I took a hike in this area including the Kanealoloe, Maunalaha, and Makiki Valley trails. This was an utterly gorgeous hike and nicely challenging without being too difficult. There was a huge range of landscapes. Several years ago I went to Peru. I took a multi day rafting trip down the Urubamba river because I wanted to experience the tropical rainforest. It was a nice trip, but not quite what I was looking for. These trails are the real deal tropical rainforest. Wide trees with winding roots. Lush canopies of vines. Rivulets and rivers crossing the trail. One of the most beautiful hikes of my life. read more

I held off on doing Makiki Valley Loop Trail because the description of it being a combination trail consisting of Kanealole Trail, Makiki Valley Trail, and Maunalaha Trail just sounded confusing. But since I ran out of new kid friendly trails I decided to give it a go. The Hike: We followed the other Yelpers' recommendations to hike counterclockwise, starting on Maunalaha Trail. Obviously since it's a Loop Trail, there's no wrong way to go but starting on Maunalaha means you'll start your adventure climbing up a steep rooted hill which is way easier than risking a fall down the steep hill. There's honestly nothing glamorous about the trail, but there's also nothing challenging about it making this the perfect trail for beginner/novice hikers, trail runners, or families with kids who are already used to hiking; kids new to hiking may find this trail long and the hill challenging to climb. How to Get There: Enter Hawaii Nature Center into your GPS. Follow Makiki Heights Drive until it splits (left up a steep hill or straight to a narrow private looking road) and take the straight path. Park in the small lot on your left in front of the green gate OR on the right shoulder. After you park, walk past the green gate, turn right at the bathrooms, and follow the path to the trail map. Trek on Yelpers! read more

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Tucked away in Makiki, the main trail entrance is easy to miss. There's a small driveway on Makiki Heights Drive lined with a couple of residential homes. Parking is available along the narrow road and there's a small parking lot to the left as you drive in. The driveway eventually leads to Hawaii Nature Center (they offer environmental educational programs) and right behind the Nature Center building are the beginning of the trails. Yes, plural. It took me a few hikes on this trail to fully appreciate what it has to offer because I didn't realize when I first hiked in Makiki Valley is that there are several trails to this hike. The trail(s) make for a good beginner/intermediate hike and depending on where you end up, there are decent views. One end of the trail ends with a nice view of Diamond Head, another end of the trail offers a partial view of the Pearl Harbor and airport area. Some parts of the trail break off into Tantalus Drive and a few other trails that I haven't ventured yet can actually take you 8 miles out into the Pali area. Many people hike Makiki and a ton of hikers are regulars who visit daily so you definitely won't be alone on the trail. The great thing is that since there are so many trails and the hikes can get lengthy, it's usually never crowded. The trails give you just about everything you should receive from a nature experience-beautiful trees and plants, the soothing sound of the streams and the leaves rustling in the wind (hopefully there's a breeze on the day you decide to hike), sweet-smelling flowers, and the list goes on. Each trail offers different routes and along the trails is a variety of "stepping stones" like actual stones, and then there are short wooden bridges, sand bags, roots of trees, etc. A narrow stream flows along some of the trail and there are wooden educational pictorials staked in the ground on some of the curves and stopping points. The pictorials include info on indigenous species and even a warning from good ol' Smoky the Bear. Need a rest stop? Not to worry-there are a few benches at the main trail end and for those of you who don't like to get too much sun, this trail is perfect because the trees create a canopy above you to shield you from a lot of direct sunlight. So in short, the trails in Makiki offer multiple trails, changing scenery-including native Hawaiian plants, educational stopping points and markers, and of course, a good time and a lot of exercise! I recommend this trail to everyone, including children and your furry family members and will definitely continue hiking in Makiki to experience all of the trails. read more

