Home › Hawaii › Honolulu › Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails
Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails
4.6 ★★★★★ 85 Google reviews · Running trail in Honolulu, Hawaii · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails' 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.
Serene, hilly trail with uneven paths through tropical terrain with abundant birdlife & views.
What runners say about Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails
“The view from the top was nice and the trail is in great condition (thanks Trail Crue, y'all rock).”
“Wonderful trail for a secluded hike in Nature, through a forest with lots of interesting vegetation and a great view of the surrounding valley and overlooking Honolulu at the top.”
“The picture below are of the easy trail "right one" which is about 40min hike.”
This is the trailhead for two very scenic lesser known hiking trails into the rainforest above Honolulu. Both trails start next to a private driveway; follow the public access signs. Soon you get to a junction. The left fork takes you up a small hill where you get great views of Manoa Valley.
Short hike (<90 minutes) with views of the hills, valley, and Honolulu. It is quiet and sparsely traveled but well maintained. Tourist-free alternative to Diamond Head and Manoa Falls. Be careful towards the top as there are narrow parts of the path with no barrier between the path and the steep hillside.
Super underrated hike. We came at about 9am on a Saturday in October and there was almost nobody else around. Encountered only a few other people. Parking in the neighborhood is super limited but we had no problem at all. We did the Pu’u Pia trail and it was great. About 90 minutes round trip for us and our dog.
K Lee below has the best advice on how to go here and I'm thankful for his post! I came here on a weekday alone and I had the best spritual and mental time in a while. I found a tree on top which I relaxed and let mind drift into peace. I hope you tree this place and the trees (even dead ones) kindly!
Trail conditions & character
“Wonderful trail for a secluded hike in Nature, through a forest with lots of interesting vegetation and a great view of the surrounding valley and overlooking Honolulu at the top.”
“This is the trailhead for two very scenic lesser known hiking trails into the rainforest above Honolulu.”
“Best to wear decent shoes for this easy to moderate difficulty hike, as it can get muddy and slippery in spots.”
“Low key trail in a hilly neighborhood offering fantastic birdwatching, Honolulu skyline vistas, and stunning plant life.”
Plan your run at Trailhead for Kolowalu and Puʻu Pia Trails
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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
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 |
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.
Mānoa Falls Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,336 reviews
This picturesque rainforest trail leading to Mānoa Falls has appeared in several movies.
Waʻahila Ridge Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 180 reviews
Relaxing park featuring kid-friendly hikes, picnic tables and panoramic views, plus a large pine forest.
Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 444 reviews
Forested park along a ridge featuring hiking trails, picnic tables & scenic views of nearby valleys.
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,239 reviews
Tropical rainforest featuring hiking trails & access to the famous Manoa Falls waterfall.
Kaʻau Crater Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 442 reviews
Steep jungle trail circling around a crater & past 3 waterfalls, with views of Honolulu & the ocean.
ʻAihualama Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 248 reviews
This short waterfall trail connects to the Pauoa Flats Trail & the Manoa Falls Trail.