Hiking Manoa Falls Trail In Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Manoa Falls is easily one of the most popular waterfalls to view in all of Hawaii!
Why?
A waterfall hike on a beautiful rainforest trail featuring remarkably diverse and lush jungle terrains, easy enough for hikers of all abilities to enjoy.
A dense bamboo forest with slender green stalks towering over you, and an iconic banyan tree natural arch formation, jaw-dropping Manoa Falls trail photos for your Instagram.
A gorgeous 150 ft waterfall, one of the tallest on the island of Oahu, set in such a beautiful setting that Hollywood keeps coming back to shoot scenes here.
Located on the southeast corner of Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, in the verdant Manoa Valley and next to Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Falls is easily accessible from the tourist hotspot of Waikiki or downtown Honolulu.
The lush rainforest setting, impressive waterfall, family-friendly nature of the hike, and ease of access from Waikiki all make the Manoa Falls Trail well worth it! The trail can be muddy at times, but regardless, Manoa Falls is a fun and exciting Oahu waterfall hike.
And what’s special about Manoa Falls is that unlike most other Hawaiian waterfalls, Manoa Falls rarely runs dry! If you want to see the falls in full force go after heavy rains.
On this comprehensive Manoa Falls website you will find everything you need to plan your visit: what kind of a hike is Manoa Falls trail, directions to the trail head and Manoa Falls trail parking, the best time to hike the trail, and other tips for your visit.
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Oahu, check out the some of the top things to do in Oahu, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Complete 2024 Guide to Manoa Falls
Is Manoa Falls worth it?
Absolutely, and apart from viewing a beautiful waterfall, here are 5 compelling reasons to hike to Manoa Falls: a captivating rainforest trail, easy access from Waikiki, a relatively easy hike that anyone can do, doesn’t take much time and, best of all, it’s free!
This Manoa Falls website is your one-stop for all the details you need to plan your trip: location, directions, trail parking, trail map and trail head details.
Wondering what kind of hike the Manoa Falls trail is and whether it is suitable for your group?
You can find all the details you need on this website: hike difficulty, trail length, elevation gain and climbing involved, hike time, trail hours, best time to go and whether you can take kids, parents and dogs.
And if you are wondering whether to do the Manoa Falls Hike or the Waimea Falls Hike, check out our article comparing Manoa Falls vs. Waimea Falls!
If you’re worried about the cost, relax! Manoa Falls is free (no entrance fee), and you don’t need tickets, reservations or permits.
You do have to pay a small parking fee if you’re using the Paradise Park lot, unless you’re willing to scout for free parking in the residential streets like Waakaua Street and walk up a short distance towards the Lyon Arboretum at the end of Manoa Rd.
Staying in Waikiki? Manoa Falls is just 5.6 miles away and you have multiple options of getting from Waikiki to Manoa Falls, including by bus from the Ala Moana Shopping Center or by shuttle.
And if you want to combine hiking Manoa Falls trail with learning more about Hawaii, its pretty forest birds, the different kinds of trees and flowers on the trail, and Hawaiian folklore and culture, be sure to book a Manoa Falls tour!
Manoa Valley has its own microclimate, so prepare for Manoa Falls weather by packing appropriately.
Also, while you’re in the neighborhood, and you have some time, there’s a bunch of things to do near Manoa Falls!
The Lyon Arboretum, a botanical garden near the trail head is definitely worth a visit.
The ‘Aihualama Trail to ‘Aihualama Falls, a sister waterfall to Manoa Falls, is much less trafficked, but be warned, the waterfall does run dry off-season.
If you’re driving, a must-stop is the Tantalus Lookout, which offers spectacular views of Honolulu and the iconic Diamond Head. Especially beautiful are sunset views!
Tried and tested: the top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Oahu experiences!
Hike Manoa Falls Trail
| Manoa Falls Trail | Details |
|---|---|
| Trail Length | 0.8 miles, 1.6 miles round trip |
| Hike Difficulty | Easy to moderate (when wet) |
| Hike Time | 1 – 3 hours |
With its tropical jungle ambience, the Manoa Falls Trail is among the top waterfall hikes on Oahu, and one of the best hikes near Waikiki. This hike is well worth a spot on your itinerary for Oahu!
Here’s what to expect along the popular Manoa Falls hike.
From the Paradise Park parking lot, the Manoa Falls trail head is a short walk along Manoa Road towards the Lyon Arboretum.