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Ok, so this trail is actually made up of several trails... Kanealole, Maunalaha, Makiki Valley Trail and there are also a bunch of others you can go off and explore. The trail starts at the Hawaii Nature Center which is right after the gate. You walk a little bit by the stream and then come to a crossroad. Left to Kanealole and right to Maunalaha (both tails named after the streams that run alongside them). ******** Kanealole Tail (my review) This is the "easier" trail. It's only 0.7 miles but I would allow an hour or so for this portion since the terrain does go up and down. I will say that it wasn't hard, but my feet definitely got a work out. This hike is pretty with all the foliage and the sound of the stream. It definitely is also muddier. The trail has a good amount of gravel and roots so it's not super slippery. I didn't see any small waterfalls but you do see and hear the stream flowing as you hike which was relaxing. Most of this trip is shaded which was nice. But we were drenched in sweat because of the humidity There are mosquitos, so beware. Once you get to the sign that says Makiki Loop Trail this way, you can either turn back and go the same way you came or continue on which will lead you to the Maunalaha Trail which loops you back down or there are a few other short trails that you can explore. The Makiki Valley Trail is about 1.1 miles and goes up and down. It was mostly uphill for us since we came from the easier side. Follow the signs til you come to an open area. This is where the loop meets the other trail Maunalaha and a couple other trails you can explore. ********** Maunalaha Trail review Do you want to get some cardio done and go uphill? Do you like climbing and roots? This is definitely the way for you to start the Makiki Loop Trail. We actually decided to start the easy way at Kanealole and make our way to the Makiki Loop Trail and meet this trail so we have a downward journey back to the beginning. It's not too bad going down and it's not too steep. The ground is also pretty dry unless it rained. It is 0.7 miles but I would still allow an hour, definitely more (maybe hour half) if you start at this trail first since it's a constant uphill. Next time we will do this trip first so I'll write an updated review of our uphill climb! This trip isn't as pretty as Kanealole but you get some scenic city views here and there through the trees. ******** Overall, I would say it's easy-moderate. I would allow 2-3 hours depending on your level and if you want to take breaks. There are many mosquitos on this trail. Make sure you have lots of water and good shoes. The great thing is you can choose right or left to do the trail and loop or just choose one side and just come back the same way and skip the loop part. There are a good amount of signs to guide you. Btw there is a bathroom, picnic area and brushes/hose to help you clean off the mud on your shoes. It's a great trail for the family and dogs! read more

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Up the gated driveway, past the Hawaii Nature Center & through the path of native Hawaiian plants, you'll reach the trailhead for Maikiki Valley Loop Trail where you're pointed in two directions: Kanealole Trail & Maunalaha Trail. Taking the counter-clockwise route with Maunalaha Trail leads to a slight uphill ascent, but if you like bridges, you'd be tempted to start off with Kanealole Trail as it features the soothing sound of rushing water & the constant trills of birds. Further down the trail you'll reach a section with signs signifying the start of the official Makiki Valley Loop Trail where you'll meander through a couple of streams, up around the mountain & eventually opening up to a plateau pointing you in three other directions. Complete the loop by going down Maunalaha (or down to Maikiki Valley Loop if you started counter-clockwise) or you can venture through the other trails. My recommendation--stick to the loop because you'll end up backtracking if you decide to explore this maze. The 'Ualaka'a Trail splits off between Round Top Drive and a park. Going up to Maikiki Valley Loop trail (as opposed to going down which continues the actual loop) delves into Moleka Trail which features a bountiful bamboo forest & ends at road with Manoa Cliff Hike across the street, but if you continue on 'Ualaka'a it leads out to Maikiki Drive. Although views are sparse, Makiki Valley Loop Trail is a great moderate hike for family outings due to the shade of the valley's forest canopy. read more

