If you’re here because you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and doing your research beforehand, you’re smart. If you’re here because you got to Hawaii and realized it’s so hard to find easily accessible hikes, you’re like me. We’re smart too (don’t worry) just a little slow on the draw. I’ve been living on Oahu in a sprinter van for the past month. It’s been a complete dream to explore new places every day and let’s just say I’ve learned a LOT. I’m going to share with you 3 things you need to know about hiking in Hawaii so that you can save yourself the hours I burned figuring them out firsthand.
1. Many trails require reservations
I remember the first time I pulled up to a trailhead and saw the reservation booth I was so confused. I was told that the trail I wanted to hike on required a parking reservation and/or a payment to hike. Through trial and error I’ve discovered that this is the case for many of the popular hikes on Oahu. And it makes sense. With so much tourism in the area, it’s a great way to limit traffic and preserve the natural beauty of these trails. You’ll find that the fees typically don’t exceed 10-20 dollars so it may be worth it to you. Either way, It’s something to be aware of as you try to look for a good hike in the area!
2. The Island is covered in hikes and you can’t (or shouldn’t) access most of them
Do NOT make the mistake of typing, “hikes near me” into google maps and navigating to whatever looks good. Here’s why it’s a bad idea: many of those comments are left from years ago, meaning there’s no guarantee that the trail is still well maintained or safe to hike. In addition, many of those comments are left by other tourists who don’t know the rules of the area. Often when you navigate to one of these hikes, you’ll see that it’s on private property, reserved, or else unmarked/unsafe. Many of these hikes start in neighborhoods, and while they may still be legal the people who live in that neighborhood have to deal with strange cars lining their roads and taking up parking. Sometimes school buses or maintenance vehicles can’t get through.
You’ll also find that there’s a military base right in the middle of the island called the Schofield Barracks. Google and apple maps both display public hiking trails in that area but in order to access them you have to get screened to pass onto the base. Even then your ability to hike will depend on if they are doing drills that day or not. If the range is hot they will close the gate (for obvious reasons) and you’ll have to go somewhere else. It’s hit or miss to say the least.
3. There are a lot of hikes that you CAN do, you just need to know where to look
My first few attempts at hiking in Hawaii had me feeling like it was impossible. There are so many hikes that appear under searches, and so few of them are still available for public use. I found myself driving around for hours to find a trail I could actually use. Like I said, if you’re doing your research now, I’m glad you’re here BEFORE you’ve wasted your time like I did. Now that you know what to be aware of, here are two of the best ways to find a good hike:
Use AllTrails!
Download the app, just do it. It’s free and it’s a hikers best friend. This app is SO detailed in it’s trail descriptions. There are also many comments under each trail that provide great information. You’ll be able to discern pretty quickly if a trail is poorly maintained, closed to the public, or dangerous under certain weather conditions. Click here to view a list of the 10 most popular trails in Oahu according to AllTrails reviews. This link will take you directly to the AllTrails main page, where you can dig up other good trails on the island.
Become familiar with Hawaii.gov
Number two is to utilize the Hawaii state park website! I’m linking it so you can go take a look at what it has to offer. It will show you the major hikes in state parks around the island. You’ll also find information on beautiful beaches and historical sites near those trails. The site will tell you details like closing times for the parking lots, if there is an entry fee or a parking permit required (most of them do not require either of these) and general information about the area. If you’re looking to camp, the site has details on available spaces and registration. It’s a fantastic resource for in depth information on a few beautiful hikes. Go here for quality, go to AllTrails for quantity.
Put on your hiking boots!
You’re set to go hiking in Hawaii! These tips and resources are going to be LIFESAVERS. I wish I’d known them when I first came, but hey, some of us have to learn the hard way. Now you don’t have to:) If you’re looking for more to do in Oahu specifically, I’ve got your back. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been traveling around the island living in a van and writing about my favorite experiences. If you’re curious about the adventures I got up to living in a van on Oahu and want to read more, CLICK HERE!
Safe travels, I’ll see you around!
-Ellie
