Easy-ish to moderate hike, depending obviously on your fitness level and hiking acumen. No…read morewaterfall at the end, but you're rewarded with a spectacular vista of the Kaneohe Bay area. To get to the trailhead, park on the street preferably or in the shopping area across the street (where the McDonald's is). You can chance it there, but you should be good. Very popular hike, so go early to avoid crowds. So from the shopping center or wherever, follow the guard rail alongside the highway. The beginning of it is at the corner of the road going up to the shopping center. I'd suggest not walking on the right side of the guard rail as it puts you perilously close to oncoming traffic. So hop the guard rail on the left side and follow the really narrow dirt path that leads to the end of the guard rail. To the left, you'll see a sign that says "private property - no trespassing." Ignore that, obviously, and head up the path behind it. It's an in then back the way you came from hike; not sure if it's a loop, but it's about 2 or so miles round trip. The first 1/8th is steep and muddy, with slick, clay ground. Nice people have left ropes on the side so you can use that to get up. The rest of the way is shaded, with rooted paths, lots of local fauna and lots of bugs, too. The last part right before the pillboxes is a very steep incline. Again, there's rope there to help you up if you're not a ninja like I am. First bunker is kinda cool. You can climb down the rusty but stable ladder and get a nice view from the inside. The second one is where you want to be. It's where all the Instagramers are at taking selfies. If you're lucky enough to be there alone, you'll have a nice, meditative moment where you can see the bay. Good hike that's not too hard at all.

A Challenging Adventure with Spectacular Views!…read more I recently had the opportunity to hike the Pu'umaelieli trail, and it was an exhilarating experience that left me in awe of the natural beauty that unfolded along the way. The trail kicks off immediately with a steep incline, which can be quite demanding. However, once you conquer this initial hurdle, the path transforms into a pleasant stroll with lots of vegetation that provided lots of shade, accompanied by refreshing breezes. At this point, I almost doubted the trail's moderate rating for this trail until the last part before the bunkers. Here, you'll encounter a sharp incline that can be a bit brutal. Take your time, catch your breath, and rest if needed. It certainly provides an excellent leg workout. The reward for your efforts comes when you reach the top bunker. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to a mesmerizing view of Kaneohe Bay, you will be able to see the military base and sandbar. I brought my binoculars and saw a fighter jet soaring just a few hundred feet from the water then landing on the base. In my opinion, this is by far the best view you can experience on the east side.

Friendship Garden has 72 reviews as of 1/17/2025 and I was wondering why. I think the name explains…read moreit. It's a short, garden trail inside a neighborhood rather than a real hike. As I was walking this trail, my brain is telling me this is a mini Aiea loop trail with great view of the Windward side of Oahu. Parking is a challenge. The location is inside, one way, Kokokahi Place neighborhood so there's only street parking. We were lucky to find spacious area to park. The view here is great considering we only hike up 20-30 minutes. Total trip length was 2 miles. That was little disappointing because I like to get most out of my hikes. I feel like I got ripped off on this hike with little sweat. As for intensity, you do have to climb up but lots of ropes to help you. Luckily it was a dry day so no mud. This trail is quite narrow so it may not be kid friendly. Also, if you're on the taller side, watch out for branches. This is not State trail so it seems like it's not kept up regularly.

If you need an escape from daily life to catch a breath and rekindle friendships, then the…read moreFriendship Garden is the perfect place. This is a very short hike that loops around, so you shouldn't be running into anyone on the narrow pathway. Start right, like driving! There's nothing steep, treacherous, or difficult. The Friendship Garden is very well maintained. Maps and information are provided at the beginning. At the top, you'll find beautiful views Kaneohe Bay. There's also a pathway that leads to another hike that's clearly more difficult and not apart of the Friendship Garden. Warning signs posted! The only difficult thing might be finding this place because it's quite hidden, deep in a residential area. It's located on Kokokahi Pl, which you can reach from Kaneohe Bay Dr. Just drive all the way up, and it'll be to your left. You can only park along the side of the road. Make sure to leave enough space, and also be mindful of the signs! No parking from 6-11AM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which is probably trash pick up days. Overall, a really nice, easy hike with well maintained pathways. It might be a journey to get there, but it's worth it. Bring friends and make new friends!

I've have made this short hike a few times, today the falls were flowing more than the other times…read more It was so peaceful and beautiful to see so much water flow. Trail was a little muddy in spots but not bad. There was a tree across the trail right by the area that you take the trail to the right to head to the falls. There is some ups and downs, high steps ups, lots of roots, so keep your eyes on the trail. Alltrails is helpful to stay on trail.