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FYI: This is not da damn Makiki Valley Loop Trail! This is the Makiki Valley Trail - which might connect to Makiki Valley Loop, but I don't know if it does - and it has a separate entrance and parking. Makiki Valley Loop starts/pau at da Nature Center. This one is located halfway up Tantalus Drive. Damn Yelp deleted my previous entry for this trail + decided to mesh my MKT trail review with MVLT. Gunfunnit! -------- Great beginner/moderate 1.1 mile trail for the person trying to integrate more exercise into their life! Choke ahjummas/halmonis (old Korean women/grandmas) hike this trail early in da morning fo' exercise. Get out of their way when you see dem cuz they're pretty damn fit! No be afraid fo' say, "Good morning/afternoon!" or "Hello!' cuz most of dem are full of aloha & will smile, nod, or greet you back. Posted several pics of da entrance of dis trail, where to park & da signage. Just went dis late AM wid da BF & an old Korean man - fit and trim - completely outpaced our fat asses coming back! We've hiked this trail several times over the last 2-3 years and it's a fun trail. About 1.5 hours total .... 45 minutes maybe from da time you start @ da entrance & reach da rest stop area with da benches & about 45 minutes going back (this is based on my beginner/moderate physical level; if you like Ahnold the Governator, den of course it'll take less time den dat). It's easy going to da rest stop cuz it's mostly downhill; coming back, a lil' mo' buss ass cuz da ascent can be steep. At da end of da trail, I believe you reach a street called Roundtop Drive, den you can continue on to oddah trails, or you turn around & go back. Dis weekend we neva reach da end since BF & I are easing back into hiking again. There's also a brief "resting area" with 1 or 2 wooden benches. A cool hike cuz you're hiking under tree cover. Dea's 2 small wooden bridges to climb over, some manini rock outcrops to get over, but most of da trail is dirt, leaves & roots. A manini (small) stream or 2 hea & dea. At one point, get one lookout where you can see da city skyline or outline or whatever it is. You can see the greenery on top da valley. So solly, nevah get pics of dis. HOW I GET DEA? (DIRECTIONS) - Head mauka (towards da mountain) on Tantalus Drive. About 1/2 way up, look for da trailhead sign on da right hand side of da road. I uploaded pics of the trailhead sign/trail entrance so you know wat to look fo'. WEA TO PARK (PARKING) - Prior to da trailhead sign, get one small parking on a sweeping corner marked by wooden posts & rubbish cans. Took pics of dis, too. CONNECTS TO ODDAH TRAILS - Connects wid Kanealole& Maunalaha Trails to form da popular Makiki Valley Loop Trail & intersects with Nahuina, Ualak'aa and Moleka trails. ABUNAI YO! (DANGEROUS/PRECAUTIONS) - Sun. & Wed get hunters w/dogs going after pua'a (Hawaiian wild pig/boar). Wear brightly colored clothing (think Filipino) & if you get dog(s), keep 'em on leash, or teenk about using anoddah trail. - Wear some shoes with good grip, or a pair of hiking boots. If you get, consider bring a hiking stick cuz some parts are damp/moist & can be slippery. (One area was littered with kukui nuts & I went splat on my 'okole (butt) right aftah my BF wen warn me. :D Shame ya!) REVIEW #157 read more

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Do you remember when you could park up at the top where the trailhead is? Ok, so I'm an old fut. This was before the conservancy and other building were there. Now you have to park at the bottom of the long hill and walk up. Otherwise, the hike is exactly the same at 10+ yrs ago. When I lived in the area, I would run this ~1x/week. Everyone is quite nice on the trail and there are definitely other regulars. If you go left of the loop, it's super easy and a nice walk. If you go right of the loop, you'll hit a mini cardiac hill - which is the best way to go. Challenge wise: good sweat going up the mini cardiac hill w/all the tree branches that form natural stairs - but the rest is easy sailing. Scenery: wonderful! There is plenty of greenery, but unfortunately lots of invasive ivy. Pluses: you can connect to other Makiki trails quite easily. You can do this loop as a trail run and not get bored. Minuses: when it rains - it's mud city, no bikes allowed on the trail, and I've definitely seen a naked dude chilling in the stream (ack) Hints: if you go late, bring a flashlight -it gets dark back in the valley early. There is a fantastic tree right on the trail from which you can get delicious mountain apples. read more

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Makiki Valley Trail is completely breathtaking. Cindy H. and I did the Makiki Trail which based on other reviews is the Nature Trail. We encountered lots of mud, I ended up with 12 mosquito bites even though I sprayed bug spray and saw lots of greenery. We even saw a dog wearing a GPS collar with no owners around, this dog really just gets to roam these trails, lucky dog! We started our hike at the very bottom. Seriously we took the bus to Makiki Street and then walked ALL the way up Round Top Road. My sister and I dubbed it as urban hiking. Hawaiians really are friendly people, we had a nice gentlemen tell us how to get to the State Park and when my sister and I stopped at a lookout point we met this really nice family. They even called us crazy for walking up Round Top Road and not taking a taxi (what can I say, we're thrifty and like a good workout). The nice family then saw us up the road and gave us a ride to the trails. They did us a huge favor because we probably would have not done entire trail if we had to keep walking up Round Top Road. There are so many photo ops and if you're lucky enough you might see a ferrel pig. Apparently they are around but are bad for this environment. There is a stream (no waterfalls), trees and an occasional hiker. What I really enjoyed about this hike was that it was not crowded at all. One thing I did notice is if you park at the Nature Center parking can get crowded and also if you drive to the top of Round Top Rd where the trails start the parking is also crowded. read more

