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Hiking to 150 ft Cascading Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on Oahu to see! Cascading 150 feet down the mountainside, it will seem more like 1000 feet as you stare up at the endless water falling down the rocks. I love the recently improved hiking trail to this Oahu waterfall. I definitely think it is much easier and more enjoyable to hike now than before the renovation.
The trail traverses through lush jungles that make you feel like dinosaurs would pop out at any point along your route. And once you reach the waterfall itself, get ready to be awestruck!
Hike Stats
Elevation: 600 Feet
Length: 1.7 Miles Round Trip
Duration: 60 to 90 Minutes (depending on photo stops)
Terrain: Gradual Climb, Muddy, Rocky, Jurrassic Park-like jungle
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Disclaimer โ all Oahu hikes have different challenges and hazards that can be dangerous and may cause injury. Know your fitness and skill level before embarking on any hike. Stay on trails and obey posted signs. The information on this site is for your reading pleasure only. Hike at your own risk.
Video of the hike to Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls - The Hike
This Oahu hike recently finished a 2 year major renovation. There are lots of improvements to the trailhead including adding gravel in some sections to help cross muddy areas, tree stump and boulder removals, a new rock wall surrounding the waterfall viewing area, and a fun shipping container used as a tunnel to pass through. The
hike to Manoa Falls is both beautiful
and adventurous!
This Oahu hike is located on one of the better-maintained Oahu trails, which starts at the base of the old Paradise Park structure, located at the top of Manoa Road.
This used to be a place where tour buses would bring visitors to dine and watch birds fly through the rainforest below. The views travel across the deep Honolulu Watershed canyon with the Ko'olau Mountains in the background.
Your hike begins at the easily accessible trailhead, marked by a covered information stand and located just outside the paid parking lot.
Parking costs $7 or you can park for free a quarter mile down the hill in the local neighborhood.
From
the Manoa Falls trail sign, youโll start your journey across a bridge,
and slowly hike up along the sides of the deep rainforest valley. The trail is just over 3/4 of a mile to reach the waterfall.
The views are
breathtaking! As eager as you might be to reach the waterfall, be sure to take the time to take in the amazingly lush jungle all around you!
Huge vines that appear to strangle the trees trying to reach the sun, layers of gigantic ferns, bamboo groves, and exotic flora are all in full display for awestruck hikers to gawk at.
The journey starts as you walk through a shipping container that has been converted into a tunnel to walk through.
The trail tends to be a bit muddy as it rains a lot in this
region. In fact Manoa
Valley receives the most rainfall on Oahu. You
might want to consider bringing a light waterproof jacket or
windbreaker
along for the hike. There are also disposable plastic rain ponchos available near the entrance. I recommend grabbing one just in case, as the weather can change quickly on the trail.
There is a good amount of gravel and mud throughout the trail, so make sure to wear the right shoes and watch your footing on the slippery rocks and wooden walking-boards.
You will also have to watch out for occasional tree roots that sometimes encroach on the trails. That being said, this is one of the better-maintained trails that has been terraced along the way and cleared of most debris.
The last 100 yard stretch is a series of graded steps that lead up to this grand Oahu waterfall.
Youโll
also find parts of the path canopied with guava trees, eucalyptus, banyan
trees,
and lots of tall bamboo. Tropical wildflowers can easily be spotted,
along with large patches of beautiful ginger.
If you feel like youโre on a
Jurassic
Park trail,
well thatโs because you are! A few of the 1993 wild jungle
scenes
were shot right in this area. More recently, the TV series,
Lost,
also took advantage of filming in this mysterious tropical terrain. It almost reminds me of parts of Kualoa Ranch where several movies were filmed.
This Oahu hike should take you about a half hour to reach the waterfall...if conditions are good, and it's not that muddy! This is a quick, easy hike that rewards you with one of the most amazing waterfalls on Oahu!
Can you swim at
this waterfall?
Back in the day, you couldโฆthere was a nice pool that everyone
could play around and swim in at the base of the waterfall, but not anymore due to a rockslide that has filled in the swimming hole.
Avoid scaling the walls or climbing to the top of this Oahu waterfall. It is dangerous and can result in serious injury or worse consequences.
