If your 2026 plans include visiting our national park partners in Hawaiʻi, lace up your hiking shoes and get ready to wander. From cool, fern-shaded forests to sandy footpaths tracing lava rock coastlines, national park trails in Hawaiʻi offer something for every pace and interest. With routes ranging from short and gentle to long and rugged, inspiration is never far away. And our park stores carry maps and guides to help you find your way.
West Hawaiʻi Island: Coastal Trails and Living History
Hawaiʻi Island, often called the Big Island, is home to four national park sites and one national historic trail that connects them. While Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park may be the most famous, three remarkable sites along the island’s western coast reward visitors who take the time to explore.
Few people resist the palm-shaded beauty of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, but many don’t realize the adventure can continue south along the 1871 Trail. This historic coastal route passes the archaeological site of Kiʻilae Village and forms part of the much longer Ala Kahakai National Historical Trail. Along the way, hikers are treated to dramatic lava sea cliffs, the hypnotic rhythm of the ocean, ancient stonework, and quiet moments to reflect on the lives once sustained here by land and sea. A trail brochure detailing the lettered stops is available at the visitor center and HPPA park store, along with resources that deepen the story of this extraordinary place.
Just two miles north of Kailua-Kona Town, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park keeps its beauty well hidden from the highway. The visitor center and HPPA park store, set amid a vast lava field, offer only a hint of what lies beyond. A 15-minute walk brings you to the coast, where you can follow the shoreline past ancient fishponds and archaeological sites that echo village life. The roughly three-mile roundtrip blends open beach walking with sandy paths through native coastal plants, ending at the impressive Kaloko Fishpond and a lovely white sand picnic area. This is a hike meant to be lingered over, with plenty to see and discover.
At Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, many visitors come to see the great heiau, or temple, without realizing there’s also a half-mile loop trail beginning near the visitor center and HPPA park store. It passes two imposing stone heiau and descends to palm-shaded Pelekane Bay, once a royal canoe landing. Along the way, keep an eye out for native Hawaiian cotton bushes. At the bay, find a shady perch and watch blacktip reef sharks glide through the shallows. From December through April, humpback whales may appear offshore, while spinner dolphins can be seen year-round. Birds gather at the small wetland at the north end of the beach. Artists of all kinds have long found inspiration here.
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One thing all three west coast sites share is sun and heat. Lava fields radiate warmth, shade can be scarce, and even cooling sea breezes can only help so much. Plan hikes for early morning or late afternoon, carry more water than you think you’ll need, wear sturdy footwear and a hat, and always let someone know where you’re headed.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Forests, Lava, and Wide-Open Space
At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Kīlauea Iki Trail is a favorite day hike. In just over three miles, the trail descends through native ʻōhiʻa and koa forest to the surface of the lava lake formed during a 1959 eruption. Steam rises from cracks in the black and silvery surface, and it’s easy to imagine a much older world beneath your feet. All around the trail, young trees and ferns have taken root in the cracks. Weather can change quickly here, so layers, water, hats, and sturdy footwear are essential.
Farther afield, the Kahuku Unit offers a completely different experience. Once a cattle ranch, this landscape of meadows, forests, cinder cones, and lava flows now provides a range of easy day hikes. The Puʻu o Lokuana Trail loops through former pastureland now ideal for picnics, but it’s just one of several options. Wildlife sightings may include Hawaiian owls hunting the meadows or the native Hawaiian hawk, the ʻio, soaring overhead. There’s no food or water on site, so come prepared, and be ready for intense sun or late-day mist and rains.
Maui: From Craters to Waterfalls
On Maui, many visitors drive straight to the summit of Haleakalā National Park. But, just before the top and at the 7,990-foot elevation mark, a left turn leads to the Halemauʻu Trail. This scenic route crosses misty native shrubland for a mile before opening onto a breathtaking crater overlook. From there, gentle switchbacks descend two miles to the grassy crater floor below. Even if you don’t hike the full route, a short walk beyond the overlook brings you to the locally loved “Rainbow Bridge,” where misty conditions often paint rainbows across the landscape. Native birds become more common as you descend, and Hawaiian nēnē geese frequently graze in the meadows below. Day hikers typically turn around near Hōlua Cabin (one more mile farther), carrying everything they need in and out.
In the lush Kīpahulu District on the northeast side of the island, the Pīpīwai Trail begins near the visitor center and park store, following Palikea Stream through a green, leafy tunnel. The trail climbs two miles inland to misty Waimoku Falls, with Makahiku Falls visible from a trail overlook just a half-mile in. Expect frequent rain, muddy sections, and a chorus of birdsong. Always check posted trail conditions and respect closures, as off-trail travel is both dangerous and illegal.
Caring for the Native Forests
A final note for hikers visiting native forests in Hawaiʻi: Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, a fungal disease with a 100 percent mortality rate, has been detected here. All native forests contain ʻōhiʻa trees. Before your visit, please help protect these ecosystems by cleaning dirt from shoes, clothing, and gear, and spraying them with a 70 percent alcohol solution. With a little preparation and a lot of curiosity, hiking Hawaiʻi truly is a walk in the park.
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