HomeHawaiiHonolulu › Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 Google reviews · Running trail in Honolulu, Hawaii · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceLoopOpen 24hLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyHillyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Challenging trail that goes up and down along a ridge, rewarding hikers with valley and mountain views.

What runners say about Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (129 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Great hike, stunning views, fresh air, and the kind of landscape that quietly reminds you how generous God has been with His creation.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“I am fairly out of shape so this trail was grueling for me, but the peaceful environment and breathtaking views made it all worth while.”

Even though we could not complete the whole hike, it was an amazing experience. The entrance to the trail was a bit hard to find at first. There was a surprising variety of vegetations that kept changing as we proceeded. It was the beginning of June so we we're lucky to find a lot of strawberry guavas to snack on.

★★★★★ — Debdeep , Jun 2018

Only about 10 minutes in and you can see the whole valley and city. The bench is right under a mile away. But the hike goes all the way and connects to mount Olympus

★★★★★ — Lucita , Jun 2020

The first two thirds of this trail are a rolling ridge with spectacular views of Waikiki, diamond head and Pālolo Valley. The last third (or maybe it's half?) of this trail is a muddy ascent into the heavens.

★★★★★ — J , Jul 2023

Great hike, stunning views, fresh air, and the kind of landscape that quietly reminds you how generous God has been with His creation. The ridgeline, the light, and the sheer scale of it all make it hard not to pause and recognize that this beauty isn’t accidental.

★★★★★ — D , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 129 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 27 mentions

“I am fairly out of shape so this trail was grueling for me, but the peaceful environment and breathtaking views made it all worth while.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 10 mentions

“Rather muddy (light rain started and stopped 3 times) so take additional pants for traveling back on a bus - my son was very-very dirty at the end🤪🫣”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Regrettably, a few dog owners seem convinced the trail doubles as a place to leave behind bagged and unbagged waste.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Letting dogs run off-leash on narrow, slippery ridges with steep drop-offs is not harmless.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“I am fairly out of shape so this trail was grueling for me, but the peaceful environment and breathtaking views made it all worth while.”

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💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“Rather muddy (light rain started and stopped 3 times) so take additional pants for traveling back on a bus - my son was very-very dirty at the end🤪🫣”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“Beautiful views just a short walk (5-10 minutes) from the street parking available.”

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🔁 Loop trail

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Plan your run at Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitenoahlangphotography.com
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō)

Mau'umae Trail, Honolulu, HI 96816

Get directions

Running trails near Honolulu

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Kaʻau Crater Trail

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1 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Steep jungle trail circling around a crater & past 3 waterfalls, with views of Honolulu & the ocean.

under a mile away

Waʻahila Ridge Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 180 reviews

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LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Relaxing park featuring kid-friendly hikes, picnic tables and panoramic views, plus a large pine forest.

1.0 miles away

Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 444 reviews

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Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Forested park along a ridge featuring hiking trails, picnic tables & scenic views of nearby valleys.

1.1 miles away

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Steep reserve trail along a ridge through koa and guava forest & lush native vegetation.

1.5 miles away

Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails

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Honolulu, HI

Natural surfaceScenic

Serene, hilly trail with uneven paths through tropical terrain with abundant birdlife & views.

1.9 miles away

ʻUalakaʻa Trail

5 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenic

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Honolulu, HI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.