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Makiki Valley Loop Trail is probably my single favorite hike. It's not terribly dynamic, but it's a great all around trail; long enough with inclines so you can work on your cardio a bit, and it's a loop, so no in and out here, just following the evolving path back to the start...and if you choose, there are plenty of offshoot trails that lead you all around Roundtop and Tantalus; such as Moleka Trail which connects to Manoa Cliff, which is a major junction in and of itself... The trailhead is up Makiki road, and it's next to Hawaii Nature Center. There is typically enough parking, though it can get busy at times...a beloved trail by the Korean community, sometimes they bring hiking tours up here as well...but ultimately, you can park off to the side of the road if needed, so you'll be fine. The trail is safe so it's great for families and dogs, too. I would call this hike "easy" instead of moderate, since it requires no climbing, is easy to find, and the trail is a loop so you literally can't get lost unless you ignore the ample signs, and it's not treacherous in any way. Anything a 95 year old Korean grandma can do as well as a 2 year old kid is "easy" in my book. Another great thing at the trailhead is a public restroom with a hose and scrub brushes so you can clean your muddy shoes. Mind you this is for everyone's use so don't be greedy...use what you need quickly and efficiently. The water is replenished from the reservoir, so the more it rains, the better the water levels...during non-rainy periods, please conserve! read more

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My little girl drags me here about once a week, she loves it! She sniffs around like a maniac and poops wherever she wants. Of course, I pick up after her. Yay for dog friendly trails! I take my chihuahua terrier here all the time, we do the full loop in 1-1.5 hours (about 2.5mi.) depending on how much she is sniffing around and if she spots a wild chicken. At the trail head there are bathrooms, a covered picnic table, some benches, a water fountain, trash cans, and a shoe washing/scrubbing area for before and after your hike. It's actually pretty impressive. If you are taking your dog, just remember your poop bags and that dogs are required to be on a leash. I like to take the right trail up because it's a pretty steady uphill slope and a good workout if you keep a good pace. I love the views of the valley from this trail. It's not the the expansive 180 degree panorama you get from other well known trails on the island, but it is beautiful and serene nonetheless. And it is covered/canopied by trees virtually the entire way! However, this also means that when it rains, which it does often the much of the higher parts of the trail gets pretty muddy. It's an easy trek with more potential if you take the connecting trials. I've always felt Manoa was one of the most beautiful parts of the island. read more

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Park before the gate at 2131 Makiki Heights Dr., then walk up the paved road towards the restrooms. That's the trail head. The valley loop was closed today due to a landslide, so I chose to go right at the start, and take the Maunalaha Trail. It's a 580 foot ascent in .7 miles. Took 25 min up for me, and 20 min down. 1.4 miles r/t. Beautiful scents and sounds, although due to the rugged footing I had to look down the entire time. This was a cardio workout for sure. More info about the trail system (look in the white box for these trails): http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/island.php?island=Oahu read more

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If you wanna get lost on a trail, this would be the one to get lost on. Lost of foot traffic with the hiking club and everyone's quite friendly. There's plenty of signage on the diff trails such as trail arrows or a map near rest stops and you can ask passerbys as well, some have hiked it for 20+ years. Definitely bring mosquito repellant otherwise you will be their lunch and just be prepared for mud and small streams to cross. Another great thing about this hike is that everything's connected to other trails so you can venture off and end up in completely different terrain meaning you could hike it multiple times but still get a different experience. If you start at the nature valley center, you go through dry and damp forest and rocky areas. The parking area is quite frequented and they have a clean restroom as well as brushes and water hoses to clean your muddy shoes after. read more

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Beautiful trail with lots of shade. You can make this hike as long or short as you like. Many trails intersect. There is a medium size parking lot with very few cars when we were there. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This trail has all the views of water stream, jungles, bamboo, top of mountain etc. Has bridges, cross streams, tree roots inclines, Nice cardio!! It's easy to find. Parking is there. There is a restroom and place we can wash shoes n legs after. We went in December so was drizzling little and muddy but weather has been good around this time so was not too bad. Mosquitoes were not too bad but bag spray better. I wonder how it is in a summer.. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This was a challenging, great, in-town hike that features some of the best things about hiking in Hawaii: moderately challenging terrain, streams, waterfalls and opportunities for bird-watching. The only drawback I can think of is that there is no stellar, payoff view on this hike. You'll have to be content climbing a significant incline to the top of the mountain, rounding a cliff, and coming down without a nice, expansive view of Oahu. But, if you can get over that, the hike in and of itself is a great one. It will take you about 2 hours, maybe 2.5 hours to complete if you do the entire loop, which I recommend. Make sure to bring plenty of water and bug spray, and allow yourself time to rest because the inclines and declines are intermediate. Overall, enjoy this scenic hike through Makiki Valley! read more