Unfortunately, the rock slide in
2002 littered the grounds with large rocks and boulders that now make
it dangerous to enter the water and swim or maneuver around in it.
Guided Tours to Manoa Falls
A guided tour to Manoa Falls is recommended if you don't want to worry about the logistics of finding the starting point and correct trail head.
With a guide, there would be no stress in navigation and figuring out hiking details so you can just enjoy the hike up to this beautiful waterfall.
Experienced guides also have great knowledge of the abundant variety of flora and fauna along the trail that they will share with you all throughout the hike.
Guides often have great personalities and love what they do. They are not only entertaining, but will give you the peace of mind that you will not get lost and they are trained on safety.
Most will come prepared with essential items such as bug spray,
sunscreen, water, walking poles, and should be able to let you
know how to prepare for the hike ahead of time.
Find out more about Manoa Falls Guided Tour.
Getting to Manoa Falls from Waikiki
By Car
Follow Kapahulu
St out of Waikiki up to the H-1 Freeway
Take H-1 West towards the
Airport
Take the Punahoe Exit
Follow Punahoe Rd up
towards the mountains
Punahoe Rd turns into
Manoa Rd
Follow Manoa Rd all the
way up to the top
There is a paid parking lot at the top, $7 per car or $4 for Kama'aina & Military. Some folks opt to park in the residential neighborhood just below the old Paradise Park facility, and walking up to the gate where the road ends and the Na Ala Hele Manoa Falls trail begins.
Need a good rental car option for the day? Whether you would like to visit a beach, a popular Oahu attraction, or explore the island for just a day, consider these great, discounted rent-a-car rates with Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They also have great packages for your entire trip...
Manoa Falls Map
By Oahu Bus
Take the #5
Manoa Bus
from the Ala Moana Shopping Center (most Waikiki buses stop by this
center), to the last bus stop up Manoa Road.
This is about where you would park your vehicle, and walk up the remaining road to the trail starting point. Ask your bus driver to notify you where to get offโฆ
3 More Amazing Waterfalls
Here are 3 additional Oahu Waterfalls that you might want to consider hiking to after this one...
Facilities
- You will find a restroom just beyond the entrance gate
- The old Paradise Park building is open with access to public restrooms, water fountains, and a gift shop where you can grab a bit to eat as well.
- The University of Hawaii Lyon Arboretum, which is located on a road above Paradise Park, also has parking, limited facilities and additional grounds and trails worth exploring. They even have access to a smaller 20 foot waterfall in their area.
Recommend for the hike
- Good hiking shoes
- A light hooded rain jacket
- Mosquito repellent
- Bottled water and a light snack
- Consider bringing up a light lunch or snacks
- Fully charged cell phone
- Camera with a waterproof case
- A pair of shorts, shirt and flip flops to change into after your hike
- A plastic bag to put wet or muddy clothes and shoes into after hike
Plans after visiting Manoa Falls
Off The Hook Poke
Manoa Valley has a small town with some local shops and restaurants. Off The Hook is a hole-in-the-wall poke bowl spot that is very popular amongst the community and Hawaiian poke lovers.
They have some unique creations with delicious toppings that just might have you returning for more! I know we did!
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Traveling back down Manoa Valley, you could literally drive
straight to the Ala
Moana Shopping Center,
where you could remain casual in your hiking gear, and grab a bite to
eat at the Makai Market.
If you need something to warm you up, check out Goma Tei for the best bowl of ramen.
Waiola Shave Ice
If you decide to head back to Waikiki through Kapahulu Ave,
treat yourself to some of the best treats found on the island. Leonardโs Bakery is right off the
freeway, and known for their fresh hot
malasadas!
Need something a little more refreshing on the chill side? How about a sweet Waiola Shave Ice tasty treat...
Ala Moana Beach Park
Head to a beach just outside Waikiki. Youโre already in
route, so why not explore one of the neighboring local beaches such as Ala Moana
Beach Park, or Diamond Head Beach.
I couldnโt think of a better way to end a hike than changing into your swimming trunks and jumping into the refreshing ocean!
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Aloha & Enjoy!
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