The Hawaiian Islands are blessed with year-round mild weather and stunning natural beauty. The Aloha State’s dramatic topography and rugged terrain attract hikers from all over the world, and we’re excited to highlight some of the best places to go hiking in Hawaii. We selected our list from the boots-on-the-ground experience of our writers and using thousands of reviews, which is one of the fantastic features available on AllTrails+ (try AllTrails+ for free, and see for yourself!). What we came up with is this list of 18 of the best hikes in Hawaii on the four major islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Let’s get started!

Best Hikes in Hawaii

This trio of hikes on three different islands serves to showcase some of the most iconic places in the Aloha State: Diamond Head Crater, Waimea Canyon, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You’ll see some incredible scenery and be moderately challenged on these trails, which is why we think they represent three of the best places to go hiking in Hawaii.

Best Short & Easy Hikes in Hawaii

Not all the best hiking trails in Hawaii are necessarily long or even all that challenging. There are some excellent hikes in the Aloha State that are perfect for beginners or for hikers who may just want to stretch their legs for a bit without taking up a big chunk of the day to do so. So, here are the best places to go hiking in Hawaii for short and easy hikes.

Hardest Hikes in Hawaii

Experienced hikers looking for a challenge will find no shortage of options in the Hawaiian Islands. We think you’ll find this trio of trails to be both challenging and rewarding, and hopefully, you’ll agree that they are, indeed, some of the best hiking trails in Hawaii.

Best Waterfront Hikes in Hawaii

It’s almost impossible to compile a list of the “best” waterfront hikes in Hawaii – after all, the Aloha State is a chain of beautiful islands surrounded by the deep blue Pacific, so any hike along the water is going to be stellar. Here are a few, though, all on the island of Kauai, that offer some of the most dramatic scenery in the islands along some of the best hiking trails in Hawaii.

Best Winter Hikes in Hawaii

Hiking in Hawaii in the winter is not too much different from any other time of year – especially for visitors to the islands who aren’t particularly in tune with the state’s weather patterns. The main thing to keep in mind is that there will be a little less daylight, so plan accordingly, and there’s a greater chance of rain between November and March – especially on the windward sides of the islands. On the other hand, temperatures may be slightly cooler, and the sun’s rays will not be as direct. This makes winter a great time for hitting some of the more exposed trails on the islands.

Best Hikes near Honolulu

Honolulu is the capital of and largest city in Hawaii (it is, in fact, the largest city in all of Polynesia), and its island, Oahu, is home to almost one million residents. This number, of course, is constantly supplemented by the thousands of tourists that flock to the island throughout the year. Despite its relatively urbanized environment, Honolulu and Oahu boast incredible natural beauty and some truly rugged and wild areas. Here are a few short hikes near the city that showcase some of South Oahu’s beauty.

We think these are some of the best hikes in Hawaii, but we know they’re certainly not all of the best hikes in Hawaii, and we’re sure you’d have some additions to this list (and we’d love to hear about them!). Hawaii is a subtropical paradise, which makes it an excellent destination for hikers – but it also means that you need to take precautions against the heat and the sun. So always bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, especially when hiking near the water or over exposed terrain. On the windward sides of the islands, you’re going to want insect repellant and probably a lightweight rain jacket in your day pack. Always wear proper footwear for the terrain and bring along a paper map, as well as a downloaded map on your smartphone – both of which are available from AllTrails+ – so you don’t have to rely on cell service to navigate. Being prepared will help to ensure that you’ll have the best experience hiking in Hawaii. Mahalo for reading, and we hope to see you on the trail!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Best Hikes In Hawaii

Does Hawaii have good hiking trails?

Yes, Hawaii has many good hiking trails and great hikes. Although this article only covered trails on the four major islands, you’ll also find excellent hiking on the islands of Lanai and Molokai. Other trails you should know about include:

 

One popular trail that you should avoid for now, however, is the Haiku Stairs - the so-called “Stairway to Heaven” - as they are dangerous, and hiking them is now illegal. You could be ticketed and fined if you are caught. This may change in the future, as the city of Honolulu is considering plans for permitting responsible tours of the stairs.

What are the best months to hike in Hawaii?

With its temperate weather, any month of the year is good for hiking in Hawaii. During the summer months, the weather is a little hotter, and the sun is more direct, so hikes in less exposed areas on the windward sides of the islands are probably your best bets. We’ve even curated a list of trails by month so you’ll know when and where to find the best hikes in Hawaii.

Explore Hawaii