Best Hikes in Oahu North Shore (Scenic Trails & Coastal Views)

Why Hike the Oahu North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu has some epic scenery that gets even better when you are on the trail and off the beaten track. The North Shore was my home for seven years, and in that time, I hiked all the time. When I go back to visit, the hikes listed in this article are ones I take new visitors to. These hikes in Oahu’s North Shore are some of the best on the island.

Scenic Coastal Views & Lush Landscapes

The North Shore is the surfing capital of the world. When on a hike after gaining some elevation, you can often see the full coastline, including surfing conditions, from afar. The coastline is unobstructed in many places; there are no skyscrapers or other large buildings to obstruct the view.

Less Crowded Trails Than Honolulu

The other thing I love about hiking away from more popular trails in town is the quiet, peaceful vibe on the North Shore. Hikes like Manoa Falls, which are near town, can get extremely crowded. Hikes on the North Shore have a small-town feel to them. There is often a mix of locals and tourists, but there is plenty of privacy and time for pictures or just quiet reflection at the views. Parking at the trailheads is also easier than in more heavily populated areas.

Best Hikes in Oahu North Shore

Ehukai Pillbox Hike

Oahu has a few pillbox hikes, and they are all worth doing. The North Shore pillbox hike is the Ehukai Pillbox Hike. There are actually two pillboxes here, including the one with the big peace sign on it. Ehukai Pillbox is short but steep in parts and, therefore, usually listed as a moderate hike.

Ehukai Pillbox hike is approximately 1.4 miles round-trip with a 700-foot elevation gain.  It takes most people 1.5 to 2 hours to hike with stops at the top to enjoy the view. The Ehukai Pillbox hike begins at Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park, where there is a small parking lot outside Sunset Beach Elementary School parking. There is also limited street parking.

The trail begins with a path through the trees where there is also a large sign. Once you start the trail, there is a visible path that is easy to follow. The start of the trail is also pretty shady. Once you travel through the trees, the trail widens at a noticeably steep part. There are sections with ropes to hang on to as well. This is not particularly challenging if you are in good shape. This area is shaded as well, and the terrain can be very muddy and slippery since it does not get any sun. I would not recommend doing this trail after heavy rainfall on the North Shore, as this part will be difficult. There are also some sections here with stairs carved out to help with the climb.

Once you get to the first clearing, there is a picnic table where you can stop and catch your breath. You can start to see the views here, but keep going because they get even better!

Continuing on relatively flat terrain, you arrive at the first pillbox.  This has a nice view but is somewhat obstructed due to trees. This is also not the pillbox with the peace sign, which has even better views.   If you continue past this pillbox downhill, you arrive at the “peace sign” pillbox with a much wider view of the entire North Shore. This can be hard for some people to find because you are actually going downhill a bit now, and the trail is not defined. You have to continue along the ridgeline for 5-10 minutes and past a “No Trespassing” sign, which is universally ignored. The peace sign pillbox has the best views from this hike.

To end the hike, continue back the way you came, past the first pillbox and down the steep part back to the parking lot. Keep in mind that you are surrounded by surf spots, so if you are planning this hike, make sure there isn’t a huge surfing competition that day. I would also recommend doing this early in the day, starting around 8-9 am as it can get hot at the top. Some people like to go for the sunset as well, but I am always worried about getting lost in the dark, as there are a lot of interconnecting trails at the top.        

Waimea Valley Falls Walk

Waimea Valley Falls trail is more like a walk than a hike. It is a family-friendly paved trail that is 3/4 of a mile long. The trail meanders through botanical gardens and ends at a 30-foot-tall waterfall.

Waimea Valley requires paid admission. The cost is $26 for adults. Waimea Valley is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. They also offer a shuttle to the falls for those with limited mobility, and that costs an additional $10.

This trail is a popular attraction, but it is usually not overly crowded. That said, it is less like a nature hike since you are within a park with plenty of people around. The walk itself takes about 30 minutes. Once you reach the falls, swimming is allowed. There are lifeguards on duty. If conditions are not great, they will close the falls to swimming, so if that is on your list, you can call in advance to check before making the trek there and paying the admission fee.

