Hawaii

The ‘back way’ to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green...

The hikeThe Lanikai Pillbox Trail, also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, is a well-maintained, dog-friendly hike. The pathway is relatively accessible to hikers of varying skill levels, and it takes many people between 30 and 45 minutes to complete the walk. The beginning of the trail is steep w...

The parking area for the trail is right off of Hana Hwy. The lot may be packed which isn't surprising as a lot of people visit, but there aren't as many people once you start exploring the falls. From the lot, you will see a food stand beside the start of the trail which a great place to get some...

NOTE: as of April 2021, this trail is closed indefinitely. Please do not attempt to hike on closed trails.  This trail is not for the faint of heart or those easily scared of heights. The crouching lion trail is a 4 mile loop with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. The elevation gains and losses a...

Located in close proximity to Honolulu, the 150-foot Manoa Falls is accessible from the nearest road by a hike of approximately 0.8 miles (one way). The hike passes through a diverse array of ecosystems in Manoa Valley and feels like a true jungle, which makes it a great photo-zone. This valley i...

From the parking area, walk down the narrow, crazy steep four-wheel drive road for 0.75 mile until the road levels. A few 4WD vehicles, either foolhardy (tourist) or knowledgable (local) may be inching up and down. Head to the right toward the beach for 0.45 mile and arrive on the black sand beac...

This hike begins at the parking lot of Ke'e Beach at the Northern most point you can drive to on the island. This is where the Kalalau Trail begins. From there, you immediately start hiking upward, with great views of the beach down below. The first two miles of the trail are the busiest, as n...

Head to Haleakala's summit for amazing views of the island and your choice of a stunning sunrise or sunset. Keep in mind that you are 10,000 feet up once you're at the summit, so be prepared with warmer layers. If you're planning to get there early for the sunrise, make sure to bring a little foo...

Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. This will lead you to an open grassy val...

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island of Kauai. There is a designated parking lot with a viewpoint to see the top of the falls. 

If you're looking to get away from the summer crowds of Waikiki, you should consider heading to the North Shore, especially in the summer. Although this season is considered the off-season on this side of the island, it simply means the North Shore transforms into a gentle, family-friendly 7-mile...

During the weekdays the beach is relatively empty, but on weekends during peak tourist season it can become extremely crowded. Lanikai is a popular spot for photo shoots as renowned models and photographers frequent the place on nice days. Due to its position on the east side of the island, Lanik...

Makua, aka Tunnels, is known for its incredible mountain scenery. This beach also offers great snorkeling, where people will usually see turtles. Public parking, bathrooms and showers are available at Haena Beach Park located west of Tunnels. Be sure to head to the beach early, parking on the tow...

If you're looking to get moving and get your heart rate up or want a place to snap great photos, start with hiking to Makapu’u Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1909 on a 600-ft cliff, which overlooks Makapu’u beach. The hike is more of an uphill walk and can be done in sandals unless you’...

This hike is on the beginning section of the Kalalau trail, at Ke'e Beach. Your trip begins with a winding 2 mile trail to Hanakapi`ai Beach. The beach is a beautiful place to hang out and relax, there's a stream where you can take a dip, and bathrooms if you need to stop. Unfortunately, there's ...

The view from the Kuliouou summit is one of the most rewarding on the island and well worth your time. This diverse hike is somewhere between a beginner and intermediate level and takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. The trail is well maintained and very popular on the weekend. Start early to...