Manoa Cliff Trail Might Be One Of The Most Beautiful Short-And-Sweet Hikes To Take In Hawaii
Long hikes have their time and place, but often, a quick and easy trail is all you need. If you’re in the mood to get outside and enjoy breathtaking scenery without carving out an entire day, look no further than Manoa Cliff Trail. This short-and-sweet Honolulu gem is under three miles, but it manages to pack in so many awe-inspiring sights.
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At just 2.8 miles long, Manoa Cliff Trail reminds us of all the reasons we love living in Hawaii -- despite its short distance. Jungle-like greenery, scenic overlooks, and towering peaks are just some of the views you'll enjoy.
Patches of bamboo forest are spaced throughout the trail, their unique landscape offering a nice change of pace. Hearing the wind whistle through the bamboo is an experience you'll never forget.
Though it features an elevation gain of nearly 900 feet, the hike is on the easier side. That means you'll have ample energy to marvel at the lush vegetation flourishing everywhere you look.
Certain parts of the trail can be precarious, skirting the cliffside a little too closely at times. Just be careful, but don't let this brief stretch serve as a deterrent -- double rainbows are not uncommon sightings at this exact spot!
If your legs are burning from the uphill climb, rest-assured there's a bench not too far from the trailhead. It's placed right in front of what is, perhaps, the most breathtaking view along the entire trail, so sit for a while and marvel at the expansive vistas.
Sweeping panoramas of Honolulu and the deep blue ocean are like icing on the cake. It's hard to tell where the sky ends and water begins, especially on a gorgeous, relatively cloud-free day.
Rugged bluffs jut out every which way, looking down over the valley. Just how far up you are becomes apparent at this point, and it's a terrifyingly beautiful feeling.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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