A beautiful 2.5 mile loop trail with lots of different plants and a couple of great views. There is a secret treehouse (well, it's more like the ground of a house without walls or a roof) near Ualaka'a trail that is really neat and has a pretty view. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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A nice, relatively easy hike, even for unexperienced folks like me. Watch your footing on the root covered uphill bit, there's a lot of nice places for one to twist an ankle. There's also a convenient boot washing station on the way out so take advantage of that to spare your car's floormats. read more

Pretty kool trail. Go left for an easier time. Go right if you want to work those legs. Very scenic. Not too challenging not too easy...just right for a good relaxing hike. You start at the Makiki Recreation Area which can be hard to find on your first visit. Loved the green moss wall! read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A good workout with many possible option to explore A more jungleish style compare to other trails i've been. The Trail connects with dozen of other trail,in actual fact you can hike from here to Manoa falls (gonna be a pretty long hike) Anyway the first time we went was pretty fun climbing on logs and doing crazy stuff which is always fun but the second time it rained ! everyone was soaking went and muddy but all in all a fun hike ^^ There is hardly any view compare to other hike like Koko head and Diamond Head so it is more as a Nature Trail and Exercise ---- read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Some part of the trails looks pretty cool !! - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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A friend and I just did the basic loop. It took us about 90 minutes to complete, with a few really short rests just to take pictures. There were 2 places where we could have gone off on other trails, but we just didn't take them. There's a ton of shade, but a bunch of mosquitoes! Lots of guava trees make the trail nicely scented, and the trail in general is very foresty in a lush, green way or tree-rooty way, depending on the portion of the trail. I just wish it offered a better view once we reached the peak of the loop, but there may have just been better views on the other trails. read more

Pretty decent two mile hike up and down around the Makiki Valley along the Maunalaha, Makiki Valley and Kanealole trails. Well maintained with restrooms and boot scrubbing station at the trailhead area with informative plant signage and examples of taro planting near the Nature Center. Allows access to various other trails in the valley such as the Tantalus Arboreteum, Nahaina, Ulakaa, and Moleka if you are looking for increased challenges. Lower section is great for kids and the upper trail suitable for older kids/teenagers. read more

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We did this hike on our last morning in Honolulu. We started the hike counterclockwise and it was a bit of a challenge, as it was all uphill this way. It wasn't too busy , but we did pass a few military guys running down the hill past us. (They meant business) The sound of river was relaxing. It was close to the house we were staying at. Short video of our experience http://youtu.be/7dEi3clN84o read more

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Ahhhh, I feels so nice to hike legal! Tons of parking, no broken glass everywhere (which means your car is generally car safe there) bathrooms and a water hose at the trailhead! What more could you ask for? The peaceful hike starts right at the first bridge as the sound of the stream calms your soul. Interesting pathway after another, it's not easy to get bored. Lots of greenery and sounds of birds and the many many streams going by. Some areas of the path are well maintained and some parts have eroded, so watch your kiddos steps. The path is also wide so you rarely bother anyone when passing. I very much enjoyed this hike. It is perfect for kiddos of all ages and even babywearing. An awesome beginner hike that gets you sweating and your heart pumping. There are some inclines but managable for kiddos and older adults. read more

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Friends and I started from the left side and hiked clockwise -- the recommended route as the left is easier to go up. A great trail for those beginner hikers who want something that just screams "adventure" without any dangers and the occasional educational signs! As for difficulty, overall... it's not hard. I suppose it is "easy." If you're like me and have terrible stamina and is totally unfit, remember to take breaks! There's lots to see if you open your eyes wide enough. It's very humid and mosquitoes are bound to bite you, unless you're lucky like me and mosquitoes happen to hate you. Some parts of the trail is muddy but nothing terrible. Just be careful! Other than the fact that the hike is well maintained and never crowded, I like knowing that there are restrooms + a shoe washing station located at the entrance of the trail. Take advantage of this!!! read more

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Pretty good hike overall, though I ended up getting some mosquito bites despite applying plenty of repellent beforehand. There is also an abundance of trees and shade as well as interesting greenery to see. Also, if it has been raining, the trails may be muddy and slippery. I went clockwise on the loop trail, starting with Kanealole Trail which features creeks and small waterfalls. Then that led to the Maunalaha Trail with lots of tree roots, so watch your footing! Overall, not too bad of a hike. There is a small parking area right before the gated area, then you walk a short distance to where signs are posted leading to the start of the trail along with a picnic area and restrooms. read more