Nice woodsy falls a reasonably easy hike up through the jungle. Hiking from the road to the golf…read morecourse parking lot adds about a half mile and is as long or longer than the jungle hiking. The falls are maybe 30 feet high down the rock face. If you go up to the base there is a pool deep enough to dip all the way into, with some lower pools just deep enough for a foot soak. The trailhead is on the far left side of the golf course parking lot as you come up from the road. The trail is wide to start, then just before you hit the big water tank the trail goes off and up to the left. A little ways in there are two big downed trees, and the trial to the falls takes a hard turn to the right. Straight/left goes away from the falls but there are a bunch of trees across the trail a half-mile or less down the trail. The falls trail continues down the farthest left fork below the falls. You follow the blue and pink ribbons, and eventually they split. The pink goes down along the streambed. The blue seemed to go up the streambed and involves some serious rope climbing, but then I lost the trail and couldn't see any more blue ribbons.

A beautiful day for a hike! Every time I do this hike it's a little different. Today the waterfall…read morewas cold and bracing and there were a lot of people hiking the falls. We started out around 8:45 AM and by the time we reached the waterfall, it was getting full of families and pairs of hikers. I recommend go early to skip the crowds. The hike itself isn't too technical and there are only a few places where you have to step up high over a rock or scramble through a stream.

Here are clear and concise directions for this hike!!…read more Main parking off Pali hwy. Entrance is easily visible. You'll enter the bamboo forest. Within the first 50 feet it will split into a Y trail, take the left path. If you go straight you'll likely end up in the bamboo section for 20-40 mins. If you do not exit the bamboo area within 10 mins, you're lost. You'll exit the bamboo area through a lifted/broken section of the fence. Walk uphill onto the paved pathway. This will open onto a wide valley. You'll pass a large bridge structure. Follow that till road till you get to the supply shed structures. Look for a small concrete stairway in the trees. Stay left mostly, and look for pink ribbons. Pass the old fenced off pool looking area. Once you hit the rock/mud path (approx 10 mins) there's a hard right turn down into the main river area. A large tree has fallen so you'll need to spot the ribbons, and climb over this tree. If you pass this fallen tree by mistake, the trail will seem oddly difficult and dense. You'll need to turn around. Walk until you see the man made rock wall with a small waterfall, and walk across this to the other side. Follow the ribbons up the path and you'll need to cross the river 3-5 more times after this. Keep looking for clear open paths. There's two ways you can continue after that point so don't worry. (One way is just more difficult) Before the waterfall there's a larger section of rocks you'll have to climb over. Main takeaways: You will have to walk across slippery rocks several times. It is muddy. It's not that difficult but can be dangerous at some parts. If you don't see a pink/orange ribbon for more than 5-10 mins at any time, you are likely lost.

Even on a cloudy day the Pali lookout is still beautiful and magnificent views…read more I haven't been here for years now they have Porta Potty lol that's a good sign . If you have out of town guest this a quick and a must stop tourist attraction plus it's free only parking but do what I do I just wait in my car . Support local

Difficult hike, not for children or elderly…read more Entrance is technically "blocked" by the sign. Only reason I found it was because the park employee told me to just hop the little stone fence lol. Located right next to the portapotties. This isn't a stroll or just a long hike. It's difficult due to the potential weather conditions and the steep climb. There are ropes in portions, and if that's not your thing I don't recommend it. Not for kids or elderly in my opinion. You have to be relatively fit with decent knees. Don't wear flip flops. Bring water. Take your time and focus otherwise you can easily fall to your death or twist an ankle. That all being said, I was able to make it to the pali puka point as a relatively fit 4 month pregnant individual lol. Maybe wasn't the wisest decision but worth the views lol. Be very cautious if you're planning on doing this hike. Check weather conditions, the mud makes it easy to slip. Check wind conditions as there are some life threatening falls along the way. Bring proper shoes, I recommend pants and not shorts, just for potential bugs/brushes. Definitely hike and seek adventure, just don't be an idiot or an uninformed tourist about it. This hike HAS killed locals in the past before, Google it.

Nice hike with shade for the most part, trail becomes steep but has ropes to help…read more Lots of roots and uneven footing so watch your step. The California grass is tall and sharp, needs to be cut back. My friends and I have lots of little cuts on our arms from it. Also beware of bees! Bring you Benadryl or epo pen if you need, they sting one of us in the face as we were walking through the tall grass. This might not be a long hike but due to incline and climb up it is a good hike to get a good workout in. The view also did not disappoint, AMAZING!!!! As you go up of course they just get better and better. We are all so glad we finally made it to this hike!!! Parking is tight! And you are in a neighborhood, where you do not want to block there parking, only room for 3-5 cars smaller cars at one time. Love the friendship garden part of the hike with the gorgeous plants and trees that have species placards.

