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Running trails in Hawaii
30 trails across 5 cities in Hawaii, with the most in Honolulu, Aiea, and Kailua — including 14 natural surface, 10 loops, and 12 shaded. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Hawaii trails below.
Cities in Hawaii
Every city and town in Hawaii with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in Hawaii
The Hawaii trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Hawaii ranking →
Diamond Head Crater Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 8,227 reviews
Extinct volcano is a popular hiking destination with a rugged trail leading to panoramic views.
Koko Head District Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 8,062 reviews
Sprawling collection of sports fields, gardens, picnic areas & stairs climbing a volcanic crater.
Ala Moana Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 7,163 reviews
This 100-acre park with a man-made beach offers usually calm surf, plus tennis courts & a pavilion.
Kapiʻolani Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 5,478 reviews
A public, oceanfront park with volcano views, a beach, volleyball, picnicking & canoeing.
Mānoa Falls Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,336 reviews
This picturesque rainforest trail leading to Mānoa Falls has appeared in several movies.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 5,119 reviews
Natural hiking area with paved trail & overlook, ocean views, lighthouse & whale-watching potential.
Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,521 reviews
Scenic lookout featuring striking views of the Diamond Head volcano cone & the Waikiki skyline.
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 2,262 reviews
Steep hike up an abandoned railroad track on Koko Crater, with dramatic ocean & city views.
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,239 reviews
Tropical rainforest featuring hiking trails & access to the famous Manoa Falls waterfall.
Kaʻena Point Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,977 reviews
3.5-mile hiking & biking path on a former railroad bed & dirt road amid dramatic coastal scenery.
Sans Souci State Recreational Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,943 reviews
Popular stretch of sandy beach with a waterfront walking path & palm-lined lawn for picnicking.
Round Top Forest Reserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,173 reviews
Scenic mountaintop offering panoramic views of Diamond Head, the coast and the city.
Koko Crater Stairs (Summit)
4.9 ★★★★★ 896 reviews
Steep but popular track of 1000+ steps up an old railway line to scenic summit vistas.
ʻAiea Loop Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 779 reviews
Scenic, 5-mi. hiking loop featuring lush tropical vegetation, pools & waterfalls.
Ala Wai Community Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 707 reviews
Green space along the Ala Wai canal boasting a jogging path, basketball court & field for sports.
Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 606 reviews
Steep reserve trail along a ridge through koa and guava forest & lush native vegetation.
Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 585 reviews
Hiking trail following a ridge through guava & koa forest leading to a panoramic view at the summit.
Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 444 reviews
Forested park along a ridge featuring hiking trails, picnic tables & scenic views of nearby valleys.
Kaʻau Crater Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 442 reviews
Steep jungle trail circling around a crater & past 3 waterfalls, with views of Honolulu & the ocean.
Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside
4.8 ★★★★★ 316 reviews
A 1,048-ft. hill with impressive views, picnic tables & restrooms, just a short hike from the road.
ʻAihualama Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 248 reviews
This short waterfall trail connects to the Pauoa Flats Trail & the Manoa Falls Trail.
Kawainui Marsh Bike Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 207 reviews
Easy-going gravel and paved paths for walking, running or cycling by a marsh.
Kaʻiwi Shoreline Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Hiking trail along the Kaiwi coastline offering scenic views and access to tide pools.
Waʻahila Ridge Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 180 reviews
Relaxing park featuring kid-friendly hikes, picnic tables and panoramic views, plus a large pine forest.
Makiki Arboretum Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 156 reviews
Hiking area known for its varied trails and wildlife, including a waterfall.
Makiki Valley Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 139 reviews
Hiking area featuring tropical vegetation, mosquitoes, and scenic views.
Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)
4.7 ★★★★★ 129 reviews
Challenging trail that goes up and down along a ridge, rewarding hikers with valley and mountain views.
Kalawahine Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Hiking area in a jungle setting with scenic views, good for kids.
Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails
4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews
Serene, hilly trail with uneven paths through tropical terrain with abundant birdlife & views.
No trails match those filters.
Hawaii trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Hawaii
- Best running trails in Hawaii — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 10 in Hawaii come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Shaded trails — 12 in Hawaii keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 4 in Hawaii have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 19 in Hawaii, and 2 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 28 in Hawaii have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 7 in Hawaii you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 7 in Hawaii are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 30 in Hawaii runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Hawaii
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Trails with Restrooms
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Shaded Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Trails with Mile Markers