Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

[dyasu]

Aloha! I'm looking for some local folks to share with me some of the "hidden" hikes around the island. I've been hiking pretty regularly for the past year and state maintained trails, while very awesome, are getting to be a little too...
"normal" for me. I've done a few unofficial trails like Puu o Kona (Kuliouou West Ridge) and that was tons of fun.

Not looking for anything death defying. Just something off the beaten path that will take me to a worthwhile view or water feature. Hopefully some trails that are at least a 2 hour round trip!

If you know of a good "secret" trail please PM me if you don't want to share it in public

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

The Saint Louis trail ends at a HECO transmission tower. Go beyond that to the summit and it's a great view, but watch out there's a section of that trail that requires you to balance very carefully as you traverse a narrow pathway with valleys on either side.

[Nords]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

Does anyone publish a detailed Oahu trail guide? Locations of trail heads, distances, times, dangers, parking suggestions, and so on? A website integrated with GPS coordinates and Google maps would be an unexpected bonus...

[LikaNui]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

The best resource is probably the Hawaiian Trail And Mountain Club and their website is at this link.

[Menehune Man]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

Does anyone publish a detailed Oahu trail guide? Locations of trail heads, distances, times, dangers, parking suggestions, and so on? A website integrated with GPS coordinates and Google maps would be an unexpected bonus...

All of that including the GPS coords are at... Geocaching Geocaching is a fun way to get outdoors and search out hidden treasure boxes! I grew up here and have discovered incredible places I never knew of because of this hobby. Here are my active hides... Menehune Man's Geocaches

Another resource is the book by Stuart M. Ball Jr. "The Hikers Guide to O'ahu"

[leashlaws]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

I want directions for the short hike by the Koolau Golf Course/church
that is right off their parking lot. I keep hearing about it but can't figure
out where it is!

[Menehune Man]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

I've done a few unofficial trails like Puu o Kona (Kuliouou West Ridge) and that was tons of fun.

Just wanted to share that there are geocaches all over... even up there. I've been. Triple Dog dare You

[Menehune Man]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

I want directions for the short hike by the Koolau Golf Course/church that is right off their parking lot. I keep hearing about it but can't figure out where it is!

N 21° 22.360 W 157° 47.533
The golf course has kindly allowed hikers to use their property for access.
Proceed on the paved path and then go left on adjacent trail just before the water tank.

[leashlaws]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

N 21° 22.360 W 157° 47.533
The golf course has kindly allowed hikers to use their property for access.
Proceed on the paved path and then go left on adjacent trail just before the water tank.

Hey! Aloha & Thanks! Now I'll get a compass and follow your directions!
No doubt you've been on this before seems like everyone has but me!
Granted these old bones don't do much hiking anymore! Thanks!

[Kaonohi]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

My favorite hike is the Aiea Loop Trail. It also has an offshoot to the top of the Koolaus. Consult "Hawaiian Hiking Trails" Craig Chisolm p. 90, or "Hawaii's Best Hiking Trails" by Robert Smith p.237. 4 hours if you do the loop, all day if you continue to the Koolau ridge.

If on Kauai, do the Kalalau Trail and camp over in Kalalau Valley.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

The best resource is probably the Hawaiian Trail And Mountain Club and their website is at this link.

Doesn't the Sierra Club of Hawaii have any hiking trail information?

[Nords]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

Thanks, guys, spouse has recently showed a renewed interest in this for upcoming empty-nesterhood.

[surlygirly]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

I really liked the Pillbox hike in Lanikai. Not a difficult hike, but you get a beautiful view down on Lanikai and two WWII bunkers to explore. You can keep following the trail after the pillboxes for a longer hike, or turn around after the second one and come back.

These are the directions I found online:


A good address to type into your GPS or iPhone would be:

440 Kaelepulu Dr
Kailua, HI 96734

When you get onto Kalelepulu Dr. heading south,
1.) First you will pass Mid-Pacific Country Club on your right
2.) Next, you will pass a yellow fire hydrant on your right
3.) Right after the fire hydrant will be some dirt next to a chain fence: PARK HERE
4.) Look south, you will see a little street followed by a chain fence
5.) Walk down the little street
6.) At the end of the street is a little sign that says Pillbox Hike

Hope that helps!

[Betsey]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

There's a beautiful trail in the southern Waianae range, going up Palehua to Palikea. The Nature Conservancy used to manage it, but I believe it's been handed over to the state.

There are a couple of locked gates you have to go through to get to the trailhead. Last I heard, the state has closed the area to hikers, but promised they would reopen it sometime in the future. Does anyone know if it's happened yet?

[Kimo]

Re: Oahu hikes -- Suggestions!

This morning's Star Bulletin:

http://www.starbulletin.com/features...ke_a_hike.html