Not my favorite...kind of strenuous, with nice, but not necessarily breathtaking views…read more I had this hike on my list for a while now, so when friends suggested we go, I was up for it. Parking seemed limited, but I drove past the trailhead down to a section of the neighborhood that had a number of spaces. It was probably about an 8 minute walk back up to the trailhead. It starts easy, with much forest greenery, and several routes, that will take you on the Oneawa path. I guess I hadn't mentally prepared, but was surprised by the incline and the ropes. Perhaps my lack of uppers that morning was to blame, as I not expecting this to be difficult, but I was struggling to keep up with my friends as the hike continued. It took us about an hour to see the quarry waters, which were interesting, but only needed a few minutes to take in. You do get some nice views of the bay and it's not a very long hike, so there is that, but I honestly don't think I'd come back. It felt like more effort than it was worth and there are so many other hikes on Oahu that unless I lived RIGHT there, I don't think it warrants another go.

The local name of this challenging but fun trail, that rewards you with an inspiring view of…read moreKaneohe bay is Pu'u maeilele. It's a fairly popular hike that gets packed often on weekends. The entrance is about 200m from the McDonalds on the sane side of the road. Park your vehicle in the Ko'olau Shopping Center parking lot and walk carefully along the guardrail along Kamehameha highway heading towards Kaneohe. The Trail is marked but the first couple hundred meters are tough and uphill. After a rain, the thick clay turns to a reddish "gumbo" clay like consistency that is best tackled using trekking poles. Most of the hike is covered with only a few open spaces. The reward is the trail's terminus that ends at a WWII reinforced concrete artillery observation post and fire control center. You have a 180 deg or thereabouts view of K-Bay and the welcome breezes provide a welcome respite prior to the downhill return along the same trail. If you bring keiki please watch and control them as the fortifications show signs of 70+ years of decay and sections are quite slippery. Plan on 2-3 hours depending on hiking ability. Recommend insect repellent, water, hat, poles, and good hiking boots. Mahalo for reading my review.

Took us about 40mins overall to hike this trail. The view of Kaneohe Bay is amazingly beautiful!…read moreThe entrance to the trail is behind the tennis court.

Nandor the Explorer!!! What more can I say about this man and his utmost professionalism. He was in…read moreconstant communication with us from booking through to the beginning of our hike up the Moanalua Trail. We were worried about the rainy weather but Nandor told us not to worry and I'm glad we trusted him because even though our hike began with a downfall, it cleared up and switched between cloudy/misty and sunny. The weather was perfect for the hike because if it was all sunny, I think it would've been too hot. Only thing was it was extremely muddy but fear not, our guide came prepared. He has spikes for us as well as extra rope since somehow all of the normal ropes that were supposed to be on the trail were cut down or removed. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. If you need recommendations for other trails basically anywhere, this is your man! He's been around so many places and has hiked and explored almost all the places I could think of. I'm pretty sure I would've fallen off the ridges or slipped and tumbled my way to certain injury if it weren't for his guide and ensuring our safety. One bonus thing, the guy takes AMAZING pictures for you on his professional camera. So don't even worry about using your phone, he's got you covered! Thanks Nandor, I shall come to you the next time I want to explore Hawaii's secluded gems!

Nandor provides a world-class experience every time. I have had the pleasure of hiking 4 trails in…read moreOahu with Nandor and each have been difficult, exciting, and a memorable experience. I would highly recommend him as a guide for any level of experience hiker as he personalizes your adventure. He never packs multiple groups together but rather offers a private experience for you and your group. He is an easy companion and good conversationalist, which is important if you're out for a 4-5 hour hike. Utmost professionalism in that he assess your capabilities, keeps a watchful eye, yet encourages you to accomplish things you didn't expect you ever would. He understands the weather and geography of Hawaii. Watch his youtube videos from Hungaro Explorer to see what kind of fun awaits.

