in a volleyball class; she bought a house near mine; she got a job at my hospital; and even transferred to my building!) and am willing to make dreams come true, so, I picked her up and drove towards Aiea. I had read some reviews and was prepared with insect repellent, sunscreen, baby wipes, a pair of flip flops (to change into after a muddy experience), garbage bag (to prevent the car from getting muddy), water to drink, and a battery powered fan with a misting function to cool down). Our first stop was McDonald's for a pit stop... In case there was no restroom. However, there was a restroom at the upper parking lot! ...and it had restroom tissue! ...and a door for each stall! Yay! I used GPS to get to Aiea Loop Trail. It led me through the heiau... Sacred Hawaiian grounds... Then upwards to the parking lots. I didn't know that the end of the trail (if you go counterclockwise) is at the lower parking lot. We had parked at the upper lot where the restroom was. Oh, well... There's another restroom at the lower lot where the camping area and picnic tables are. We started of in good spirits with lots of conversation and laughs. Later, after a couple of hours, we questioned each other: Why are we torturing ourselves? How long more do we have to walk? What kind of friend are you to not talk me out of doing this? Are we there yet? Luckily, we hadn't remembered reading that this hike is 4.8 to 5 miles long. Different sources state different distances. It just seemed endless towards the end! Haha! Some people finished this hike in two hours. We did it in about three hours... Maybe because we took a lot of photos, had a water break every 30 minutes, said "hello" to everyone we passed (including babies, toddlers, and dogs), and stopped in the breezy portions - especially the ones in the shade. Yes - most of the time, we were in the shade of trees. It wasn't muddy because it was August. My shoes and socks were dusty at the end of the trail. I had to take my shoes off because my toenails were in pain! LOL! I did take Motrin before I went to sleep - mostly for hip flexor stiffness. The good parts of the hike: - Seeing that view of the H-3 Interstate Freeway - identifying plants such as strawberry guava, hala, ti, Royal palms, ferns, yellow ginger, he'e berry tree, liko lehua, and bamboo - knowing that there are a few benches to rest - feeling the gentle, cool, refreshing breeze - hearing the cheerful birds - spending quality time with a good friend - doing a healthy, free activity together I told my friend that I was working on this review. She said to start off with: "Calling all masochists...do this deceptively LONG ass hike. Lol!" Her words... Not mine! I knew that we were at the end of the hike when I saw the backside of the sign that we saw at the start of our hike. Because it's a Loop, the people who begin at the lower parking lot get the same warning: don't start after 4pm. LOL! Another landmark at the end of our hike was the stairs up to the lower parking lot. We had to cross the Camping Area with picnic tables and benches. Realizing that we'd have to walk up to the car, my brave friend asked a Total Stranger if we could catch a ride up to our car. OMG!!! However, in our condition, we might not have made it back up to the upper parking lot! Yeah... We're out of shape!
Aiea Loop Trail The beauty of having a loop is that you never have to see the same scenery twice, and this trail is bursting with cool and varied things to see. This is a long hike (to me), 4.6 to 5.0 forest miles, which is much different than street miles. It takes up to 3 hours if you walk and 2 if you jog with a billion stops for pics (me). If you're a runner, this is a great trail for running, with tons of elevations and declines that offer sure footing. There are some parts where you can't run, because it's too rocky, or you might slip, but these are a few and far between. A pro tip is to park at the middle of 3 parking lots, where the trailhead ends, the one with the blue bathroom next to the campsites. Then walk up to the start of the trail/3rd parking lot. That way when you are finished the trail, you will pop out right next to the parking area by the blue bathroom, only feet from your car. Warning, the blue bathroom is locked at the time of my visit, but there's another bathroom at the first (lowest) parking lot and another at 3rd (highest) parking lot next to the trailhead. You will know that you were at the trailhead, because there is a sign that says "start". Con: Red mud will ruin your shoes and clothes so bring a crappy pair of shoes.