It's a very very scenic trail, more so for night pleasures! If you ever have a date and already did the dinner and movie thing.. tryna end the date off right? This is the place, you wanna have somewhere with a breathtaking view and peaceful sounds of the Forrest? Come here and just look at the city lights through the Forrest of the Makiki trail! read more

Do not do this after a rain! Good for people who are new to hiking. I did this trail back in July and was fun and easy. The only bad part was I did this after a heavy rain fall so it was very very muddy. The trail was advertised at 3-3.5 miles but I clocked it in at around 4. I stuck to the main loop but there are other trails that you can use. Parking is very limited so I suggest getting there early. I got in at 9am and was good to go. Hazards: mud, large twisted roots, and a bees nest in one of the rock faces. Overall a fun and easy hike with a prehistoric look and feel. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - The bridge - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I've only been on this trail one other time years ago and recently did it again. Been trying to do more weekend hiking in preparation for an upcoming camping/hiking trek. The Makiki Valley Loop Trail is another one of those that offer you an escape from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. It's located in town, great for us townies so you don't have to drive too far. It's a short trail which takes about 1.5 hours to do if you don't do much stopping. It's nicely paved. It has nice coverage for most of the way, though you'll be exposed to some rays at certain parts. It's a good beginner trail, but also offers a challenge if you want to do the loop starting from the right (I forget which trail), which leads you on a nice incline for just under a mile. There is a nice bench area almost at the halfway point (depending which side you start) so you can have a snack, take a breather, and maybe decide if you'd like to veer off onto one of the other connecting trails. Great hike to spend a couple hours enjoying some peace and quiet in nature. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Enjoying the surroundings. - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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4.5 stars for this one! I went on this hike with my family--to include my small dog-- and friends and their kids, so this hike is something that just about anyone can tackle. We started the hike going the Muanalaha way, which we later found to be the more strenuous way to take the loop. This trail isn't as bad as other hikes, but there are inclines and because you are surrounded trees and other plants, it's pretty humid. We stopped for water a couple of times. Once we reached the top, we have the kids snacks, the dog some water, and took in the beauty of the place. The foliage is amazing, truly a sight to see, so be sure to pack your camera. On the way down, we took the other route down, Kanealole, and it was much easier than the way we had gone up. There were spots that got a little slippery, and the kids slipped and fell a couple of times, but nothing too dangerous. Once again, the picturesque scene laid out before you is so worth stopping to snap a few pictures. Absolutely breathtaking. The nice thing here is that there are restrooms situated at the beginning of he hike, with water fountains as well. I definitely recommend this hike. Most people want to get to the top of these mountains and look at the ocean down below, and while you will not get that with this one, the scenery is just as beautiful in its own right! read more

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Trail was fairly easy for an Oahu hike. We did the loop which is about 2.5 miles around. Go to the end of the street- Makiki Heights Drive. We parked on the left in a hiking parking area. If you walk to the end of the road, you'll see bathrooms and the start of the trail. You hike up about 5 mins before you come to the fork with the sign that tells you about the loop. We went up the trail to the left and did the full loop. Dog friendly- we saw many dogs on the trail and our 5lb dog made it just fine. This trail probably gets super muddy when it rains. Bring bug spray! Would recommend if you are looking for a shorter trail. read more

Makiki Valley Trail - Our dog Makiki doing the Makiki Valley Loop! - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I just finished a mountain trail, and so I was looking for a change of scenery. I heard Makiki Valley Trail was a nice forest trail so I decided to check it out with my brother. As people have said, don't expect any shining scenery on this trail. I don't recall ever having a view except for one little outcropping. And even that we had to take a slight detour to get to. It's just a little glimpse into the Diamond Head/ Waikiki Area. Mostly though, Makiki Valley Trail just allows you peeks into the valley. Instead the joy comes from walking along the trail among towering branches and twisted roots. Sometimes you discover some really random configurations of roots or plants, and so that can be cool. Also cool is the fact that this feels like a great expedition as the trail will rise straight up, and it'll look it will stretch for miles. That's really a interesting view... it feels like Indiana Jones and that you're climbing the Amazon, searching for a lost city. Makiki Valley Trail is a comfortable, easy hike; we managed to go whole way with some detours on one bottle of water. Its a good talking hike too as the shade covering makes it very refreshing, temperature wise, which lets you maintain rhythm. And there are no distractions because there are no views, which lets you talk a lot as well. Finally, there are some mean detours off this path so beware... you have to be in pretty good shape or you could end up in some precarious paths or hiking an extra 4 miles. One detour that was worth it though was going down Moleka Trail to Manoa Cliff Trail, and that trail had the most beautiful bamboo forest I have ever seen. Otherwise, stick to Makiki Valley Trail! Don't go moseying off! read more