Waimea Valley is also an interesting site to visit to learn about Hawaiian history and culture. It was probably run by an ali’i (chief) and was home to many farmers and fishermen. After Kamehameha conquered Oahu, he gifted Waimea to Hewahewa Nui, his spiritual advisor. Later, it was owned by Castle and Cook and occupied by the U.S. Military. Now it is back in the hands of a nonprofit.

Kealia Trail (Dillingham Airfield)

Kealia Trail is located in Waialua at Dillingham Airfield. This is where skydiving planes take off from. You can usually see them taking off and landing here. The entrance to the trailhead and its designated parking lot is the 3rd entrance at Dillingham, past the skydiving office when you are driving towards Mokuleia.

The trail begins at a short service road, and there is a marked brown sign. Once you start on the trail, you begin going back and forth over a series of 19 switchbacks. The beginning of the trail is shaded and is not very scenic. Once you obtain some elevation, you start to see some great views since you are walking along a ridgeline overlooking the ocean. The view here becomes unobstructed, and you can see all along the North Shore.

Once at the top, you will come to a small shelter area with a picnic table. This is the end of the main hike, and after resting a bit here and drinking water, you can head back down the way you came to finish the hike.

There is also another option, as there are interconnected trails up here. The second trail is called the Kuaokala Trail. To begin this part of the trail, you need to continue uphill from the Kealia Shelter. Although much of this is continuing uphill, I find the incline here to be a bit easier than the first part of the trail. It is more of a gradual elevation gain.

First, you are going to go towards the right to walk along Kealia Road. You are going to pass a large water tank on the left side with graffiti all over it. There are a few more turns here before you end up at the valley overlook, so be sure to have a good trail map with you if you have never done it before. Once at this overlook, I have always turned around and gone back the way I came. There is another entrance that starts on a military base and requires permits to enter, but starting at the North Shore, you can access this trail without doing that.

Kaʻena Point Trail (North Shore Side)

There are two ways to start the Kaena Point Trail, one starts on the west side and one from the North Shore. The North Shore hike begins at Mokuleia. It is mainly a flat and rocky out-and-back trail, but it is rated moderate as the trail is long and can be very windy. It is easier than some of the other trails because there isn’t an elevation gain here. The route from the North Shore is slightly shorter than the one from the west side as well.

The Kaena Point Trail is exposed, so be aware of the sun, wind, and rain conditions before you go. Much of the hike is accessible to off-road vehicles, so it’s sort of a bumpy trail along the ocean. The trail leads to the northwest tip of Oahu, which is a protected nature reserve.

The trail here is also a popular spot for local fishermen who are at the beginning of the route, fishing from the shore. Once you enter the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, there is a protected area for albatross breeding grounds. These areas are roped off. Please stay on the trail.

Once you reach the point, it becomes very sandy. There are rocks as well along the ocean that many people climb on. Be sure to look at these rocks carefully because there are often monk seals resting on them or on the sandy areas here.

This is another out-and-back trail. Once you rest and take pictures at the point, simply return the way you came back to the parking lot in Mokuleia.

Peacock Flats

Peacock Flats starts out in Waialua along Farrington Highway. This is another paved trail, but it is an incline, so it can be challenging. There is parking along the trailhead, and I have always seen the ground littered with broken glass, so be aware of that. It goes without saying that you should not leave valuables in your car anywhere, but remote parking lots are easy prey.

This trail can be very long, leading to a campground. However, many people just do a few miles until they can see some panoramic viewpoints and then head back down. This trail is also exposed and can get hot, so it is best to do it in the morning or a short trek in the afternoon before sunset.

Kolekole Trail at Schofield Barracks

Kolekole Trail is located at Schofield Barracks, a US Army military base. You can only access this trail with someone who has DOD access, or by obtaining a permit to hike at the gate. The trail is also only open to the public on select weekends. The dates are posted, usually 1-2 weeks in advance, on the USAG Hawaii Facebook page.