Sunday, August 18, 2024: We had our Lyft driver drop us off at the first parking lot just before 9 A.M. The temperature was perfect with a slight mist in the air. Our goal was the loop with a side diversion up to the various vistas that occasionally led to decent trails that paralleled the main trail. We also wanted to hike a bit of the Aiea Ridge Trail to get familiar with that due to wanting to hike that in the next few weeks. In the parking lot, there were at least two people already wearing microspikes. So, I was a bit concerned with how wet things were out there...as it turns out, it wasn't bad at all. I never even removed my trekking poles from the side pocket of my backpack (but it is always nice to know I have them IF I needed them). The trail wasn't crowded, but it seemed about every 2nd or 3rd group had a dog with them. I must have spotted twenty dogs (which we loved seeing and greeting). We also came across two young ladies, one of whom was well-steeped in knowledge when it came to the local flora and fauna. We conversed about birds, trees, flowering native plants, the cost of H-3, and more. Being more than a bit of a nature buff, I was thrilled to have had the chance to cross paths with such a knowledgable fellow hiker. The weeks that led up to this hike overly prepared us for the loop. Our first hike was Koko Head, and nowhere do you have that intense vertical climb right out of the gate. The next week, we did 9.3 miles, utilizing the Judd, Nu'uanu, Pauoa Flats, Kalawahine, Telephone Road/Spur to the Tantalus summit... then down to Manoa using Pu'uohia, Pauoa Flats, Aihualama, and Manoa Falls Trail. This trail, Aiea Loop, barely resembled that hike ... We also did the Makiki Loop with a side trip to Round Top. Again, Aiea Loop was very different (in case you are familiar with those other hikes). Aiea Loop was wide enough in places to drive a golf cart and quite level... "tame," in fact, by comparison. It is very obvious that it is routinely being walked and run by some of the folks we ran into today. I'd say we probably saw between 50 and 75 people on trail (note: it was a Sunday).... we walked it clockwise, and we both would recommend taking every side-trail up, up, up to the overlooks. You will definitely see fewer people that way, if that is the experience you are looking to gain from this hike. Overall, the day was great ... a nice mix of sun and overcast with a misting of rain occasionally. Everyone on the trail was pleasant and respectful. Those with dogs had them under control, with all but one being leashed. I would recommend this to athletic folks without a lot of hiking experience, but I would suggest they go with someone more knowledgeable. Happy trails!
Took a morning hike. First of all there are bathrooms when you enter the trail. There is a lot of parking, but the place is pretty popular and they fill up early. Trail was a little muddy, so don't ware your good sneakers. There were strawberry guava along the trail to snack on. There was a place to clean shoes at the end, but it was out of water. Nice trail to hike with a different look for Hawaii
Great scenic nature hike for beginners with a good amount of areas both shaded / exposed. The hike is 4 miles & some change and takes you on a full loop back to where you started. Parking can get kind of busy, but it's free. Public bathrooms are also available. It's a great hike for active dogs, our German Shepherd loves this hike, but I wouldn't recommend it for little dogs with short legs as the inclines can get pretty tough for them. The trail definitely has some inclines & is not completely flat. Some parts offer you a good view of the H3. We love to do this hike during the morning when it's not so hot out and there is a slight breeze. I've seen some other hikers bring walking sticks but it isn't necessary. Definitely watch for tree roots & other exposed branches so that you don't trip. Don't forget to hydrate hydrate hydrate! Enjoy your hike! read more
5 years ago
Hello muddy goodness! Let's discuss the hike, parking, airplane crash site and the mud. 1) Hike - Close to 5 miles. Mostly through the woods. You are under shade most of the way so this is a good hike if you don't want to be exposed to the sun much. As best I know the hike starts either at the top parking lot or at the bottom parking lot. If you start in one you'll finish at the other. Its not like you will need an Uber but it's a good 20 min walk if your gonna walk from bottom to top. Let's not do that:) 2) Parking - multiple levels of parking and I agree with the others who recommend you park in one of the lower lots. This is because It's easier to climb up to the top trail head when you're fresh as opposed to walking back up to your car after your tired and have mud caked on shoes. 3) Airplane wreckage- if you were walking from the bottom trail head to the top there is no way you would miss it. But since most people go from the top to the bottom I would say it's a little more than 1/2 way and it's where the path makes a long sweeping right turn and you will see it on the right down in the gulley (see pics). You won't miss it. Oddly, a lot of ppl report seeing the memorial plaque but not the plane. I don't know how I missed the plaque but I did. 4) Mud - The trail is pretty much mud free for the first 3/4ths (depending on weather of course). It hadn't rained in at least three days but that last section had thick mud. The kind of mud where you put your foot in and then it slides to the side when I you put a little weight on it. Thankfully the trail is mostly level so you shouldn't slip much. You'll definitely have some homework after this hike and it will involve a lot of paper towels and wipes. All in all, it was a good hike and not crowded in the least for a weekend. Enjoy! read more