Here is still another great hike/ walk/ trail. On my first visits to HI I would try and try to find nicer and nicer trails to walk on.... here is a good one- It can get really wet though. Watch the weather and look at the forecast to not get caught in a storm. It is great to have some covering from the trees. It really is a great forest hike. Suggestions- wear really great walking/hiking shoes. Bring a good water bottle. I bring crackers cheese and a dry meat like salami on hikes- it makes a great rest and sight seeing- It is a great view over towards Ala Moana/ Makiki. Bring a flashlight just in case. Bring friends and enjoy the walk- others can slow you down but it is so much more enjoyable with friends and makes the views better to look at when stopping- and grabbing a bite together too is always more enjoyable. read more

After a weekend of indulgence, we decided to go on an early morning hike. & by early I mean like 8:30 because no matter how old I get, weekends will be made for sleeping in. After forcing ourselves out of bed & picking up our friends, they directed us to Makiki Loop Trail. We found parking immediately, there's a little lot right on the side. We walked in and I was pleased to find bathrooms along with benches & a hose/sponges for muddy shoes. So awesome! The hike itself was beautiful. It's not difficult but there is a lot of level changes and some uphill portions. I found it to be the perfect Sunday hike: not so hard that I'm sweating my soul out but not so easy that it would have been better to stay in bed. It felt accomplishing. I liked all the trees we had to climb under and the broken bridge you cross made me feel like Indiana Jones. There were also some lovely flowers, fruit trees and kalo. It is dog friendly as well! FYI there are feral pigs therefore there are hunters & dogs; they stay off the trail mostly but it's good to be aware. I recommend this to all; couples, families, friends. read more

I was bugged for months to go hiking. "We should get some exercise. Let's go hiking!" My assertion that shopping is my exercise fell on deaf ears and inevitably, I decided to finally relent and go hiking here. I should have known from the beginning of the hike that hiking wasn't my thing. We crossed over to the mountain after spraying ourselves with NEW strong bug spray and almost immediately, I started seeing and feeling mosquitos attack us. This was within 2 minutes of us getting on the mountain, at the entrance of the trial to be exact. The mosquitos must have built up an immunity to bug spray! I sprayed and sprayed and they still bit! It was also very muddy due to the recent rainy weather. At times, I was almost ankle deep in mud. Protecting my blood from diehard mosquitos + trying to minimize slipping in the thick quick-sand-like mud = GET ME OUT OF HERE. I trudged on and after a few hours, we finally completed the hike. I still count my blessings.... there were some narrow trails right at the edge of the tall mountain and god forbid if I lost my footing, well, let's just say I wouldn't be writing this review. I give this trail 3 stars: -1 star for vicious mosquitos -1 star for thick slippery mud. read more

Well maintained, easy trail with many different routes. We encountered some boar hunters as it was one of the Sunday's they're permitted. They were friendly and we didn't seem to bother them as we passed. Family really enjoyed this hike as we went through differing scenery at different points in the various trails. I really enjoyed that it was a loop rather than down and back as that can be slightly boring. Trail was easy enough that our 3y/o walked a large portion of the trail and had fun looking at the lush green surrounding us. Parking was pretty easy despite it being on the weekend, we were pretty lucky to get one of the only open spots since there were classes at the nature center that day . We did have a small trek to reach the beginning of the trail from parking but nothing terrible. Bathrooms and a boot washing area are at the beginning which were terrific and much needed for my 2 small children. read more

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It was very hot considering it rained the whole week. But the trail was somewhat muddy in different areas. I love doing this hike after work and do it non stop great cardio but hate going alone. read more

