Take These 12 Incredible Hawai‘i Hikes, One for Each Month of the Year

With near-perfect summer weather year-round, there’s nowhere better to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails than our beautiful islands. And because you’ll find countless hiking trails crisscrossing the Hawaiian Islands—from coastal paths to treks through the jungle and everything in between—it can be difficult to make a decision on where you will go this weekend. Lucky for you, we have curated a list of a dozen epic hikes from Kaua‘i to Hawai‘i Island—12 of the best hikes in Hawai‘i to enjoy! There is one trail for each month of the year.

1. January: Captain Cook Trail

Start off the year with a historic hike on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona Coast. On January 17, 1779, Captain Cook, the British explorer who first arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, sailed into Kealakekua Bay. In the 1870s, a 27-foot white obelisk was erected in honor of the well-known seafarer. Encircled by a chain supported by cannonballs, the monument sits on a small parcel of land traditionally considered British-owned. While you can reach the landmark by kayak, we suggest embarking on the epic trail that gains nearly 1,300 feet of elevation and features sweeping views of the coast.

2. February: Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail

Located on the southeastern point of O‘ahu within the Kaiwi Scenic Shoreline is the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail, a short and sweet paved hike of about 2.5 miles round trip to a historic lighthouse overlook. In addition to sweeping views of O‘ahu’s coastline, the vast Pacific Ocean and the iconic Makapuʻu Lighthouse, you might spot humpback whales frolicking offshore from December through May. Right in the middle of whale season, it only makes sense to take this trail in February.

3. March: Iliau Nature Loop Trail

With brilliant shades of red, brown, green, blue, gray, and even purple, Waimea Canyon State Park encompasses approximately 1,866 acres and is one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations. If you’d like to say you enjoyed a hike within the undeniably breathtaking Waimea Canyon, but are short on time or lack hiking experience, you’ll want to embark on the short, simple, and stunning Iliau Nature Loop Trail. Located at the start of the Kukui Trail, this short, 0.3-mile roadside loop trail on the western edge of the canyon not only gives adventurers an up-close and personal look at native upland scrub vegetation but offers excellent vistas of both Waimea and Waialae Canyons.

4. April: ʻŌhai Trail Loop

Nestled on Maui’s northwestern shore near Wailuku and Papanalāhoa Point is the ʻŌhai Trail Loop, an incredibly scenic and short hike you’ll want to check off your Hawai‘i hiking bucket list as soon as possible. Meandering along the coastline, the views you’ll find along the ʻŌhai Trail Loop are truly second to none, and measuring in at just 1.2 miles with less than 200 feet of elevation gain, you have no excuse not to tackle this terrific trail. In fact, this is one of our favorite beginner‑friendly hikes in Hawai‘i.

5. May: Aiea Loop Trail

Nestled within the 384-acre Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area on O‘ahu is the 4.5-mile Aiea Loop Trail, which leads hikers on a delightful journey through a verdant forest and features views of Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the H‑3 and the Ko‘olau Mountains. In addition to striking views and a phenomenal hike, you might discover the wreckage of a B-24J bomber near the trail. The plane crashed here in May 1944 and is often considered one of Hawai‘i’s most well-known crash sites.

6. June: Makāula 'O'oma Trail

If you’re searching for a short, easy hike near Kailua-Kona that will take you on an adventure like no other, we know just the trail. The Makāula ʻOʻoma Trail meanders through a lush forest that looks as though it was ripped from the big screen. There are a few different loop trails found in this cloud forest ranging in length, but we’re certainly partial to the Jurassic Trail. With a variety of ferns and native vegetation, it’s easy to feel like you’ve entered a prehistoric world. At more than 3,000 feet above sea level, the trail is cool and wet, providing a remarkable respite from the coastal heat on a warm Hawai‘i day.

7. July: Oneawa Hills Trail

If you enjoy getting off the beaten path, this trail is for you. A relatively unknown trail in Kāne‘ohe Bay, Oneawa Hills is a short, 2.3-mile ridge hike that leads to unforgettable vistas of O‘ahu’s windward coast. Meandering through a tangle of trees, you will soon reach the lookout point, after which you will take the connecting trail to Kawaewae Ridge. With constant ups and downs, this trek is quite the workout. And while you will experience the beauty of the Ko‘olau Mountains and Kāne‘ohe Bay along the way, it is the view of the Kapa‘a Quarry that will truly take your breath away. With a mystical, greenish hue, rumor has it that the Kapa‘a Quarry has been providing gravel, sand, and concrete to the island for decades.

8. August: Kahakapao Loop Trail

Found within the Makawao Forest Reserve, the Kahakapao Loop Trail winds its way through a variety of native and non-native trees, including a forest of pines, fragrant eucalyptus groves, patches of wild ginger, as well as ash groves and fern forests. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Haleakalā at approximately 2,800 to 3,700 feet above sea level, this loop trail is cool, shaded, breezy, and serene.

9. September: Shipwreck Beach

If you are searching for another beginner-friendly hike in Hawai‘i, you don’t want to miss Shipwreck Beach Trail on Kaua‘i. This 0.5-mile out-and-back trail is perfect for a quick stroll with some gorgeous views. The sunsets along this trail are truly remarkable, and you’ll always want to keep an eye out for wildlife. You never know what you might encounter along one of the best easy trails on Kaua‘i.

10. October: Puʻu Waʻa Waʻa Trail

Tucked away on Hawai‘i Island just north of Kailua-Kona is the Puʻu Waʻa Waʻa Cinder Cone, a volcanic rock formation that offers a truly unforgettable opportunity for adventure. Translating to “many-furrowed hill” in the Hawaiian language, this ancient cinder cone is more than 100,000 years old and is thought to be the oldest land feature on Hualālai. The trailhead is located between mile markers 21 and 22 on Highway 190, marking the start of a long, grueling trek to more than 4,000 feet above sea level—but don’t worry, the views from the summit are worth it.

11. November: Keālia Pond Boardwalk

Located within the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.9-mile boardwalk trail is peaceful and picturesque. This level, easy out-and-back hike is perfect for the entire family—the fenced boardwalk is ideal for curious keiki who need to be contained, and the short distance makes it perfect for those with little time. Waterfowl from Asia and North America migrate to this sanctuary during the winter months. Bring your binoculars if you’re interested in birdwatching.

12. December: Kuliouou Ridge Trail

End the year with a tough trek you’ve been building up to. Measuring in at approximately 4.5 miles, the awe-inspiring Kuliouou Ridge Trail is tucked away on O‘ahu’s windward coast and is as beautiful as it is secluded. Gaining more than 1,600 feet in elevation, this trail is not for beginners but rather for those with ridge-hiking experience and plenty of stamina. Once you reach the summit, you’ll quickly see just how rewarding this hike is. The sweeping views stretch from Hawai‘i Kai to Kāne‘ohe, and you’ll want to both stand in awe to soak in the scenery and snap as many photos as you can. Are you ready to take on this scenic hike on O‘ahu?

How many of these hikes will you be adding to your bucket list? What do you consider the best hikes in Hawai‘i? Are there any Hawai‘i trails on your hiking bucket list this year? Let us know! No matter which trails you plan to tackle, make sure you have the proper gear and are prepared for the journey.