Definitely one of my favorite hikes that I have done on the island so far! You can run, you can walk, and you can bring the keiki! This is a moderate hike, and it is all up hill towards the end. You feel the incline. It was super easy to get too for me as well coming from Kaneohe. The views were very cool! The parking lot is plentiful as well. Bring water and a change if showed. This hike was not that bad as it had not rained for a while, so we got pretty lucky! I like this hike because I burned almost 700 calories and it took me almost two hours to do it. I will have some music next time. The views of the H3 are amazing. Parking is free! Check it out! The hikes are amazing and unless you are staying in Hawaii forever are chances to hike amazing views that you should not let slip away. read more
This trail is super busy after 9am. I mean droves of people and many with boom boxes...so irraz. We started at 7am and the gates were already opened. The restrooms were locked though. I learned about the Aiea Bisect Trail from a trail running race. This trail goes through the center of the usual loop, mauka to makai or north-south. We used this to descend and avoid the crowded main loop. There is also a hidden tunnel/cave near the bottom of the bisect trail which is about 50 feet long. Look for a skinny stream and on the west side, kinda overgrown. There is also another trail on the Ewa leg to a waterfall. Time it right after rain or it'll be dry. Finally, the Aiea Ridge Hike trailhead is at the top of the loop, 1.5 miles from the upper parking lot. Then you go up at least 4 more miles to the Koolau Summit. I haven't summitted because it's an all day affair. Possibly 6+ hrs round trip. Today we went 7.5 miles in 4 hrs 45 min total. It's a little technical, spikes are recommended, there's some rope sections & narrow ledges. read more
3 years ago
Just don't go when raining or just after a rain or else you'll be asking for an accident to happen. We sent just after a rain and saw hikers looking like they went to a mud brawl. A nice place to have picnic, there is also a ruined temple by the entrance. The sound of peace and tranquility, bamboo sound bending from the wind makes you feel being healed from some city stress! read more
A pleasant hike with nicely cut out paths and shade in many places. Gradual climbs and an easy 5 mile hike starting in strawberry guava groves and switching to red ohia, curly koa, and kukui and as you make the u turn, you have great views of H3 looking towards Kaneohe. A sandalwood tree grows to the left and down while unfortunately it looks like the one on the right is finally dead. Blue eucalyptus grows in the ravines. Not too crowded and the dogs I met on the trail were relaxed and well behaved. The only thing that bugged me was all the graffiti carved into the trees, many with 2020 on it. Why do people do that?? Even more lolo and rude are regs who spray paint their graffiti on trees instead of buildings. At the State park entrance is the heiau once revered as a school of healing arts. read more
Exercise adventures during Covid-19 continues with the Aiea Loop Trail. Full of shade and greeneries as far as the eye can see, it's a great hike for everyone. There are lots of parking but it does tend to get filled up later in the day due to camping. If you went during the afternoon like we did, there were a lot of people.. not too great during pandemic times, plus it's always nice to have a trail all to "yourself". Highly recommend early mornings if possible. The trail is relatively flat and great for beginners. If you want a challenge, you could run all 4.2ish miles. With great views and nature all around you, it's a worthwhile trip to come here and get your exercise on. Then naturally of course, treat yo'self with some Samurai after! read more
After living in San Diego for a while, I've realized how I took for granted this trail with its lush greenery and shaded areas! Most of the loop is shaded but there are some resting spots with benches that are not. Luckily for me, it was not muddy or too heavily trafficked on the day that I went so no dirty shoes here. I can imagine how muddy it can get though. It took my friends and I about two hours to finish the hike. Fairly easy if you ask me. Walking up from the bottom parking lot might be the hardest part to be honest ! If you are looking for an easy hike during this pandemic, this trail is definitely doable in this summer weather. read more
7 years ago
Great trail with easy-mod level intensity, great views, and a decent work out. Minus 1 star because it got a bit buggy in the damp areas but this is to be expected. Wear sunscreen and bug spray and ure golden. Free parking, located in aiea heights right by the Heiau. Overall about a 4-5 mile trek and takes about 2-3 hours going at a pretty leisurely pace, stopping for snack and photo breaks. Good place for families and hikers of all skill levels. Well maintained path, lots of interesting places to take photos! Could get more dangerous and slippery with rains. Mix of sunny and shaded areas. Would bring water and light snacks. read more
