Our Favorite Easy Hikes on Oahu: A Scenic Road Trip
If you love discovering beautiful places while adding some easy hiking to your adventure, Oahu is the perfect island to explore.
Whenever we visit a new destination, one of the first tools we use is the AllTrails app. It helps us find hikes based on distance, difficulty, elevation, and reviews so we can create an itinerary that fits each day.
For our first day on Oahu, we planned a full day of shorter hikes and scenic stops that allowed us to experience many different sides of the island. Along the way, we discovered rainbows, surfers, waterfalls, rugged coastlines, and some of the most beautiful scenery on the island.
If you’re planning your own Oahu vacation, this itinerary is a great way to experience a variety of landscapes without committing to long or difficult hikes.
Why We Love Planning Hikes on our Travels
One of our favorite ways to explore a destination is by combining several short hikes into one scenic road trip.
Instead of spending an entire day on a single trail, we get to experience beaches, waterfalls, mountain views, coastal cliffs, and local towns.
Oahu is the perfect island for this style of travel because many of its most beautiful viewpoints require only a short walk from the parking area.
With the help of AllTrails and a rental car, we created a flexible itinerary that allowed us to stop wherever something caught our attention.
Easy Hikes That Follow a Scenic Drive in Oahu
Stop 1: Diamond Head Beach Trail
Our first stop was Diamond Head Beach Park, where a short 0.3-mile walk rewarded us with incredible ocean views.
The trail gently winds toward the shoreline, passing the picturesque Diamond Head Lighthouse before leading down to the rocky beach below.
The walk includes a small incline but is otherwise very easy and suitable for most visitors.
When we reached the beach, surfers were finishing their morning sessions, and a beautiful rainbow appeared over the water. It felt like the perfect Hawaiian welcome.
This trail is located directly below Diamond Head Crater.
The Diamond Head Crater Summit Trail is a fantastic hike that we included in a different story detailing more difficult hikes in Oahu.
Read about our Diamond Head Crater Summit hike HERE.
Stop 2: Hanauma Bay Lookout Trail
Our next destination was Hanauma Bay.
Unfortunately, we quickly learned that Hanauma Bay State Park requires tickets, and everything was sold out for the day.
Although we weren’t able to go this time, we’ve visited on a previous trip and highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. The bay is one of the most beautiful places on Oahu, with crystal-clear water and excellent snorkeling.
If it’s on your itinerary, be sure to reserve your entry in advance of your stop.
While driving toward Hanauma Bay, we also spotted hikers climbing the famous Koko Crater Tramway.
That hike is much more challenging than the easy hikes featured in this story, so we’ve covered it in a separate story.
Read about our Koko Crater Tramway to Kokohead Lookout hike HERE.
Stop 3: Halona Blowhole Trail
As we continued along Oahu’s southeastern coastline, we arrived at one of our favorite stops of the day.
The Halona Blowhole Trail is a moderate 0.4-mile hike that leads down toward the ocean and a secluded beach surrounded by volcanic rock formations.
We made our way along the lava rock and found the blowhole. We spent a few minutes and some laughs watching it blow water through the hole.
In addition to the beach and the blowhole, we also discovered a small tunnel that made exploring even more fun. We almost missed the opening, so be sure to keep your eyes searching for the opening.
One thing that surprised us was how dramatically the scenery changed as we drove around the island. Every coastline seemed to have its own personality, from calm beaches to rugged lava cliffs.
The rugged lava formations, crashing waves, and vibrant water colors created some of our favorite photographs from the entire trip.
Even if you don’t hike every trail in this area, don’t skip the scenic pull-offs. Several overlooks along this stretch of highway are absolutely breathtaking.
Stop 4: Makapuʻu Lookout
Our next stop was the beautiful Makapu’u Lookout.
This overlook offers panoramic views of Oahu’s southeastern coastline and is one of the island’s best places to simply stop, take in the scenery, and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Several hiking trails begin nearby, ranging from easy paved walks to more challenging climbs.
If you’re using the AllTrails app, you’ll find plenty of options depending on how much time and energy you have left for the day.
Stop 4: Kailua Beach Park Trail
Continuing around the island, we arrived at beautiful Kailua Beach Park.
This is an easy 0.9-mile walk along one of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches, with powdery white sand and turquoise water stretching for miles.
It didn’t take long for us to decide we’d be coming back the next day.
The water looked perfect for kayaking, and it ended up becoming one of our favorite adventures of the entire trip.
Read about our Kailua kayaking adventure HERE.
Stop 5: Manoa Falls Trail
Before ending the day, we headed inland to experience a completely different side of Oahu.
