#Waterfall hikes oahu hawaii series

Waimea Falls is a gushing torrent of water that journeys down a series of tiered rock ledges down into a wading pool. The area is a refuge for native Hawaiian plants and wildlife, so be sure to stay on the trail and observe all that you can from a distance. However, you’ll want to take your time on this one as the path cuts through a lush botanical garden and past numerous historical attractions. The paved walkway leading to Waimea Falls makes for easy walking. Why you should go: An easy, beautiful hike where you can walk off your North Shore shrimp truck lunch. Waimea Falls Photo: Hiromi Nagatsuka / Getty Images If you’re in the neighborhood to see these two tourist attractions but want to step off the beaten path to find the area’s hidden beauty, hike out to Likeke Falls. The Lookout is above, but also just around the bend lies the jaw-droppingly beautiful (and Instagram favorite) Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. This little waterfall is often overlooked because it is surrounded by the most dramatic cliffs and greenery on all of Oahu.

Though you can hike down to the falls from the Pali Lookout, the approach from below near the Pali Golf Course is much easier and less dangerous. Likeke Falls is an enchanting cascade of tumbling waters set beneath the iconic Pali Lookout. Likeke FallsĪ post shared by Hiro Fukushima you should go: A two-tiered waterfall surrounded by the best scenery on the island. Still, the location is mesmerizing to see in person and surely worth the trek. There’s a picturesque pool at its base, though swimming here is not allowed. Manoa Falls is a towering waterfall set against a sheer basalt wall. This is one of the few waterfall hikes on our list where your feet may not get completely covered in rainforest mud. The trail cuts through a dense bamboo forest, and, unlike most of the waterfall trails across Hawaii, this one is regularly maintained.Īs a result, the trail is wide and covered in gravel. Why you should go: Not far from Waikiki Beach and the University of Hawaii.Īmong the most accessible waterfalls on all of Oahu, Manoa Falls is popular among tourists and locals alike. Manoa Falls Photo: David Schueller / Shutterstock Related Read: The 15 Most Incredible Hikes on Kauai, Hawaii 1. Read on to uncover other Oahu waterfall secrets, such as the best waterfall swimming pools and the most secluded waterfalls on Oahu. Each of the trails on this list features at least one spectacular waterfall, and some contain several. While flip flops and sandals (slips, brah) will be adequate for easy, short trails, you’ll want grippy trail runners or hiking boots for tougher treks.īelow you’ll find many of the best waterfall hikes on Oahu. Be prepared - any unpaved trail will be slippery and squishy after recent rainfall. Fortunately, rain falls nearly every day on Oahu’s Ko’olau Mountain Range, which creates dozens of awesome waterfall hikes to discover.Īll of that rain also makes for muddy trails. When it rains on Oahu, nearly every hike becomes a waterfall hike.