4 years ago
Such a beautiful hike with lots of shade. Beautiful view of the H3 at the top. Hike can be slippery if its been raining read more
4 years ago
The Aiea Loop Trail was one I've been meaning to do for a while now and I'm glad I did it! It took me about 2 hours and 15 mins to complete from top to bottom. Bathrooms/benches - There are bathrooms and the beginning (top) and end (bottom) of the Aiea Loop trail. There are some small benches throughout the hike, maybe about 5 or 6 locations with benches to look out from and take a break. Parking - The parking and trail was easily accessible via Aiea Heights Drive which you drive all the way to the end of. There is a lower and upper parking lot once you drive into the park. If you start your hike at the top for Aiea Loop, I would suggest parking in the lower lot & doing the opposite if you begin at the bottom. Views - I started my hike at the TOP. Upon starting he hike, within about 10 minutes you are already blessed with a nice view of the Aiea heights and a little bit back toward the leeward side. About 30 mins later you get a breathtaking view of the H3 freeway alongside the Halawa valley. If you keep following the trail, about 50 mins later there is a partial view of Aloha Stadium and PH. Most of the latter of the hike did not have significant views but was still a pretty one. Trail - Starting the hike at the top, the trail was mostly flat/mild incline & not too muddy. You can smell the eucalyptus trees on the way in which is nice. The trail is mostly shaded by trees too which is a plus. When the trail turns (after the H3 view) it remains mostly flat until you start to descend. Then it becomes a little muddier down below before you get back up to the end. Overall easy hike. read more
According to Alltrails app, this trail is rated "moderate." That made me very proud because I actually completed this 4.4 miles trail. Oh yeah! I've done this trail a couple of times before but I didn't realize how long it was. I must be getting old. This trail loops around. There's a lower and an upper entrance. Parking is plentiful so I say plan it so your car is near by when you're done with the hike. For example, you don't want to park by upper entrance and then you have to walk up to your car. Clean bathrooms are available as well as camp site. I'm not sure if you need permit for camping. When we were done, there was a baby pig lingering around by some camping folks. This trail is very green (lots of trees), some muddy areas, and lots of guava trees (berry size). We were able to taste some and they were sweet. We didn't see too many people on the trail so be sure to come with someone or as a group. Most of the trail was quite shady and cool. read more
This is definitely one of the best trails in the island with a view. There are 3 parking lots but we parled on the second parking lot but if you want to park close to the trail you have to drive up higher but parking is a pain. There are beautiful views ahead and make sure to bring water because it is a long hike so believe me you will get thirsty. It wasn't muddy like we thought it would be so it is nicer to go when itdid not rain. Not a lot of rocks either unlike the pillboxes. The only thing there are some paths that are narrow. Do not forget to stop and enjoy the amazing views that nature offers. read more
I can't believe I've never done this hike till now! It's a nice drive up through all the huge homes! Lots of parking and places to picnic. Also public restrooms! Didn't need to take advantage but nice to know it's there. By accident, we parked at the mid parking lot and started from the bottom of the trail but it worked to our advantage I think. At the end we came out at the beginning of the hike so just had to walk down to the parking lot vs having to walk up to the parking lot. I didn't really read up on the hike before starting it so was a complete shock to see H3! So cool though. We were lucky, the day we went wasn't muddy except for like 4 spots in the deep shady areas. Also, not too many bugs except 1 spot. We could hear a loud buzzing of bees in one area but never really saw them. I only saw 1 bee on the ground that was dying : ( read more
4 years ago
It was good. I've had better hikes, I've had worse. Definitely a well-maintained trail and an easy workout. Very slick in spots after even just a light rain, which we found ourselves in. We did it for the views overlooking H3 and it definitely didn't disappoint for that. The diverse plants and groves were beautiful, it was very aromatic, and overall pleasant. But also got boring by the end of it. read more
My favorite hike on the whole island! Some elevation gain, but not too much for a couch potato like me. Mostly level, mostly dry. Sometimes a bit wet in parts, so I take my poles since I'm an old lady! Beautiful scenery and overlooks. read more