The Manoa Falls Trail is a moderate 1.8-mile round-trip hike through a lush tropical rainforest leading to a beautiful waterfall.
The trail was slightly muddy during our visit, but the scenery made every step worthwhile.
Towering bamboo, tropical plants, and dense jungle surrounded us as we made our way toward the falls.
Several longer hiking trails branch off from this area, but after a full day of exploring, we chose to enjoy the waterfall before heading back.
The contrast between the rainforest and the island’s coastal scenery made this one of the most unique hikes of the day.
A Stop at the Hawaii State Capitol
Since we were already back in Honolulu, we made one final stop before dinner.
As part of our challenge to visit all 50 U.S. State Capitols, we explored the unique Hawaii State Capitol.
Unlike any other Capitol building we’ve visited, its open-air design reflects Hawaii’s natural surroundings and cultural heritage.
Read our Hawaii State Capitol story HERE.
After exploring the Capitol grounds, we spent the evening strolling around Waikiki before enjoying dinner at Duke’s Waikiki.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
More Easy Hikes on Oahu
We explored the opposite side of the island on a different day and discovered more short hikes that are worth adding to your itinerary.
Stop 6: Green Turtle Trail
The Green Turtle Trail is an easy 0.3-mile walk leading to a beautiful beach near both Four Seasons Resort Oahu and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
During this visit, we stayed at Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort, which offers easy access to Waikiki’s restaurants and nightlife. However, this quieter side of the island offers a completely different atmosphere with luxury resorts, golf courses, and a more relaxed pace.
Nearby, we also completed the much more challenging Puʻu O Hulu (Pink Pillbox) Trail.
Read about our Pink Pillbox hike HERE.
Stop 7: Kaiaka Bay Trail
Another easy favorite was the Kaiaka Bay Trail, a scenic 0.6-mile walk along Oahu’s northern coastline.
This area feels completely different from the southeastern beaches, offering wide-open coastal views and a quieter atmosphere.
The highlight of this hike was spotting several sea turtles near the shoreline.
Moments like these are exactly why we love slowing down and exploring the island on foot.
On our way to this hike, we stopped by the famous Dole Plantation for a refreshing pineapple Dole Whip. Another fun stop we recommend you add to your Hawaiian adventure.
Why We Love Using AllTrails
One of the reasons we enjoy hiking while traveling is because it’s such an easy way to discover places we may never have found otherwise.
The AllTrails app makes planning simple by showing trail difficulty, mileage, elevation, reviews, photos, and directions all in one place.
Whether you’re looking for a five-minute walk to a scenic overlook or a challenging summit hike, you’ll find plenty of options across Oahu.
Tips for Planning Easy Hikes in Oahu
If you’re planning to follow a similar itinerary, here are a few tips that made our day even better:
- Rent a car so you can explore the island at your own pace.
- Download the AllTrails app before your trip.
- Slow down and enjoy the views.
- Bring water and snacks, even for short hikes.
- Consider sunscreen and possibly a hat, as the sun is stronger than you think.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Reserve Hanauma Bay in advance.
- Start early to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.
- Make sure to stop at scenic overlooks along the drive! Some of our favorite views weren’t planned.
Final Thoughts: Hiking in Oahu
Planning a day around several easy hikes on Oahu allowed us to experience so much more than we would have by spending the entire day on one trail.
From rainbows over Diamond Head Beach and dramatic volcanic coastlines to waterfalls, sea turtles, and peaceful beaches, every stop showed us a different side of the island.
That’s one of the things we love most about traveling. Sometimes the best adventures aren’t found in a single destination; they’re discovered along the journey between them.
If you’re visiting Oahu, consider creating your own scenic hiking loop. You’ll experience incredible views, discover hidden gems, and make memories that will last long after your vacation ends.
Looking For More Strenuous Hikes on Oahu?
Enjoyed exploring Oʻahu’s easier summit trails? When you’re ready to challenge yourself, continue the adventure with our guide to more strenuous hikes. The climbs may be tougher, but the incredible views and sense of accomplishment at the top make every step worthwhile. Read the story HERE.
Plan Your Own Oahu Adventure
Ready to plan your own Hawaiian adventure?
Visit our Travel Resources page to discover the same trusted tools we use when planning our trips. From booking flights, accommodations, and rental cars to finding hiking trails and organizing unforgettable adventures around the world.
Whether you’re exploring Oahu or heading somewhere new, we hope these resources help you create your own amazing travel story.
Affiliate Disclosure
Mind Set On Travel may contain affiliate links to products and services, including Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of our links, we may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue sharing travel tips, resources, and mindset stories.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for supporting Mind Set On Travel!
Read our full disclaimer here.