3 Top Tier Hikes On Oahu
Pali Notches, Ka‘au Crater, and Maunawili Falls easily take the top 3 spots as my favorite hikes on O‘ahu. Each are an experience in their own way, and definitely not for the faint of heart. By the time you're done, these trails leave you feeling like you conquered something great. They’re not just hikes—they’re full-on adventures that engage every part of you, physically and mentally, and I absolutely love that.
Pali Notches
Pali Notches is short but intense. It’s a ridge hike that takes you up the Ko‘olau Range, where the trail is nothing more than a narrow strip of dirt carved into the mountainside with sheer drop-offs on both sides. It’s not the kind of hike where you can’t zone out and stroll along. You have to be present, carefully choosing each step, gripping onto the ropes, and using all four limbs to scramble up the steepest parts. The best sections are the notches themselves which are three deep cuts in the ridgeline that you have to climb up and down, each one steep and sketchy. You rely on whatever ropes and footholds you can find within the rocks, sometimes questioning how secure they actually are, but trusting them anyway.
Then comes the final fun part: the chimney, a vertical rock face with an 800-foot drop below. This is where people either push through or call it a day. Climbing up it is a full-body experience where everything is working together to keep you moving up. And when you finally pull yourself over the top, that rush of adrenaline and accomplishment hits hard. The view from up there is astounding, as it gives you a full panoramic shot of the Windward side of the island. My friends and I sat up there for over an hour the first time we did it, just admiring the sight.
Since checking it off my bucket list, I’ve gone back a few more times, and each time it remains just as exhilarating. However, it is one of those hikes where you have to respect the conditions, meaning if the weather’s not perfect, it’s not worth the risk. Pali Notches can be unforgiving, and one wrong step in wet conditions could send you somewhere you definitely don’t want to be.
Ka’au Crater
Ka‘au Crater is a completely different kind of adventure. It’s much longer and more varied, but that’s what makes it so fun. The hike starts in the forest, following a beautiful freshwater stream. Ripe guavas hang from the trees alongside the trail, which is perfect for snacking along the way, and there is shampoo ginger that grow in abundance for washing your hair later on in the day.
As you go, you pass though 3 waterfalls, each one more stunning than the last. The first two are perfect spots to cool off, but the best of them all comes at the third one because his is where the trail begins to go vertical. To keep going, you have to climb up the side of the waterfall, holding a rope as the water rushes beside and sometimes on you. At certain points, you’re fully walking on top/through the waterfall, hands soaked, feet slipping, and just trusting the rope to keep you steady.
Once you conquer the waterfalls, the hike shifts into a ridge trail, where you find yourself walking along the narrow perimeter of an inactive volcano crater. The drop-offs on either side are steep, but the view makes every step worth it. At the highest point, you get this insane contrast: on one side, the crater where lava once brewed, but now covered in dense greenery. And on the other, an unreal view of East side stretching out to the ocean. It’s definitely a moment where you just have to stop and take in how wild everything is.
That being said, Ka‘au Crater is not a hike to underestimate. It’s pretty long and constantly changing with mud, rocks, vertical ridges, waterfalls, and ropes. My best friend and I learned the hard way that you have to bring enough water. We ran out halfway through and ended up chugging a sun-heated gallon jug of water from inside the car when we got back. It was not really refreshing, but in that moment, it was great.
Maunawili Falls
Whenever friends or family come to visit, there's one hike I always take them on—Maunawili Falls. It’s the perfect introduction to a classic Hawaii adventure with dense jungle, river crossings, muddy trails, and a beautiful waterfall at the end. It’s got everything you’d want in a tropical trek, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard.
The trail starts off with a gradual climb, winding through thick greenery, towering trees, and the sounds of birds and running water. You’ll cross a few small streams, balancing on rocks or just embracing the wet feet, and when you eventually reach Maunawili Falls, you see just how stunning it is. Water cascades down into a deep pool, and it feels so tucked and hidden away.
While you could just chill and enjoy the view, it’s more fun if you decide to jump one of the three cliff jumps here. The water below is deep. I’ve jumped countless times and never touched the bottom, so you don’t have to worry about that.
10-foot jump – This one is the easiest and sits right in front of you as you approach the falls.
40-foot jump – This one is off to the right, but getting there is a little tricky because you have to traverse climb a slick, vertical rock wall that’s definitely sketchy. A slip here would probably end badly.
50-foot jump – This is the big one, off to the left. Standing at the top and looking down will definitely get your heart racing. But if you’re up for it, the adrenaline rush is sick.
Aside from the jumps, the falls is just a cool place to hang out. The water is cold (which feels amazing after the hike), the whole area is secluded, and this is definitely a hike with a high reward. Maunawili Falls really is the spot, and if your feeling up to it, maybe take the plunge!
I think the reason why I love these hikes so much is the adventure aspect to them. They require you to climb, crawl, and scramble your way to the destination. You don’t just walk through them, you experience them. They make you engage with nature in such cool ways that are hands-on: whether it’s climbing up rock faces, pulling yourself up/ jumping off waterfalls, or gathering guavas and shampoo ginger along the way, it’s all so immersive.
More than anything, these hikes connect me to my inner child. Getting absolutely covered in dirt/mud, feeling the rush of climbing up something you’re not totally sure you should do, and discovering little treasures of nature along the way brings me back to being a kid—exploring, playing, seeing the world with curiosity and excitement. It is the simple joy of adventure where you’re not worried about any responsibilities beyond that moment. Pali Notches, Ka‘au Crater, and Maunawili Falls not only provide epic views and activities, but also that feeling of being alive. That’s why these 3 will always be at the top of my list of my favorite hikes to do on ‘Oahu.