I've been on this hike on 2 occasions: muddy and dry. A couple years ago, it was muddy, overcast and trees just fell. What I loved about this was we got to go through obstacles as a family to get through. My kids LOVED it. When the trail is dry, it's makes a nice nature walk. Fast forward to now, the hike has changed. Tree roots and some muddy areas from erosion have changed the hike. For 80% of the hike, the path is flat, shaded and easy to follow. I went with some coworkers as a team building activity. It was a fun way to get to know everyone while we strolled through It is a great beginner hike. If this is your first hike, make sure to have water, snacks and shoes with good tread and support on them. Do NOT wear fancy shoes. Do NOT wear Converse. Do NOT wear your pretty new pair of Jordans you value so much. This is not a fashion show. It is a hike not a mall. What to expect: This is just a trail. It does not lead to a waterfall. Expect a lot of trees, ferns, wild orchids, strangler figs, fallen trees to take funny pictures, an airplane wreck and few stops to enjoy and lookout the beauty of the island. At the end of the loop, there is an incline back up to the top lot. If you enjoy birds, nature and have curious kids, this is a great hike. It's also great when you want to walk and catch up with a buddy without the distraction of blaring music and t.v. sets. Overall this is still a a great nature loving hike that is suitable for kids and the fur babies. read more
An amazing hike that loops from one parking area (second parking lot) to the top parking lot (that has a bathroom). There are three areas to park. The first parking lot also has bathroom but the trail is more north up hill. If you start at the top parking lot, there's a trail to the left of the bathrooms. This hike is about 4-5 miles and the round trip can take about 2 hours. I would say it's a relatively easy hike as it has some up and down but it is relatively flat. The different greenery provides luscious green of trees, ferns, plants as well as some cool downed trees. The best part is seeing the H3 freeway and taking photos of it or selfie or group photos above the H3. Tons of great trees, nature background to take almost any photo and you can always be creative. Definitely enjoyed this hike with coworkers. One area has a down airplane part (possibly wing) of a plane that fought during the attack of Pearl Harbor. Cannot tell if the plane is Japanese or if it was American since it's just iron/steel. read more
7 years ago
I sorta don't want to write this review because we loved this hike so much, but I guess it's no secret and in the spirit of Aloha, it's only right to share. This was a fantastic 5 mile hike that ends 1/4 mile above/below where you choose to start. The more clearly marked trailhead is higher up near the second restroom and begins by ascending. The other trailhead is earlier in the drive up the mountain where you see a sign for the first restroom and campgrounds, though without an obvious sign from the road for the trailhead. It is better marked later on. If you choose to start here, the hike will descend initially before continually ascending thereafter. If doing it all over, I think I would start at the earlier trailhead that descends first. This way, after eventually continually ascending, you can go downhill through the end and back to your car. Parking seemed ample. We went midday Sunday so may have snagged departed spaces as well. The trail itself is gorgeous. Perhaps low-moderate overall. Occasional views of the H3 far down below and the ocean at times. Otherwise, beautiful views of the valley. There are periods of narrow-going and you have to be mindful of your steps. Some points were dark, damp, and densely forested, others sunny with cool breezes. The changes in the landscape were most memorable and compelling. Bring lots of water, snacks, and perhaps bug spray. read more
10 years ago
If you don't like mud, do not go on this trail. I repeat, this trail is not for mud-haters! Now that that's out of the way, we can get to the dirty details of hiking this trail. You don't have to be an extremely experienced hiker to tackle the loop, but if most of your days involve you sitting on the couch, you'll probably be quite tired at the end and sore the days afterward. Bring water and make sure to stretch at the end to avoid some of the muscle soreness. The views are amazing, especially around the halfway point when you can see H-3. Once away from the road, you'll be able to enjoy the quiet of nature that can be difficult to find on Oahu at times. It's easy to get lost in your thoughts as you twist and wind through the big circle back to the entry Although I have seen people run the loop, there are many rocks and tree roots that jut out along the length of the path. It's easy to twist your ankle just by walking, so I would recommend a different location if you are looking for a jog. Don't forget your bug spray if the little critters usually think you are a tasty treat. The growth along the loop encourages bugs of all shapes and sizes to find unsuspecting humans as their next meal. read more
6 years ago
Eucalyptus-you can smell this delicious fresh lemony scent as soon as you enter the trail. Smells nice and clean. This is an easy trail compared to the ones we've been doing on the North Shore. No huge boulders to climb over, no streams to cross-just a trail that we started at the top of Aiea Heights. It's a loop so we didn't have to go back the way we came....we ended up where we started. About 4 miles and just under 14,000 steps. My fave part was seeing the H3 freeway snake it's way through the mountains-no wonder it took them so long to build it! I always love to see the ocean and city and on this trail you can see different parts of the island-West, Windward and Pearl Harbor all in one hike. There are even remains of a downed WW2 fighter plane-after almost 80 years of crashing in the mountains. All of the parking lots were full. And beware! People that parked in unmarked stalls got tickets! There are a couple of public restrooms, but they may be locked as they were today. If you bring a picnic lunch to enjoy, there are tables under the trees to use. Scenic, pretty views and great to be outdoors enjoying the sun and breeze. read more