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This is definitely one of my favorite hikes! We actually started at the Makiki trail, but went onto different sub trails to make our hike a bit longer. The hike was completely shaded, which made it so much easier to hike! With all the different trails, our hike ended up being about 6 miles, which took about 3 hours. The Makiki Valley Loop Trail starts by the Hawaii Nature Center. There is a small lot that can fit maybe 12 cars or so, and a few spots on the side of the street to park. You have to walk up to the end of street to get to the trail which starts by the restrooms. I think its called Kanealole Trail. At the start of the trail, you could either go right or left.. we decided to go right. This is the most tiring part of the hike. Its a steeper climb, using the tree roots as steps. Definitely a good workout! When you get to the top, theres 4 different paths. Take the Makiki Valley Trail. There was a map with and a small bench at this spot. it was a good place to take a breather and see some of the other trails and how long they are.. The Makiki Valley trail has beautiful white ginger plants and a bamboo forest! definitely worth the hike :D As you continue up the trail, Moleka trail will be on the left. Take that trail. At the end of that trail, you'll see a few parking stalls on Round Top Drive. When you cross that street, you can start the Manoa Cliffs Trail. Stay on that trail till you get to Tantalus Dr. This is probably the longest trail of the hike. (We thought we somehow got lost because we were on this trail for what seemed like forever) There was a spot with a little bench where you could see the Waianae Coast. Definitely a picture spot! Just so you have a sense of how long it is, around the middle of the hike, there was a gated spot so wild pigs couldn't enter. There was another trail and a map with all the trails as well. Be sure to stay on the Manoa cliffs trail. Eventually, you'll get to Tantalus Drive. You're almost there! When you get to the street, go left down Tantalus Drive. You can get a great view of Diamond Head from here :] As you walk, there will be a small trail on the left (diamond head side) It is Nahuina Trail. Take that trail, and it will soon lead you back to Kanealole Trail (start trail). It is a very nice and easy hike (except for that short uphill in the beginning). I suggest going when its been sunny for a few days. Because the trail is covered the entire way, it can stay pretty muddy if it was raining. I loved it though! My favorite hike so far :] read more

What a great hike this is! My fiancee and I tackled this moderate to hard hike today! It seems as though there are many trails you can take that branch off the main makiki trail so you could make this a much longer hike if you choose. Anyway, we started on the trail that had a steeper incline ( to the right once you enter the trail head area) and it was quite the workout. Being passed by asian grandma's and grandpa's was humbling and we were determined not to be showed up. 2 hours and 3 miles later we had zigzagged up and down the ridge line, passed over some bridges and a nice small creek. Great exercise/hike for those wanting to get back into into shape and looking for a good moderately long hike. We will definitely be going back! Tips: wear hiking boots or old tennis shoes, it was muddy at the end. We brought camel packs and that helped us stay hydrated. Its mostly shaded but still quite warm! read more

Length: 1hour 15 minutes Difficulty: beginner The way: drive up Makiki Heights Dr (on google maps it will be near Halau Ku Mana Charter School) then drive straight and to your left you'll see parking for hikers and the gate in front of you. Once parked you can take the "Makiki Arboretum trail" or take the paved road up to Maunalaha/Kanealole trail they'll both take you to the same place. The Makiki Valley Loop is the Maunalaha, Kanealole, and Maikiki Valley trails combined. You'll happen upon some structures and feel like you're in someone's backyard. Continue until you see a picnic table and some restrooms (these restrooms are very clean and well kept). Now you'll cross a bridge and veer left. You'll see a small taro garden to your left and you'll reach a fork and a sign for the Makiki Valley Loop trail. If you go left you'll take Kanealole trail up and if you go right you'll take the Maunalaha trail up. Regardless, the trail is a loop. The trail is beginner level but that doesn't mean there won't be areas that will make you sweat. You'll have to walk on some flat ground, climb some stairs, and climb some tree roots. The trail is highlighted by signs that tell a story of the flora, fauna, conservation efforts, and history of the area. Near the beginning there's even signs pointing out the various plant species. There's no spanning views of anything or a huge waterfall at the end of this hike, but it's a nice leisurely stroll if you happen to have the time. It's also good for people of all ages, so bring the whole family! Overall, a nice beginner level hike with nice lessons on the animals, plants, and history of the region. read more

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Quick fun hike with the dog on a Sunday. The trail was pretty empty. There were a lot of educational signs on the way. We also saw a lot of strawberry guava's, and munched on a few ourselves! We started at 11:30am from the Kanealole side and got down to Maunalaha at around 1pm. The trail was really muddy probably from the stormy weather we have been having, and my dog enjoyed a mud bath at the end of the trail! Recommended for beginners, families or anyone looking for a quick hike that's shaded the whole way. read more