Tl:dr: the most technically challenging hike on the island, takes 5-6 hours round trip including…read morestops on each of the 3 peaks to take pictures, rest etc. People talk about mortality on this trail, although I don't think it's as dangerous as people made it out to be if you exercise common sense. Who should do it: most people can make the 1st peak. Trail from 1st to 2nd becomes noticeably narrower but it's short and about the same level of difficulty as trail up the 1st peak. 2nd to 3rd peak was where the challenge is - lots of vertical rock climbing, path is narrow, and ropes aren't all in good conditions. If you don't have good upper body strength, have knee problems, or are afraid of heights, it's not a good idea to do the 3rd peak. If you don't have good endurance, it's just going to be a long day. Words of caution: try avoid going after a rainy day because the trail becomes very muddy. It started raining when I was coming down from the 3rd peak and the ground became slippery. Better to go with a friend if you can - there are only a few people hiking past the 2nd peak and in case you get injured, it's good to have someone with you to help. Preparation: pack enough water, gloves (protect your hands from climbing), long pants, and a light windbreaker (waterproof is ideal). You never know how the microclimate changes in the mountain. Throw on some hiking shoes too if you have them. You can get away with gym shoes as I did but extra grip comes in handy on a muddy day. Views: view is the best from the 1st peak. Past that is more for the adrenalin and experience. Parking: no official parking lot for the hike, park across the bridge on the side of the roads. It's a ~15 minute walk to the trailhead. Have fun out there!

I absolutely love this hike but it's very strenuous and dangerous at the top so I would not…read morerecommend going all the way to the top. It starts with a mellow walk to the rainforest, the 15-30 min in the forest and then up the mountain for an hour, really steep. At the top, there are some ropes that have been left by hikers and those do get replaced occasionally (I've done this hike many times) however it's dangerous because one can slip and fall and there's nothing to catch you. That is just the way to the first peak. There are three peaks all together but the view is the best from the 1st peak. 2nd and 2rd are too dangerous and I've only done those once. Be very careful, people have died on this hike.

PARK ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SCENIC POINT PULLOUT (leave a completely empty car, as there have been…read morebreak-ins here before). Really cool rainforest trail. Mostly shaded. **Wear trail shoes** for the multiple slippery patches of mud you'll surely encounter (and keep a clean pair of sandals in the trunk for the drive home). We did this hike in early September '21 from the Pali Highway viewpoint entrance (because the more traditional neighborhood entrance was closed for a 2-year renovation project). I'd rate this hike 4.5 stars; of our six Oahu hikes this trip, this trail was my 2nd favorite (my favorite Oaho hike is the Kuliouou Ridge Trail).. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS HIKE: It is a good workout (roughly 7miles and 2K feet elevation gain to the waterfall and back), there was varied terrain and views to keep me interested most of the way, and it was shaded throughout most of the trail, making it a great hike to do on a hot day (which it was the day that we went). Although the trail is clearly marked, there are a couple of places where it splits, and thus I'd recommend downloading the trailmap to your phone via Alltrails here, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/oahu/maunawili-falls-from-pali-highway?u=i , so that you have a good feel of where to turn at forks. Some of the minor downsides (half star deduction): - There is minor overgrowth in a portion of the trail (not full blown bushwhacking, but definitely some flora rubbing up against ones legs for maybe a total of 1/4 to 1/2 mile in each direction). -- nothing pointy enough to cut you though (see pic of ferns) - There was a single exposed section of cliff that was about 5-10 feet in length, but there was an anchored rope attached to the wall that made me and my wife (who is scared of heights) feel comfortable crossing it (to tell you the truth, I was surprised my acrophobic wife was fine crossing that section, but surprisingly she was). (see pic with my hand on the yellow rope) - There were occasionally patches of mud that one had to navigate through, but it was all on flat portions and so with the proper trail shoes there wasn't really a danger of slipping; - My wife got freaked out by the single sign near the beginning of the trail that said or depicted the danger of picking up ordinance (i.e. it explodes); clearly any such ordinance must be off the trail, as we hiked the whole trail (which is clearly marked) and never saw any metal. - One needs to keep moving past the beautiful stream, rather than stopping there for a 10 minute lunch (unless one is Deeted up with bugyspray that is); we stopped there for lunch only to find out that mosquitoes hang out there and were chomping at our legs the whole time.....no mosquitoes anywhere else on the trail, and had we not stopped at the stream to eat lunch, I am confident we wouldn't have even gotten a single bite. - The parking area to the entrance, which is a viewpoint area on the highway, has suffered car breakins; we were weary leaving our car rental (for which I opted out of the insurance) there when we saw broken car window glass from previous break-ins, but we decided that given that our car was completely empty of anything to steal we'd take the chance. We were hiking for 4 hours, and fortunately when we returned our car was in tact just as we'd left it