This is not a hike that i would do again. It's 4.8 miles to walk through the whole trail. You pretty much end up where you started at. It took us about three hours to get through the hike. There were seven adults and two kids in our group. It might have been ok if the trail was dry. Today, it was super muddy. Everyone was slipping and sliding. My shoes, socks, and pants were drenched in mud. We were grabbing every branch and rock that we could hold on to so that we didn't fall. At several spots, we had to climb over trees that fell that were blocking the trail. Some of us broke off big tree branches to use as walking sticks so that we could balance. I hate mud! Yuck! On a positive note, it was cool and breezy. We didn't get too much sun. The air at the top of the mountain was so fresh. There were a few scenic points but mostly it was all trees. I was dreading using the bathroom when we got back to the starting point, but to my surprise, it was really clean. There was also a sink by the bathroom where we rinsed off most of the mud. read more
Today was the second time to hike here. The first time was about 1.5 yrs ago when there was heavy rain several days before the hike and the trail was far from drying out. It was muddy and very dangerous. I came to hike with some colleagues and realized what a mistake we made about halfway through the loop. I kept on being positive and hoping no one would get hurt. We walked away in one piece but our shoes were caked with mud (see attached pic). Since that bad first experience I wasn't keen on coming back any sooner until a fellow Yelper suggested we come here to hike. I've been following the weather and being that it was fairly dry with some passing showers we decided to hike here and arrived shortly before 8am. It was an overcast morning but no rainfall so I wasn't that concerned until we started the loop counterclockwise. It started to drizzle and I kept telling myself "Please don't let it rain!" We had a mission today - - to locate the downed B-24J plane from World War II. My friend had previously sought to locate this site but was unsuccessful so we both were excited to locate it. Luckily, this trail was a little wet but the foundation was solid. And as we crossed areas of exposed roots they were NOT slippery. Hurrah!!!! Being overcast it was fairly cool and at times it was quite breezy. Going counterclockwise we were able to view H-3 to our right. At first you could hear cars passing by but eventually had a lookout to view the freeway. We've been having heavy winds several days ago (which killed a Japanese tourist golfer when a tree limb fell and struck him) and it was evident on this trail. There were downed trees and the remains were still very fresh as they were bright orange color. It's very peaceful here so you can hear the birds chirping away as you hike. We came across many locals who live nearby walking their dogs. We asked several locals of the location of the plane crash site and was advised about 1/2 way into the trail you will come across a hairpin. To the left we were told you'll find evidence of a trail and to go down. Throughout the trail we found many "ribbons" tied to trees. They were red, white and pink. We kept on telling each other "I wonder if this is a clue or marker." Eventually we found a hot pink ribbon and decided to climb down and we FOUND it!!! Overall, I found this a low-difficultly hike but make sure to come here when it's dry. My first experience was awful - - trail was wet and therefore dangerous. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES: This hiking trail is just under 5 miles (approx 4.8 miles) so it's quite lengthy. Highly advise you to: 1) hike with someone 2) bring water 3) insect repellent 4) sunscreen 5) toilet paper (when you gotta go you gotta go!!!) 6) cap / hat 7) some snacks read more
Historial spoiler alert - this review is not only about the trail but of the Heiau. Aiea Loop Trail has so much history to offer that I couldn't possibly cover it here on YELP without putting people to sleep and without hitting the character limit in YELP. Many people know Aiea Loop Trail as just a trail, but the Keaiwa Heiau has been overlooked time and time again. Maybe it deserves it own review as one of Hawaii's best preserved Heiaus to date. Heiaus are Hawaiian temple ruins. According to Wikipedia: "A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick (heiau hola), offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war (luakini). Only the luakini was dedicated through human sacrifice.