10 Hikes In Hawaii That Will Make You Forget That You're In Hawaii

With near-perfect summer weather year-round, there’s nowhere better to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails than the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands. Sometimes, though, you may want to try something a little bit different. It’s not that you’re tired of the constant waterfall hikes and coastal trails, but we love to mix it up and experience other beautiful aspects of the state. From a hike through a ravishing redwood forest, to a trail leading through a volcanic crater, we think these 10 trails are the best hikes on Hawaii —  and they just might make you forget that you’re on a tropical island.

Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii 96778, USA

Angi English/Flickr

This four-mile loop trail, which is the remains of a massive 1959 eruption, is wildly popular among Volcanoes National Park visitors. The trail – which takes hikers through lush rainforests, near active steam and sulfur vents, and across a solidified lava lake – was voted as the Big Island’s favorite scenic hiking trail by Hawaii Magazine. If you’re in the Volcanoes National Park and looking for trails near me, then you should take a chance on the Kilauea Iki Trail! This is one of the best hikes in Hawaii.

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, Kula, HI 96790, USA

Tim Szlachetka/Flickr

Located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level in Polipoli State Park is this forest populated by redwood trees that were brought to Hawaii in the 1920s to re-establish the watershed. The popular Redwood Trail is 1.7 miles and guides hikers through a forest of baby Redwood trees. It is also the access point for many other trails. This scenic hike in Maui offers stunning views that make you feel like you’re somewhere else than a tropical island!

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Waimea Canyon Drive, Waimea Canyon Dr, Waimea, HI, USA

Anson Chappell/Flickr

This 3.4-mile hike begins off the short Cliff trail, following the northern rim of Waimea Canyon. At the halfway point, you will encounter Waipo’o Falls, the perfect place to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. The trail ends at the awe-inspiring Kumuwela Lookout, with sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. If you’re in Waimea Canyon and looking for hiking trails near me, you can’t beat this stunning hike that offers panoramic views of the landscape around you.

Hau?ula Loop Trail, 54-55 Maakua Rd, Laie, HI 96762, USA

Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com

Located near Laie on Oahu’s northeastern shore is the Hau’ula Loop Trail, a 2.5-mile hike that traverses through a lush jungle and features a hidden waterfall. The trail can get muddy but is lightly trafficked and at just more than 700 feet in elevation gain, is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. It’s a gorgeous way to spend 1.5 hours exploring a different side of Oahu, and we think it’s a beautifully scenic hike in Hawaii.

Lake Waiau, Hawaii, USA

Charles/Flickr

Located at 13,000 feet above sea level on the Big Island’s Mauna Kea, Lake Waiau is arguably one of the highest lakes in all of the United States. However, it is also relatively small, measuring just about 100 meters across. To reach this sacred lake, visitors will have to take a short, one-mile walk, found near Mauna Kea’s astronomy domes. Located in the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve in Hawaii, this interesting hike will make you feel like you’re on another planet!

Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) Trail, Hawaii 96790, USA

Joe Parks/Flickr

Located within Maui’s Haleakala National Park at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, the Keoneheehee Trail, also known as Sliding Sands, is definitely not easy, but the landscapes you’ll find here will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet. The Sliding Sands trail begins at the parking lot and loops around the White Hill before heading down into the crater, where you’ll find absolutely unbelievable views. You’ll feel as though you are on the surface of the moon - or maybe even Mars - as you traverse this winding path around the vast red and orange hills and cinder cones. It’s a challenging route, but the sights are well worth the effort. The Sliding Sands Trail in Maui is guaranteed to blow you away.

Alakai Swamp Trail, Hawaii, USA

pfly/Flickr

Nestled in the heart of Koke’e State Park, just north of Waimea Canyon, is the Alakai Swamp, a truly one-of-a-kind Hawaiian landscape. The Alakai Swamp Trail is approximately seven miles round trip and takes you on a journey through lush forests and ethereal swamplands. Most people start the trail at the Pu’u o Kila Lookout, meander along the Pihea Summit Trail, and traverse approximately 3.5 miles of boardwalk through a unique wet forest and a boggy swamp. Koke’e State Park in Hawaii is home to many unique sights and the Alakai Swamp is just one of them!

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Koko Crater Botanical Garden, 7491 Kokonani St, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

Patricia Barden/Flickr

Cacti and Hawaii aren't necessarily synonymous, are they? A 60-acre garden within the Koko Crater, this botanical garden is also known as the Charles M. Wills Cactus Garden – a name that suits the hot, dry climate and the flora that are able to thrive in this environment. The lightly trafficked loop trail within the garden is far easier than the nearby Koko Head Stairs: the trail is 1.9 miles and gains only 337 feet in elevation throughout the trek. This is easily one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in Hawaii, and the flora and scenery are so fun to explore.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA

Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 150 miles of hiking trails, from easy walks to hikes recommended only for experienced hikers in top physical shape. This 1.2-mile hiking trail leads adventurers through sulphur banks and along a paved boardwalk, where steaming vents and colorful mineral deposits abound. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking and almost alien in nature. There are very few places in the world that look like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

Waihou Spring Trail, 2463 Olinda Rd, Makawao, HI 96768, USA

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/Flickr

This trail, located in Upcountry Maui at the end of Piiholo Road, leads hikers through a Cypress, Eucalyptus, native Hawaiian Koa and Halapepe forest. The upper trail is perfect for families, while the lower trail is reserved for more experienced hikers. A moderately-challenging one-hour hike, you’ll see plenty of wonderful plants and fauna on this family-friendly hike in Hawaii.

Have you experienced any of the best hikes in Hawaii? Did we miss any of the great ones? What is your favorite unexpected hike found across the Hawaiian Islands? Let us know in the comments!

Hikers and outdoor lovers will enjoy seeing how many trails from the ultimate Hawaii hiking bucket list they have completed. Check it out and let us know!