This trail is short with a scenic viewpoint. The trail is about a half mile each way. There are some steep spots along the trail as well. The trail ends at a scenic overlook with a bench. It is a nice short hike with a great view. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend trying it.

What to Know Before Hiking the North Shore

Trail Conditions & Weather

Check weather conditions before hiking anywhere in Hawaii. If you are hiking steep trails, be mindful of conditions before your hiking day. Many trails are on dirt that can become muddy and slippery after heavy rainfall.

Safety Tips for North Shore Hikes

 The North Shore is an extremely safe place, in my opinion. I lived there for seven years, and I have done many solo hikes here. None of the hikes is so isolated that you will not encounter any other hikers. Use obvious precautions if hiking alone or with a friend, like having the proper gear and notifying others. Be aware of weather conditions and daylight hours to time your hike properly.  

What to Bring for Hiking in Oahu

Generally, you don’t need any special hiking gear for any of these hikes. I have seen so many people hiking Ehukai Pillbox in flip flops (which I would not recommend)! Wear appropriate footwear with traction, like hiking shoes or trail running shoes. Use sunblock, as many of these hikes are exposed to the elements. I always recommend having a water bottle. If you know it is supposed to rain, having a lightweight waterproof jacket or shell will come in handy.

Best Time of Year for Hiking in Oahu North Shore

Dry vs Rainy Season

The North Shore’s rainy and high surf season is from November through March. However, the North Shore is not extremely rainy. Showers are often brief or overnight. There may be cloudier skies as well. I have hiked the North Shore all throughout the year. Conditions are great for hiking even in the wintertime. If there are rainy days during your stay, I wouldn’t recommend doing some of the longer, steeper hikes. But winter hiking is still possible.

The dry summer season on the North Shore is from April to October. Summer can be hot, although there are still passing showers here. Hiking can be more strenuous in the summer months due to the heat and exposure.

Morning vs Afternoon Hikes

Personally, I prefer morning hikes. There are fewer people on the trail in the morning. The hikes are peaceful. It is easier to get parking at some smaller spots. There is less exposure to the sun and less heat. Especially if you are going to do a longer trail, getting out on the trail and doing the uphill climb before the sun gets extremely hot can be key.

Afternoon hikes are also beautiful on the North Shore. Starting later in the afternoon requires some timing and planning. Figure out how long the hike is and pack a headlamp just in case you are on the trail longer than you expected. The North Shore has some amazing sunsets as well. Viewing the sunset from a hiking vantage point or from a beach spot after your hike is a nice reward.

Where to Go After Your Oahu North Shore Hike 

Haleiwa Town

Check out this blog post for more recommendations for things to do on the North Shore. After your hike, I would recommend checking out Haleiwa Town for good eats.

• Haleiwa Bowls – for delicious acai bowls, smoothies, and coffee
• Cholo’s – Mexican food and margaritas
• The Fixx Haleiwa – brunch, plate lunches
• Kono’s North Shore – the original location with breakfast burritos and kalua pork
• Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery – farm-fresh cafe with outdoor seating

Haleiwa Beaches

If you want to spend a relaxing day at the beach after your hike, check out some of these popular spots.

• Haleiwa Beach
• Haleiwa Beach Park
• Waimea Bay Beach Park
• Pupukea Beach Park
• Ehukai Beach Park
• Sunset Beach

Final Thoughts on Hiking the Oahu North Shore

Our Favorite North Shore Hikes

Our favorite hikes in Oahu’s North Shore really depend on how long we want to hike that day. I love Ethe hukai Pillbox trail because it is a shorter hike with a big reward of a view. Some of the other hikes are longer and more strenuous, so if you are into having. a relaxing vacation, they might be ones to skip. However, I can confidently say that they all have amazing scenery.

Is the North Shore Worth It for Hiking?

Yes, the North Shore is a great place to hike. Even a crowded trail on the North Shore will be more relaxing and quieter than other popular hiking spots in other parts of the island. The elevation gains allow you to view almost the entire coastline, unobstructed. You can see the beach spots, ocean swells, and more from a higher vantage point.