[1] Heiau were made in different architectural styles depending upon their purpose and location. At the official end of Hawaiian religion in 1819, many were deliberately destroyed, while others were allowed to fall into disrepair. Some structures have been fully restored today" As far as I know, the Keaiwa Heiau at the foot of the Aiea Loop trail is a Heiau Ho'ola, or a healing heiau. I dont know of many sacrificial heiaus except for the one on the Big Island. I find Aiea Loop Trail fascinating in that you have old ancient historical Hawaiian ruins next to a trail that runs along the H3 freeway (the most expensive US freeway built to date at $1.3 billion dollars and the most controversial, since it desecrated many Hawaiian ruins and burial sites) and a WWII US plane downed in the vegetation that still remains to this day. One side of the trail sits the ancient heiau, the other side, the ultra-modern freeway. In between are a three levels of parking (lower, middle and upper). Most of the overnight campers are on the middle ground area, where we started our hike. It was a nice 4.5 mile hike but a bit muddy and eroded in sections. I was not able to see the WWII plane on this hike; come to think of it, I only saw it partially covered in vegetation as a child and once again as an adult mountain biking on the trail many years ago. There was also an unfortunate event on this trail several years ago, where an 11-yr old girl was found dead on the trail, apparently a victim of foul play. We saw the memorial along the trail head but out of respect I did not take a picture of the make-shift memorial of plastic flowers and Christmas tinsel wrapped around the trunk of a tree. Plan on a throng of children, groups, trail runners, dog owners, hikers and mom and pops on this trail during the weekend. Come early if you want to avoid the crowd....and it gets really crowded after 9 AM on weekends. Easy hike overall with some eroded trail parts and tree limbs across the path. Lots of parking, lots of toilets and water fountains outside of the trail heads. A local favorite! read more
This is a great hike for beginners and to bring your pets. Its an easy hike and goes in a complete loop. Its a clearly marked trail, so you don't have to worry too much about getting lost. The day I went, it was a bit cloudy and rained on us a little bit. However the trail was not muddy at all. Great view of the H3 http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/aiea-loop-trail-aiea#jeQc31N2DZBcsHZdoG-vGw I do have to admit, there's not much exciting things on this hike, so don't be surprised if you get a little bored and think in your head 'are we done yet?' read more
Siri is trying to kill me. Seriously, if you're in Waikiki, look up this trail on yelp, then hit "directions", Siri takes over and she has an extremely creative way to get you to the Aiea Loop Trail. And by "extremely creative" I mean "totally incorrect and you might get killed if you listen to her". Bitch. Just for laughs, I'll tell you: Siri took us on the Pali Highway (beautiful drive, in no way related to the Aiea Trail) then, without an exit ramp anywhere in sight she tells me "pull over and walk to the trailhead from here". Pull over on the Pali Highway? Holy crap, I'd be dead if I got out and tried to walk from there. Thankfully, the hiking book I had with me had somewhat more accurate directions though I'd still have appreciated some road signage to indicate that I was on the right path to the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, where this trail resides. The trail itself is an easy 5 mile loop with some wet, muddy parts and some downed trees which will require your creativity to navigate past. The trail goes up and down and around, with some nice views of HQ and Pearl Harbor. There's no signage to tell you, but at some point while you stand on the trail and view Pearl Harbor in the distance you're standing under the exact pathway the Japanese flew through on their mission to bomb Pearl Harbor. The trail is definitely off the beaten tourist path (which was part of its appeal) with no real reason to entice you to go; I just liked it. I liked the cool, clean air, the shaded path, and the fact that I saw only 1 other hiker on the entire 2.5 hour hike. The only thing I didn't like was that about 2 hours into the hike signs suddenly appeared indicating that I was on the "Keaiwa Heiau Loop Trail". This was confusing since the sign at the entry point said "Aiea Loop Trail: It turns out they were one and the same. The recreation area has ample parking in several different lots. There's clean restrooms, drinking water, and a sacred Heiau to take a look at when you return from the hike. I was glad I came here; it felt like a real "local" thing to do. read more
Trevor chose 'Aeia Loop Trail for a moderate hike. Back in the day, Trevor did some logging and removal of a few trees and clearing the paths in that trail, so knew the mountain fairly well. The parking lot was beautiful and near a public restroom. A mother hen was nesting in the grass but became nervous and walked away, with about 9 baby chicks following. The beginning of the mountain trail was easy and pretty, with roots in the dirt to help guide your steps. The plants were lush and green from the rain that always keeps the mountain moist. Moss lined the wall of the mountain, the barks of trees, the crevices of rocks, and the ground below. it was gorgeous. Trevor introduced Mimi to the Waiwi fruit (pronounced vy-vee). He cut one open and split half with Mimi. it was slightly tart with hard seeds inside. The first height they reached had a bench and outlook over the cliff. The trail continued into the woods, but Trevor and Mimi stopped to enjoy this particular section of the mountain. A couple joggers, with legs stained with mud, stopped to stretch and then continued on. It was a clue as to what Trevor and Mimi were about to explore. They