What better way to celebrate the upcoming year than with an epic list of 12 of the best scenic hikes in Hawaii? We’ve found some of the best, most scenic hikes on the islands and put them together for you to try throughout the year. Grab your gear and get out and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer!

1. January: Hoopii Falls Trail, Kapaʻa, Kauai, Hawaii

Kick off the new year with a waterfall hike on Kauai! This gorgeous, easy out-and-back trail brings you to a series of cascading waterfalls. The 2.4-mile trail takes you through a beautiful rainforest and offers stunning views along the way. It’s a good trail for the whole family, with more than 196 feet of elevation gain, but the trail can get muddy after a rainstorm, so plan footwear accordingly!

2. February: Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

This is a fun and very easy hike for the whole family. A .4-mile stroll around gardens, the river, and the chance to see The Needle up close and personal. It’s a beautiful hike in a calm and zen area, and you’ll feel it! There is a $5 per person fee, and a $10 parking fee, but it’s worth it. This is a wonderful little trail in Maui that shouldn’t be missed!

3. March: Waimano Falls Trail, Pearl City, Oahu, Hawaii

This short and steep trail is incredibly rewarding and offers a series of cascading waterfalls that culminate in a deep swimming hole with plenty of places to jump from. The trail is rated difficult, as the elevation gain is more than 800 feet in a short period of time, but the hike itself is worth it. Grab a friend and spend the day out at Waimano Falls on this 2.9-mile hike!

4. April: Akaka Falls Trail, Hakalau, Hawaii, Hawaii

This very easy and visually stunning trail is a must-see the next time you’re on the Big Island. This .5-mile loop trail climbs 121 feet of elevation gain for incredible views of the Akaka Falls. The falls are 442 feet tall and plunge into a basin in the rainforest below. You do have to pay a $5 per person fee to get in, but the sights are well worth it, and it’s easy enough for the whole family to enjoy.

5. May: Moaula Falls, Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii

This absolutely breathtaking waterfall should be at the top of your bucket list when you’re visiting Molokai. This tiered waterfall is incredibly impressive, and the hike there is equally enchanting. The 3.9-mile out and back hike climbs 485 ft, but it’s worth every step. Because the trail goes over private land, you must hire a guide (his name is Greg! And you can get ahold of him at https://halawavalleymolokai.com/) before you head out. Plan to enjoy the whole day out here!

6. June: Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) East Trail, Kapaʻa, Kauai, Hawaii

Kick off the summer with this epic hike on Kauai! Sleeping Giant, or Nounou Mountain, is a beautiful spot to enjoy in the month of June. Local legend says a giant feasted so much at a party in his honor that he laid down for a nap and never woke up again. This trail takes you up the face of the giant, and it’s a 3.4-mile, out-and-back trail that only ascends 961 feet. But the views from the top? Absolutely priceless! Just try not to wake the sleeping giant...

7. July: Makamakaole Stream: 13 Crossings, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

Who wouldn’t want to spend one of the hottest months checking out some gorgeous waterfalls? Head to Maui and the Makamakaole Stream: 13 Crossings Trail for a wonderful adventure and the option to see not just one, but two waterfalls. You will be crossing plenty of streams however, so make sure to dress appropriately. The trail does divide at one point, so if you want to see both waterfalls you have to backtrack and hike back out to the second one. But this two-mile hike is worth it!

8. August: Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Naalehu, Hawaii, Hawaii

Escape the Hawaii summer heat with this gorgeous hike along the coastline on the beautiful island of Hawaii. It’s an easy out-and-back hike that only climbs about 370 feet of elevation gain. The length is 5.6 miles, and at the end: the reward of one of the only true green sands beaches in the world! The sand is made from lava, and a common silicate deposit named called Olivine. Make sure to bring your camera, because this is one view you’ll want to remember forever.

9. September: Koele Keomuku Trail, Lanai City, Lanai, Hawaii

Get high above the treetops on the gorgeous Koele Keomuku Trail. This is a slightly more challenging hike, with 1,046 feet of elevation gain. It’s an out-and-back trail that comes in at 5.2 miles, and you’ll be greeted with scenic views along the way. The trail starts on the back lawn of the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, and you’ll hike up red dirt trails lined with trees covered in gorgeous foliage. The trail ends at the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

10. October: Mo’omomi Sand Dunes, Hoolehua, Molokai, Hawaii

Mix it up on Molokai with this gorgeous hike through the Mo’omomi Sand Dunes! This is an easy, visually beautiful out-and-back trail 3.3-mile hike along the coastline and through the sand dunes. Total elevation gain is only 183 feet throughout the trail, but there’s no shade, so make sure to bring a hat. To get to the trail, you’ll have to drive down a road that you’ll need four-wheel drive for. But it’s worth it!

11. November: Waimea Valley Trail, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii

This beautiful trail in Oahu leads to a 45-foot waterfall! It’s an easy, very accessible hike that’s paved all the way to the falls. The entire trip is only 1.9 miles out and back and you’ll pass through a stunning and well-labeled botanical garden. The entrance fee is $12 per child and $20 per adult. But it’s well worth it, especially if you want to swim in the falls.

12. December: Koloiki Ridge, Lanai City, Lanai, Hawaii

One of the best trails for a sunrise view, the Koloiki Ridge climbs 728 feet along 4.2 miles. Enjoy the hike up a red dirt road, and enjoy a panoramic view of the islands of Molokai and Maui in the distance, and the waves breaking on Lanai. It’s a stunning way to end this hike - and the year!

Have you hiked these scenic trails in Hawaii? What did you think? Are we missing any? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’ve worked up an appetite on one of these great hikes, make sure to refuel at These 13 Beachfront Restaurants In Hawaii Are Out Of This World.