The Manoa Falls trail, part of Hawaii’s Na Ala Hele Trail system, is well maintained, and you may even see piles of gravel along the trail, to be spread over the sections that get muddy, for better footing.
In places, wooden planks have been placed, bridging over puddles of wet mud.
Right from the get go, you are surrounded by the rainforest jungle, and the trail, quite wide in this section, is lined with a dense growth of tall ferns and vines that cover every part of the giant trees.
Look for guava, wild ginger, banyans, eucalyptus, and bamboo, among other flora.
While the round trip distance is a short 1.6 miles, don’t rush it. Even on a self-guided hike, there is a lot to observe if you take your time on this hiking trail!
Shipping Container
After about 5-10 minutes, you come to a shipping container, a creative solution that replaced a short wooden bridge over a ravine made by the `Aihualama Stream.
The metal shipping container marks the tunnel entrance to an open clearing with a bench, apparently the setting for a famous scene of one of the first Jurassic Park movies.
So eerily familiar is the beautiful, almost prehistoric rainforest scenery, you half expect a flock of dinosaur birds to come charging through!
Freshwater Pool & Stream
The Manoa Falls trail continues past the clearing and into a section with pleasantly smelling, giant eucalyptus trees, so tall your neck hurts as you look up to the top of the trees.
The trees are covered with vines climbing towards sunlight, and a dense understory of ferns and smaller trees.
African albizzia trees, with their characteristic, umbrella-shaped crowns, are also scattered along this section. Though pretty, they are a highly invasive species.
You will walk along a small stream and come to a freshwater pool with an information signpost. You will also see small cascades made by the stream as it tumbles over rocks.
Along the way, you will cross a grove of hau trees, identifiable by large, heart-shaped leaves and pretty hibiscus-like flowers with a dark center.
Notice anything remarkable about these hau trees? They are amazingly tangled, forming a thicket.
You may also spot ginger plants, striking and beautiful when they flower.
Native Hawaiian trees like the acacia koa and ohi’a lehua trees are relatively rare on this trail, but you might spot a couple, forming part of the rainforest canopy.
Banyan Tree
The trail will fork, one going up, the other heading lower, and both will lead to Manoa Falls.
Some hikers take the upper fork without looking around, and sometimes completely miss the banyan tree.
While you’ve probably already spotted several banyan trees starting from the one in the parking lot to some along the trail, this banyan tree is so special!
One of the most photographed spots on the trail, an iconic natural arch created from the hanging, aerial roots of an old banyan tree is just perfect for snapping an Instagram photo.
You will see a wooden throne-like chair under the arch, no doubt placed for a professional photo shoot.
A wooden bench graces the clearing nearby, in case you have to wait for your turn to take a selfie.
Banyan trees are a type of fig tree that sprawl horizontally with support from aerial roots that drop to the ground and become secondary trunks. Pictures of Lahaina’s grand old banyan tree likely come to mind.
Bamboo Forest
Ringing the above banyan tree and continuing to the final part of the trail and a short distance from the waterfall is a beautiful bamboo forest, a stunning finale to the varied vegetation terrains along the hike.
Hard to believe that the bamboo plants in front of you, with slender, long stalks reaching into the sky, are actually a type of grass.
As you climb the steps towards Manoa Falls, the bamboo grove becomes dense in areas, and the tall stalks swaying in the wind make their own melodious music.
Manoa Falls
As you continue to climb the steps, the forest clears a bit and you will hear the thunderous roar of the waterfall.
Manoa Falls plunges down a large cliff face and is beautifully framed by lush tropical greenery.
Views of the waterfall from the trail often show up a lot better on landscape photos, where you can capture a panorama of the waterfall against the tropical jungle.
At the end of the trail is a clearing with a low-walled viewing area of Manoa Falls.
You will also see posted signs warning you not to take the short trail to the base pool or the base of the falls, due to the risk of landslides and falling rocks.
Please take the warning seriously, multiple people on Hawaii have been killed or badly injured from these dangers.
Swimming in the base pool of Manoa Falls is prohibited.
So picturesque is Manoa Falls and the lush landscape, Hollywood filmed scenes here for movies like Jurassic Park and Catching Fire, and TV shows like Lost and Hawaii Five-0.
The falls themselves have a dual personality, and the reason for mixed reviews is the amount of water falling over.
In the dry season, the waterfall is anemic but usually never dry. In winter, which is the rainy season, the falls are gushing and majestic, worthy of a 5-star review!
