Manoa Falls Trail: Oahu’s Best
Fun Fact: Manoa Falls trail was one of the filming locations for the movie ‘Jurassic Park’ and the TV show ‘Lost’.
Island of Oahu is known as the “Gathering Place” for a long time. Tourist spend a long vacation in this island because of the diverse food it has and a dose of adventure it offers to them. To junkie adventurers, Oahu is known for myriad of dangerous illegal hikes. But worry not, because there are also non-life threatening legal hikes you can do.
Manoa Falls is one of the legal hikes that takes you to a beautiful cascading 150-foot waterfall nestled in the middle of the Hawaiian jungle. It is one of the famous and traversed trails on Oahu. If you are looking for a short facile trail yet still offers up the undoubtedly gorgeous scenery or simply a hike that will give your kids a memorable bond with you, then Manoa Falls Trail will definitely be your must-do hikes list. With just a 1.6 miles roundtrip distance and an uphill grade that isn’t too demanding you will be rewarded the profusion of Hawaii’s ever so stunning greenery that will leave you in deep admiration over Oahu’s unmatched beauty.
The great thing about this hike is the trail is well maintained and you’re shaded by trees for pretty much the entire journey. The whole hike may take 1-2 hours roundtrip depending how fit you are, how muddy the trail is, how addicted you are on taking photos and how long you linger at the waterfall.
The Hike Experience to the Falls
Located in Manoa Valley, this hike will take you deep into the Manoa Rainforest. The moment you enter the gate to start your hike, a wide open area filled with greenery, sturdy trees and green vines will make you in an awe. It will introduce you to a whole new world. That Amazon vibes is what you will truly feels ~ almost phantasmagoric.
The ground is flat at the entrance part. And because it is a rainforest, the trail’s unpaved path is usually muddy and muggy. On the midway up the trail, another unique aspect part that will surprise you is the bamboo forest.
Be in mind that the final push in this hike is mostly stairs and large rocks accompanying with more muddy ground so for those with knee and back problems take extra precaution on every steps that you’ll make.
You will be rewarded with a view of 150-foot high Manoa Falls which gushingly straight down a gigantic rock face. The first time we hike in here, we cannot barely see a water flows down as summer this year is the driest one in the island but as the saying goes, it is sweeter than the second time around.
Now, it might be tempting for you to swim/dip on its pool but be cautious in your surrounding especially the signs they put elsewhere. Management discourage visitors keeping away from the water due to the risk of landslide and contains harmful Leptospirosis bacteria that you don’t want in your system.
Nonetheless, just by snapping and do a little picnic on huge bold rocks is enough to enjoy nature and make this hike worthwhile.
How To Get There?
Location: 3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu HI, 96822
If you search Manoa Falls on Google Maps Or Waze, you will have no problem locating it. Onsite parking is available which costs $5 (cash only) for the day. If you opt to pay this, you can park your car for free in the residential neighborhood and walk 1/4 mile to the trailhead.
You can also take bus number 5 which leaves from Ala Moana Center and will drop you to Manoa Road/Kumuone Street bus stop (about 0.8 miles) to the trailhead.
Juander Tips & Reminders:
- Wear proper shoes (trail shoes) as wearing slippers make it hard to walk on the most steep parts of the trail. No hiking boots necessary.
- Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.
- Spat on mosquito/insect repellent to protect your skin from those suckers.
- Bring extra clothes and sandals/shoes to change after the hike if you plan to go somewhere else and want to be clean and dry.
- Always bring water with you to keep yourself hydrated.
- Trail mix will help you divert from the tiresome moment that you may feel along the way.
- This hike is too lovely to not take photos, so make sure your camera or phone’s battery is fully charge.
- A walking stick will be a great help to balance yourself from muddy and huge rock along the trail.
- Bring extra cash for the parking lot fee.
- Last but definitely not the least. Please observe the number one principle of all times, the “LEAVE-NO-TRACE POLICY”.
For hiking is one of those things that you can only do when you have the determination in you.
– Unknown