took to the trail which became muddied, and muddier, and at some points they had to walk through the mud or deep puddles. Word of advice: cleats, hiking boots, and/or hiking sticks would really suffice and is EXTREMELY recommend. Make sure to pack a spare pair of shoes or slippers/flip-flops in your car or backpack. You WILL get muddy and it IS dangerously slippery, especially on slopey areas of the trail. The next incline Trevor and Mimi found, had a fresh lilikoi fruit on the ground. They looked for the tree, but only found the fruit. It was Mimi' s first time seeing lilikoi. She was so fascinated that it looked like a tiny melon. On the way down the incline to the trail, Mimi's walking shoes proved to fail her (hence the recommendation for cleats or all terrain hiking boots). Mimi slipped and had to jog out of her slip to avoid falling off the edge of the mountain. Further into the mountain, the forest was thick with trees and rain. The ground was soaking wet at times. Trevor helped Mimi through a few areas of the trail that could be potentially fatal if she slipped, as the trail was muddy and narrow. Deep into the forest, fallen or cut trees blocked the walkway, and had to either be climbed over or crawled under. Toward the last part of the trail, Mimi and Trevor found an incline off the path. it led to a beautiful view and allowed one to realize just how high up you really are. H3 could be seen below and the cars were small like ants. 900 Feet. Trevor and Mimi declined and followed the trail out. Soon enough, they were back to the first end of the parking lot which took an incline back up to the area they initially started. The incline back to the vehicle was the hardest. read more
5 years ago
This is a wonderful beginner's trail located atop the Aiea Heights subdivision. It is a loop trail that runs along the ridges overlooking Central Oahu with breathtaking views of Halawa Valley and Pearl Harbor. Other than a few spots where you catch the sounds of the cars whizzing below on the H-3 freeway, you are mostly accompanied by birds chirping, rustling leaves, and occasional whiffs of fresh eucalyptus. This was a good hike and not strenuous at all. This is a great hike to enjoy a good workout. I will definitely return! Ambiance: ***** Value: ***** read more
Perfect family hiking trail that's also dog friendly. We went with our church group after it rained the week before. Some parts of the trail was REALLY muddy. It made the hike slightly challenging for some and more fun for the kids. My dog LOVED getting muddy. The loop isn't my cup of tea, but overall it had nice views and is really great for beginners. There are campsites with restrooms to use if you need to wash off the mud afterwards. I didn't see/feel any mosquitoes. Sometimes after a rainy day, because they trail is moist, you may get bit by mosquitoes. Luckily, the day I went, there were none. The trail is covered with lots of trees so it stays pretty cool most of the time. If you want more of a challenge, there's a cut off that goes along the ridge line and along side of the h3 freeway...... look up Aiea Ridge Trail. That trail is for intermediate hikers and would not recommend bringing your kid or dog on that one. Although, if you do end up going on it, you will end up on the top of the Koolau mountains with a breathtaking view overlooking Kaneohe. read more
7 years ago
I enjoy this trail because it offers great views, has plenty of shade and isn't too strenuous. Recommendations: Park near camp site 1 and walk up the hill to the start. When you end, you'll be at your car. If you're looking for the WWII plane crash remnants, I'd recommend starting at the lower level, where most hikers exit (near camp site 1). It's hard to miss when you're coming from this direction. If mosquitoes like you, bring plenty of bug repellent. My husband never gets bitten, but I tend to end up with mosquito bites. Pack a lunch and enjoy from one of the benches with a view on the hike or at one of the picnic tables at the end of your hike. read more
Great loop trail for all hiking levels. Mostly shaded, but sunny at some spots, so wear protection and bring water. When I'm unsure of what hike to choose I usually choose this one because: 1. It's takes 2 hours or less 2. It's an easy/medium hike 3. It's mostly shaded and is easy to get to There are plenty of other hikes you can do in under 2 hours, but this one makes me feel like I've accomplished something and actually burns calories while simultaneously feeling like I'm on a long (sometimes leisurely) walk. A few things to know: -Bring WATER, it can get really hot and muggy -Bring sunglasses, a hat, or sunblock -Bring a cell phone in case you get turned around -Stick to the obvious, well worn trail -At the end, walk up the stairs to the paved road, walk that road uphill until you make it back to where you began. Very enjoyable trail for all ages; perfect for rain or shine. read more
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Ask the Community - Aiea Loop Trail
Is the parking lot/area secure?
There's parking stalls throughout the park. Security? No.
What hours is the trail open on weekends?
Saturday Sunday 7am-7pm (I was doing my research I went on the main site to see the hours the Google hours may vary)
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Aiea Loop Trail - hiking - Updated June 2026
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