What’s more, you can see amazing rainbows frequently here, hence the nickname “Rainbow Valley.”
Planning Tips for the Manoa Falls Trail Hike
An easy rainforest hike to a beautiful 150-foot waterfall located a short drive from Hawaii’s largest metropolis, Honolulu, translates to “expect to be one of many hikers on the trail!”
In fact, Manoa Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Hawaii!
Peak time is typically 10:00 to 3:00, roughly the time when tour buses bring visitors as well.
Want to enjoy a more peaceful hike to Manoa Falls where you can soak in the views and the waterfall?
Come early and on weekdays!
The Manoa Falls trail is open from sunrise, but the Paradise Park lot opens at 8:00 am. Hike the Manoa Falls trail at 8:00 if you can make it.
Not only is it a lot cooler, you will enjoy a relatively uncrowded trail and take photos at your leisure.
Apart from other diehard early birds like yourselves, most of the visitors to Manoa Falls show up around 10:00 am.
And speaking of birds, you’ll see a lot more of these pretty Hawaiian birds in the morning! With a pair of good binoculars or a scope, you can zoom in on them!
Else plan on hiking after 3:00 pm when the crowds start thinning.
Make sure you check the weather before you leave. While a little bit of rain is welcome, rain storms and really bad weather will make your hike much more difficult.
Also check here for the rare trail closure.
What to Bring for the Manoa Falls Trail Hike?
Manoa Falls lies on the windward side of Oahu, and the weather here throughout the year is roughly in the 70s and 80s during the day.
Expect your typical tropical weather: hot, humid, and rainy on most days.
While the trail is well-shaded, reefsafe sunscreen is highly recommended. Mosquito repellent, bug spray or insect repellent is a must, you’re hiking on a rainforest trail.
Carry a dry backpack (waterproof) with a light rain jacket or poncho.
Getting caught in a light shower is not a reason to cancel your hike, raindrops are warm and a bit of rain can be refreshing. Look forward to a waterfall with more oomph.
Over the years, the Na Ala Hele trail system program that maintains the Manoa Falls trail has added gravel to sections of the trail, making footing a bit better when wet.
Take hiking poles or a walking stick if you need the extra support for balance, and use them often on the trail.
Wear hiking shoes or boots. Though an easy trail, bare feet or flip flops won’t cut it on the Manoa Falls Trail, even though you will encounter many novice hikers here that think they are headed to the beach. Even with the gravel, this trail can get very muddy after rains.
If you’re doing the Manoa Falls Hike during a wet spell, or just after rains, bring a spare pair of shoes or flip-flops, and a trash bag, so you can store your wet and dirty shoes in the bag and slip into clean footwear after your hike.
Bring lots of water and snacks, make sure to dispose of litter properly or pack it back with you.
Cell phone reception is spotty to non-existent, so download all the maps and other information you need.
Also make sure your smartphone is fully charged with sufficient storage for all the photos you’ll take along this beautiful trail.
If you’re a nature photographer, taking some of your light camera gear is definitely worth it.
Why do you think Hollywood keeps coming back to shoot here? The scenery is simply gorgeous!
A headlamp or flashlight is useful in emergencies or if you’re caught on the trail in the dark.
Also, if you’re planning to stop at the Lyon Arboretum, a beautiful botanical garden at the end of Manoa Road and part of the University of Hawaii, make sure you reserve in advance!
Safety & Health Tips
Stay on the trail. Period.
Unlike many other Oahu trails, there aren’t scary cliff drops on the Manoa Falls Trail.
But you can easily get lost here in the forest and wander into dangerous terrain, so stay on the trail.
Heed all the posted warning signs. Especially the ones at Manoa Falls that warn you against going beyond the protective rock wall in the viewing area or prohibiting swimming in the base pool.
Many people flout these warning signs. Unfortunately, serious and fatal accidents have happened here, including falling rocks, landslides and powerful surges in water after storms.
The water in the base pool and many of the streams carry bacteria that causes leptospirosis. You definitely don’t want to be sick with this disease on your vacation!
If you are hiking with your pet or even otherwise, note there may be hunting dogs off leash on the trail or nearby during hunting season.
With really bad weather and heavy rain storms, flash flood risk is always present (even if it is not raining where you are).
Na Ala Hele, Hawaii’s official trail access program, publishes a very informative safety brochure that every hiker in Hawaii must read!