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Beautiful Manoa Falls against a lush rainforest background

Location, Trail Hours, Difficulty, How Long

  • Location: Manoa Falls, Honolulu, HI 96822
  • Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
  • Length: 1.6 miles, out & back
  • Elevation change: 800 feet
  • Manoa Falls Trail Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset

As part of Hawaii’s official Na Ala Hele trail program, the Manoa Falls trail is well-maintained, and you can check their website for closures and alerts.

Difficulty

Often categorized as moderately difficult, I personally view Manoa Falls trail as reasonably easy, and I’ve seen elderly folks as well as younger kids on the hike.

In fact, Manoa Falls is one of the few waterfall hikes on Oahu accessible to hikers of all levels, even novice hikers.

Why would some hikers classify the trail as moderately difficult?

First, the trail is often muddy due to frequent rains, though you’ll see gravel added in several sections to help with footing.

Rainforest jungle path, wet and muddy after rains
Rainforest jungle path, wet and muddy after rains

Treat the mud with respect, especially on slopes. Locals have their own term for the mud, “Hawaiian ice.”

Second, the hike does involve a bit of steps and climbing. Use hiking poles if you need additional support for climbing and footing.

Length

At 0.8 miles length for a total roundtrip distance of 1.6 miles, Manoa Falls is a short hike, and manageable for even beginner hikers.

Elevation Gain

The Manoa Falls trail has an elevation gain of about 800 feet. The trail has a gradual upward incline for the bulk of the hike.

The Manoa Falls trail has fairly shallow stone and mud-packed steps, and more towards the end of the trail as you approach the falls.

Shallow steps and a gradual climb on the Manoa Falls trail
Shallow steps and a gradual climb on the Manoa Falls trail

You’ll also face an occasional mildly steep slope along the trail.

We saw some of the more elderly hikers make full use of the benches along the trail to catch their breath.

Time Taken to Hike the Manoa Falls Trail

The average hike time to Manoa Falls and back is a little more than an hour, but we usually take 2-3 hours, with breaks.

One of the most beautiful nature hikes on Oahu, we found ourselves pausing almost every few minutes to snap some photos along the trail.

Manoa Falls trail winds through a beautiful bamboo forest
Manoa Falls trail winds through a beautiful bamboo forest

If you find the lush-green, dense foliage carpeting the ground and the understory, along with the towering trees forming the rainforest canopy eerily familiar, you’re right!

Some of the scenes from famous Hollywood movies and shows like Jurassic Park and Lost were shot here, so spectacular is the greenery and rainforest landscape.

And don’t forget to take some photos of Manoa Falls from the trail, capturing the amazing rainforest backdrop.

Beautiful Manoa Falls from the trail
Beautiful Manoa Falls from the trail

Manoa Falls Trail Hours

The Manoa Falls trail is open from sunrise to sunset, and make sure you allocate enough time to get back before dark.

In the posted signboard at the Manoa Falls trailhead, you’ll see a note recommending you don’t start the hike after 5:30 pm.

Hiking the forest in the dark is sure spooky, take a headlamp or flashlight, just in case!

Dark Manoa Falls trail covered by rainforest canopy
Dark Manoa Falls trail covered by rainforest canopy

Besides you don’t want a face-to-face encounter with one of the night marchers, ghosts of the Hawaiian warriors prowling the trail, one of the legends associated with the Manoa Falls trail!

Best Time to Hike the Manoa Falls Trail

The median temperature on the windward side of Oahu, where Manoa Falls is located, is fairly stable in 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

You can expect typical tropical weather throughout the year: hot, humid and likely to rain!

In winter, expect more frequent rains, but that should not daunt you from hiking. We find light rain refreshing!

Also, Manoa Falls is mostly rainfed, and you’re likely to see the falls at its most impressive after a few days of rains.

Manoa Falls, more impressive after rains
Manoa Falls, more impressive after rains

The downside? Trail is a lot more muddy!

Avoid heavy rain storms as flash floods may occur.

What about Kids and Dogs on the Manoa Falls Trail

Dogs are allowed on the Manoa Falls trail, but must be on a leash. Please clean up after your dog.

During hunting season, a popular sport in Hawaii, hunting dogs may be loose nearby or on the trail, so be prepared to encounter off-leash dogs.

While suitable for most kids, younger kids may need to be carried. Strollers are definitely not advisable on this trail.